The Best Shoe Brands for Kids – The 5 Most Durable and Affordable Brands
Have you always wondered which are the best shoe brands for kids? There are 5 shoe brands that have proven to be the most consistent ones when it comes to manufacturing kids’ shoes that are supportive, lightweight, flexible, durable, and affordable. Among each shoe brand that I recommend, certain shoe styles are a lot better than others, and I am going to show you exactly which models these are based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Parents want to provide shoes for their kids that are durable and affordable. The shoes need to be able to accommodate the shape of your child’s feet, no matter how narrow or wide they are.
Are your kids wearing down their shoes before they outgrow them? So many parents report that their children typically destroy their shoes before they are ready to be replaced! Replacing their children’s shoes prematurely is frustrating for parents, who want to ensure that their children get the most use out of their shoes as possible.
Most children are extremely active and impose an enormous amount of stress on their shoes. The highest quality footwear is not only supportive but also durable. In my experience, certain brands consistently offer shoes of the highest quality construction and durability. So many parents are disappointed to find that their kids’ shoes fall apart before they outgrow them, and these frustrated parents all seem to have one question in common:
What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Kids?
The best shoe brands for kids are the ones that make durable, supportive and affordable footwear. Additionally, shoe brands that make shoes in a variety of widths such as narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide guarantee that the shoes will fit the shape of your child’s feet, regardless of how narrow or wide they might be.
NUMBER 1: NEW BALANCE
The Winner for Wide and Extra Wide Feet
New Balance doesn’t just create excellent quality footwear for kids, but the company also produces shoes providing comfort, maximum support and stability. The fact that the company makes shoes in different widths such as medium, wide, and extra wide is also a life saver for those children who have extra wide feet.
Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to worry about your kids’ shoes falling apart? Because the company’s mission is to focus solely on quality, New Balance invests a significant amount of resources in research and development. This shoe company doesn’t merely want to design, produce, and market products to convey an image. The company rather designs shoes that fit and that actually last!
New Balance shoes are partially manufactured in the United States. The company makes domestic manufacturing a top priority, producing and assembling over 4 million pairs of athletic shoes per year in the United States.
I have fitted thousands of children for New Balance shoes, and I can assure you that they are made of excellent quality materials. Also, several parents report that New Balance shoes tend to hold up the best.
At the shoe store where I work, we have a bin for discarding defective footwear —when a shoe doesn’t hold up as it should, parents are allowed to return them to the shoe store as long they are within the return policy period— At the end of the month, we send the defective shoes back to the vendors. New Balance always has the lowest quantity of defective shoes compared to the other shoe brands.
If you are looking for supportive and durable shoes for your child, you can’t go wrong with New Balance. This shoe brand will work best if your child has wide to extra wide feet.
The Best New Balance Shoes for Kids
Below you can find a selection of the best New Balance shoes for kids with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet.
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for toddlers
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for toddlers
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 is available for toddlers
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 is available for toddlers
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990v6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990v4 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style DynaSoft v5 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style DynaSoft v5 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning
- TPU heel clip for stability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 880V12 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 527 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 527 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Suede/mesh upper
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2022 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 860v13 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
NUMBER 2: SAUCONY
The Winner for Manufacturing High-Quality Yet Affordable Shoes
Another iconic shoe brand is Saucony, one of the leading technical shoe manufacturers out there. The company, which ceased producing its shoes in the US in 1997, focuses on quality and is known for its shoes’ high quality and support. Saucony is a great brand for kids, as they produce shoes in medium, wide, and extra wide widths.
What parents love the most about is how they make great quality shoes, at an affordable price. Did you know that Saucony is one of the few brands that makes vegan shoes, which include no glue or animal-sourced materials?
In my experience, most children will outgrow their pair of Saucony shoes before wearing them out! If you are making a trip to the playground with your child, Saucony’s high-quality materials, such as leather and mesh uppers, rubber outsoles and flex grooves, will keep your child comfortable and carefree.
The company stands behind its products, in my experience, when consumers did not feel their Saucony purchases met quality standards.
