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Buying shoes is hard at any age but knowing how to choose the best shoes for toddlers is nearly impossible. Finding toddler shoes that fit, are comfortable, and are stable enough to support your growing toddler’s foot and ankle at such a critical time in the walking process is a bit much.
It’s not impossible if you know what you’re looking for and how to find it. The thing is, toddlers can’t really verbalize how something fits or if it hurts or feels snug. Nope — toddlers basically either don’t care at all, are obsessed with the shoe itself, try to rip it off, or cry. Basically, you’ve got to put your mom gut to work.
Before you know it, they'll be taking their first steps — if you're lucky — and soon after that, they’ll be running. But before all of that happens, you’ve got to do some research and find a good pair of shoes. Here are some tips on how to choose the best shoes for toddlers.
What are the best shoes for a toddler?
When you do need to put your baby in shoes, it’s important to select a pair that’s light, flexible, and supportive of their natural movements.
The best shoes for a toddler are ones that are fitted to your toddler’s foot, are sturdy, can support his little foot properly, and have rubber soles so he doesn’t trip or slide.
“My son lived in the sweetest little dinosaur Robeez when he was a toddler," mom Bertha Tuskan told Mom.com. "They were cute, and soft enough for him to feel the floor with his feet, but sturdy enough so he didn’t slip and fall.”
Why are proper shoes important for a toddler?
Toddler’s feet are soft, fat, squishy, and very flexible. The “bones” in their feet are very soft and they can grow an entire half size every 2 months. Wearing poorly fitted shoes won’t deform a toddler’s feet, but if they’re not very supportive it can exacerbate abnormal conditions that tiny feet might already have, such as flat feet.
In those early months, baby’s feet need to be able to feel what’s around them so they can develop proper bone and muscle structure. In the beginning, your toddler does not need size 0 Nike Air Force 1s, his bare feet are all he needs.
“It is better for baby to learn to walk in bare feet," Dr. Sears advised on his website. "Although shoes give babies a wider base for balance, they are harder to take steps in and may make baby trip and fall.”
How to choose the best toddler shoes and what to avoid
That’s the big question, right? Well, when it’s finally time to put your little one in shoes, start with a pair that’s light, flexible, and supportive of their natural movements. Also keep these other points in mind:
- Don’t go cheap but no one wants to spend $100 on a pair of shoes kids will grow out of in 2 months, either.
- Obviously, a more expensive shoe is going to be made out of higher quality materials, and be designed by a manufacturer who specializes in children’s shoes. They'll also be familiar with the science of children’s feet, so it should better support them as they take their first steps.
- The right pair of shoes will have a wide toe-box that’s round or square, to naturally follow the shape of the foot, with enough room so that tiny toes aren’t squished together.
- Toddler shoe material should be a breathable leather or mesh material.
- The shoe should flex at the ball of the foot, but the heel counter at the back should be stiff to hold the shoe upright. Look for a pair that has Velcro to ensure a snug fit.
- The foot should be measured for length and width.
- Notice where the flex point is (where the sole of the shoe is most easily bent) for proper fit. According to Runner's World, "If the shoe is too big, its flex point can be too far forward. When you have a foot that needs to flex where the shoe won’t, and a shoe that flexes where the foot shouldn’t, you have fit failure."
- When choosing length, buy to fit comfortably. Avoid buying too big or it can hinder the walking process.
- Avoid sharing shoes. Experts warn against buying secondhand shoes. Everyday shoes form to kid’s feet and may not provide the right support. Also, fungus and warts can be passed via secondhand shoes.
Where to buy toddler shoes
You can technically buy toddler shoes anywhere shoes are sold. But if you want a good pair of shoes for your toddler that fit right and allow for maximum walking potential, take your toddler for a visit to a local shoe store to be properly fitted.
If you need to buy shoes online, DSW has this handy guide for measuring your child's foot at home, and some tips for choosing the right shoe. And REI has this informative chart for deciphering international shoes sizes.
