EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement on
Form  S-8  of our  report  dated  January  6,  1999  relating  to the  financial
statements,  which  appears in the Annual Report to  Shareholders  of the Stride
Rite  Corporation,  which  is  incorporated  by  reference  in the  Stride  Rite
Corporation's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  November 27, 1998.
We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated January 6,
1999 relating to the financial statement schedule,  which appears in such Annual
Report on Form 10-K.


                                          /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

                                          PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
June 17, 1999