Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on April 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of the best fall shoes for kids.
Are you looking for a pair of fall shoes for your child? Do you need a pair of shoes to keep your child’s feet warm during the fall season that are breathable, supportive, and reasonably priced at the same time?
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for the last 10 years. We specialize in helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. I have fitted thousands of shoes and I am familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are better than others.
For the last 5 years, I have been helping parents find the perfect pair of shoes for their kids’ shoes online.
Fall season is around the corner and to keep your child’s feet warm and healthy, you need to provide your child with a pair of waterproof shoes. This doesn’t mean that you need to spend a fortune on your kids’ shoes – especially considering that they will outgrow them after wearing them for 3 to 5 months.
I am always trying to explain to parents how higher priced shoes don’t automatically translate into better shoes for your child. There are a couple of shoe styles that are my go-to styles for when the fall season begins, and I will show them to you shortly.
Some parents prefer to provide their children with waterproof shoes for fall, while others just prefer a warmer shoe made out of leather or suede.
Please keep in mind that 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.
The most common mistake that I see parents make is to assume that once they figure out their children’s foot size, that size will automatically translate into their actual shoe size. Let me explain to you why this is a big mistake: Shoes can fit short, long, narrow, or wide, and depending on how they fit you need to adjust the size that you get for your child.
Please keep in mind that if you don’t provide your child with the correct shoe size, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. What’s even worse, you will end up creating all sorts of foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I always recommend parents to take their children to their local kids’ shoe store, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that fit. Let’s start by taking a look at a resource I created where I describe the best children’s shoe stores by state:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores In The United States – Where To Go For Proper Fittings
If after looking at that resource you still can’t find a store in your area take a look at another article that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:
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.
Now that you know about the importance of providing your child with the correct shoe size, let’s take a look at a selection of the best fall shoes for kids. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Fall Shoes for Kids ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The shoes below are all waterproof and breathable at the same time, meaning that they won’t make your child’s feet sweat. Your child can wear these shoes to school in those rainy and cold days and their feet will stay warm and dry.
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Higher traction outsole provides grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Higher traction outsole provides grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- Water-friendly
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Abrasion -resistant toe bumper
- Long-lasting leather upper with combined mesh panels.
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Abrasion -resistant toe bumper
- FloatPro Foam™ footbed for enhanced cushioning and energy return
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Omni-GRIP non-marking traction rubber outsole provides high grip across a wide variety of terrain
- Toggle lace for easy on and off
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Omni-GRIP non-marking traction rubber outsole provides high grip across a wide variety of terrain
- Toggle lace for easy on and off
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Hook and loop strap with toggle closure
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Toggle lace for easy on and off
- Higher traction outsole provides grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
- Waterproof
- Padded collar and tongue help to reduce irritation and discomfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Higher traction outsole provides grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
- Waterproof
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Waterproof
- Rugged rubber outsole
- Highly slip-resistant stability on wet and dry ground, over mixed terrain
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper for durability
- Lace-up closure
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Waterproof
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper for durability
- Lace-up closure
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Waterproof
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
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.
Bear in mind that all of these shoe styles provide excellent support, meaning that they can be worn as everyday shoes. The shoes provide a supportive outsole that helps minimize the impact that your child’s feet take every time they become in contact with the ground. The shoes also come with a firm heel counter that provides ankle support.
If you are not sure what the heel counter of the shoes is located, take a look at the picture below for clarification:
These are the best-fitting fall shoes that I have fitted through the years, and they will keep your child’s feet healthy as long as you order the correct size.
Let’s Not Forget About Your Child’s Socks – Comfortable and Warm!
Socks are meant to protect the feet and act as a barrier against irritation and infection. The importance of wearing socks is clear, as they play an important role in keeping your kids’ feet healthy by preventing the formation and buildup of bacteria inside the shoes.
During the fall season, socks play an important role in keeping your kids’ feet warm. Certain socks are made of merino wool, an ultra-soft, naturally anti-microbial, breathable material. The socks that I describe below allow the child’s feet to breathe. The socks should also cover all the way up to your kids’ ankles, that way the shoes won’t rub against your kids’ ankles and create blisters.
Below you can find a selection of the best fall socks for children:
- Merino wool’s natural wicking and odor-resistant properties keep your child’s feet dry
- 75% Merino wool blend ensures comfort all day long
- Merino wool’s natural wicking and odor-resistant properties keep your child’s feet dry
- 75% Merino wool blend ensures comfort all day long
- Flat knit toe seam for additional comfort
- 65% wool, 31% nylon, 2% recycled nylon, 2% elastane
- Cushioning on the entire bottom of the foot
- 58% wool, 38% nylon, 2% recycled nylon, 2% elastane
Now that you know which are the best fall shoes for kids (and socks), you are ready to make the most informed decision.
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 any of these shoe styles before? Is there a particular shoe style that you can recommend for fall? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.
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