The Best Saucony Shoes for Kids
The shoes below can fit children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Parents’ favorite style
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Parents’ favorite style
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Jazz Lite 2.0 by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Jazz Lite 2.0 by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Velcro closure for easy on/off and adjustability
- Machine washable
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Jazz Hook by Saucony
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Cushy lightweight EVA midsole for comfort
- APMA approved
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Flash A/C 3.0 by Saucony
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Cushy lightweight EVA midsole for comfort
- APMA approved
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Shoe style Wind Shield by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wind Shield by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Velocer A/C by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Cushioned footbed
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara 14 by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wind FSTr by Saucony
- Fits medium feet
- Breathable mesh and synthetic upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning in the heel
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wind 2.0 by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Cohesion 14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Jazz Court by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Leather and mesh upper for durability & breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara 14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Form2u memory foam provides exceptional comfort
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara 14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Form2u memory foam provides exceptional comfort
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
NUMBER 3: ASICS
The Winner for Kids with Narrow Feet who Love to Run!
Asics is one of the best shoe brands when it comes to running. In addition to providing excellent support and stability, Asics shoes are extremely well built. Did you know that Asics is one of the most popular running shoe brands worldwide? Their styles are all made to accommodate the boundless energy of young children!
Like New Balance, Asics prioritizes the production of quality footwear over the creation of the most fashionable designs. While Asics’ prices are typically higher than New Balance’s or Saucony‘s, Asics’ shoes come with infused gel and offer optimal support for children who are serious about running! Additional layers of gel are associated with the highest prices.
The Best Asics Shoes for Kids
Below you can find a selection of the best Asics shoe styles for children. These shoes can fit children with narrow or medium feet.
Velcro Closure
- Shoe style GT-1000 by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GT-1000 by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 PS by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GT-1000 11 PS by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Lace-Up Closure
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Novablast 2 GS by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable insoles
- Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system
- Breathable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GEL-Noosa by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Infused gel for extra cushion and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GEL-Noosa by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GEL-Cumulus by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style JOLT 4 by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL® Technology Cushioning System lessens the amount of shock during impact
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
NUMBER 4: STRIDE RITE
The Winner for Babies and Toddlers Learning How to Walk!
Stride Rite is the first choice for many parents since the company designs and engineers footwear specifically to meet the needs of growing children. When a child is learning how to walk, we normally fit them in a pair of Stride Rite “transition shoes,” since the shoes are engineered to help your child balance and learn how to walk while he or she is wearing the shoes.
Whether your child is walking, running, or jumping, this brand of shoes can handle it all. Stride Rite makes shoes that are durable yet lightweight! They also manufacture shoes in different widths such as medium, wide, and extra wide!
Stride Rite has been creating quality footwear for almost a century now, designed specifically for kids. Stride Rite (which is manufactured by Wolverine now) has been manufacturing children’s shoes since 1919.
Most Stride Rite shoe styles come with sensory pods on the sole of the shoe, which allows babies who are learning how to walk “feel” the ground, making them more confident and stable when taking those first steps.
The Best Stride Rite Shoes for Kids
Below you can find a selection of the best shoes made by Stride Rite for babies learning how to walk with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet.
Babies and Toddlers Who Are Learning How to Walk
- 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 half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style SM Kennedy by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 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 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 toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Jazzy Casual 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 half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style SM Kylo 2.0 by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra 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 SRT Cordaline by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Double-strap Mary Jane with hook and loop closure and faux-buckle detail
- Soft memory foam footbeds and flexible, rounded soles for natural movement
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Sm Kylin 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 SM Adalyn by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- Flexible rounded soles to encourage natural movement and improve balance
- Deep flex grooves enables their natural movement
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Toddlers and Little Kids Who Are Already Walking
- Shoe style SRT Winslow by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape with extra comfy Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Machine washable
- Flexible treads move with the foot and support multi-directional movement, while rubber soles offer superior grip and traction with patented sensory pod technology to help feet feel the ground
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Claire by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style M2P Kendrick by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Glimmer by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Light-ups
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and hook and loop closure
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Ryker by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- Extra padding around the heels to prevent blisters
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Mary Jane Flat by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Sr Thompson by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style SR Thompson by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Seamless construction that cradles their natural shape
- Flexible, rounded soles for natural movement
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
NUMBER 5: GEOX
The Winner for Durable Shoes!
Geox doesn’t only make fantastic looking shoes, this brand makes shoes that are virtually indestructible. Need I say more? Wouldn’t that be every parent’s dream shoe? The stitching detail found on every single style of their shoes provides extended durability. A huge plus of this brand is their GeoxTM breathes patented system that absorbs and wicks away moisture!
