Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on April 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of slip on shoes for kids.
Have you been looking for an easy shoe that your kids can easily put on and take off by themselves? Have you found a pair of slip-on shoes but you noticed that they keep coming out your kids’ feet? There is a solution to this and I will show you exactly what to do shortly.
Slip-on shoes are great, and parents love how these easy-on, easy-off sneakers can be worn with everything in your child’s closet from swim trunks to jeans. They are the ideal sneakers for various occasions, including warm weather getaways, walks around the shopping mall, or traveling with your kids.
Certain slip-on shoes provide better support and comfort to your child’s feet, and those are the ones I will describe in this article.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now that focuses on children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. We carry some of the most supportive children’s shoes and orthotics, and I am familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are better than others.
While slip-on shoes are not meant to be worn as everyday shoes, they are great because they can be worn to many different places and they are easy for kids to put on and take off.
Slip-on shoes are a great addition to your kids’ everyday shoes since they are great for those days when you are in a rush and have to run out of the house.
It is important to understand that slip-on shoes don’t replace your kids’ everyday sneakers, since they are not meant for running around or for performing any sort of high-impact activity, since they don’t provide the same amount of support or stability as sneakers.
While slip-on shoes provide several benefits, they are meant to be worn for only short periods of time. For example, if you were going to the shopping mall, to grab dinner, or to take a short walk, they would be a perfect choice.
I will show you a selection of the best slip-on shoes for kids shortly, but first, let’s check what types of foot shapes are these slip-on shoes capable of fitting.
Slip-On Shoes for Kids – What Type of Feet Do They Fit?
The main issue with slip-on shoes is how they won’t fit all types of kids’ feet. For example, if your child has a very narrow heel, slip-on shoes might slide up and down your child’s heel.
If you have a child with narrow feet, I will show you what you can do to make the slip-on shoes fit the shape of your child’s feet better.
Most of the time I fit a slip-on shoe, I end up fitting a pair of tongue pads inside the shoes, since a tongue will push your kids’ feet back, securing them against the back of the shoes.
Tongue pads are great for children with narrow feet, but several children with a medium width foot can also benefit from wearing a tongue pad.
Do you know what a tongue pad is? Tongue pads are adhesive-backed pads that go in the tongue of the shoes and they work in all enclosed shoes. Tongue pads are extremely effective for children that have narrow feet.
In the pictures below you can see what a tongue pad looks like and where the tongue pad fits inside the shoes.
A tongue pad is an adhesive pad that is placed under the tongue of the shoe. It pushes your kids’ heel back against the end of the shoe, preventing the shoe from slipping off. Take a look at the picture below for clarification:
After your child wears the shoe for two to three months, they may start complaining about the shoe feeling too tight. All you have to do is remove the tongue pad and that will open up space for your child to continue wearing the shoe for a couple more months.
This is a proven method that I have tested several times and found that it works. Most parents refuse to purchase a pair of slip-on shoes for their kids because they think that they will outgrow them too quickly, but a tongue pad is all you need to allow your kids to wear their slip-on shoes longer.
I describe the best tongue pads for kids in another article called:
Leather Shoe Tongue Pad – Stop Heel Slippage
The best slip-on shoes for kids are the ones that are deep enough to fit a child with a high instep, made out of quality materials, lightweight, flexible and equipped with a comfortable inner sole —some of them even come with memory foam inside.
The shoes also must have a durable rubber outsole with good traction to make sure that your child doesn’t slip and fall. The substantial outsole will also provide support to your child’s feet and legs.
One of the most popular shoe brands that make some of the best slip-on shoes for children is Skechers. Their slip-on shoes are not only durable and supportive, but are also some of the most comfortable slip-on shoes in the market right now.
I only write reviews of shoe styles 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.
Below you can find a selection of the best slip on shoes for kids. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Slip On Shoes for Kids ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Fits medium and wide feet
- FlexiRun EVA foam outsole is ultra-lightweight and flexible
- Removable recycled mesh sockliner allows air movement and keeps feet fresh
- Machine washable and water-friendly
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Alternative closure features a gore band across the instep for easy on and off
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Alternative closure features a gore band across the instep for easy on and off
- Lightweight IMEVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Removable, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Metallic leather and textile upper with padded collar and tongue
- Machine washable and water-friendly
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Soft EVA molded footbed for all day cushioning and comfort
- Knit upper for superior comfort
- Laceless, elastic closure provides easy wear and slip-on convenience
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in wide widths
- Slip on with elastic twin gore for easy on/off
- Ortholite Memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Alternative closure features a gore band across the instep for easy on and off
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Ground Contact EVA outsole with rubber pods
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Alternative closure features a gore band across the instep for easy on and off
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Ground Contact EVA outsole with rubber pods
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Vegan Leather
- Supportive and lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Stretch-Fit with 4 Way Stretch
- Air-Cooled Memory Foam
- Machine washable and water-friendly
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Cushy memory foam footbed for comfort
- Contoured cushion heel
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Soft EVA molded footbed for all day cushioning and comfort
- Knit upper for superior comfort
- Machine washable and water-friendly
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes I indicate whether you need to order a half a size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
To buy the correct shoe size online, you are going to need to know your child’s exact foot size. If you are unsure about your child’s foot size I suggest that you take a look at a different article called:
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.
Slip-On Shoes for Mom? – Get the Kids Version and Save Big!
I have fitted several mothers who come to the shoe store looking for slip-on shoes for their kids, find a pair of slip-on shoes for themselves. They love how easy and comfortable they are to wear.
Just so you know, if you wear a women’s shoe size 8 ½ or smaller, you will be able to fit in the kids’ version of the shoe which translates to a shoe size 7. I explain how this shoe size translation works in more detail in another article. Go to the link below:
Women and Kids Shoe Size Conversion Chart – Save Big Buying Kids’ Shoes!
So, if you are a woman who wears a shoe size 8 ½ or smaller, remember that you can wear the kids’ version of the shoe —which offers the same support and comfort— for a much lower price.
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:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Have you tried a particular slip-on shoe that has worked well for your child’s feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
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