The Best Shoes for Sweaty Feet – The Proven Method to Stop Kids Feet from Sweating

January 15, 2023 Sweaty/Smelly Feet Juan Valenzuela 23 - Comments

Some children’s feet tend to sweat more than others. One of the most common causes is believed to be hereditary, but the type of shoes and socks that your child wears can significantly reduce or completely eliminate the sweat. I am a shoe fitter with over a decade of experience fitting children’s shoes, so I know a lot about kids and sweaty feet. The best shoes for sweaty feet are made with breathable mesh (not suede), antibacterial insoles, and machine washable capabilities.

Keep in mind that most kids have sweaty feet from playing and running around. This is totally normal! The problem comes when they have excessively sweaty feet since this can create several foot issues.

Be Proactive and Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach”

If your child is dealing with sweaty feet, you must take action before this issue escalates to a bigger problem. Did you know that bacteria multiply in sweaty environments? Some parents even allow their kids to wear their shoes without socks, and that really gets the bacteria going!

I have seen children develop all sorts of foot issues from not wearing breathable shoes such as Athlete’s foot, blisters, calluses, or corns. If your kids’ feet are wet or damp for most of the day, the skin gets softer and more susceptible to developing foot issues. 

The issue is that there is a small selection of shoes that allow your child’s feet to breathe properly and that are machine washable at the same time. In addition, the shoes need to fit your child’s exact foot shape —narrow, medium, wide, extra wide.

The Importance of Getting Shoes that Are Machine Washable

Finding a shoe that is machine washable can be a great asset, since you will be able to throw them in the washing machine as often as you need, making sure you are killing any bacteria that is living inside the shoe. Being able to wash your kids’ shoes in the washing machine allows you to kill 99.9% of the bacteria, fungus, viruses and other microbes.

Kids with Sweaty Feet – Learn About the Symptoms! 

While some sweaty feet symptoms might seem obvious, below you can find a list of these symptoms so you can keep a close eye (and nose!) on your kids’ foot health!

  • Foot odor
  • Itchy feet
  • Skin problems
  • Toenail fungus
  • Wet socks
  • Clamminess

Reducing and Eliminating Sweaty Feet – Shoes and Socks Work Together!

If you provide your child with a pair of breathable shoes but the socks are made out of synthetic materials, then your child’s feet will continue to sweat. On the other hand, if you provide your child with a pair of breathable socks but the shoes are not breathable enough, then your child’s feet will continue to sweat. The shoes and the socks work together in trying to reduce or fully eliminate your kids’ sweaty feet.

When adults feel that their socks are damp, they tend to switch to a pair of dry socks. However, most children won’t say a word, even when they feel that their feet are soaking wet from the sweat. Because kids don’t monitor sock dampness, parents should constantly check their kids’ feet after they come home from school. Feel their socks and make sure they don’t feel damp, and if they do, explain to your child that it is important to switch to a clean pair of socks.

Best Shoe Brands for Kids with Sweaty Feet

There are two shoe brands that are my go-to ones for children with sweaty feet:

➡️Tsukihoshi

Tsukihoshi is a Japanese shoe brand that makes lightweight yet supportive shoes that are breathable, machine washable, and come with anti-bacterial original insoles. 

➡️ Geox

This shoe company incorporated breathing panels into the soles of their shoes, promoting breathability and creating an ideal micro-climate inside the shoe. In addition to making shoes that are practically indestructible, with great support and structure, Geox also makes shoes that are as breathable as it gets.

While these two shoe companies have created breathable shoes by incorporating as much mesh material as possible, certain shoe styles among these brands are better than others when it comes to allowing feet to breathe.

The Best Shoes for Sweaty Feet – Breathable and Machine Washable

The shoes below can fit children with medium or wide feet. Simply take a look at the description below each shoe to find out what features it provides and the size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room.

  • Order the shoe style 3537 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Leather/mesh upper
  • Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off 
  • Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
  • The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
  • Order the shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development 
  • Adjustable hook-and-loop strap
  • The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
  • Order the shoe style Saylor by See Kai Run on Zappos
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Hook and loop closure for easy on off
  • Lightweight, water-friendly open mesh upper with rubberized overlays
  • Oversized openings for easy-on 
  • Removable EVA sockliner with mesh overlay
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size 
  • Order the shoe style Saylor by See Kai Run on Zappos
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Hook and loop closure for easy on off
  • Lightweight, water-friendly open mesh upper with rubberized overlays
  • Oversized openings for easy-on 
  • Removable EVA sockliner with mesh overlay
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size 
  • Order the shoe style Wader 21 by Geox on Zappos
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • Unique microporous membrane that absorbs and expels sweat while keeping water out
  • Lightweight and flexible with padded collar and tongue for added comfort
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size 
  • Order the shoe style Sprintye 16 by Geox on Zappos
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • Removable insoles
  • Lightweight and flexible with padded collar and tongue for added comfort
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size 
  • Order the shoe style Buller by Geox on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Hook and loop closure for easy on off
  • Unique microporous membrane that absorbs and expels sweat while keeping water out
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size 
  • Order the shoe style Artin 2.0 by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • Removable insoles
  • OrthoLite® memory foam for enhanced comfort
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size 
  • Order the shoe style 3570 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Heel Stabilizer – Long heel counter provides stability 
  • Velcro closure
  • Machine washable
  • Removable insoles
  • The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
  • I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
  • Order the shoe style 3584 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • Removable insoles
  • The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
  • Order the shoe style Velocity by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Leather/mesh upper
  • Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off 
  • Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
  • The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
  • I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
  • Order the shoe style 1521 KAZ by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • Removable insoles
  • The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
  • Order the shoe style M2P Player by Stride Rite on Zappos
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • Removable insoles
  • OrthoLite® memory foam for enhanced comfort
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size 

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.

Keep in mind that shoes that are fitted too short can be a contributing cause of your child’s sweaty feet.

Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?

In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.

*A half a size bigger translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.

*A whole size bigger translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.

Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order Online?

Not all parents have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in their area. That is the reason why I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.

If you have tried breathable shoes and socks, and you still feel that your kids’ sweating is out of control, you should consult your doctor, as your child may be suffering from hyperhidrosis —excessively sweaty feet regardless of the temperature. Remember that shoe materials play an important role in preventing your kids’ feet from sweating too much. The choices that I recommended to you are made from porous, breathable, man-made fibers, such as canvas and leather.

The Importance of Alternating Shoes – Take Advantage of That Extra Pair!

Let me start by acknowledging that not all families can afford to provide their children with two pairs of sneakers. In fact, most parents purchase one pair of sneakers for their kids to wear for their everyday activities.

One pair of good, supportive sneakers is all your kids need. However, if your child happens to have two pairs of sneakers, take advantage of this and alternate them! Have your children switch to their other pair as soon as they come back from school. This will allow his/her feet to stay dry and breathe better.

What Are the Best Boots for Kids with Sweaty Feet?

I created a different resource that describes the most breathable boots for kids.

If you happen to need a pair of breathable shoes for yourself, you should take a look at an article I wrote where I describe the best shoes for women with sweaty feet.

Looking for Additional Other Shoe Recommendations?

Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my email if you have any further questions or if you need specific shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape. My email address is: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

Do your kids’ feet sweat a lot? Is it out of control? Have you tried any particular shoe style that has helped reduce the sweat? Please share your experiences below, so other parents can all benefit from them!