First Steps, Flawless Fit! Tested & Ranked: The Top 16 Toddler Shoes (2024)

• Our Picks

• We Also Tested

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• FAQs

• Why Trust Verywell Family

The Stride Rite Soft Motion Zips Runner Sneakers top our list because they’re easy to put on, stylish, and fit comfortably on tiny feet. The shoes fit a 27-month-old well, and it was easy to find the right size—thanks to the company’s handy size chart and two available width options (medium and wide). Available in multiple color options and sizes (including infants), these shoes work well with any outfit, and the lightning bolt graphic on the side is like a tribute to a child’s running speed. In addition, the leather and textile upper (made with recycled materials) didn’t get too dirty even after several bouts in the mud, snow, and grass. After two months of testing, they looked good as new.

A memory foam footbed provided a soft and supportive place for our little tester’s feet as they walked and ran at the park and daycare. Moreover, the flexible yet slip-resistant rubber soles have excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, including outside in the rain.

We loved how easily these Stride Rite toddler shoes slipped on and off through the oversized opening, while the adjustable hook-and-loop velcro closure was easy to tighten and maneuver, even on a toddler. The anti-stink mesh lining proved true—we noticed zero odor and dampness despite the fact that the little one wearing them typically runs hot.

Stride Rite is a dependable brand of children’s shoes, often priced reasonably for what you gain in return: durability, comfort, and style. Overall, the $50 price tag is worth the daily wear these shoes will endure.

Bonus: The company provides a printable sizing guide if you don’t have a tool to measure your child’s feet.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 6 | Material: Leather and textile upper | Sole Type: Hard (rubber)}

Lightweight, flexible, and downright cute—the Ten Little First Walker shoes are great for wobbly steps. Our 18-month-old tester, who took her first steps only a few months before testing, put these shoes to the test at daycare and the park. The foot-shaped toe box promotes the natural shape of feet (and fits well comfortably), while the wide opening of the shoe makes it easy to put the shoes on (and take off) wiggly and squirmy kids. Flat rubber soles provide the ideal amount of traction and support for littles still perfecting those first steps. There are even removable character insoles to help children differentiate left from and right and to help the grown-ups confirm their child’s size.

We appreciate the cotton-polyester upper and cotton lining that keeps feet dry and from overheating. One of our favorite features of these first walking shoes is the adjustable velcro straps, which allow parents and caregivers to find a secure fit—regardless of how thick their child’s socks are—that will last all day.

From sage green to rose pink, five (mostly) gender-neutral color options are available to match your kiddo’s style. For $36, you get a weightless and flexible design that allows children’s feet to move naturally while looking absolutely adorable.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 6 | Material: Cotton and polyester upper, cotton lining | Sole Type: Hard (rubber)}

Toddlers play hard, but the Pediped Flex Force shoes play harder. These kids' shoes had no problem withstanding a 3-year-old’s busy lifestyle, whether he was at the park, his Mimi and Papa’s house in the country, or even on a cave tour while on a family vacation. The soles, made of rubber and phylon (a stretchy material made with compressed foam pellets), create flexibility for running feet without weighing children down. A toddler slipped once on wet flooring in the shoes, but overall the traction remained sturdy and reliable on various surfaces. Moreover, we didn’t notice any tripping or falling due to the shoes, thanks largely to the shoes’ 5-ounce weight.

The overall design of these toddler shoes was a home run. There’s only one piece of Velcro to worry about, which means adults can easily find a secure, proper fit for their kiddos. The interior lining and upper feature mesh provides plenty of airflow to small feet to prevent odors, sweating, or overheating. Plus, there are various color combinations, like pink and silver or navy blue and orange.

The Pediped Flex Force shoes were the highest-priced pair on our list, but for a good reason. They’re comfy, lightweight, easy to adjust, super stylish, and durable, especially the rubber grips on the toes that held up against a 3-year-old using them as brakes when riding his bike.