If you have a child whose feet tend to sweat a lot, Geox shoes will provide them with excellent breathability. European customers love Geox shoes for their leather materials and for construction that provides excellent support.
The Best Geox Shoes for Kids
Below you can find a selection of the best Geox shoes for children with medium or wide feet.
- Shoe style Savage 38 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- 100% leather
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Wader 19 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- Rubber outsoles contain a special microporous membrane that is both breathable and waterproof
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Aril 3 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Rubber outsoles contain a special microporous membrane that is both breathable and waterproof
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Alben by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- GEOX rubber outsoles contain a special microporous membrane that is both breathable and waterproof
- Durable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Savage 10 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- 100% leather
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Poseido 13 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Hook and loop closure for easy on off
- Breathable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Silenex 2 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather made
- Italian patented perforated waterproof and breathable outsole
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Casey 18 by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather made
- Italian patented perforated waterproof and breathable outsole
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Kalispera 37 L by Geox
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Natural leathers
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
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.
Why Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour Didn’t Make it to the Top 5 Best Shoe Brands for Kids?
While these shoe brands are some of the most popular shoe brands among children, their shoes don’t provide the correct amount of support that children need to perform their everyday activities and keep their feet healthy.
Let me elaborate a bit more…
Do you notice that in the picture below, the child’s feet are much straighter in the New Balance shoe than in the Nike shoe (multi-color blue)?
Most Nike shoes are too flimsy and soft, providing minimal arch and ankle support. Do you know what the heel counter of the shoe is? The heel counter is the back part of the shoe that provides ankle support. The heel counter of the Nike shoe style is much softer compared to a New Balance shoe style, which is evident in these photos:
Shoes play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet and legs healthy, so it’s very important that you choose the correct shoe styles for your child. Certain shoe brands that are consistent in making supportive, and well-made shoes for children.
Are you Confused About Which Shoe Brand to Choose? Get it Right!
In all honesty, you really can’t go wrong with any of these brands. They all make excellent quality footwear for kids, and when it comes to durability, there are no other better shoe brands for kids than the ones mentioned above. It will all come down to which brand fits the shape of your kids’ feet best.
When looking for shoes for their children, some parents’ top priority might be where the shoes are made, while for some other parents it might be the cost of the shoes. Aside from what your top priority might be, keep in mind that selecting good quality footwear for your children is important to keep your kids’ feet, legs, and back healthy.
Also, please don’t assume that a certain shoe brand manufactures poorly made shoes just because you had a bad experience with one particular style. Sometimes it happens that one shoe from the whole batch might be defective, in other words, a manufacturer defect. In the case of defective shoes, any of these 5 shoe companies will typically provide you with a refund or an exchange.
There is no definitive length of time that a pair of shoes will last or should last. The longevity of any pair of shoes is variable, as children’s activity levels and growth rates are variable. However, by choosing a high-quality, durable shoe from one of these recommended brands, parents can expect to maximize the life of their children’s shoes.
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 child. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
I hope you enjoyed reading about the most durable brands for children, and I would love to know if you have had positive experiences with any of the brands mentioned. Also, let me know if you have another brand that you would recommend. Please share your experiences and thoughts below so that other parents can benefit from your experiences.
But where do we find these shoes in stores? I wouldn’t want to order on line because of needing to try on.
Hello Rae,
You might find some of these shoe styles in your local shoe store. If you are unsure whether you have a good fitting children’s shoe store in your area I suggest that you take a look at this map that I created: The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where to go for Proper Fittings
If you don’t have a children’s shoe store in your area you can retrieve your child’s exact foot length and shape here: How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Juan, thank you for making such an interesting post, a lot of good things to know especially in these times where going out to the store in person is not always and option and a lot of shoe stores seem to be very low on stock because of covid 19 here in Canada.
I was wondering if you have any recommendations for my situation, I have 15 month old very active twin boys one of them was born with an extra baby toe on his right foot so as you can imagine it is quite a bit wider than his left foot, we still haven’t come to a decision about weather or not to do a surgery and have it removed, as long as it’s not hurting him right now. I was able to find a pair of nikes for the summer time with a sort of fabric mesh top where his foot could form to the shoe but now that it’s colder I want to find him something that will be water resistant and a little warmer, I ordered Nike manoa ACGs and it seems to be bothering him my husband suggested we try stretching it out with a blow dryer or hot water but if that doesn’t work I’m not sure what to order next… as I said before all the shoe stores here seem to be very low stock for actually going in and trying things on.
