The Best Everyday Shoes for Toddlers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now that focuses on helping children with “complex” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best everyday shoes for toddlers.
Flexible and lightweight shoes are the two most important features that your toddler’s shoes must provide. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Boys
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Toe cap reinforcement and bumptoe protection against stumbles
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Step-stabilizing design with comfy Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- 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 toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Hook-and-loop closure
- Removable insoles
- Lightweight and flexible
- Extra wide toe box allows natural splaying of toes for better balance, comfort, and foot health
- Long heel counter provides stability
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Stitched-on toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- Hook-and-loop strap closure with elastic lace panel
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- Machine washable for quick and easy clean
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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
Girls
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Heel stabilizer provides lateral stability
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- 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 toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Recycled material linings to help reduce odor
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Stitched-on toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Leather and mesh upper
- Two adjustable hook-and-loop closures for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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
If you need any other type of shoes such as every day, summer, winter, or sport shoes, you can find them all in a tool I created which lets you filter by the type of shoes you need. This tool is extremely effective since it will show you shoes in different widths such as narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide. I also tell you exactly how each shoe style fits (short, long, narrow, or wide) and will let you filter by the instep of your child’s foot. You can even find shoes that will accommodate an orthotic. You can find that tool here:
Find the Best Shoe Style for Your Child’s Unique Feet
If there is a particular style that you would like me to review, please do leave me a comment below and I will be more than happy to feature a review in the upcoming future. If you need immediate response feel free to leave a message or email me and I will get back at you as soon as possible.
Interesting site with good information. Parents of kiddos requiring orthotics find it quite a challenge to find suitable shoes so your recommendations here are very useful.
I am hoping you could do a review on the popular Converse All Star Chuck Taylors some time. I love the look of these shoes especially for kids but when wearing them myself I find the innersole too flat and I wonder what effect, if any, this would have on the feet of growing children?
Kim,
I will let you know as soon as I do a review on the Converse All Star Chuck Taylors. Keep in mind that these are what I call “fashion shoes” and should not be worn as your everyday pair. Like you mention in your review, they are flat and they do not provide much support. I would not recommend these type of shoes for the feet of a growing child unless he/she wears it for a short period of time (no more than 3 hours per day).
I’ve heard nothing but good things about New Balance shoes. Both for children and for adults. What are your thoughts on sport shoes for children, are there other variables that need to be taken into consideration?
I’d be interested in reading your review on Nike shoes for all ages. I’ve read differing opinions on how good this brand is for foot health.
Curt,
I happen to mention New Balance and Saucony because these shoes come in different widths (N,M,W,XW) and they happen to be the best fitting shoes for children. However, there are lots of good brands out there. Nike is one of them. The only downside to it is that it usually fits in the narrow side and the majority of children tend to be in the wide side. Thank you for sharing!
Stride Rite, Preschoolians, See Kai Run have great wide width shoes.As to your question, it drveis me mad that every shoe company has their own sizing chart.For goodness sakes, can someone give me a universal sizing chart for shoes for toddlers?Stride Rite has a good print out guide that helps you determine the size and width for your tot.I will suggest, if possible you have them measure her feet at the store though. Even if you don’t buy a shoe there, it’s a good idea. I do that all the time and my husband is mortified but if I can get the size and buy the shoes cheaper online, I’m going to. My kid’s feet grow every three months! Price is important.Oh, one last thing, measure both feet. I found out that my kids feet were different sizes. That made it that more fun and interesting for us.
I like the one that you recommend New Balance 900 for wide feet and especially it caters for children with flat feet. As I learnt from some of the shoe salesman that flat feet people need to wear orthotics. Now, I have one more option for my son. Thanks for writing this article.
Stanley,
The New Balance 900 works great for children who require orthotics. I am glad that you found another option for your son!
Hi there! We have always a problem when it comes to finding the right shoes for my nephew. It is because he has a wide feet. And most of the shoes available in the market won’t fit with him. Good thing you have mentioned about the New Balance 900. So you have mentioned the pros of this shoes. But I want to know if it has any negative features. If there’s any, can you tell me some because I am thinking of buying one.
John,
From a fitting standpoint there is no cons about this particular style. The shoes have a deep end, come in medium, wide and extra wide widths, it has a thick velcro strap and it is well made. The only cons I see about this style is that is not very appealing to some children since it does not come in bright colors. Aside from that, one of the best shoes that I continue to fit for over 5 years.
Hi Juan,
What a nice article, I really needed to read this because this is just what I was looking for:) My daughter has large feet and she need a good pair of shoes since she plays sports.
I really like the New Balance, they look very strong and the material looks also great. My concern is if the shoes don’t fit her, can I have a refund?
I have bookmarked your site so I can show this to my daughter:)
Thank you very much!
Daniella,
You can’t go wrong with the New Balance 990! You DO NOT have to pay for shipping and YOU CAN RETURN the shoes if they don’t fit her. Thank you for sharing!
Great job! I like the content which is very thorough and informative. The information on kids shoes for toddlers is very helpful. I particularly like your images that speaks volumes about your content. The section on Mens’ and women’s’ socks is greatI would love to be part of a newsletter subscription. Thanks a bunch!
I am glad you found the website informative!
Thanks for these reviews, they’re very helpful, especially when there is so much on the market. I love Stride Right shoes and both my children have worn them in the past. I’m curious though about the bacteria repellent lining and treatment they put them in – do you know what type of products they use? I’m assuming they are good for kids with sweaty feet right?
Thanks in advance! Alice
Hello Alice,
Stride Rite shoe have been leading the baby/toddler shoe industry for a while, and they make excellent shoes that are lightweight, flexible, supportive, and come with breathable materials. Some of their shoes are also machine washable which is great for kids with sweaty feet!