Bonus: These shoes are machine washable. Simply remove the insoles—which also gives kids more wiggle room and extends the shoes’ wear time—and toss the shoes in the washing machine.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 7.5 to 13.5 | Material: Mesh upper and lining | Sole Type: Hard (rubber and phylon)}

The See Kai Run Ryder II FlexiRun shoes are perfectly lightweight, soft, and flexible. These shoes were so comfy a preschooler noted that they felt like slippers. A large Velcro closure allows easy on-and-off access for kids and makes it easy to find their best fit, while the padded collar and tongue give extra support. In addition, the wide mesh upper brings in lots of breathability to keep feet from overheating and smelling, which we noticed was true after watching a preschooler freely run, jump, and ride her scooter and bike.

The shoes were almost too lightweight, between the mesh upper and the stretchy material in the soles. The kiddo who tried these shoes walks on her toes, and the lightweight feel of the shoes made her even less likely to use her whole feet when she was on the move—a disadvantage for her parents. Otherwise, the openness around the toe gives young feet room to grow and move effortlessly.

We found the See Kai Run toddler shoes right on the money for their features and the trusted brand name. Plus, these shoes are machine washable—which is priceless when you have a toddler.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 4 to 13 | Material: Mesh upper | Sole Type: Hard (EVA, ethylene-vinyl acetate, foam)}

Whether your child is a first-time walker or veteran runner, the Stride Rite Soft Motion Artie Shoes have them covered. A wide, rounded toe box (andthreewidth options) gives small feet plenty of space to wiggle while working with the foot’s natural shape. The Stride Rite shoe size calculator helped us pick the right size for a 27-month-old, who often wore these shoes when attending daycare and playing at the park. The easy-to-use adjustable Velcro strap secures the shoes to tiny feet, but we noticed the Velcro doesn’t stay as sticky when it’s dirty. Still, the flexible outsole keeps children grounded and stable no matter where their adventures take them. The kiddo trying these out didn’t trip over his feet once when he wore the shoes, even on wet pavement.

Adults will be jealous of the memory foam insole that generously gives a little extra cushion in each step. The genuine leather upper comes in multiple colors, like white or silver, and pairs well with nearly every outfit.

In terms of value, the Stride Rite Artie Shoes are worth it for their flexibility, durability, and comfort. You’ll likely find yourself—or your toddler—reaching for them first most days, which is why we consider these worth the higher upfront cost.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 6 | Material: Genuine leather upper, memory foam insole | Sole Type: Hard}

Crocs first hit the market more than 20 years ago, but you’d never know that by their popularity today. Available in more than two dozen colors, the Crocs Toddler Classic Clog fits true to size and features a heel strap for a secure fit on quick kiddos. We loved how easy these shoes were to slip on and off; our 3-year-old could put them on by herself.

The company makes its shoes with trademarked Croslite material (resin material), which we found easy to clean and dry quickly. In addition, the clogs have actual holes in the shoes (a classic design of Crocs) to bring airflow to the feet—a great feature to keep feet from overheating at the pool and beach. When it’s cool outside, you can always pair socks with these shoes.

We think the $35 cost is a great deal, considering that the brand has stood the test of time. While not ideal for sports or running activities, the Crocs toddler shoes are a solid option for most kids’ daily activities. The company also sells them in adult sizes, so everyone in the family can match.

For a little added dose of fun, you can customize your kiddo’s shoes with Crocs charms for extra style.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 4 to 10 | Material: Croslite | Sole Type: Hard}

That’s right—even the youngest family members can sport the famous Nike “Swoosh” on their feet. From walks around the neighborhood to playing at the park, these Nike toddler shoes are sturdy on various terrains, thanks to foam on the shoe’s heel that wraps around for extra stability. We thought the toe box was fairly wide and allowed a spacious amount of wiggle room for toes. Despite the lack of an adjustable strap, the shoes fit well because of midfoot and heel straps, only slipping off our 3-year-old tester’s feet when he was trying to climb a steep slope at the playground. Otherwise, the stylish sneakers stayed put through lots of running, jumping, and walking.

