Shoes brand suggestions for 3-year-olds?

[Anonymous]

For now (COVID being the deciding factor) we are planning on a month long trip in July across most of the major parks on the west coast. We plan on bringing two pairs of shoes for the kids. A newish pair of Keen sandals and ideally a second paid that is closed toed but water proof and comfortable. We won’t be doing intensive hiking obviously, but definitely sturdy. Some people suggested Merrill’s but the reviews said they can cause blisters in younger kids and aren’t the best for their feet. Thoughts on the Natives? All three have very wide feet, so sometimes Natives are too narrow for them.

TIA

Also any quick dry clothing brands in 3T/4T? Underwear that isn’t $20 a pair?

[Anonymous]

Follow up; are the Phoenix Child Native shoes comfortable to your kid? They’re what we want. Closed shoes, no laces but worried about fit for wide footed kids.

[Anonymous]

I haven't looked up the specific style but natives generally work really well on my wide footed 4yo. She wore hers non-stop last summer. I'd just caution that their grip doesn't seem like it would work well for hiking. Buy a pair from zappos and you can always return.

[Anonymous]

Plae shoes.

[Anonymous]

Stride Rite had stores at the malls and they have great variety including lots of styles that come
with wide width.

You can also shop them online.

The quality was good and styles were nice and the comfort was ideal.

IN the pre covid days they would do good shoe fitting to and were very patient and attentive
to child's wiggles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For now (COVID being the deciding factor) we are planning on a month long trip in July across most of the major parks on the west coast. We plan on bringing two pairs of shoes for the kids. A newish pair of Keen sandals and ideally a second paid that is closed toed but water proof and comfortable. We won’t be doing intensive hiking obviously, but definitely sturdy. Some people suggested Merrill’s but the reviews said they can cause blisters in younger kids and aren’t the best for their feet. Thoughts on the Natives? All three have very wide feet, so sometimes Natives are too narrow for them.

TIA

Also any quick dry clothing brands in 3T/4T? Underwear that isn’t $20 a pair?

If underwear is not 100 percent cotton then you will soon trade comfort for skin problems.

[Anonymous]

We loved natives at that age. If their feet are really wide/thick, size up.

[Anonymous]

Natives.

I think Crocs has a similar style but I haven’t tried them.

[Anonymous]

My kids usually own sneakers, crocs, Keens, and some specialty shoe (dress shoe, boots) depending on the season.

Sneakers are usually Stride Rite/Saucony, Plae, or Tsukihoshi (all work well with AFOs). Boots are Lands End or Kamik because they work with AFOs. Bigger child has just moved into women’s so her sneakers are Vans or NB right now.

Dress shoes are a little more flexible since they don’t usually wear AFOs with them, but I am a sucker for an old fashioned English sandal or Mary Jane. The hand me downs seem to hold up pretty well.

[Anonymous]

Pedipeds were great for my daughter, though she did not have wide feet

[Anonymous]

My 3 yr old son also has wide feet and we’ve had trouble with natives in the past. His outdoor preschool recommends crocs (because they are easy for kids to get on themselves, comfortable, closed toed, work on different terrains and are easy to clean! Just spray them down) and we barely use anything else now. It’s amazing how well they work across different needs. In the summer he hikes in them no problem, can go in the creeks, they are comfortable, easy to bring around. I really think perfect for your trip and then use the keens for any more intense boldering. We used to use keens for creek play til he started wearing crocs and school and barely brought out the keens anymore because the crocs were just easy and worked for so much. We just have the regular old clog.

[Anonymous]

Don’t get waterproof. Those get so hot, especially for West Coast parks in July, and they’re heavier. You need breathable shoes.

[Anonymous]

See Kai Run is a great brand.

[Anonymous]

My kids don't like Natives for hiking - they say the plastic makes their feet hot and sweaty and they're not padded. I would get Keens and then a good pair of washable sneakers (I bought Tsukihoshi for my kids at that age).

[Anonymous]

Is there a good non-Crocs substitute for Natives when your kid is in between sizes and has completely outgrown the smaller size and can’t wear the larger size without the shoes nearly falling off? Really wish Native sold half sizes!