Velcro or Laces: Which Is Better for Kids’ Shoes?
Have you noticed that most kids wear Velcro shoes these days? Many parents tell me it’s not that their child can’t learn to tie, but that keeping laces tied through a busy school day is a constant battle. So which is better? As a certified children’s shoe fitter with over 10 years of experience, here’s my answer, plus what age kids can tie their own shoes and easy options in between.
The short answer: Velcro is best for babies, toddlers, and most kids under 5. Once your child can tie their shoes, laces give a more secure, customized fit, especially for active kids and sports
| Velcro | Laces | |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to put on | Yes, even with one hand | Takes practice |
| Stays fastened | Yes, but easy for little kids to pull off | Can come untied |
| Fit | Good | Best, since you can adjust every part of the shoe |
| Support for sports | Good | Best |
| Best for | Babies, toddlers, kids under 5, kids who struggle with fine motor skills | Kids who can tie, active kids, sports |
| Available sizes | Mostly baby to little kid | Mostly little kid to big kid |
- Babies and toddlers. Velcro is quick to fasten and easy to adjust on a wiggly little one.
- Kids under 5. Most don’t have the fine motor skills to tie yet.
- Kids with conditions that make tying hard. For children with hypermobility or dyspraxia, tying can be very frustrating. Velcro lets them put their shoes on independently. See my guide to shoes for kids with hypermobility.
- Kids with wide feet or high insteps. Velcro straps open wide, so the shoe is easier to get on. If the straps are too short, a Velcro extender can help.
When Laces Are the Better Choice
Laces aren’t just about looks. Because you can tighten or loosen every part of the shoe, laces “hug” the foot more securely than Velcro. That helps kids feel steadier when they walk, run, and play.
That’s why nearly all athletic shoes have laces. When kids are sprinting, jumping, or changing direction, laces lock the foot in place, which helps them stay balanced.
Laces are also the better choice when:
- Your child has narrow feet or narrow heels. Laces can be tightened to stop the heel from slipping. Here’s how to lace shoes to prevent heel slippage.
- Your toddler keeps pulling their shoes off. Little kids learn fast how to open Velcro. Laces (double-knotted) are much harder to pull off.
- Your child has a foot condition that needs a more secure fit. Ask your child’s doctor or physical therapist which closure works best.
At What Age Can Kids Tie Their Shoes?
Most kids don’t have the fine motor skills and coordination to tie their shoes until they’re about 5 to 7 years old. In my fittings, I’ve often seen girls start a little earlier, around 5, while many boys start closer to 7. Every child is different, though.
If your child is 8 or older and still finds tying very hard, mention it to their doctor. An occupational therapist can help with fine motor skills, and in the meantime, no-tie laces or Velcro let them stay independent.
Ready to start teaching? Here’s how to teach a child to tie their shoes in 5 simple steps.
Why Kids Eventually Need to Learn to Tie
Velcro gets harder to find as kids grow. By around age 10, many kids wear about a size 3½, and above that size, Velcro sneakers are rare. Most styles are lace-up only.
If your child isn’t ready to tie, there are two good options:
No-tie laces. Toggle laces or elastic laces replace regular laces, so the shoe slips on like Velcro but still fits like a lace-up.
Velcro sneakers in big kid sizes. They’re harder to find, but they exist. Here’s my guide to Velcro sneakers for kids with big feet.
Where to Find Lace-Up Shoes for Toddlers
The opposite problem is just as frustrating. Below about a kids’ size 10½, most brands only make Velcro, so parents who want laces for a toddler have very few choices.
New Balance is one of the few brands that makes real lace-up sneakers in toddler sizes, including the 990, 574, and Fresh Foam Arishi. They also come in wide and extra wide widths. Email me with your child’s shoe size and whether their feet are narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide and I will send you specific lace-up shoe recommendations.
I’m looking to try to find real shoelaces on toddler 8c for my son. The reason is like you stated we do want him to work on his motor skills since boys tend to be late bloomers. And with velcro he just pulls them right off. His shoes has gone missing for a good portion of the day at daycare and he’s thrown away socks because it’s so easy to take the shoes off! So you have any recommendations? I’m at a wits end trying to find ANY brand with real laces for him.
Hello Liz,
I am happy to help, but first, I need to know whether your son has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also need to know from which country you are contacting me to check what shoe options are available in your area.