I decided today to give the outrageously expensive shoe authorities that be, also known as Stride Rite, a shot today in an attempt to find boots for my younger son (YS). In all honesty I've gotten my kids' shoes there in the past. Since I can't tell whether kids' shoes fit correctly, and both boys hate(d) wearing shoes, so they complain even when something fits, I wanted someone to be able to fit their feet for me. Usually I go to the outlet which works out well because the shoes are at a good price and they measure the kids' feet and check to make sure the shoes fit right. However, the last time I was there, they were running really low on boots. Rather than just drag the boys over there, I decided to go to the closer regular store.
I was very excited when I saw big sale signs in the window. The boys and I walked in, and I explained that I was looking for boots for YS. The saleswoman crinkled her brow and said that they really didn't have that many pairs of boots left. To me this is ironic for one reason: yesterday we were hit with a giant snow storm. Wait there's one other reason too...oh yeah it's January! She asked what size YS's current sneakers were. When I replied that they were 4.5, she explained that they don't even make boots that small. She suggested a five with the caveat that she was almost certain that they didn't have any boys boots in that size. They apparently didn't have girls boots in that size either because yes I did ask about that too.
She went in the back to check. The boys took this opportunity to fight over the wall toys in the the store. Sure enough there was one pair of boys boots left and they happened to be size 5! She pulled them out and after prying YS away from the toys much to the delight of my older son (OS), they fit perfectly. YS was very excited by them and proceeded to clomp around the store. I couldn't get over how little they were. When OS first started walking and subsequently got his first pair of shoes, they were a size 6. His first boots were a size 7. We've never had such small shoes in our house. Apparently a lot of people don't either which according to the saleslady is why she still had them in stock. Who says bigger is always better? For the record, YS loved playing in the snow in his new boots this afternoon.
A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: When the boot fits, wear it, particularly if it's at a good price.Labels: Toys / Clothes / Gear |
Okay, this explains why I had such a hard time finding boots for my boys when they were 2 years old and had size 5 feet!
We have freakishly small feet in our family!
Yay for finding boots :-) We seem to have the same problem here too. By December the stores are empty of boots despite the fact that there is still at least 4 more months of winter.