The Best Baby Shoe Brands – The Top 3 Shoe Brands to Help your Baby Walk!
When babies start taking their first steps, most parents usually start researching what shoes will work best for their babies’ feet. I am going to show you a list of the best baby shoe brands and the best shoe styles among each brand based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
There is a common misconception among parents when they assume that as soon as they provide their babies with their first pair of shoes, their babies will start walking immediately. This is simply not true. In fact, the opposite might happen as when you put the first pair of shoes on your babies’ feet, they lose the sense that they had to the ground and it takes them a little longer to start walking on their own.
Babies use their toes to grasp the floor and feel more confident every time they take a step, and it is true that once you put on their first pair of shoes, they lose that sense, but they do receive important sensory information from the soles of the shoes. Certain first walking shoes come with sensory pods in the bottom to allow the baby to feel the ground. That is why I am always emphasizing to parents the importance of providing their babies with the correct pair of first walking shoes.
I have been contacted by several parents who don’t have a local children’s shoe store in their area and they all seem to have one question in common: What are the best baby shoe brands?
The Best Baby Shoe Brands – Top 3 Choices!
There are 3 shoe brands that have proven to be the most consistent ones in the type of shoes that they manufacture for their babies. These 3 shoe brands make lightweight and flexible shoes, made from high-quality materials and that are available in different widths such as medium, wide, and extra wide.
I have noticed how most babies have wide or extra wide feet. This is something that you need to keep in mind as it’s really important to provide your baby with shoes that don’t constrict toe movement since babies exercise their feet by wiggling their toes.
Let’s keep your babies’ feet healthy by providing them with the correct type of shoes, and in this article, I will describe the top 3 shoe brands for babies who are learning how to walk. I will also provide you with a selection of the best shoe styles among those brands.
What makes these shoe brands so special?
They offer shoes that are engineered specifically for babies who are learning how to walk, and the shoes are available in different widths such as medium, wide, and extra wide.
Please remember that shoes for a baby who is learning how to walk must come with soft soles, as they are better for muscle development.
Number 1: Stride Rite
Stride Rite makes the best shoes for babies who are learning how to walk. This shoe company is my first choice as they design and engineer footwear specifically to meet the needs of growing babies.
I usually fit a baby who is still learning how to walk in a pair of what I call “transition shoes,” as the shoes are engineered to help your baby balance and the soles also provide important sensory information. I call them “transition shoes” because they help make that transition from crawling or moving from side to side to fully walking.
Stride Rite makes baby shoes that are durable but also lightweight, and has been creating quality footwear designed specifically for kids since 1919.
There are certain shoe styles among this brand that provide sensory pods, and remember how I stated the importance of this feature as it allows babies to feel the ground and feel more confident when walking.
Stride Rite is approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development. Among this shoe brand, certain shoes are better than others. That is the reason why I put together a selection of the best Stride Rite shoes for babies who are learning how to walk:
Boys
- Shoe style SRT SM Artie by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wes by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style SM Adamby Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Foam padding placed around the ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Martin by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Oversized opening and pull tab on the back offer easy on and off
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Soft Motion Wally by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Soft Motion Kylo by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
Girls
- Shoe style SM Adalyn by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Zips Runner by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Sm Lucianne by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- The footbed is crafted with Ortholite memory foam for enhanced, superior comfort
- Oversized opening for easy on-and-off, also suitable for wider feet
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Thompson by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
This is hands down the best shoe brand for babies who have wide or extra wide feet.
Some parents ask me what other options they have aside from Stride Rite, as they want shoes to look more fashionable or simply have a broader selection of shoes to choose from for their babies. This brings us to our next best two shoe brands for babies: Pediped and See Kai Run.
Number 2: Pediped
I have been fitting Pediped for the last 5 years, and what I like the most about this shoe brand is how well their shoes fit and the high-quality materials that the shoes are made of.
Pediped shoes are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association for promoting healthy foot development.
All Pediped new walker shoes feature leather soles that provide ultimate flexibility and lasting quality. The soles of their shoes come with a new tread that is more slip-resistant yet still crafted completely of high-quality, non-toxic leather that will allow your baby’s little toes to move, grip, and feel the floor. Remember how important it is to not constrict toe movement and prevent your babies’ toes from overlapping or rubbing against each other.
