CPSC, Payless ShoeSource Announce Recall of Children's Athletic Shoes

The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoe can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Recall #: 04149
Affected scope: About 441,000

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher. · Updated September 2026

Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan. recalled These are children's athletic shoes in prewalk and toddler sizes. The shoes are white wit….

CPSC, Payless ShoeSource Announce Recall of Children's Athletic Shoes was recalled by Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan. in June 2, 2004. Reason: The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoe can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.. Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young children immediately and should …. Verify recall #04149 with the CPSC before acting.

The recall

Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan. issued this CPSC recall-The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoe can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children..

None
agency class: June 2, 2004
reported

Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #04149 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.

Recall Insight

This recall's affected scope, documented in the Recall Profile below, stays within a single-region or limited-distribution footprint. Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. Consumers holding this product should act on the agency's documented remedy above rather than relying on general guidance.

Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls, 5 from CPSC - clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.

Product description

These are children's athletic shoes in prewalk and toddler sizes. The shoes are white with different color trim and come in sizes 0 to 10. The brand name "Smart Fit" or "Teeny Toes" is written on the sole and insole of the shoes. The recalled shoes have one of the following five-digit numbers, found on a label on the bottom of the shoe tongue: 31056, 31057, 31219, 32264, 32265, 33060 and 33061. No other styles or models are included in this recall.

Reason for recall

The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoe can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Remedy, what to do

Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young children immediately and should return the shoes to a Payless ShoeSource store for a cash refund or exchange.

Recall Profile

Structured summary of the CPSC recall record
Attribute	Value
Agency	U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Severity class	Not classified by agency
Status	Active
Recall number	04149
Date reported	June 2, 2004
Date initiated	June 2, 2004
Recalling firm	Payless ShoeSource Inc., of Topeka, Kan.
Affected scope	About 441,000
Distribution	Not disclosed
Official source	CPSC notice →

Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What to do with this recall

Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young children immediately and should return the shoes to a Payless ShoeSource…

Check the recall number (04149) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next

This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What product was recalled? ▼

Why was this product recalled? ▼

The metal eyelet lace holder at the top of the shoe can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

What should consumers do? ▼

Consumers should take the recalled shoes away from young children immediately and should return the shoes to a Payless ShoeSource store for a cash refund or exchange.

Which agency issued this recall? ▼

This recall was issued by the CPSC on June 2, 2004. CPSC does not publish a hazard classification for this recall. Recall number: 04149.

How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼

Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.

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This recall: CPSC, reported June 2, 2004. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy; related-recall context is computed across the full archive.

Methodology · Corrections · Archive as of August 2026