The slip-on design is a breath of fresh air for parents and caregivers trying to put shoes on a constantly-moving child. There are pull tabs on the heels and tongue, which double as a helping hand when needed. We noticed our tester’s feet were warm after wearing the shoes but did not feel sweaty or smell. We credit the breathable and light material on the sleek and sporty upper.

Keep in mind that Nike is a popular brand among all ages, so you’re partially paying for the brand name with the $40 price tag. Still, there are more than a dozen color options and a helpful size guide to find the right fit.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 2 to 10 | Material: Not listed | Sole Type: Hard (foam)}

The adjustable hook-and-loop closures on these New Balance toddler shoes are praise-worthy because they provide a comfortable and secure fit on small feet and are easy to adjust. In addition to keeping tiny feet in place, small toes have extra wiggle room without the shoes feeling too narrow or stiff.

A rubber outsole was just what our 2-year-old tester needed for stability at daycare and beyond. We didn’t see any tripping or falling and thought the rubber provided great traction on the ground. Overall, the design is solid enough for school but works for other occasions, both casual and dressy, regardless of terrain, thanks to its durability and its noticeably high quality. The only downsides we found with the New Balance 574 New-B Hook & Loop shoes were the warmth and slight odor on our tester’s feet after a full day’s wear.

Like Nike, New Balance shoes carry a higher price tag because of the reputable brand name. However, we think the reliable traction these shoes offer makes them worthwhile.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 2 to 9 | Material: Textile and synthetic upper | Sole Type: Hard (rubber)}

The Bobux i-Walk Grass Court shoes prove that comfort and style can live in harmony. The shoes fit great on a 1-year-old, with extra space in the toes to accommodate fast-growing feet. The double hook-and-loop straps adjust easily by opening wide to slide a child’s foot in while providing a secure fit when closed. Moreover, we found the rubber soles gave great traction on hardwood and tile floors.

The highlight of these shoes is the classy and understated style. With multiple color options in the genuine leather upper, these work great as toddler dress shoes or for casual wear. The small perforations and cotton lining ensure children’s feet can breathe.

Classy or casual, these Bobux toddler shoes are like two pairs in one. Additionally, they’re available in several solid colors, like blue, red, gray, pink, and rainbow.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 6 | Material: Genuine leather upper, cotton lining | Sole Type: Hard (rubber)}

Between two adjustable Velcro straps and a foot-shaped toe box, the Ten Little Everyday Original shoes give small feet just enough wiggle room without sacrificing a secure fit. We found the straps easy to use and loved the two-color design to make the shoes stand out. The company makes it easy to figure out your child’s shoe size with a size guide and fit quiz. We noticed we had to loosen the Velcro pieces each time to lift the no-slip tongue and fit little feet inside, so they’re not as easy to slip on as some other options.

The hard soles on the Ten Little toddler shoes were sturdy, durable, and tough against the rough play of a 3-year-old. However, the natural rubber soles (made from the milk of the Hevea tree!) were almost too hard and created a loud tapping sound with each step on tile flooring. Still, they didn’t feel overly heavy or weigh down a preschooler as they ran or jumped.

The vegan upper leather is a plus for environmentally conscious families and looks super stylish on tiny feet. Plus, it’s available in 15 colors and nearly 20 size options. While vegan leather isn’t the most breathable material, the cotton lining helps keep feet dry and odor-free.

To put it simply: These are great shoes for toddlers that stay on their feet, look stylish, and have the necessary amount of traction. Ten Little includes a built-in shoe sizer on the box and, to add a little flair, stickers for children to customize shoes.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 4 to 13 | Material: Vegan leather on upper, cotton lining | Sole Type: Hard (natural rubber)}

The thought of buying a single pair of shoes for your toddler and having them last for more than a season or two may sound impossible, but these Pediped shoes are built to last. These shoes feature removable insoles for a snug or looser fit to accommodate growing feet. When removed, the insoles reduce the shoe size by nearly half a size, so you can get more use out of them longer.

