Best Saucony Sneakers for Toddlers – The Top 3 Most Comfortable, Affordable, and Supportive Styles!

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on February 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of the best Saucony sneakers for toddlers. 

Is Saucony your go-to shoe brand for your child? Maybe another family recommended this shoe brand and you want to know what the hype is all about. Just so you know, when I recommend a specific shoe brand that doesn’t mean that all shoes from that brand will be effective for your child’s feet.

Saucony is definitely one of the best children’s shoe brands, as it manufactures high-quality shoes available in different widths —medium, wide, extra wide— that are available in half sizes. Parents love the fact that Saucony shoes are affordable and durable at the same time.

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes 

I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for the last 10 years. We specialize in helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. I handle approximately 100 shoe fittings/try ons per week, and over the years I became familiar with the best shoe brands for kids.

What Makes Saucony Shoes the Best Choice for Toddlers?

I have found certain Saucony shoes that are specifically engineered for proper foot development and optimal fit. Basically, these shoes allow for more natural movement by providing the correct amount of flexibility while still supporting the feet.

I also like the fact that these Saucony shoes provide traction pods on the outsole of the shoe for serious grip, as this helps prevent your toddler from falling.

What I love the most about Saucony shoes is how well they fit and the fact that they can fit toddlers with different foot shapes. Remember that when I recommend a specific shoe brand it doesn’t mean that all shoes from that brand are going to be effective for your child’s feet. There are certain styles that will be more durable, supportive, affordable, and provide a better overall fit than others.

Toddlers who are taking their first steps or are already walking need a pair of shoes that are lightweight and flexible, but provide a more substantial outsole than Robeez. Let me help you visualize what I mean.

At this stage you also want your toddler shoes to be flexible, but not too flexible that they can flex like a spiral. Your toddler’s shoes should bend at the ball of the foot but no further. Take a look at the image below for better visualizations purposes:

What are the Best Saucony Shoes for Toddlers?

Before I show you the best 3 Saucony shoe styles that I have fitted for toddlers, I want to make sure that you know your toddler’s exact foot size and shape.

I am always emphasizing to parents that their child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer if the shoes are the wrong size. What’s even worse, your child might end up developing several foot issues (blisters, calluses, corns) from wearing shoes that are too small, too narrow, too big, or too wide. Your kids’ shoes must fit just right!

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

For example, do you know whether your toddler has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet? Do you know if your toddler has a high instep? If you are unsure of your child’s foot shape I strongly suggest that you start by reading the article below:

How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width

All of the 3 Saucony sneaker choices that I recommend have received the APMA seal of acceptance. APMA is the leading resource for information on foot health.

Keep in mind that the shoes I recommend below won’t fit toddlers with extra wide feet. If your toddler has extra wide feet take a look at the article below:

The Best Sneakers for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet – Deep and Supportive!

Best Saucony Sneakers for Toddlers

Number 1: Ride ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Saucony Baby Ride is a great choice for toddlers who are learning how to walk or for those who are already walking. This is one of the most popular Saucony shoes as parents love the versatility that the shoe provides and how it’s affordable and available in different colors.

The Saucony Ride comes with an antimicrobial treatment lining to minimize the risk of odor-causing bacteria.

Fits the following foot shapes: Narrow – Medium – Wide
Shoe Materials:  Leather and mesh upper provide durability and breathability
Removable Insole: Yes
Accommodates Orthotics: Yes
Machine Washable: No
How does the shoe style fit? Short
Cheapest place to buy: Amazon

What Shoe Size Should You Order?

To allow for growing room, I highly recommend that parents order these shoes a whole size larger than their child’s current foot size. This translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.

From a fitting perspective, this shoe style fits short and narrow, so please follow the guidelines below when choosing your toddler’s shoe width:

• If your toddler has narrow or medium feet choose the medium width (M).
• If your toddler has wide feet choose the wide width (W).
• If your toddler has extra wide scroll down to option number 3.

Number 2: Jazz Lite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Jazz Lite offers similar benefits compared to the Saucony Ride but the main differences are that this style provides a cushy memory foam footbed and it is machine washable for quick and easy cleaning.

The Jazz Lite features an extended alternative closure strap (looks like shoelaces but it’s actually velcro) with a stretchy gore for a more accommodating fit.

Fits the following foot shapes:  Medium – Wide
Shoe Materials:  Leather and mesh upper provide durability and breathability
Removable Insole: Yes
Accommodates Orthotics: Yes
Machine Washable: Yes
How does the shoe style fit? Short
Cheapest place to buy: Amazon

What Shoe Size Should You Order?

To allow for growing room, I highly recommend that parents order these shoes a whole size larger than their child’s current foot size. This translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.

From a fitting perspective, this shoe style fits short and narrow, so please follow the guidelines below when choosing your toddler’s shoe width:

• If your toddler has medium feet choose the medium width (M).
• If your toddler has wide feet choose the wide width (W).
• If your toddler has extra wide scroll down to the option number 3.

Number 3: Wind ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This style provides a water-repellent upper that will help prevent your toddler’s feet from easily getting wet.

Fits the following foot shapes:  Medium – Wide
Shoe Materials:  Leather and mesh upper provide durability and breathability
Removable Insole: Yes
Accommodates Orthotics: Yes
Machine Washable: Yes
How does the shoe style fit? Short
Cheapest place to buy: Amazon

What Shoe Size Should You Order?

To allow for growing room, I highly recommend that parents order these shoes half a size larger than their child’s current foot size. This translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.

From a fitting perspective, this shoe style fits short and narrow, so please follow the guidelines below when choosing your toddler’s shoe width:

• If your toddler has medium feet choose the medium width (M).
• If your toddler has wide feet choose the wide width (W).
• If your toddler has extra wide feet choose the extra wide width (XW).

---

I hope you found my review of the 3 most comfortable, affordable, and supportive Saucony styles helpful. There is a myriad of shoe options out there and it can get confusing for parents to choose the best choice for their toddlers.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having a hard time finding a different pair of shoes for your toddler. You can contact me at:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com