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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KOHcQK0Q82d5gCSwmepJIwDXKlYYzaRykQuIdtHxgMn1zmx3bYwPWcvLLx4TMeoE
 2g2x5hLEvudtIhf2+0YmnQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000094887-04-000081.txt : 20040601
<SEC-HEADER>0000094887-04-000081.hdr.sgml : 20040601
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040601160234
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000094887-04-000081
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040529
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040601

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VAN SAUN BRUCE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001199914

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04404
		FILM NUMBER:		04841493

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		324 MANCHESTER ROAD
		CITY:			RIDGEWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07450

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		324 MANCHESTER ROAD
		CITY:			RIGEWOOD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07450

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STRIDE RITE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000094887
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FOOTWEAR, (NO RUBBER) [3140]
		IRS NUMBER:				041399290
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		191 SPRING STREET
		CITY:			LEXINGTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02421
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6178246000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		191 SPRING STREET
		CITY:			LEXINGTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02421

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GREEN SHOE MANUFACTURING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720606
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>van107.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000094887</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STRIDE RITE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SRR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199914</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VAN SAUN BRUCE</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>191 SPRING STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LEXINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02421</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.0000</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>592.42</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.5500</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, $.25 par value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>592.4200</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>592.4200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">one-for-one</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The phantom stock units were accrued under The Stride Rite Corporation's director's deferred compensation plan and are to be settled in shares of stock following the end of the calendar year in which the reporting person ceases to be a director.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Charles W. Redepenning</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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