The Best Shoes for Babies Learning to Walk and Run Laps Around Us

Our Testing and Review Process

To find the best baby and toddler shoes out there, we had real parents test these shoes out with their little ones of various ages. We also received insight from Diana Levin Valencia, D.P.M., a podiatrist in private practice in New York, to get an idea of exactly what to look for in supportive and comfortable shoes. 

During testing, parents had their kids wear the shoes every day for at least two weeks. Parents checked the fit on their feet when their toddlers were standing up and ensured that they could fit the tip of their finger between the child’s toe and the front of the shoe. We had parents observe their children wearing the shoes as they did everything kids do best: run everywhere, jump up and down, and walk all over the place. Parents noted if their children were able to easily walk and run in the shoes, how well the traction seemed to work by watching for slips and falls, how rigid or flexible the soles were, and how easy the shoes were to put on and take off. Parents took note on the fit, adjustability, stability, breathability, design, and overall value of the shoes, noting what they liked and didn’t like about them. And although we didn’t get to test every shoe on this list, we did test most of them and got insight from real parents when possible. 

Factors to Consider When Buying Baby and Toddler Shoes

When shopping for baby and toddler shoes, you want to keep their comfort in mind, but you also want something that is going to help them learn how to walk and run properly. “Shoes should be lightweight and flexible to support natural foot movement with a stable base of support,” says Shannon Godsil, M.D., a pediatrician at Children’s Physicians in Omaha, Nebraska. While these are the most important factors to note, you’ll also want to think about the overall design, like how the shoes look aesthetically and how convenient they are to put on and take off. Also, note that some shoes have an APMA seal, which refers to approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association. “It’s not pay for play,” Dr. Valencia says. “It means the podiatrists in the APMA recommend that shoe. It does mean something. Pick ones with the seal.” 

A Good Fit: The most important step in finding a pair of shoes? Making sure they fit properly. “Correctly fitted shoes provide children with the grip and stability they need to help further develop their walking shoes,” Dr. Godsil says. 

• Start by properly measuring their feet. The best way to do that is to measure their foot while they are in a standing position, says Joseph G. Khoury, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Nemours Children’s Health in Florida. “Have the baby or toddler stand on a piece of paper and trace the outline of their foot,” Dr. Khoury says. “Measure from the back of the heel to the tip of the second tie; this is the length of the foot.” Tracing their foot as accurately as possible is ideal, because (as you likely know) babies are squirmy, and they don’t want to sit still long enough for you to get an accurate read.
• Once you have their measurements, use those to find their size rather than just going by how old they are (some size charts give that option). And always be sure to check the shoe brand’s size chart. “Different shoes have different sizing formulas, so check their website or with a representative at the store to select the appropriate size,” Dr. Khoury recommends. 
• Understanding the size charts in the U.S. is key, since they can be confusing. Generally, those sizes will be divided into different age groups: small or little kids’ shoe sizes can also be under newborn, infant, toddler, or children. Baby shoe sizes typically go from 0.5 to 5. Toddler and little kid shoe sizes (1- to 5-years-old) go from 5.5 to 13.5. The inches or centimeters should be written next to each size in a proper shoe chart. 
• Once you have a pair of shoes, you can check how well they fit by looking at the toe box. Have your child stand up tall and make sure their heel is pushed against the back of the shoe. Feel for your child’s longest toe in the toe box. There should be enough room that there is a thumb’s width of growing room between the end of their longest toe and the end of the shoe. If there is less than half a thumb width of space, the shoes are too small. 

Sole Flexibility and Traction: You might hear conflicting advice on the flexibility and rigidity of shoes for babies and toddlers. As Dr. Khoury points out, it was once common for experts to recommend rigid shoes with inflexible soles, but he recommends the opposite. “Soft and minimally supportive is best,” he says. “The foot was designed to work best barefoot. The only purpose of shoes is to protect the foot from injury or from the weather. The shoe you select should not interfere with the foot’s natural abilities. It should have a soft upper, stay below the ankle, thinner sole, and be easy to twist and bend in the middle.” 

In terms of traction, you want something that isn’t slippery. Look for non-skid or skid-resistant options. “Shoes should have rubber soles for traction to prevent slipping or sliding,” says Dr. Godsil. However, Dr. Khoury doesn’t advise getting anything too sticky, saying parents should avoid “gummy rubber soles,” because toddlers are already unstable and any shoe that “sticks” to the ground might make them more likely to trip and fall.  

