Everyone talks about good walking shoes for men and women, but what about kids? We will be dragging our 9 year old daughter from pillar to post this July in Italy. Although we are going to be stopping a lot for gelato, I would like to find some good sandals for her. They have to be something that can go with a dress so that we don't have to carry too many pairs of shoes with us. Thanks!
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Melanie - What would you get for your daughter to wear if you were going to the zoo for the entire day? Or to Disneyworld? We drag my kids all around, and my 8yo daughter mostly wears tennis shoes. (And they're white - and we buy them in France) She also will wear a Mary-jane style. Socks can help prevent blistering. You can get no-show socks and wear them with dresses and no one will bat an eye. Make sure you have a second pair of shoes in case one pair gets wet or she starts getting blisters. If you want specific brand recommendations - I have splurged and got my girls Clarks shoes and they loved them. I also like Stride Rite when we were in the US, and had some luck with Lands End sandals.
Posted by
OP
Pleasanton, California
93 posts
My daughter would just wear her cheap sandals from Target if we were going to the zoo for the day. But we don't go to the zoo for the day 10 days in a row. Good advice about the no show socks and Mary Janes. I'll keep that in mind. I'll also check out Clarks for her. Thanks!
Posted by
Atlanta
800 posts
My kids wore sports sandals (ie teva type) and tennis shoes-pack one, wear one on the plane. When my daughter got older she still wore the more durable sport sandal but wore the flip flop style. Whatever your daughter can walk for hours in now is good-but just be sure to bring 2 different pairs to alternate.
Posted by
Plano, Tx
65 posts
Posted by
Sammamish, WA
403 posts
Keen and Merrill both make funky MaryJanes and sandals for girls that are super sturdy and good for walking. They are not cheap, but ouchy feet are very expensive. We had to buy my son new shoes in Venice when he couldn't go another day in his ratty tennies--lesson learned! You are smart to think about this up front. BTW, I would recommend closed toed Mary Janes rather than sandals for a child. Cobblestones and uneven pavement can be rough on the toes.