All of my boys have had very wide feet, and it isn't something they've grown out of (my oldest is 6 yr.) I feel like good fitting shoes are really important, so I'm not willing to do the whole "size up" thing, or make them stuff into regular shoes anyway. I personally have not had much luck finding wide width shoes at Payless beyond and toddler size 6ish, and have never seen them at Marshall's despite other people telling me they have. I've checked the dept stores on occasion, but never managed to find a really good deal there either (could find shoes, but not for cheaper). So, we suck it up and buy Stride Rite. I have bought some off of eBay, which is nice, and any time I've seen a pair - even if it's a size we're not in yet - at a second hand store that are in good shape, I pick them up. SR also has sales, and some of their shoes are not as pricey as others. It does stink IMO, but I know I'm miserable if I don't have good fitting shoes, and I'm not putting my kids through that.