I've been buying my son Vans shoes for years, I've only tried to get him a pair of slip ons but they were so tight he couldn't fit. So I bought them for less than half the price. Ideal! I was afraid they would be tight but they were fine. And just as cute. He's in first grade... so I don't know how long it will be but if I can get out of them for a few months that's fine as he outgrows shoes so quickly anyway.