Depending on the color or pattern you pick—black, sage, winter floral, or leopard—the upper is made of clarino (manufactured leather), microfiber, canvas (also artificial), or velvet with fleece or mesh lining for breathability. We were pleasantly surprised with how breathable the shoes were, as the 3-year-old who wore this pair never had sweaty feet or odors.

The two adjustable Velcro straps were easy to maneuver and made putting the shoes on a piece of cake. We noticed the tongue of the shoes sometimes slipped beneath the second Velcro strap if you didn’t loosen the strap enough, but that was a quick and easy fix. The shoes, sold in multiple size options, like size 7.5 to size 13.5, fit great, and there was ample room for tiny toes to wiggle.

What we really loved about these shoes was the flexibility and durability of the rubber soles. Despite lots of wear, the shoes never wore down and had excellent traction on various surfaces. These shoes are also machine washable (cue the slow clap).

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 7.5 to 13.5 | Material: Clarino, microfiber, canvas, or velvet upper, and cotton or fleece lining (depends on style picked) | Sole Type: Hard (rubber)}

To say these dressy toddler shoes are adorable would be an understatement. The Robeez Aria First Kicks feature a bold bow that makes a statement at important events and a flash of style to show off on the playground. Unfortunately, while the slip-on design was a cakewalk to put on and fit comfortably well, the shoes do not adjust, so it’s important to buy the proper size. Luckily, the company details size by foot length, width, and age on their sizing chart.

Lightweight rubber and suede soles help littles avoid slipping and provide great traction with plenty of flexibility. However, the shoes struggled to withstand the wear and tear provided by a 16-month-old. The lacing came undone after a few wears, and the sides quickly became worn. Still, the shoes were breathable and never developed any odors.

Still, if you’re looking for dressy toddler girl shoes to wear for special occasions, these shoes fit the bill.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 1 to 6 | Material: Upper not listed | Sole Type: Hard (rubber and suede)}

For a shoe that supports small ankles, the See Kai Run Dean Adapt sneakers feature a high-top design with dual adjustable hook-and-loop closures that cater to orthotics such as AFOs (ankle-foot orthotics) that provide support to the foot and ankle, SMOs (supra malleolar orthosis), which also support the foot and ankle but aren’t as tall as AFOs, and custom insoles. We found it easy to tighten the shoes thanks to the tongue opening large enough to slide feet in quickly. In addition, a rounded and deep toe box left lots of room to grow and space for toes to move. However, one downside is that the shoe's overall design felt bulky and limited a new walker’s ability to crawl when he needed to take a break.

Aside from that bump, the shoes’ hard rubber soles—complete with a herringbone pattern—gave the See Kai Run shoes extra grip and traction on surfaces. In addition, the breathability of the shoes also earned high scores, and, thanks to that mesh lining, we never smelled any off odors.

If your child wears orthotics, you can’t beat the support of these shoes. Plus, they’re machine washable, and the insoles are removable to adapt to growing feet (and save you money on another pair of shoes too soon).

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 4 to 13 | Material: Mesh upper and lining | Sole Type: Hard (material not listed)}

Finding a wide toddler shoe that’s truly wide can feel like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack, but the Saucony Jazz Lite 2.0 Sneakers are the needle. They’re available in two width options, medium and wide, but we found the medium plenty wide enough to fit our 2-year-old tester’s feet. The shoes are flexible, fit well, and are easy to walk in, with rubber soles that feature grooves to help with stability. Moreover, the reinforced rubber toes contribute to the shoes’ durability at the playground, park, and other places.

