The 12 Best Shoes For Toddlers, According To Parents Who Have Tried ’Em All
In a previous life, you might have loved shoe shopping. But now you are in a strange new world, a place where just the idea of footwear is fraught with drama and stress. Seriously, why is it so damn hard to measure our kid’s shoe size? And as for bringing our little monsters with us to the store...forget it. That’s why we compiled this list of the absolute best shoes for toddlers, all approved by real parents with real shoe problems.
RELATED: 20 Stocking Stuffers for Kids That You Haven’t Thought of Before
When should children start wearing shoes?
A word to the wise: There’s really no reason to add shoes to your baby registry. That’s because your kid doesn’t actually need a pair of kicks until they start walking—and even then, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), says that barefoot is best at first. Walking without shoes on gives a child’s feet room to grow and develop properly. It also helps kids get their balance since they can use their toes to grip. But when your toddler starts to get more comfortable on their feet and ventures outdoors, that’s when you’ll want to invest in a good pair of shoes.
What to look out for when picking toddler shoes
Whether your kid is only just starting to take a couple of steps or is a toddling pro, you’ll want to make sure that their shoes are comfortable and flexible, while also being solid and stable. Here are some tips for shoe shopping for toddlers from Dr. Suzanne Fuchs, a foot and ankle surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Palm Beach.
- “Toddler shoes should have a wide toe box to allow the child to freely move their toes as well as allow their toes to spread without constriction as they grip the ground to walk,” says Fuchs. “A wide toe box is also important to allow the foot to go into the shoe easily without squeezing. This helps prevent toes from curling, deformities such as hammertoes and allows the feet to develop naturally.”
- Shoes should be lightweight, Fuchs tells us. “Heavy shoes may cause toddlers to have tired leg and foot muscles and could also cause malalignment of the spine.”
- Sorry, friends: You may want to think twice about passing off big sister’s hand-me-downs to your tiny tot. If shoes are worn out, they likely won’t have enough structure to support your early walker’s feet. (Those fancy party shoes that she only wore once, however, are totally fair game.)
1. Best for Wide Feet: Stride Rite Wes Sneakers
- Value: 17/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 18/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Comfort: 20/20
- Total: 92/100
2. Best for Adventures: Timberland 6“ Classic Boots
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 16/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Comfort: 18/20
- Total: 91/100
3. Most Comfortable: See Kai Run Ryder Sneakers
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Comfort: 20/20
- Total: 93/100
4. Best Slipper: Norty Suede Leather Moccasins
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Comfort: 19/20
- Total: 92/100
5. Best for Getting Muddy: See Kai Run Summit Sneaker
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Comfort: 18/20
- Total: 91/100
6. Best Guaranteed Fit: Ten Little Everyday Original
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Comfort: 19/20
- Total: 93/100
7. Best Rain Boot: Polarn O. Pyret Waterproof Rain Boots
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 16/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Comfort: 18/20
- Total: 90/100
8. Best Flexibility: Stride Rite Soft Motion Artie Sneakers
- Value: 17/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 18/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 17/20
- Comfort: 19/20
- Total: 89/100
9. Most Fashionable: Saucony Jazz Hook & Loop Suede Sneakers
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 20/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Comfort: 20/20
- Total: 94/100
10. Best Sandal: Native Unisex Charley
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 19/20
- Quality: 17/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Comfort: 18/20
- Total: 90/100
11. Best Winter Boot: Bogs Kids’ Snow Day Snow Boot
- Value: 18/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 17/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Comfort: 19/20
- Total: 91/100
12. Best Water Shoe: Native Jefferson Waterproof Slip-on
- Value: 19/20
- Ease of putting on/taking off: 19/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Comfort: 19/20
- Total: 95/100
RELATED: 7 Toddler Yoga Classes That Will (Hopefully) Chill Them Out