Thanks so much for reading this I hope to hear from you soon !
Hi Valarie,
I suggest that you take a look at the following article:
Best Shoes for Kids with Six Toes – Extra Deep and Rounder Toe-Boxes
To answer your specific question, we need to look for shoes that provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes in order to prevent your son’s toes from overlapping and rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Nike tends to make shoes with pointier toe-boxes rather than wider ones.
I can send you specific shoe recommendations but I would need to know your son’s specific foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide). I help parents figure this out in a different article:
How to Measure Your Kids Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Hi Juan. My son has narrow feet and I always buy him Asics. They tend to fit his feet best so your recommendation was right on point. That being said I have an older daughter who is really into his Nike sneakers and refuses to wear any other shoe brands. Her shoes always look quite flimsy and not as durable as a lot of other brands.
Hi Nile,
Asics is my go-to shoe brand for children with narrow feet. They also provide excellent support and they are durable. As long as your daughter doesn’t have a foot condition or complains about foot or leg pain it’s okay for her to wear Nike shoes. However, when it comes to support and durability Nike doesn’t even come close to any of the 5 shoe brands I recommend.
I need a shoe brand that is durable as my son is always destroying his shoes. He has extra wide feet. Which shoe brand is the most durable one that can fit the shape of his wide feet at the same time?
I am tired of having to replace this shoes before he is ready to outgrow them.
Hi Jay,
I suggest that you choose any of the New Balance shoe styles. They are durable and can fit the shape of your son’s extra wide feet as long as you choose the extra wide (XW) width.
Hi Juan!
Among these 5 shoe brands which is the one you would recommend for a child who has flat and extra wide feet? I am thinking I need to choose either New Balance or Saucony but I am not sure which one to choose. My child is complaining about foot pain.
Hello
I suggest that you choose any of the New Balance shoes I recommend and choose the extra wide width (XW). I suggest that you also choose any of the shoes with shoelaces instead of velcro as they provide better support and stability. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Juan – Thank you for all the informative articles.
My son is 8 years old. He is pretty tough on his shoes. 3 months max before shoes give up ?. But he uses only one pair everyday just to keep all details fair.
He uses Velcro.
Can you please suggest some good brands (under $50) and what models in those brands?
Thanks.
Hi Nilima –
Before I send you specific shoe recommendations I need to know whether your son has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also would like to know if your child has a foot condition or not.
After almost an year and half, I am still at same Dilemma. I think he has wide foot. We bought ASICS and within few months of starting school, there is already an hole near the toe area of left-side shoe. He doesn’t have any foot condition but does need good support/cushioning. He is bit on the heavy and tall side for his age.
Hello Nilima,
I don’t recommend Asics for children with wide feet, Asics can fit children with narrow or medium width feet.I suggest that you look into New Balance or Saucony.
Do you know if your son has a high instep? If you are unsure about your son’s exact foot shape I suggest that you follow the instructions here: How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
My boys used to wear New Balance running shoes. While being indestructible, I have found that these shoes do not offer much cushioning, and are very hard and not as flexible as other shoe brands. I don’t like them for myself either and wear only Brooks.
Hello Sandy,
Thank you for sharing. Among each shoe brand there are certain shoe styles that will be more flexible and provide more support than others, that is why I provide specific shoe recommendations among each shoe brand.
Plae shoes are amazing for children (and now adult styles too)! they fit great and are impressively durable, they have a guarantee although I don’t recall the terms of it off the top of my head, they also will replace the shoes should the child hit a growth spurt. They also accommodate children with orthopedics and inserts. If you haven’t heard of this brand before it’s definitely worth checking out.. their regular sneaker styles are around $40-55 but they offer a first purchase discount and have a rewards program as well 🙂
Hello Ashley,
I have fitted PLAE shoes before and they are great and the only reason why they didn’t make my top 5 list is because I believe the other shoe brands are even better. I actually even wrote an article that describes PLAE shoes. Thank you for sharing your own experience about PLAE shoes!
HI:
I have an 8 year old who is very active. He likes to run and play soccer at recess. All his shoes have worn out within 2 months. I’m unsure of what brand of shoes to get him as he has high arches and wide feet too. What brand shoe would suit all the above conditions? I was thinking of getting him indoor soccer shoes to wear so he doesn’t destroy his sneakers but I heard they don’t offer support..