We thought these shoes were easy to put on, but we encountered a small problem with adjustment. A single Velcro closure is quick and simple to use; however, the laces were harder to maneuver. Still, it’s possible to wear the shoes and adjust only via the Velcro strap, not the laces. Otherwise, the lightweight leather and mesh upper come in different color combinations and offer considerable breathability. They’re even machine washable.

Bonus: A smiley face inside each shoe helps children distinguish left from right.

^{Size Range:
Key Specs: 4 to 10 | Material: Mesh and leather upper, and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Sole Type: Hard (rubber)}

The whole family can match when you buy a pair of these Puma toddler shoes. The classic suede style (first launched in 1968!) has two Velcro straps we found easy to adjust and allowed the tongue of the shoe to open wide and slide feet in. A rubber outsole is the best feature of these shoes because it effortlessly gives a great amount of traction on grass, pavement, and other surfaces. However, we thought the shoes were less flexible than the others we tested and felt heavy.

The company offers the same vintage design formen,women, andlittle and big kids—so everyone can rock the big cat logo.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 4 to 10 | Material: Suede leather upper and textile lining | Sole Type: Hard (rubber)}

If you’re a fan of the Mary Jane style—a closed-toe with one strap across the instep—you’ll love this pair from Stride Rite. These shoes feature the same classic design with touches like perforations on the upper and a faux buckle that’s secretly a Velcro strap. The shoes fit well with a roomy toe box and were easy to put on. However, we thought the Velcro closure could be longer and frequently came undone.

The memory foam insole provides support, while the hard outsole is soft, flexible, and gives adequate traction. The open design of these Mary Jane toddler shoes makes them super breathable, although we don’t recommend them as winter shoes.

^{Key Specs:
Size Range: 3 to 6 | Material: Leather upper | Sole Type: Hard}

How We Rated Toddler Shoes

Frequently Asked Questions

• When should children start wearing shoes?

  “Most kids start wearing shoes once they begin walking with stability and are ready to leave the house on their own two feet!” says Dr. Casares. “This often begins at about 1 year old, though all children are unique.” Once children begin to move, shoes provide a safety barrier between things on the ground. “When children are mostly walking, we should put them in shoes to prevent injury, such as walking on hot surfaces or sidewalks near broken glass or dog poop,” Dr. Fradin adds.

• Is barefoot best for toddlers?

  "I believe that [toddlers] should try to go barefoot as much as possible until they're 2 years old," says Dr. Mendeszoon. This recommendation allows a child’s feet to grow normally and develop muscles and strength, including toe grasping. However, there are some exceptions, Dr. Fradin details. “I do prefer toddlers barefoot unless there are developmental reasons such as toe walking or weakness at the ankle joint leading them to benefit from more support,” she says.

  Otherwise, going barefoot has its benefits, according to Dr. Casares. “If you’re just hanging out at home with your toddler, try to let your little one go barefoot as often as possible so they can learn to optimize proprioception (where their body is in space) without having to consider extra fabric or plastic barriers,” she explains.

• What’s the best type of shoes for toddlers?

  Overall, the best toddler shoes should fit well, provide support, and be comfy. “I prefer that toddlers use a soft or flexible soled shoe,” explains Dr. Fradin. “It's great to use shoes that a child can learn to put on and off themselves to promote autonomy.”

• How do I size my toddler for shoes?

  Shoe sizes for children divide into infant and toddler/little kid sizes and then big kid sizes. The infant/toddler/little kid sizes range from 0 to 13, while big kid shoes start over at 1 to 7 (the equivalent of a men's 7). Toddler shoes will usually include a "T" or "C" next to the number to indicate that it is a toddler/little kid shoe. Remember that not all brands adhere to the same language, and you should always check the size chart before purchasing.

  Using a regular household ruler, measure your child's foot from heel to toe in centimeters. You should add a half-inch to the measurement to provide a more realistic shoe size. You can also take your child into a shoe store for an accurate measurement or read the shoe company’s sizing chart. Dr. Mendeszoon says feet should be re-measured every six months to ensure accuracy.