Children’s Shoes Made in the USA – A Dying Breed
Looking for children’s shoes made in the USA? In today’s globalized world, finding kids’ shoes that are still made in the USA can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. As more shoe companies shift manufacturing overseas to countries like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, American-made options have become increasingly scarce. However, for parents who value quality, safety, and supporting local businesses, U.S.-made shoes remain a top priority. As a dedicated children’s shoe fitter with years of hands-on experience, I’ve put together a carefully curated list of high-quality shoes that are proudly made in the USA.
Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Buy American-Made Shoes
- American-made shoes support local economies and create jobs. By choosing domestically produced footwear, you’re contributing to job creation and sustaining skilled craftsmanship within the country.
- You are protecting the environment since many countries where mass-produced children’s shoes are made have minimal environmental regulations, leading to pollution and waste. By supporting U.S. manufacturing, you’re investing in stricter eco-friendly standards and more sustainable production practices.
- You are supporting human rights since most of the countries we are importing shoes from have few workplace standards and poor working conditions.
Be Careful Where You Buy Your Kids’ Shoes
Many retailers claim to offer authentic products, but it’s vital to verify their credibility. Be cautious about misleading labels and counterfeit products that can compromise quality and safety.
Some parents hesitate to invest in quality shoes since kids outgrow them quickly—sometimes needing new pairs three times a year. While that’s understandable, be cautious about where you shop. I’ve seen poorly made shoes with sharp objects inside, posing serious risks to children’s feet.
How to Check Where Your Kids’ Shoes Are Being Made?
Determining where your child’s shoes are made is simple yet important. Start by examining the shoe tags, typically found on the tongue or inside the shoe. These tags often provide the manufacturing country along with other vital details.
Which Kids’ Shoe Brands Manufacture American-Made Shoes?
Only a few brands still manufacture children’s shoes in the USA. Here are the top four:
Kepner Scott – Handcrafted in Orwigsburg, PA, this brand offers everyday shoes, dress shoes, boots, and sandals for kids. Priced between $30 and $60, their shoes are high-quality yet comparable to typical department store prices. As fitting stores disappear, I’ve committed to helping parents find the right shoes online.
New Balance – While not all of their shoes are U.S.-made, New Balance manufactures over 4 million pairs in the U.S. annually. Look for the “Made in the USA” label, which means at least 70% of the shoe’s value is domestic—though not necessarily 100%.
Softstar Shoes – This Oregon-based company is known for excellent customer service and eco-conscious practices. Their minimalist shoes mimic barefoot walking and support natural foot development—best for early walkers, not older kids.
Keen – Known for rugged, outdoor-ready footwear, Keen designs durable shoes perfect for active kids.
I am thrilled to share my top picks for American-made shoes that excel in comfort, support, and sustainability. Parents seeking high-quality, American-made options can find solace in these recommendations. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Best Children’s Shoes Made in the USA in 2025
These shoes are designed to accommodate a variety of foot shapes. Be sure to check the description below each recommended style to see if it’s a good match for your child’s unique feet.
990 Series with Laces. These high-quality American-made shoes are available in both lace-up and Velcro styles. They offer excellent support, durability, and comfort for growing feet—perfect for everyday wear and active kids who need a reliable, well-fitting sneaker.
- Order the 990v6 with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos
- Also available in pink and navy blue
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size to allow for the correct amount of growing room
990 Series with Velcro
- Order the 990v6 with velcro on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos
- Also available in grey and black
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size to allow for the correct amount of growing room
574 by New Balance. These American-made shoes made by New Balance combine style with functionality. They offer solid support and cushioning, and they are offered at a lower price point.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Also available with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, and Zappos
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
2002 by New Balance. These American-made sneakers combine premium American craftsmanship with modern comfort. Featuring sleek designs, breathable materials, and excellent cushioning.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium and wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
KEEN Newport H2. These American-made sandals are designed for active kids. They feature a protective closed-toe design, quick-drying materials, and a secure fit—ideal for outdoor adventures, water play, and everyday wear.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Newport H2 by KEEN on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Keen Moxie. The Keen Moxie sandal is a stylish yet adventure-ready option designed specifically for girls. Unlike other KEEN sandals, it features a sleeker, more feminine design while still providing the signature KEEN durability and protection. It has a lighter, more flexible feel compared to the Newport H2, and is ideal for girls with narrower feet.
Key Features
- Order the Moxie sandal by Keen on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Metatomical EVA footbed provides excellent arch support and cradles the natural contours of the foot
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap with bungee closure for a secure fit
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Keen Elle. These open toe American-made sandals provide two adjustable straps to accommodate various foot shapes and secure your child’s feet inside the sandals.
- Order the sandals Elle Backstrap by Keen on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Built with lateral support to help stabilize the ankle and heel
- Machine washable
- Eco Anti-Odor for natural odor control
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Bare Steps H20 by Merrell. These wide Merrell sandals for kids provide a comfortable fit with quick-drying materials and durable protection—perfect for active kids who love water play and need extra room to move freely.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Bare Steps H20 by Merrell on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% Leather
- 2 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
- Outsole with rounded edges to follow the natural shape of a child’s foot
- Flexible grooves on the outsole for a barefoot feel
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Keep in mind that not every shoe you order from the New Balance website will come with a “Made in the USA” tag. New Balance only uses this label when at least 70% of a shoe’s value comes from domestic materials and manufacturing. So always double-check the product details before purchasing!
Find Out Exactly What Shoe Size You Should Order Online
Ordering children’s shoes online can be tricky. Yet, finding the right size is crucial for their comfort and foot development. My virtual guide streamlines this process for parents seeking precise measurements at home.
