Children’s Shoes Made in the USA – A Dying Breed

Are you having a hard time finding American-made shoes for your child? They are getting harder to find because most shoe companies outsource their production to China, Vietnam, or Indonesia. If you think that shoe companies are not making their shoes in the USA anymore, think again! I created a list that contains the best children’s shoes made in the USA based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Buy American-Made Shoes

By purchasing shoes made in America, you are not only supporting American workers and safe working conditions, but you are also supporting child labor laws. Why should you care about where your kids’ shoes are made? Here are the top 3 reasons:

1️⃣ You are saving and creating American jobs!

2️⃣ You are protecting the environment since many of the top countries where your children’s shoes come from have little to non-existent regulations when it comes to protecting the environment.

3️⃣ You are supporting human rights since most of the countries we are importing shoes from have few workplace standards and poor working conditions.

Some parents argue that they don’t care about buying high-quality shoes for their children as they outgrow their shoes rather quickly. I understand that children grow fast and depending on the child’s age parents might have to replace their children’s shoes as often as 3 times a year, which can get rather expensive. However, please be careful where you buy your kids’ shoes as I have seen several cases of parents finding sharp objects inside their shoes from the shoes being poorly made.

The child kept complaining that something was scratching him inside the shoe and the parent got stabbed but this loose nail several times trying to find it.

Kids’ Shoes Made in China, Vietnam, Indonesia…

Do you feel like every time you check the tag on your kids’ shoes it reads made in China, Vietnam, or Indonesia?

Here is an interesting fact: During the 1960’s, the USA was the number one leading manufacturer of footwear. Can you believe that now 99.8 % of the shoes sold in the USA are made abroad?

The only reason for this is corporate profits. Let’s see if we can find shoes that fit your kids’ feet and your values. Keep in mind that in most instances, American-made products are going to be higher priced because they are made of better quality.

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!

I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now that focuses in helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. We carry high-quality and supportive children’s shoes and orthotics, and I am familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are better than others.

Since most children’s fitting shoe stores have been closing down, I have dedicated myself to helping parents find the perfect pair of shoes for their children online.

Which Kids Shoe Brands Manufacture American-Made Shoes?

There are only 3 shoe brands that still manufacture kids’ shoes in America. Below you can find a list of shoe brands that produce children’s shoes in the USA:

1️⃣ Kepner Scott: Did you know that this shoe brand makes shoes by hand and that they are located in Origsburg, Pennsylvania? This company makes everyday shoes, casual shoes, dress shoes, boots and sandals for children. Their shoes are reasonably priced considering that they are of such high quality. Their models are priced between $30 and $60, which are competitively priced and comparable to what you will pay in department stores for shoes.

2️⃣ New Balance: Keep in mind that not all New Balance shoes are produced in America. However, this company does produce over four million pairs of shoes in the U.S. each year. You must check the label of the shoe to be certain that a particular shoe is American-made. Did you know that even then you will not be guaranteed a 100% American-made shoe? New Balance labels its shoes as “Made in the USA” if their “domestic value” is at least 70% of the shoe’s total price.

3️⃣ Softstar Shoes: Because their shoes are made in the USA, the customer receives superior customer service. They will never let you get stuck with a pair that doesn’t fit right, and they have generous return and exchange policies. This is a socially and environmentally responsible kids’ shoe company. All of their shoes are designed to imitate barefoot walking that promotes natural foot development. However, I only believe that soft minimalist footwear should be worn when a child is learning how to walk, and not when the child is already walking.

A new national survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center shows that 78% of Americans would favor a product made in the U.S. rather than one made abroad. More than 80 percent of Americans stated keeping manufacturing jobs is one of the most important reasons for purchasing American products. About 60 percent of Americans were worried about the use of child labor, and stated how American-made products were of a higher quality.

Higher quality products are going to cost more, but we as consumers shouldn’t look at it as an extra cost, but rather as an investment in America. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read “Made in America”?

I automatically think of GOOD QUALITY!

Why is it Important for Kids to Wear Well-Made Shoes? – Let’s Find Out!

Shoes play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet and legs healthy. A shoe that fits properly allows your child to run and play without a care in the world. However, a shoe that doesn’t have the right amount of support or that doesn’t fit properly can create several foot and leg problems.

Some of the most common foot problems I have seen from children not wearing supportive shoes or the correct shoe size are blisters, calluses, and corns, as well as foot pain in the bottom of the foot.

Children impose an enormous amount of stress on their feet and legs and wearing supportive shoes helps reduce the impact that their feet and legs take every time they come in contact with the ground.

Below you can find some of the advantages of providing your child with well-made shoes:

• Your child will get longer wear out of them since the shoe will hold up better.

• It will reduce orthopedic and chiropractic problems.

• Children will feel more comfortable in the shoes, which will lead to a more active and healthier lifestyle.

I always recommend parents provide their kids with one well-made pair of shoes to use as an everyday shoe rather than buying several cheaper low-quality pairs that might lead to less support or breathability.

Always purchase shoes with leather uppers, and avoid buying shoes made out of plastic. Leather is the best material for shoes because it breathes and it holds up better. The shoes need to be breathable since children’s feet tend to sweat a lot, which can lead to odors and bacteria forming inside the shoe. Leather also tends to adapt to the shape of the foot and it maintains the structure of the shoe and the support. The quality and amount of leather is what makes the cost of the shoe higher or lower.

When companies decide to outsource their products overseas, they are compromising their values by taking part in markets that treat employees unfairly, ignore cultures, deteriorate environments and create inequality.

I only write reviews of shoes that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. 

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best children’s shoes made in the USA. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.

Best Children’s Shoes Made in the USA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

These shoes can fit children with medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) feet.

I can’t guarantee that the shoes you buy from New Balance website are going to come with a tag that reads “Made in USA”. Remember that New Balance labels its shoes as “Made in the USA” if their “domestic value” is at least 70% of the shoe’s total price.

What Shoe Size You Should Order?

In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.

Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!

I always recommend that parents take their children to their local kids’ shoe store to support local businesses and to properly have their kids’ feet measured. However, not all families have a local kids’ shoe store that they trust, that is the reason why I created a resource that showcases the best-fitting children’s shoe stores by state:

The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where To Go for Proper Fittings

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

If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:

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

In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.

Do you prefer to wear shoes that are also American-made? I actually wrote an article where I describe the best women’s shoes made in the USA and you can find it here:

The Best Women’s Shoes Made in USA – Buy Locally-Made Shoes!

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a different pair of shoes for your child. It’s highly likely that I have fitted it before, and I will help you find it: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

Would you consider purchasing a shoe made in America even if it meant paying a higher price? Are there any other American-made shoe companies for children that I didn’t mention? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.