Kids’ Shoes Without Socks – The Best Shoes for Children Who Hate Wearing Socks!
Are your kids refusing to wear socks with their shoes? It is a fact that most children don’t like to wear socks with their shoes, but this can lead to your child developing foot issues and the shoes starting to smell bad. I always explain to parents that it’s important for their children to wear socks with their shoes. Socks act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, preventing the formation and buildup of bacteria inside the shoes.
Should Children Wear Shoes Without Socks?
There are certain shoes that your child can wear without socks, as they are breathable, machine washable, and come with antibacterial insoles.
It’s also really important for the shoes to be made of soft materials, otherwise, your child’s feet might start rubbing against the shoes and the constant friction between your child’s feet and the shoes might lead to blisters, calluses, and corns. We need to look for shoes that are made of light leathers and breathable meshes to help your kids’ feet breathe and remain dry.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Appropriate to Wear Without Socks?
1️⃣ Machine Washable and Deodorizing Insoles: The shoes come with antibacterial insoles and they are machine washable. Those two features are extremely important to prevent the formation of bacteria inside the shoes and prevent the shoes from developing strong odors. The shoes are built to withstand repeated washing which helps kill any bacteria inside the shoes.
2️⃣ Soft Materials: The shoes are made of soft materials inside to not rub and hurt your kids’ feet.
3️⃣ Extra Cushion and Padding: The shoes are well padded around the heels to increase comfort and prevent friction between the feet and the shoes.
Choosing the correct type of shoes for your child to wear without socks will prevent the formation of bacteria inside the shoes, as well as prevent foot infections and other foot issues.
If you don’t choose the correct type of shoes for your child to wear without socks, the constant sweat will wear out the materials of the shoes and you might end up having to replace the shoes faster than you expected it.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
Before I show you a selection of the best shoes that children can wear without socks, let’s make sure that you know your child’s exact foot size. You won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online if you don’t know what your child’s foot size is to begin with.
I wrote another article where I describe the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s exact foot size from home.
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.
The shoes that I recommend below are everyday shoes that your child can wear to run around and play at school or the playground. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best kids’ shoes without socks.
I only review shoes that I have fitted before as that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. 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 Kids’ Shoes without Socks
Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out if it can accommodate your child’s foot shape, the materials the shoes are made of, and the size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room.
- Shoe style 3537 by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather/mesh upper
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style Saylor by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Hook and loop closure for easy on off
- Lightweight, water-friendly open mesh upper with rubberized overlays
- Oversized openings for easy-on
- Removable EVA sockliner with mesh overlay
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Saylor by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Hook and loop closure for easy on off
- Lightweight, water-friendly open mesh upper with rubberized overlays
- Oversized openings for easy-on
- Removable EVA sockliner with mesh overlay
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wader 21 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Unique microporous membrane that absorbs and expels sweat while keeping water out
- Lightweight and flexible with padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Sprintye 16 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- Lightweight and flexible with padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Buller by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Hook and loop closure for easy on off
- Unique microporous membrane that absorbs and expels sweat while keeping water out
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Artin 2.0 by Stride Rite
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- OrthoLite® memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style 3570 by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Heel Stabilizer – Long heel counter provides stability
- Velcro closure
- Machine washable
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style 3584 by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style Velocity by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather/mesh upper
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style 1521 KAZ by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style M2P Player by Stride Rite
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- OrthoLite® memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
These shoes might look like any other type of regular sneakers, but the features that they provide – antibacterial insoles, machine washable, and soft materials make them the best shoes to wear without socks.
In addition, I wanted to let you know that there is a shoe brand called Native shoes which makes shoes that kids can wear without socks. The shoes are very easy to put on, just keep in mind that these are not shoes that your child can wear for their everyday activities.
Easy Shoes that Kids Can Put on by Themselves – Native Shoes!
Native shoes can be worn for a maximum of 4 hours a days, but they are great if you are looking for a shoe that your kids can easily put on and take off by themselves and that they can also wear during the summer days or inside the house.
Some of the features parents love from Native shoes are that they are shock absorbent, odor resistant, hand-washable, and are available in different colors and styles.
The Best Kids’ Shoes without Socks
The shoes below are capable of fitting children with narrow, medium, or wide feet. Below you can find a selection of the best Native shoes for children that I have fitted before.
