Best Baby Shoes for New Walkers in 2024 – Lightweight, Flexible, and with Sensory Pods
When babies start to walk, their feet are still developing. This makes it essential to choose shoes that offer the right balance of support, flexibility, and protection. I have helped many families find the perfect first pair of walking shoes for their babies, and I am confident I will be able to help your child as well. I am going to show you a list of the best baby shoes for new walkers based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.
If you are reading this article, the following is likely true:
- Your baby is cruising and attempting to take his or her first steps
- You know how important it is for new walkers to wear the correct types of shoes
Should Babies Wear Shoes or Go Barefoot at Home?
I want to start by clarifying that the best thing you can do for a baby who is learning how to walk is to allow barefoot walking at home. This is best in terms of promoting healthy foot development.
Your baby’s feet aren’t fully developed yet, and learning how to grip the floors and coordinate their steps with little or no support will help with balance and coordination.
When Should Parents Get Babies their First Pair of Walking Shoes?
Shoes come into play when you start taking your baby outside, and their main purpose is to protect your baby’s feet. You don’t want your baby to step on unsafe terrain, broken glass, or sharp rocks.
Are Shoes Going to Help Your Baby Walk?
No, providing your baby with a pair of shoes won’t speed up or make the learning process any easier. Children learn to walk by gripping their toes on the ground, that’s why it’s so important to allow them to go barefoot. When they go outside the shoes should come with sensory pods, as that feature allows babies to “feel” the ground. I will expand on this shortly.
First Walking Shoes: 3 Important Factors to Consider
1️⃣ Make sure that the shoes fit correctly: I have noticed that a lot of families waste a lot of time and energy trying to figure out what first walking shoes work better than others. Yes, it’s important to find shoes that are lightweight and flexible, but fit should always be your number one priority. If the shoes don’t fit the shape of your baby’s feet, your baby won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. What’s even worse, you might create foot issues such as blisters or corns.
I created a free virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your baby’s shoe size from home. You will find out your baby’s exact foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), and foot length as well.
2️⃣ Sensory Pods: This is one of the most important features your baby’s shoe should provide. Sensory pods allow babies to feel the ground, which helps them feel more stable and confident when taking those first steps. Shoes with sensory pods also help prevent your baby from losing balance, slipping and falling.
3️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible Soles: Babies lack the strength to bend a harder sole, so before you purchase a pair of first walking shoes for your baby, grab your baby’s shoes and try bending the sole – you should be able to bend the shoe up about 50 degrees easily.
My Favorite Shoe Brands for First Walking Shoes
My go-to shoe brands for babies who are learning how to walk are:
- Stride Rite
- See Kai Run
- Pediped
Why Robeez Didn’t Make My List?
Robeez is one of the most well-known shoe brands for babies, as their shoes are made out of the softest leathers and they are also both flexible and durable. However, Robeez are a leather covering for babies’ feet, and won’t provide enough protection when you take your baby to walk outside.
All of the shoes that I recommend below will protect your baby’s feet while allowing them to develop in their own natural way. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Shoes for New Walkers for Confidence and Stability
Parents need to understand that not all babies can wear all shoes. You might be limited by the types of shoe brands and shoe styles that your baby can wear based on your baby’s foot shape. Take a look at the description below each shoe image to find out whether that shoe can fit babies with medium, wide, or extra wide feet.
Boys
- Order the shoe style SRT SM Artie by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2510 Racer by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Heel stabilizer provides lateral stability
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your baby’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Wes by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SM Adamby Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Foam padding placed around the ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Stevie II by See Kai Run on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Rubber outsole is flexible yet durable and provides the needed traction for first steps
- Padded heel and tongue keeps the baby’s feet comfortable
- Wide openings make on and off quick and easy
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Martin by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Oversized opening and pull tab on the back offer easy on and off
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Kennedy by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SM Zip Runner by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
Girls
- Order the shoe style SM Adalyn by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Zips Runner by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Susie Mary Jane by See Kai Run on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Black patent leather upper with full leather lining and insole
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Stevie II by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Rubber outsole is flexible yet durable and provides the needed traction for first steps
- Padded heel and tongue keeps the baby’s feet comfortable
- Wide openings make on and off quick and easy
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Thompson by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style StevieII by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Rubber outsole is flexible yet durable and provides the needed traction for first steps
- Padded heel and tongue keeps the baby’s feet comfortable
- Wide openings make on and off quick and easy
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
Are These Shoes Easy to Get On and Off?
Yes, all of the shoes I recommended above have oversized openings so parents don’t have to struggle every time they have to put their babies’ shoes on:
Another awesome feature of the baby shoes I recommended is that they come well-padded on the heel and around the ankles to minimize rubbing, and on the bottom inside for comfort. This helps prevent the formation of blisters.
Do You Have a Specialized Children’s Shoe Store Close By?
You should check a different resource I created that has a list of locally owned shoe stores specializing in measuring and fitting children’s shoes.
Get a Personalized Shoe Recommendation
Let me know if you are looking for your baby’s first pair of walking shoes to be made of a specific color or a specific material and I will help you find them:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Is Your Baby Refusing to Keep the Shoes On?
Usually, the issue might be an incorrect fit. The shoes might be either too short or too narrow.
How Fast Can Babies Outgrow Their Shoes?
Even when you provide your baby with the correct amount of growing room, you can expect to replace the shoes every 3 to 3 1/2 months.
The Final Fitting
I am passionate about fitting children’s shoes as I truly believe that the correct type of shoes can be life-changing. Children’s feet are constantly developing, and what happens to their feet during their childhood will affect their physique as they grow older.
