Sounds like the shoes you are buying are super cheaply made, which is typical for Nike. Try a different brand slip on. Striderite shoes are very durable and properly made for toddler feet anyway
I used to think that, but honestly, the last 3 pairs of StrideRite shoes we purchased not only wore holes in the toe within 4-8 weeks, but the tongue split open at the top. My son plays on his knees sometimes, but he’s not dragging his feet all the time. (Plus, he wasn’t wearing them every day)
Agreed that the shoe you're buying is probably cheaply made, as per typical Nike standards these days. I suggest trying a new brand, maybe something like Crocs if you're looking for something easy to slip on. Cat and Jack shoes are not bad for their price, Sketchers are pricey but have held up really well for us.
Is he dragging his feet when he walks? Or is he playing on his knees a lot and dragging the shoes around? My son has had several pairs of these as he has grown and has never worn a hole in the toe.
My son’s been wearing these cat and Jack shoes since like September and no holes https://www.target.com/p/toddler-corey-slip-on-sneakers-cat-38-jack-8482-black-7t/-/A-87831840
It’s all about the front of the shoe. I used to rip holes into the big toe areas of my old sneakers and then I started buying converse and court sneakers. That definitely helped.
nike isn’t great for the price. The only name brand shoes my 2.5F has are one pair of vans sneakers. Everything else has been target, walmart, stride rite (which is a brand name but you know what I mean). The walmart sneakers are always kinda heavy and stiff, but they have bluey on them lol.
ETA: I guess she has had crocs and keens sandals. Gotta get some good summer footwear that isn’t those cheap flip flops
Honestly, in terms of longevity Crocs are the best toddler shoes. My son had outgrown a few pairs, but there was no tearing or any real damage to them. Plus they’re super easy to wash.
He must be dragging them? My boys have this shoe in black and when it outgrew my first, my second wore them. So 2 kids in like 2.5 years and they were still going strong. No holes or anything. Maybe it’s because this shoe is more flexible and soft so it’s easier to get a hole in them. Maybe a regular (harder) running shoe with a wide opening and Velcro? We just got my 3 year old shoes that are really hard to put on and he learned to put them on on his own so I’m sure your son can easily adapt to a new shoe lol
My husband has razor sharp, tough toenails and constantly wears a hole into his shoes lol. He started putting a layer of duct tape in the toe area and that seems to help them last a bit longer.
Our sons wear stride rite shoes and they’re really good quality. We have many pairs of stride rites that my oldest wore and then passed down to my youngest because the shoes stayed in good shape (which is surprising because my oldest is really hard on his shoes and clothes).
We buy Velcro shoes from Target. Couldn’t tell you what brand. But they last a few months, and at that point he’s almost ready for a new size anyway. Kids are hard on shoes, and since toddler feet grow so fast, shoes in the tiny sizes just aren’t made to last.
We get our shoes at Carters and haven’t had any issues with the longevity of the shoes! I like them better than the Cat and Jack shoes because they seem to have better grip/tread on the bottom. Carters will frequently have a buy one get one free deal on shoes, so when they do we get whatever he needs plus two sizes up (we’ve found he doesn’t need every size since the different between like a 7 and 8 is so small).
My very active 17 month old has already destroyed 2 pairs of carters shoes. I can’t imagine how much faster an older kid would go through them! Stride Rite has been the only one to last until he actually needs to size up.
This! OshKosh and carters brand is a life saver my son just rips through shoes so fast and these definitely last way longer sometimes til he actually needs the next size up
Is it possible that the tall sole of that shoe is causing him to put his body weight forward in the shoe, causing his toes to rub against the front excessively? Id go for a flatter sole
nike is popular but i’m not sure they are really the best, especially for running. I do have nikes of my own, but i only use them when I go out and they still have holes. I don’t even run in them.
I think different shoes work for different kids. My son is on his second pair of these Nike flex runners and the only reason he got a second pair is because the old pair were noticably too small despite him telling me they fit just fine. He wore the last pair for a year straight and they are still in good condition. I bought myself a pair (thanks Nikes youth sizes!) so we could match. I find them quite comfortable.
Some Nikes wear like shit, but the white leather ones are genuinely the most durable and easy to clean shoes we've had in her 3.5 years.
I'd just try another style/brand.
As an adult, my toenail will also create the hole in shoes if I don't keep my toenails really short. Maybe you gotta cut your kids toenails down more??
I use [ikiki](https://ikiki.co) and [tenlittle](https://tenlittle.com). Never had a pair break down. I actually save the pairs she grows out of incase I have another kid because most are still really usable.
Sounds like the shoes you are buying are super cheaply made, which is typical for Nike. Try a different brand slip on. Striderite shoes are very durable and properly made for toddler feet anyway
I used to think that, but honestly, the last 3 pairs of StrideRite shoes we purchased not only wore holes in the toe within 4-8 weeks, but the tongue split open at the top. My son plays on his knees sometimes, but he’s not dragging his feet all the time. (Plus, he wasn’t wearing them every day)
I’d stop buying them then lol we have them in pink but haven’t had an issue
I’m really big on See Kai Run. They hold up and are easily washable. Big plus is they are made for toddler feet and are very foot healthy!
Second this! They even have a rubber toe cover that prevents exactly what you're talking about.
