Buying shoes (for an adult) from the kids range???

K.M.

I was looking for snow boots for my daughter when I found out, by reading reviews, that many adults buy and wear kids shoes because of the price difference. The kid size range goes up to a Woman's 8 or 9 depending on fit, and I saw many reviews for different shoes all reporting the same practice.

This had never even crossed my mind (even though I've shopped for clothes in the kids section because I'm petite). Now I am tempted, but I wonder: what am I missing? Will the shoe not be as durable? Is it built differently?

The price difference is significant, especially for what I'm looking for (low-ankle snow boots)--I'd save anywhere from 40 to 100 dollars. Is it worth it?...

7 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

K.M., what US size shoe do you wear? I have small feet too.

7 years ago

kkards

Veteran

i've bought sneakers this way, and tried to buy a pair of Bean boots...had issues with the Bean boots because while they were the right lenght, the rest of the boot fit was off...i'd say like any thing else its trial and error...(i'm a US 6 and generally an Italian 36)

7 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'd expect the proportions to be off, but I could be wrong. Never tried it myself since I wear a size 10. I'd guess that most items wouldn't be made for long term wear since kids' feet grow so fast, but for pairs you don't plan to wear that much it might be fine.

I've bought men's shoes and depending on the brand they work great. Tend to be sturdier for the price although there's much less choice in the 'cheap and cheerful' price range.

7 years ago

Carla

Active Member

I have bought a pair of gorgeous kids leather sandals at Zara in the past. It was a size 38 (us 7.5). Fit me perfectly and was much cheaper than a 38 in the ladies dept!

7 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

Boys’ shoes are a much better shape for my feet than women’s to be honest. But the quality isn’t always great. I’m sad that adult men’s shoes don’t usually go down to my size.

I wear a 6.5 women’s (37 eur) and I find that a boys’ 5 is usually right.

One of my favorite pairs of shoes is all-leather oxfords from J Crew Crewcuts. It’s rare to find leather linings or a sleek polished look in the kids section though. Those were a one off find.

For some sneaker brands (converse I think, at least the classic chucks) the unisex adult sizes and the larger kids sizes are the same items. For others the kid versions are different (quality, shape, sizing all differ from adult).

7 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Angie, I wear 7.5, so not that small (esp. for my height), but from what I can tell I could get away with a kids 6, 7, or 8 depending on the brand.

kkards and Laura, yes, I was wondering about proportions. This is an issue with kids clothing.

Carla, that's encouraging to know!

Greyscale, an all-leather oxford for kids sounds wonderful! I'd love to find one for my daughter...

7 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

This is an old secret. I've been doing it for years. I think they're generally sturdier because nobody wants someone's mom coming in waving a shoe and yelling at them. They do tend to be a bit wider so don't know if this would work for someone with narrow feet.

My favorite weather boots are these slightly distressed silver or pewter metallic western boots. I got them on sale for $11 and wore them so much I bought a backup from ebay. Very sure footed.

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7 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Vildy, that's a great point! And one would imagine they would have to endure the rougher wear-and-tear of kids playing around all day, right?

That's great to know that this old secret has some truth to it!

My feet are wide in the toebox so maybe this will be in my favor...

7 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This is a great tip. It won’t work for me (size 10 feet), but I want to lure my mom here for Christmas markets next year. I plan to send her a couple of winter outfits during NAS (she doesn’t have winter clothes) and have been trying to figure out how she could get boots for the visit without spending a fortune. This is great—thanks!

7 years ago

Daisy Avalin

Active Member

We have to buy shoes/clothes in the kids range for my Other Half - he's tiny (like, 5'3 and about 6 stone soaking wet)! It's good in one way, because it means we don't pay VAT on kids clothes, but there are downsides!

His work trousers and shoes are from the school clothes ranges (age 11 - 12, he's just turned 40!), but shirts & tees are always a trial to get hold of, because the boys' tees are too young pattern/print-wise, and a small men's is too big! All his suits for work or functions have to be tailored for him, which can get expensive!

7 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Because children's shoes go straight into men's sizing (after a children's size 6 is a men's size 7, whereas a child wearing a 6 in children's shoes would jump to a women's 7-1/2 or 8), they run larger than women's shoes by 1-1/2 to 2 sizes. I wear a 9 and I am still usually able to do this with Ugg boots. They will tend to fit differently because, like men's shoes, they are wider.

7 years ago

anne

Veteran

I have done it for sneakers and running shoes. No experience with snow boots though!

7 years ago

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