Help!
THank you.
Best, Wenn
Hello Wenn,
There are several brands that will work for his feet, but among those brands there are certain shoe styles that will work better than others. There is a particular shoe style made by New Balance that is my to-go shoe for children who destroy their shoes. It’s durable, supportive, and available in wide and extra wide widths. You can find that shoe style here:
Supportive and Durable Shoe Style
If your son doesn’t know how to tie his shoes yet please let me know and I will provide you with some Velcro options.
I hope this helps!
I have a 4 year old who has shoe trouble. She only likes the little slip on plastic shoes from old Navy but can’t wear them to school. We have been to every shoe store in my area and can’t find her a pair of tennis shoes. She does not like a shoe to “move” on her foot when she runs or jumps or anything. When she does wear anything else besides the plastic shoes she tightens them so tight she gets marks on her feet or the strap drags the ground. We have tried putting in heal protectors and anything we can think of. Any suggestions? It’s almost like she is always between sizes.
Hello Desiree,
Have you consider providing her with a pair of shoes with shoelaces? They will grab her foot better and prevent her feet from moving inside the shoes.
Does she like to wear socks with her shoes? It’s important that she does since socks will cushion and protect her feet when she is pulling either the shoelaces or the velcro closure too tight.
My recommendation will be to try a shoe with shoelaces, but if she has a shoe in mind that she likes already, you can always put a tongue pad inside the shoe to prevent her feet from moving. A tongue pad is an adhesive-backed pad that goes in the tongue of the shoe and pushes our heels back against the shoes (securing them). Tongue pads work in all enclosed shoes.
You can learn more about tongue pads in an article I wrote called:
Leather Shoe Tongue Pads – Stop Heel Slippage
I hope this helps!
Hi,
My 3 and a half year old has achilis tendonitis and also has pigeon toe.
After reading your article I think we are going to get the insoles and try a pair of the new balance runners.
Do you need to go up a size if you use the insoles?
Any information is greatly appreciated.
We are in the process of seeing a consultant.
Regards,
Claire
Claire,
I will say that 90% of the time we do require a larger shoe size ( but we don’t want to go any longer than a whole size up of the size that your child measures in the shoe measuring sale). What you will probably need is a wider shoe. Most New Balance kids shoes come in wide and extra wide widths. Please make sure that the shoe style that you choose has a very firm heel counter. I hope this helps.
My two sons, ages 10 and 13, are very active and can wear out normal sneakers in 2 or 3 months or less (usually a hole forms on the toe or the soles start to come off). As I tennis player, I knew tennis shoes are designed to be very durable and can last for years, so I bought my sons some tennis shoes from a tennis website, and these indeed have lasted much longer. However, the tread on tennis shoes is pretty smooth and there’s not much traction like you would get with like running shoes. If a shoe company would combine the construction and materials of tennis shoes with the tread of a running shoe, then they’d have the best all-around kids general purpose sneaker. Still waiting to find such a shoe, but maybe Geox is it.
Hello Jon,
Your boys like to play rough! You make a good point, combining the traction of a running shoe with the construction and materials of a tennis shoe will give us a very sturdy, almost indestructible pair of shoes (maybe not for your two sons though).
I have fitted the shoe brand Geox before and almost all of their shoe styles are practically indestructible. I have helped several families who told me how their children destroy every single pair of shoes that they have own, I always direct them to Geox. You should give Geox a try and tell me how it goes!
Thank you for this detailed and helpful article. You introduced me to brands I didn’t know existed (Geox). I’m curious … do you think the quality of these kids shoe brands translates into the same brands adult shoes? I’m very much a brand loyalist if the product is good. It just makes life easier (everyone in the family gets New Balance shoes etc.) For my daughter, I’m going to try New Balance, Saucony and Asics per your recommendation and see which work best for her. But do you think that if I buy Mom a pair or the same shoes the quality will likely be there also? Thanks! Michelle
Hello Michelle,
Yes I do. However, keep in mind that even though the shoe brand might be popular, it all depends on the particular shoe style that you choose among that shoe brand. For example, New Balance makes great shoes for kids and adults. However, there are certain shoe styles made by New Balance that I wouldn’t recommend wearing either because they are too flimsy, non supportive, or no breathable.
New Balance, Saucony, and Asics are three great shoe brands, but keep in mind that they will fit different. For example, Asics won’t fit a child with an extra wide foot while New Balance and Saucony will. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Wow. Thank you for all this useful info.
