<p>Hi prep parents, I'm back. I hope you are all doing well. I've been too busy to post (despite my son's entreaties) but things have eased up, he's leaving in 2 weeks, and I am suddenly awake in the middle of the night wondering if we got everything he needs. </p>
<p>What kind of shoes do boys wear at prep schools? My son only ever wears sneakers, and his dress shoes aren't suitable for everyday wear. I don't know what to get him. We are limited by our small budget and his exceptionally wide feet.</p>
<p>My son has gotten a lot of all-purpose mileage out of the Timberland classic 2-eye boat shoe (in the darker brown) He wears them for classes and for some of the dressier occasions too. I would think this is a style that has makes at all price points. It’s an exciting time, certainly, but good luck getting more sleep at 2:30 a.m.! ~O) </p>
<p>Depends on the school. My son is at a school with formal dress code, but they can wear anything on their feet. He wears flip- flops when it’s warm,especially with shorts (along with a blazer and a tie)–which boys do by the date-- fall and winter trimester, no matter how cold it actually gets, sneakers a bunch of the time, and boots that resemble the Timberlands (but are a cheaper brand) for bad weather. There are only a couple of times a year that he has to wear dress shoes. He seems right in line with the other boys. There are some who wear top-siders, but it’s not necessary. My son did get a pair, but he doesn’t wear them that much and there a plenty of boys not wearing them. If he’ll be in a cold climate, I do think he’ll need some kind of boots (like the Timberland style)-- but not until after Thanksgiving. All these can be purchased at a “Payless” or similar kind of store, or ordered online. </p>
<p>P.S. Really REALLY tell him boys wear lots of shorts. Because of the formal dress code, these are nice looking chino-type shorts, to their knees-- but lots of shorts, fall and spring.</p>
<p>Even at schools with a dress code, you’ll see everything from the light colored Timberland boots (casual) to dress oxfords (dressy). My advice to your son, especially if he is currently a sneakers all the time guy, is to stick with rubber soled shoes (vs. leather, which are generally stiffer soled and less comfortable) — optimally 2 pairs that he can rotate. Charger’s advice is good.</p>
<p>Don’t know how you define a “small budget”, but the ones on this page start at $69. Which doesn’t seem like a bad price to me for something that is backed by LL Bean’s famous guarantee.</p>
<p>I like the East Point Boots and would probably go for those if it were me. Back in the day, I mostly wore the Timberland Ranger Moc…basically a boat shoe with a lugged sole.</p>
<p>I think a 2 eyelet boat shoe like Charger says, plus a 4 eyelet buck or boot or loafer (check out Zappos if you want to look at a range of styles before going out and trying to find things in stores) would serve most of his needs. And then he’d wear his dress dress shoes when required. What’s most important is that they are comfortable to him and that they conform to dress code. The rest is just fashion.</p>
<p>Sperry, Bean boots, and Timberland. Those are all I ever saw! And the outlets are your wallet’s friend (well except for the Bean boots).</p>
<p>I suggest you get a basic pair of Sperry boat shoes (or similar)… And them let him see what they wear at his individual school as there are always slightly different “in” things at each school.</p>
<p>Then on Parents Weekend you can get what he needs/wants.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help! Now to see what I can find in extra-wide…or maybe extra-extra-wide. You wouldn’t believe a tall, skinny kid could have such feet!</p>
<p>Speaking of Bean Boots…when I went to get some for 7D2 last weekend, the folks at our local LL Bean outpost told me that they expect to be sold out and back ordered in popular styles and sizes by end of August. So if you/your kid wants a pair for fall, order now.</p>
<p>Already have the boots in hand for that reason! LOL Another recommendation is to consider the Thinsulate Bean boots… a tak more $$ but much warmer.</p>
<p>Flip flops in the warmer weather (and even when not so warm!) and Sperry top-siders. You do not have to invest in the authentic Sperrys if they are over budget for you, there are many less expensive brands that look the same. But really, I don’t know any BSer who does not own a pair of top- siders.</p>
<p>My son wears sneakers at his casual dress school. He barely wore his boots last winter (New England school so there was snow). He brought a pair of dress shoes which he wore to matriculation. He did not go to any of the formal dances. He brought cleats for sports and we bought indoor sneakers for squash. I think he had a pair of water shoes too, but never went to the pool. He is very hard to fit too.</p>
<p>I got some extra-wide 2-eyelet Sperrys that fit him well. He even likes them! They didn’t cost much more than the sneakers he wears out so quickly and they should last quite a bit longer. I also paid a visit to an LLBean store to find out his boot size in case he decides he wants them. One week until D-day and I am getting pretty tearful.</p>
<p>So, just in case you don’t know the trick to soften up those top siders: stick them in a bucket of salted water for about half an hour, then have him wear them on a walk somewhere, wet. They’ll be very soft and conform to his feet ever after.</p>
<p>@twinsmama How about Merrells? It seems they are not popular in the East but are very popular where I am. My boys had “chubby” feet so they loved Merrell Moc slip ons. That’s why they never learned how to tie shoe laces. LoL Now in Men’s sizes they are pricy. I miss the times when I could get them for $29 for a pair at Nordstrom Rack kid section. </p>
<p>OMG, as soon as I read twinsmama’s post, I immediately said, “That’s CK exactly and that’s why he loves his Sperry’s.” ski and london took the words out of my mouth.</p>