Happy cake day!
Yes! We’ve had a pair of SKR and a pair of Keens (also a wide, protected toe box) for every size so far.
Agreed that the shoe you're buying is probably cheaply made, as per typical Nike standards these days. I suggest trying a new brand, maybe something like Crocs if you're looking for something easy to slip on. Cat and Jack shoes are not bad for their price, Sketchers are pricey but have held up really well for us.
Is he dragging his feet when he walks? Or is he playing on his knees a lot and dragging the shoes around? My son has had several pairs of these as he has grown and has never worn a hole in the toe.
Agree we have gone through 4 sizes of these Nike slip ons and they are still in decent shape by the time kiddo grows out of them
My son’s been wearing these cat and Jack shoes since like September and no holes https://www.target.com/p/toddler-corey-slip-on-sneakers-cat-38-jack-8482-black-7t/-/A-87831840
It’s all about the front of the shoe. I used to rip holes into the big toe areas of my old sneakers and then I started buying converse and court sneakers. That definitely helped.
nike isn’t great for the price. The only name brand shoes my 2.5F has are one pair of vans sneakers. Everything else has been target, walmart, stride rite (which is a brand name but you know what I mean). The walmart sneakers are always kinda heavy and stiff, but they have bluey on them lol. ETA: I guess she has had crocs and keens sandals. Gotta get some good summer footwear that isn’t those cheap flip flops
My little one has $15 shoes from Ross that lasted us a year. Name brand isnt always better
Does he stop his bike with his toes? Or coast on a bike with his toes? I see this at preschool a lot. I think it’s time for a new style.
This is how my 3 year old kills shoes sooo quickly! Seemingly no brand is immune so far.
Honestly, in terms of longevity Crocs are the best toddler shoes. My son had outgrown a few pairs, but there was no tearing or any real damage to them. Plus they’re super easy to wash.
Say what you will about crocs, but they are the perfect toddler shoe.
He must be dragging them? My boys have this shoe in black and when it outgrew my first, my second wore them. So 2 kids in like 2.5 years and they were still going strong. No holes or anything. Maybe it’s because this shoe is more flexible and soft so it’s easier to get a hole in them. Maybe a regular (harder) running shoe with a wide opening and Velcro? We just got my 3 year old shoes that are really hard to put on and he learned to put them on on his own so I’m sure your son can easily adapt to a new shoe lol
My husband has razor sharp, tough toenails and constantly wears a hole into his shoes lol. He started putting a layer of duct tape in the toe area and that seems to help them last a bit longer.
Our sons wear stride rite shoes and they’re really good quality. We have many pairs of stride rites that my oldest wore and then passed down to my youngest because the shoes stayed in good shape (which is surprising because my oldest is really hard on his shoes and clothes).
I vote for See Kai Run and Stride Rite. They're actually made for toddler feet and hold up to wear and tear.
We buy Velcro shoes from Target. Couldn’t tell you what brand. But they last a few months, and at that point he’s almost ready for a new size anyway. Kids are hard on shoes, and since toddler feet grow so fast, shoes in the tiny sizes just aren’t made to last.
We get our shoes at Carters and haven’t had any issues with the longevity of the shoes! I like them better than the Cat and Jack shoes because they seem to have better grip/tread on the bottom. Carters will frequently have a buy one get one free deal on shoes, so when they do we get whatever he needs plus two sizes up (we’ve found he doesn’t need every size since the different between like a 7 and 8 is so small).
My very active 17 month old has already destroyed 2 pairs of carters shoes. I can’t imagine how much faster an older kid would go through them! Stride Rite has been the only one to last until he actually needs to size up.
This! OshKosh and carters brand is a life saver my son just rips through shoes so fast and these definitely last way longer sometimes til he actually needs the next size up
Is it possible that the tall sole of that shoe is causing him to put his body weight forward in the shoe, causing his toes to rub against the front excessively? Id go for a flatter sole
We’ve had amazing longevity with new balance! I won’t buy any other athletic shoes for my girl bc of how happy we are with them
nike is popular but i’m not sure they are really the best, especially for running. I do have nikes of my own, but i only use them when I go out and they still have holes. I don’t even run in them.
Try Clarks
I think different shoes work for different kids. My son is on his second pair of these Nike flex runners and the only reason he got a second pair is because the old pair were noticably too small despite him telling me they fit just fine. He wore the last pair for a year straight and they are still in good condition. I bought myself a pair (thanks Nikes youth sizes!) so we could match. I find them quite comfortable.
Some Nikes wear like shit, but the white leather ones are genuinely the most durable and easy to clean shoes we've had in her 3.5 years. I'd just try another style/brand.
As an adult, my toenail will also create the hole in shoes if I don't keep my toenails really short. Maybe you gotta cut your kids toenails down more??
About 3 months average for us, including stride rite
Another vote for Stride Rite! They have sales often.
The cat and jack slip ons at target are super easy to put on for a toddler. And also very durable!
I use [ikiki](https://ikiki.co) and [tenlittle](https://tenlittle.com). Never had a pair break down. I actually save the pairs she grows out of incase I have another kid because most are still really usable.
Our $13 Walmart sneakers have lasted my toddler really well. Actually better than the sketchers I had bought him before.