Ridiculous to buy snow boots 3 sizes ahead?

[Anonymous]

Lands End has a great sale on snow boots, but we're already set for this year (from what I bought end-of-season last year). DD is 5 and currently wears 12.5/13 sneakers, and has size 13 snow boots. LE has a great pair for $30, down from $70, but the closest size for her in stock is a 3. Sensible me says get a different (boring) color in a 1 or 2, but she really, really likes the one that's only in 3. She could stomp around in boots that are a full size or two too big next year, right?? She could definitely wear them the next year, too.

Tell me this is ridiculous? Or not?

[Anonymous]

Nope it's a good idea. Buy them.

[Anonymous]

If it is a ridiculously low price I always buy ahead.

Snow boots are those things by the time you actually need them and you pull them out of the closet they are outgrown already. They also don't need to be perfectly sized. We have worn some pairs multiple seasons. They don't need a perfect fit like sneakers or cleats.

I pretty much have every other size in land's end boots.

I have two boys, 2.5 years apart. I always buy snow pants and boots ahead. Knowing he will eventually fit in them and they go down to the younger one like new.

I don't think it's crazy to have 3 sizes ahead. My kids will tell me after their toes are already jammed that they need new sneakers immediately. When I've ordered a pair and they are a little too big--I don't return. Then-- I just pull that pair out of the closet and say 'here you go'. This happened yesterday with my 5th grader.

[Anonymous]

Bad idea. My kids skip sizes over the years, so they may never fit during the correct season. IME boots are hard to walk in; boots that are way too big are really hard to walk in and tend to fall off an/or fill with snow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bad idea. My kids skip sizes over the years, so they may never fit during the correct season. IME boots are hard to walk in; boots that are way too big are really hard to walk in and tend to fall off an/or fill with snow.

I was going to say this. DS was a 3 in snow boots last year. He is a 6 this year, essentially skipping 2 sizes.
We love Land's End and they are almost always having sales. Shoes in general, especially boots which are seasonal, are too risk to buy ahead.
I am sure you will find a good sale next winter. Typically they have great sales in Dec and we don't usually need snow boots in DC till Jan/Feb.

A bargain is not a bargain if you don't use them.

[Anonymous]

For me, I'd buy if they were a steal ($10)--say if I saw them at gently used. But $30, for boots that might be way too big in a color she loves now but possibly won't next year? I'd pass.

But then I see snow boots as utilitarian clothing. I have an older DD and younger son, so I buy neutral snow boots (blue, black, red), which almost without fail I've been able to pass down for a second use. For the number of snow days we have here, I think snow boots are pretty essential but not worth spending a lot of time or money on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For me, I'd buy if they were a steal ($10)--say if I saw them at gently used. But $30, for boots that might be way too big in a color she loves now but possibly won't next year? I'd pass.

But then I see snow boots as utilitarian clothing. I have an older DD and younger son, so I buy neutral snow boots (blue, black, red), which almost without fail I've been able to pass down for a second use. For the number of snow days we have here, I think snow boots are pretty essential but not worth spending a lot of time or money on.

+1

$30 is not that great a deal for something she may not wear. My kids had been predictable in growth for years, but they both skipped a size on me this year. I buy boots every year on sale for that year. I spend $20-30/pair and am fine with that.

[Anonymous]

I always buy two sizes ahead for snow boots. DD's current pair is a 12. She wore them last year too. I found a size 1 on clearance at Marshall's last year and they are put away for next year. She should be a 13ish by then, so they will be big but will be fine with ski socks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always buy two sizes ahead for snow boots. DD's current pair is a 12. She wore them last year too. I found a size 1 on clearance at Marshall's last year and they are put away for next year. She should be a 13ish by then, so they will be big but will be fine with ski socks.

Thick bulky socks are not good for skiing.

[Anonymous]

Note for me, I don't have the storage to buy ahead. I already went down that rabbit hole, lured by good deals, and ended up with way too much stuff.

[Anonymous]

You can get better snow boots such as bogs for less if you do it right. 30 for Lands End snow boots is not a great deal.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't bother. I tried this when my kids were little and ended up giving away a lot of stuff that never got used.

[Anonymous]

I have, just put thick socks on.

[Anonymous]

I would buy them in a neutral color for my oldest, so if he doesn't fit into them, the little one may when her time rolls around. I can always sell them for close to the sale price later.

[Anonymous]

Lands End always has 40-50% off. This is not an amazing deal. I would not buy and store them for so long in hope they are worn (and not forgotten). For 10-20 dollars I might buy them but not 30. Also assuming you are in DC, snow boots are worn so infrequently..go to a thrift store or buy them at Target. They don't need to be great.