I love saucony. My husband and I wear it ourselves so we bought both our daughters a pair. My youngest LOVED hers. And yes. She outgrew then while they still looked new (toddler- Velcro closing). Same as her deck for pair. My second one loved hers too. And even though they held up pretty well, the shoe laces barely survived 2 month or so. Kind of frustrating because the color is hard to match. However, saucony are my faves. I’ve also bought my first daughter some Geox while visiting Spain and I love the design and the colors.
Hello Mena,
Parents can relate to the best shoe brands for kids because they wear them themselves! Saucony shoes are one of our top selling shoes in the store, and Geox are for those children who need a durable and good quality shoe since they are practically indestructible. Thank you for stopping by!
Geox and saucany are the best. I would avoid stride rite unless for toddlers not for older kids the soles wear out and stitching comes apart.
Sue,
Thank you for your input. When you mention that the stitching on Stride Rite shoes comes apart, have you had this happen to you more than once? Some parents tend to shy away from shoe brands once they have a bad experience with it, but sometimes it’s just a manufacturer defect.
We have purchased stride rite for my very active 6yo boy and they always come apart at the stitching (on top of the toe). He definitely gives them lots of wear, but we are going to try another brand and see if we have better luck
Hello Jamie,
Certain Stride Rite shoe styles are better than others. If your child is really rough on shoes, you should loon into the New Balance shoe styles or Geox!
Wow I did not expect for there to be so much useful information on this article about fitting children shoes but there is. All of this information is great and can be helpful for parents trying to figure out how to make shoes fit better on their children. What is the most consistent shoe brand that you have ever fitted?
Gilbert,
If you mean consistency in terms of “fit”, New balance tends to be the best. When it comes to holding up, Geox are pretty much indestructible.
Thank you so much for sharing this. With three little ones we are always buying new shoes as they seem to fall apart as soon as the kids out them on. Usually we just buy cheap ones from Wal-Mart but i think it might be time to try something different. My wife loves Soucony shoes and i just recently bought a pair of new balance that i really like. I think we will look at one of those 2 brands for the kids and see how they fair.
New Balance and Saucony are two of the best brands I have ever fitted. Because they come in medium, wide and extra wide widths, they can fit all sort of feet! Children should definitely outgrow their shoes before they wear them out!
Hi Juan,
My son is 7 years old and his feet are growing really fast. If we buy new size in spring, in autumn these shoes don’t fit him anymore. So on the one hand, I understand that good shoes are important and I do want my son wearing shoes that are not made of good quality materials, but on the other hand I don’t want to spend big money for shoes that fit him only few months. We actually choose Nike shoes, as these are not so expensive and also they are durable enough for the time period these shoes fit him. We used to buy also Ecco shoes and these were both durable and very expensive. Do you have any experience with Ecco shoes?
Arta,
Some people love Nike shoes, but it is a brand that puts a lot of effort on marketing campaigns when they could be using some of that money to improve the quality and support of their shoes. I am not experienced with Ecco shoes but I do know they are made out of great quality! I have heard plenty of good things about that brand!
I have a nephew and I’m looking for shoes for his birthday. He is 8 years old on his birthday. I like the asics and the new balance. I have some questions though. Why is that nike is not on the list? Also adidas? Are nike and adidas not durable?
John,
I feel like Adidas and Nike are great brands, but not durable or sturdy like the ones I mentioned in the post. Nike and Adidas have a great marketing team and famous sport players doing commercials promoting the shoes, but that does not make them quality shoes. If you are looking for quality and durability, stick with the brands I recommend. You will definitetely see a difference!
Hi Juan, thank you for such an interesting post. I have tried for sometime several brands until I found one more durable and affordable for my kids, specially for my boy. Usually a pair of shoes was for 2 months! When I tried the Geox brand everything changed because those are much better in terms of quality and durability than the most brands in the market!
I never tried Asics, so, maybe it will be my next purchase!
I really don’t have any problem with my girl because she doesn’t screw up any shoes…
Thanks
Alex
Alex,
Geox shoes are practically indestructible! The quality and durability of this brand is superb, your child will definitely outgrow these shoes before anything happens to them! Asics makes great running shoes with a lot of support. As your son gets older and the velcro options are not available anymore, you should definitely consider Asics as his new brand, since Geox doesn’t make a lot of lace-up shoes.