Stick with Keens--here's some sneaks: http://www.zappos.com/keen-kids-chandler-cnx-little-kid-big-kid-raven-bright-chartreuse

Anonymous wrote:The Keens look good but do they make any with shoelaces?

Just replace the self-tightening lace they provide with regular laces if you want?

The Keens look good but do they make any with shoelaces?

Most Geox

UA have not held up for us and my kid doesn't generally wear them out in less they are poorly made. Adidas seem to hold up best here. Sketchers don't last but I buy them really cheaply so I don't care. The only ones that wore out within days were children's place.

I've found that unless the sneakers are all/mostly leather, they don't hold up with my DS. Those tend not to be the "in" styles but it's either that or buy 5-6 pairs a year.

Anonymous wrote:I've sort of given up...none of them have really held up and we've done Geox, Stride Ride (definitely not meant for older kids who are tough on shoes), Nike (a total joke). We now have New Balance shoes-- they seem to be OK.

I will not pay big money anymore for "sturdy shoes." I think they all have the same shelf life.

Yeah, what's up with that? My son wore holes in the toes within 3 days.

We like New Balance. The rubber on the front isn't as big as the Keen's posted, but it is enough to prevent wear on the front of the shoe.

One thing I noticed is the rain does them in. I can wear my own sneakers in the rain and they are fine, but if I let him a few times, the bottom starts to peel. He HATES rain boots, but I hate having to get new shoes so often.

I've found the key to a pair of LASTING shoes for my boys is to get a pair that has those large rubber soles that come up to cover the toe, like the keens do (in this link).

http://www.zappos.com/keen-kids-chandler-cnx-little-kid-big-kid-gargoyle-true-blue

Under Armor ones are the only ones I've found that have come close.

The "All weather moccasin" at Land's End also holds up well.

I've sort of given up...none of them have really held up and we've done Geox, Stride Ride (definitely not meant for older kids who are tough on shoes), Nike (a total joke). We now have New Balance shoes-- they seem to be OK.

I will not pay big money anymore for "sturdy shoes." I think they all have the same shelf life.

Yes! My son usually scrapes off the tips of his shoes but the UA have held up well. I got his from Modell's for $30.

Anonymous wrote:The latest pair of Under Armor has held up well.

Ditto. I haven't bought anything else in years.

The latest pair of Under Armor has held up well.

DS (age 7) plays HARD and is extremely rough on shoes. We went through 4 pairs last school year--3 pair of Geox (he likes the light up shoes) and one Asics. One pair of Geox lasted reasonably well and he outgrew them. The rest, he wore out. I used to keep him in Keens which always looked new after washing, and I am considering switching back but I wanted to ask if there are any other durable brands, particularly any durable brands with lights which he prefers. He goes back to school at the beginning of the August and is required to wear sneakers (they have daily PE and recess). He wears a size 4.