Support: You want your toddler’s shoes to be supportive, but Dr. Khoury advises against getting shoes that are too rigid. “My professional opinion is that rigid, inflexible shoes prevent the foot from doing what it is designed to do during walking, which is to feel the stability of the ground and pivot through the heel and middle of the foot to accommodate for irregularities in the walking surface,” he says. “When the foot is locked into rigid footwear, it cannot do this. I recommend shoes that are minimally supportive and soft for both toddlers and young children,” he says. “The shoes should not contain the ankle or be difficult to bend or twist along the middle.” 

Shoes that are too rigid not only make it harder for them to learn how to walk, but can also affect their feet. “Stiff and compressive footwear may cause deformity, weakness, and loss of mobility,” warns Dr. Godsil. 

Materials: Pay attention to the materials used for baby and toddler shoes. While you want something that looks nice, you also want something that is practical and functional. Breathable materials that feel lightweight are ideal for keeping their feet at the right temperature and not too warm. “Shoes should be made of leather or mesh to allow your baby’s feet to breathe correctly,” Dr. Godsil says. Since little ones have a penchant for running through any muddy puddle they see, you’ll also want a material that is easy to wipe clean or can be thrown in the washing machine when necessary. Something waterproof or water-resistant is also ideal. Dr. Valencia recommends memory foam as well. “The lightweight material gently cushions the foot to encourage frequent, natural movements without throwing off your child’s coordination,” she says.  

Durability: Little kids are rough on their shoes. You really want to opt for something that will stand up against all sorts of running around outside in various conditions. Look for shoes that feel strong and are made of materials that won’t easily fall apart, rip, or break down. 

Design: Choose a shoe that aesthetically matches your child’s style and how they play. You may get more for your money with something casual and easy to run around in than a fancy shoe. And if you get something that is easy to put on and take off, you’ll thank yourself later. Babies and toddlers are notorious for trying to squirm away as you put their shoes on, so don’t bother with tiny laces or things like that. Look for easy, slip-on designs. “There’s no need to struggle with finicky elements that simply get in the way and constrict their ability to move,” Dr. Valencia says. “Openings should be wide and adjustable to ensure the best possible fit.” 

Cost: Baby and toddler shoes can run anywhere from $20 to over $60. When looking at prices, remember that, depending on how fast your little one is growing, the shoes may need to be replaced after just a few months. Keep in mind how functional the shoes are: For something they’ll wear every day, you may be able to justify a higher price point. For a fancy shoe for one event, or something like a rain boot that they won’t wear often, you may want to spend less. Pick a price that works with your lifestyle and budget. 

Your Questions, Answered

When can babies wear shoes?

Newborns and crawlers do not need shoes. As Dr. Godsil notes, babies can start wearing shoes once they are taking steps with your help or learning how to walk independently. That said, babies don’t necessarily need shoes. “A natural part of infant development is for babies to explore the world with their hands and feet,” Dr. Khoury says. “As they explore their bodies and the world around them, it is best if their feet are free from shoes to touch, move, and taste. Also, as they first start pulling up and standing, they can grip the floor better with their toes and get feedback from the floor, which helps them develop stability, allowing them to later feel more comfortable taking their first steps.” He recommends shoes for babies only if they will be going outside in order to protect their feet from injury. 

Should babies wear shoes when learning to walk?

Babies actually don’t need shoes to learn how to walk. “They get feedback from the floor/ground and can grip the floor with their toes, which gives them more confidence and stability,” Dr. Khoury says. Dr. Godsil agrees, saying that when your little one is home, you should leave them barefoot to promote natural foot development. However, to keep their feet protected from potential injuries, shoes are a good idea when outside. 

Can my toddler wear bigger shoes with room to grow?

All the experts we spoke to emphasized the importance of correctly fitted shoes. Properly fitted shoes help with walking development. Since their feet can grow so rapidly, it’s tempting to size up to get more wear out of a pair of shoes, but this isn’t recommended. The shoes should always fit accurately. “If the shoe is too big, the foot can slide around in the shoe, which makes toddlers even more unstable and likely to fall,” Dr. Khoury says. “Ill-fitting shoes can also cause blisters and bruising because of the excessive motion.” 

Who We Are

Jessica Booth is a freelance writer who covers parenting, shopping, wellness, entertainment, and wedding content. She has been freelance writing since 2017 and before that, worked as an editor at an online publication for seven years. She has written for sites such as Brides, People, Insider, Bustle, Romper, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Delish, The Daily Beast, Reviewed, She Knows, Scary Mommy, The Knot, and What to Expect. She also has two young daughters and has gone through many, many pairs of baby and toddler shoes with them.