- Shoe style Jefferson by Native
- Fits medium and wide feet
- The EVA upper is flexible and features all-over perforations so their feet can breathe
- Perforations control temperature and let feet breathe
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Jefferson Bling Glitter by Native
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- The EVA upper is flexible and features all-over perforations so their feet can breathe
- Rubber outsole
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Robbie by Native
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- The EVA upper is flexible and features all-over perforations so their feet can breathe
- Rubber outsole
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Jefferson Slip-on by Native
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Crafted in comfortable lightweight EVA
- Perforations control temperature and let feet breathe, so no smelly feet here.
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Miles by Native
- Fits medium and wide feet
- The EVA upper is flexible and features all-over perforations so their feet can breathe
- Rubber outsole
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Robbie by Native
- Fits medium and wide feet
- The EVA upper is flexible and features all-over perforations so their feet can breathe
- Rubber outsole
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Jefferson by Native
- Fits medium and wide feet
- The EVA upper is flexible and features all-over perforations so their feet can breathe
- Rubber outsole
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
Because all of these shoes are slip-ons, you can only allow a small amount of growing room for your child, otherwise, the shoes will move up and down your child’s feet and create blisters.
I always recommend parents make their children wear socks with their shoes, but if you are at that point where you are wasting a lot of time and had already given up the sock battle, you must find a pair of shoes that will keep your kids’ feet healthy.
Is Your Child Wearing the Correct Type of Socks?
Let’s make sure that you have tried all the different types of socks available for children with sensitive feet. For example, did you know that there are certain types of socks that are seamless and specially made for kids with sensory issues or for kids who feel every bump and lump?
If your child keeps refusing to wear socks with the shoes, I recommend that you try a pair of seamless socks. In the link below you will be able to see a selection of the best seamless socks for children.
I also explain in that article how to make sure that your child is wearing the correct sock size, as socks that are too short or too long can create discomfort to your child’s feet. Socks that are too short can make your kids overlap and rub against one another, while socks that are too long can bunch up below your kids’ feet and create discomfort. You must fit your kids’ socks just right!
Finding a pair of shoes that children can wear without socks can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience. If you allow your child to wear shoes without socks in shoes that are too stiff your child might end up developing several foot issues.
Now that you know which are the best shoes for children who refuse to wear socks, you can stop all the hassle every time is time to put your child’s socks on as they simply won’t have to!
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child. My e-mail address is:
Do you have a children’s shoe store in your area where you can take your children to be properly fitted for shoes? Parents are always asking me if I know about a good children’s shoe store in their area where they can take their children to be properly fitted for shoes, so if you have a shoe store that you trust, please let us know where you are located since other parents will find that information very helpful.
If you are unsure if you have a good children’s shoe store in your area, take a look at a resource I created where I describe the best children’s shoe stores by state.
Do you have a child that refuses to wear socks with his/her shoes? Have you found a particular style that has worked well without socks? Please share your thoughts below so other parents can benefit from your experience.
I am really curious why Native shoes aren’t good for all day wear? My kids wear them all day every day from about April to September and now I’m worried that might not be good.
Hello Lou,
If your children don’t have any foot conditions then it’s fine for them to wear their Native shoes for most of the day. With that said, sip-on shoes are not my favorite piece of footwear for children as they don’t provide the same levels of stability compared to other shoes that either have a velcro strap or laces. I usually suggest wearing Native shoes for 4 to 5 hours a day and then switching to a shoe that provides a little more support and stability.
Bad Idea For Shoes to Wear Without Socks
Hi Steve,
Is there a particular reason why you believe these shoes are not appropriate to wear without socks?
My granddaughter whom is 4 hates socks, she has fits if we make her wear socks this is why I’m looking for shoes without socks for her but she lives in a snow climate and not wearing socks in the winter is not good so I’ve come to you for help….. HELP!
Hello Kathleen,
Your granddaughter is one of the many kids that can’t stand how socks feel. Before you decide to provide her with a pair of shoes that she can wear without socks, I recommend that you try a pair of seamless socks. I recommend the your granddaughter wears a pair of socks with her shoes not just because of the cold weather, but also because socks play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet healthy since they act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, preventing the formation and buildup of bacteria inside the shoe.
Take a look at an article I wrote where I describe the best seamless socks for girls:
The Best Seamless Socks for Girls – End your Morning Battles with Seamless Socks
I hope this helps!
What is your opinion of Crocs?
Thanks.
Barbara
Hello Barbara,
Crocs are meant for short distance walking such as walking to the swimming pool and walking back. They are not meant for playing, running, or jumping. I actually wrote an article about Crocs and you can find it here:
Crocs For Children – Is Your Child In Danger When Wearing Crocs?
I hope this helps!