Reach Out for Specific Shoe Recommendations
Every child has unique feet, requiring care in choosing their shoes. I’m here to assist with tailored recommendations. Whether your child has flat feet, high arches, or needs extra support, getting the right shoes is paramount. By understanding your child’s foot shape and specific needs, I can suggest the best shoe options.
What Shoe Material is Best for Comfort and Durability?
Choose shoes with leather uppers and avoid plastic materials. Leather is breathable, adapts to the foot’s shape, holds its structure, and helps prevent odors and bacteria—making it ideal for sweaty little feet. The quality and amount of leather often determine the shoe’s price.
Did you know that back in the 1960s, the USA was the world’s leading footwear manufacturer? Fast forward to today, and a staggering 99.8% of shoes sold in the U.S. are made overseas—all in the name of corporate profit. But if you’re looking to support American craftsmanship and find shoes that align with your values and your child’s foot needs, you’re in the right place. Just remember: American-made shoes often come at a higher price, but that extra cost reflects superior quality and durability.
Great article! I found Zimmerman Shoes to have a great variety of gorgeous shoes, too. Made in the U.S.A.
Hello Patricia,
Thank you for letting me know! I will add them to the list as well.
We should all support our local economies as much as we can. Properly fitting shoes are very important for children I agree. It can save a lifetime of feet and leg problems and in the long run works out cheaper as the better quality shoes last longer.
It’s getting harder to find American made shoes so I am glad you are addressing this issue and providing us with America made shoe choices for our children and grandchildren.
Hello Linda,
I completely agree with you. It is getting harder but there are still a few shoe brands that still manufacture American made shoes.
Juan both of my kids have been wearing new balance after reading your article. They used to complain about their shoes all the time and now they stopped fussing. Thank you for sharing this with parents is extremely helpful and my wife told me to tell you many thanks as well.
Hello,
I am happy to hear your children are happy with their shoes!
I received the New Balance 990V5 shoe and the tag did say made in the USA. What I found confusing is that my brother order the same shoe for my niece from your website and the shoe tag said it was made in China. I am not sure how this happened but we will contacting New Balance about this inconsistency. I understand you don’t sell the shoes and I appreciate your effort in helping parents find the correct shoes for their kids. Thank you Juan.
Hi Lawson,
I reached out to New Balance myself and they will be providing us with an update soon.
Unfortunately so many shoe factories have closed due to imports of products from countries where labor is favorable, and the products are unfortunately not of such quality.
I at tired of seeing shoes made from China everywhere, it’s like we are being flooded with them. I also feel like it’s necessary to buy quality shoes for children because their feet are still developing. Thank you for this, I know a lot of families are going to find this information helpful,
Hi Nina,
It’s hard to find shoes made in the USA but not impossible. I have seen how most children’s shoes made from China are unsupportive and tend to fall apart before the child is ready to outgrow them.
Hi, very interesting article. I didn’t know a lot of things about american companies that create children’s shoes..
You know, in my country (In Israel) we have lots of american New-Balance shoes which is great because they are qualitative.
When thinking about it, this can be very helpful to young parents and people who re often times take care about small children because the facts that you listed here are far from being known to the majority of us. Great job, and thank you!
Alexey.
Alexey,
New Balance makes great quality, supportive shoes. A good supportive shoe can make all the difference for our growing children. Thank you for sharing!
Juan,
I always try to buy american made shoes for my children, but it is on.y getting harder. Where we live, there is not a shoe store we can take our children to have their feet measured. There is a Stride Rite store, but they do not seem to know what they are doing. We usually buy our shoes from Amazon and end up returning a lot since it is hard to figure out the size. I will be sending you traces of my kids foot so you can help me out with the sizing!
Thank you!
Tim
Tim,
No worries. I would do my best in getting back at you with the right size, but PLEASE remember: The shoe size is just the starting point when getting kids shoes. AL brands and styles run and fit differently! However, I will be able to guide you thorught that process as well.
Hey Juan,
I am 100% in agreement with buying locally produced products. I find that in everyday life we so often forget about the implications of buying products produced overseas, especially China. We forget that we indirectly encourage cheap labour (and child labour). We also forget about the support we deny our own economy and fellow citizens by not supporting the local market. I wish there were more websites that reminded us of this matter and offered local alternatives.
Claire,
Sometimes we do go for the lowest available prices, forgetting that we ARE getting a lower quality product, AND, there was cheap labor involed. Let’s support local businesses!
Wow, this is one of the best and most useful pages so far. You covered everything from the heel to the toes 😀 Parents of children of all ages always have concerns about children’s footwear, and you just ease them all. Most liked me First Walking Shoes Review. Excellent advice and guidance for new parents. Because the first time they encounter everything, therefore, need far more assistance. I have only nice words for the page and I’ll be happy to recommend it.
Ivana,
I am glad that you found the website helpful. The whole idea of the website is to provide guidance and advise to the parents when it comes to shopping for their children shoes. I also always recommend trying to find a shoe store in their area that they trust, in order to make sure you are being helped by qualified shoe fitters who can measure the child’s foot and make sure they are wearing the right pair of shoes.
Hi There,
Great article on Childrens shoes made in the USA, I have young kids here in the UK and I have the same problem as you have pointed out in the United States, I have always liked to buy local because they were always better made and lasted longer, no doubt the same as Kepner Scott and New Balance as you have made mention to in your article. I will always be an advocate of buying local for better quality even thought they might be more expensive initially but you are better off in the long run instead of buying overseas cheaper and inferior products.
Regards,
Michael
Michael,
They might be a higher price, but they are definitely made out of better quality! I always emphasize the importance of shopping local, specially since these stores offer superior service and hire individuals who are specialized.