Sandals---need good quality, reasonably priced for active 11 year old boy

[Ottakee]

I need some good sandals for our 11 year old foster boy. He wears a men's size 9 or 10. Where would you go, what brands, as they need to be rugged but yet good for his feet (he is very overweight) and not cost a fortune. I have $250 to buy him a COMPLETE wardrobe--from shoes to undies and everything in between so I can't overspend on 1 item.

 

Where would you go? It would be great if it was a real live store so he could be fitted and try them for comfort.

[ChrisB]

Not a real live store, but how about 6pm.com ?

 

http://www.6pm.com/nevados-torrent-pinecone-mineral-yellow

[IrishMum]

How about Crocs? My boys don't wear anything else. They are very hard wearing, and are so, so comfortable!

[Jennifer3141]

Keens?

 

We have a couple of local shoe stores that I try to use but they never have the right sizes or colors in stock so I just end up getting them sized there. :glare:

 

And then I go to Zappos and get them overnight. :laugh:

[itsheresomewhere]

Keens?

 

We have a couple of local shoe stores that I try to use but they never have the right sizes or colors in stock so I just end up getting them sized there. :glare:

 

And then I go to Zappos and get them overnight. :laugh:

 

I was going to say the same thing. Only I check Amazon.

[Forget-Me-Not]

How about Crocs? My boys don't wear anything else. They are very hard wearing, and are so, so comfortable!

 

 

I agree with this! The adult sizes run around $30/pair just about anywhere you go, but you can sometimes find them cheaper on Amazon, especially if you are willing to swap out a color or style.

 

All three of my older kids live in them during the summer. They hold up really well, they can be machine washed (I toss them in on the gentle cycle with an old towel and they come out almost as clean as new), they have antibacterial stuff in the material so their feet don't stink. I have a lime-green pair that has been through all three of my older kids and are still in decent enough shape to hang on for my youngest :)

[Forget-Me-Not]

I was going to say Keens too, but I did a quick Zappos search and the men's sizes were running about $85/pair. That seems like a pretty steep chunk out of a $250 budget. I do love the pair I have for myself though.

[Jennifer3141]

I was going to say the same thing. Only I check Amazon.

 

 

 

I do amazon too but invariably they won't have the size or style I'm looking for. And Zappos almost always does. They have a VIP service that is super easy to get (I think it's 2-4 pairs a YEAR) and then you get free overnight and free returns.

 

For this boy, I'd definitely go with really good shoes (maybe you can encourage him to be more active if he's comfortable!) and buy him some $50-$70 shoes and get summer clothes at Target or something.

[Forget-Me-Not]

I do amazon too but invariably they won't have the size or style I'm looking for. And Zappos almost always does. They have a VIP service that is super easy to get (I think it's 2-4 pairs a YEAR) and then you get free overnight and free returns.

 

For this boy, I'd definitely go with really good shoes (maybe you can encourage him to be more active if he's comfortable!) and buy him some $50-$70 shoes and get summer clothes at Target or something.

 

 

Good point, maybe fork out more on the shoes and even go second-hand on the clothing? If he's overweight, he needs the activity!

 

And yeah, I got the Zappos VIP service because I ordered several pairs of shoes at one time. I frequently order shoes en masse, planning to try on and send several pairs back. They have free shipping both ways and the refunds are processed really fast. I've had the purchase and the refund all on one credit card statement before. One trip to drop off a box with a prepaid-label at UPS is WAY easier than dragging 4 kids to a shoe store :lol: And if I manage to catch my UPS man at the door, he'll take them for me!

[Jan in SC]

Are you sure he will wear sandals? It's probably just a regional thing, but my 11 and 12 year old sons will only wear crocs or keens to the pool, lake, or river. They will wear flip flops and tennis shoes to all other activities. I'm not sure they like wearing crocs out of the backyard.

[MFA323]

I, too, would suggest Keens or something similar. I'd buy the clothes at Goodwill so that I'd have money for good shoes. It's important for all kids, but especially for one who's overweight. Good shoes will support his stressed feet and joints and encourage him to be more active. I don't exercise in my Keens, but I take walks with the kids (less than 3 miles) and do yard work in them. They're great.

[Dahliarw]

I would suggest keens as well. We love them here.

 

2nd hand for clothes sounds like a good way to make it work.

[Jennifer]

I read this as SCANDALS-you were looking for a good quality scandal for your 11 yo.

 

TIme for bed.

[Ottakee]

 

 

 

For this boy, I'd definitely go with really good shoes (maybe you can encourage him to be more active if he's comfortable!) and buy him some $50-$70 shoes and get summer clothes at Target or something.

 

He has been VERY active here and I think he has lost a bit of weight already. He is outside some at school and has a gym class. Then here he is outside almost all of the time. He will jump on the trampoline for an hour, take a walk, play basketball, chase chickens, ride his bike, etc. and then repeat. Very little TV or video games.

 

I just want to make sure we have good shoes for him so that his feet won't start hurting.

 

I will ask him on crocs as those are reasonable and would be easy to wash here if he gets them really dirty.

[J-rap]

REI often has good sales. They are an outdoors/recreational type store.

 

In fact, here they have a pair of TEVA sandals on sale; the only size they have is 9:

 

http://www.rei.com/product/796710/teva-terra-fi-3-sandals-mens

 

These look pretty durable as well:

 

http://www.rei.com/product/830435/chaco-updraft-2-sandals-mens

 

Often you can click on Reviews, and people will say whether shoes run big or small.

[J-rap]

I forgot to mention that you can also check Sierra Trading Post (sierratradingpost.com). They have lots of outdoors type clothing/footwear, usually at discounted prices. They're usually last year's models.

[Forget-Me-Not]

Oh he may not be able to wear Crocs to public school. I just remembered my SIL told me my nephews' school doesn't allow them.

[Caitilin]

Like this? http://www.6pm.com/keen-newport-h2-black-olive-deep-lichen

[redsquirrel]

We have had good luck with Lands End for sandals for my boys. They are pretty hard on shoes, and so far Lands End has not disappointed.