The biggest downside to this shoe brand is that they don’t offer babies’ shoes in extra wide widths. I recommend this shoe brand for babies who have medium to wide feet, but if your baby has extra wide feet, I recommend that you stick to Stride Rite.
Below you can find a selection of the best Pediped shoe styles for babies who are learning how to walk.
- Shoe style Martin by Pediped
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% leather
- Velcro for adjustablity and ease of wear
- Accepted by the American Podiatric Medicial Association
- Order this shoe based on your baby’s age
- Shoe style Dani by Pediped
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% leather
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe based on your baby’s age
- Shoe style Harvey by Pediped
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Leather outsole
- Breathable
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe based on your baby’s age
- Shoe style Katelyn by Pediped
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- 100% leather
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe based on your baby’s age
See Kai Run
Parents love the shoe brand See Kai Run, as they make some of the most fashionable and comfortable baby shoes. See Kai Run shoes are healthy for developing feet.
They make lightweight shoes with wide openings, easy on and off closure and flexible gripping outsoles which are perfect for safe and secure early play.
Their shoes come with a flexible rubber outsole that provides traction and durability for early steps, which is great for outdoor use and allows little feet to flex in all the right places.
What I love the most about their shoe styles is how they come with a generous toe-box that provides room for healthy foot development.
The biggest downside is that they also don’t offer shoes in extra wide widths. If your baby has medium to wide feet, then you should definitely try this shoe brand, but if your baby has extra wide feet, I will recommend that you stick to Stride Rite.
Below you can find a selection of the best See Kai Run shoe styles for babies who are learning how to walk.
- Shoe style Stevie II by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Ideal for toddlers who are learning how to walk or just started walking
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap and faux laces allow for a secure fit
- Rubberized toe cap to protect little toes
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Stevie II by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Ideal for toddlers who are learning how to walk or just started walking
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- TPR full rubber outsole provides flexibility and traction
- Rubberized toe cap to protect little toes
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Russell by See Kai Run
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Italya by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Metallic leather and textile upper with padded collar and tongue
- Removable, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Ryder II by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- TPR full rubber outsole provides flexibility and traction
- Rubberized overlays for support and stability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Summit by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap and faux laces allow for a secure fit
- Rubberized overlays for support and stability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kristin by See Kai Run
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Wide openings make on and off quick
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap and faux elastic laces keep the shoes securely on
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Stevie Ii by See Kai Run
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Wide openings make on and off quick
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap and faux elastic laces keep the shoes securely on
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Ryder Knit by See Kai Run
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Wide openings make on and off quick
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap and faux elastic laces keep the shoes securely on
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Now that you know which are the best baby shoe brands, you are ready to make the most informed decision.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If you want to be 100% sure about what shoe size to order online, I suggest that you follow the instructions in a different resource I created.
Before you leave, I wanted to remind you that socks play a key role in keeping your babies healthy.
The Best Baby Socks – Seamless and Breathable!
I always explain to parents how socks play a key role in keeping their babies’ feet healthy as they act as a barrier between their babies’ feet and the shoes.
I recommend parents to provide their babies with seamless socks, as they are the most effective ones in allowing your babies’ toes to freely move and won’t constrict toe movement.
Socks prevent the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes and also prevent the formation of blisters by cushioning your babies’ feet.
Those are the reasons why I am always emphasizing to parents to have their babies always wear socks with their shoes. I have put together a selection of the best baby socks that are soft, seamless, and breathable:
- Socks made by Epeius
- 76% combed cotton, 21% polyester and 3% spandex
- Seamless cable/ribbed knit knee high socks for babies
- Breathable
- Machine wash
- Socks made by SeriSimple
- Smooth toe seam provides less irritation and bulk for sensitive toes and feet
- Made of 82% bamboo and 18% elastane
- Socks made by Jefferies
- 73% Cotton, 23% Nylon, 4% Spandex
- Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam
- Machine wash
- Socks made by Jefferies
- Seamless smooth toe provides optimal comfort and less irritation
- Stay-up top prevents slipping on legs
- Machine wash
Now that you know which are the best shoe brands for babies and the best styles among those brands, you can keep their feet and legs healthy.
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 baby. My e-mail address is:
Do you have a favorite shoe brand for a baby who is learning how to walk? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
