Rising Kids’ Shoe Costs Strain Families as Back-to-School Season Begins

With the school year approaching, parents across the U.S. are grappling with soaring prices for children’s shoes, from $150 sneakers to $300 specialty kicks. A 12-year-old in Northbrook, Illinois, paid $145 for a high-tech Nike model after failing to find a discount, illustrating the pressure families face. Footwear costs rose 3.2% in the first half of the year, on track for the fastest annual increase since the pandemic, driven by tariff policies and the Iran conflict’s impact on petroleum-based materials.

Experts say kids outgrow shoes every six to nine months, yet retailers report a 9% drop in pairs sold and a 7% rise in average price. Consumers are turning to coupons, versatile designs, and second-hand platforms like Goodwill and ThredUp to stretch budgets, while some families must choose between shoes and basic necessities.