We've had pretty good luck trying on shoes at Modells for our DS who is the same age.

Sports authority, Ross, Nordstroms, all have shoes... take him and let him try them on.

I live in DC and often do Zappos for the kids. By 11 my boys were out of the "kid" sizes, and it became difficult to find the right size in stores. If he is big enough for the small adult sizes - starting around size 7 - I have gone to CitySports Georgetown (now closed, but Gallery Place store is still open). There are a couple good running stores in DC as well -- one in Georgetown and one downtown on F Street I think. I would call them and see if they have sizes small enough for you.
If I really need shoes right away for the kids and a good fitting, I go to Nordstrom. Montgomery Mall or Tysons -- which every is easier to get to (but it does come with the risk that I will come home with shoes for me too).

OP here. I live in the city. The Dick's stores are all pretty far out and will eat up a chunk of our already crazy weekend. Is Shoe Train my best bet then for a good fitting and salespeople who understand feet/shoes? Potomac isn't super close either but I think it'll be faster than the Dick's Sporting options. Or is there a great place closer to DC that I am missing? We've been doing Zappos for a while.

Nike running shoes fall apart pretty quickly in my experience. I would get something sturdier, like under armour.

Dick's is good, wide selection, he can try on and check the style and then you can price compare. the 5.0 is a lightweight running shoe. my son loves that one.

Store locator

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/storeLocator/index.jsp?ab=Header_FindAStore

Where do you live?

Anonymous wrote:Where is Dick's Sporting? Do they have a broad selection of brands and styles? What about this Shoe Train place I keep hearing about? Same q about selection. Thanks so much.

New poster. Never bought shoes at Dick's so I cannot speak to selection or service. Shoe Train is in Potomac. They are a children's shoe store. They do have a selection, although, it will be smaller than Dick's (they won't have all the different Nike's, but will have some). Shoe Train will have a selection of several different brands of sneakers though.

FWIW, I take my kids to Shoe Train. However, DH and I get our sneakers at R n J Sports on Parklawn. They are very good at fitting and take time with you. They have children's sneakers and we are probably taking our DS there next time he needs shoes (he liked their selection).