The Best Fall Shoes for Kids – Warm, Comfortable, and Durable!
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? I am going to show you a list of the best fall shoes for kids based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
What Shoes Work Best During the Fall Season?
Slippery grounds, cold in the morning and warm during the day. It can be confusing for families to figure out what shoes they should provide their children to keep them both dry and warm in such a changing climate.
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 their 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 will have to adjust the final shoe size that you order.
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 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.
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.
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: 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 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 on those rainy and cold days and their feet will stay warm and dry.
- Shoe style Chandler 2 CNX by Keen
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Elasticized lace panel with hook-and-loop closure
- Protective rubber toe bumper to protect your toes
- Reverse Strobel construction provides a streamlined interior
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Chandler 2 CNX Sport by Keen
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Elasticized lace panel with hook-and-loop closure
- Protective rubber toe bumper to protect your toes
- Reverse Strobel construction provides a streamlined interior
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Wanduro by Keen
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- Protective rubber toe bumper to protect your toes
- Higher traction outsole provides grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Wanduro Hound by Keen
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- Protective rubber toe bumper to protect your toes
- Higher traction outsole provides grip in muddy environments and on rocky surfaces
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style H2sho by Keen
- 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
- Shoe style Wader by Geox
- 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
- Shoe style Nova 3 by Merrell
- 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
- Shoe style Moab Speed 2 by Merrell
- 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
- Shoe style Knotch Peak by Keen
- 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
- Shoe style Keen Newport H2sho by Keen
- 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
- Shoe style Moab Speed 2 by Merrell
- 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
- Shoe style Moab Speed 2 by Merrell
- 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
- Shoe style Moab 2 by Merrell
- 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
- Shoe style Agility Peak by Merrell
- 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
- Shoe style Agility Peak by Merrell
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Toggle elastic lace closure
- Rubber toe-cap for maximum durability
- Water-friendly
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Waterproof by Columbia
- 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
- Shoe style Redmond Waterproof by Columbia
- 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
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 where 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:
- Socks made by Meriwool
- Merino wool’s natural wicking and odor-resistant properties keep your child’s feet dry
- 75% Merino wool blend ensures comfort all day long
- Socks made by Meriwool
- Merino wool’s natural wicking and odor-resistant properties keep your child’s feet dry
- 75% Merino wool blend ensures comfort all day long
- Socks made by Seeyan
- 6 pairs childs thermal socks
- Made from high-quality wool materials, durable and breathable enough for flexible movements with its great elasticity and durability
- Provide enough stretch to easily put them on and don’t squeeze legs
- Socks made by Smartwool
- Flat knit toe seam for additional comfort
- 65% wool, 31% nylon, 2% recycled nylon, 2% elastane
- Socks made by Smartwool
- Cushioning on the entire bottom of the foot
- 58% wool, 38% nylon, 2% recycled nylon, 2% elastane
- Socks made by Antsang
- Made of the 55% wool, 25% cotton, 15% polyester and 5% spandex
- Special fuzzy inner design will keep the feet warm
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 via email if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child.
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 in the comments section below so other parents can benefit from them.