Is your baby getting ready to take their first steps? Do you already have a bonafide cruiser on your hands? If that is the case, you are probably wondering what exactly they should be wearing to protect their adorably chubby little feet. Finding the best walking shoes for your baby’s feet is essential to their health and development, so we consulted the experts to get the lowdown on what parents should be looking for before they invest in a pair of adorable kicks.
Depending on the brand of baby shoes, you can expect your child to grow out of them in 3 to 6 months, with some lasting as long as 8 months, thanks to their adjustability. If you are buying a soft leather shoe like a Robeez, they will cost a bit more, but their wear time is longer — about 6 months. Less expensive loafer and sneaker styles tend to need to be replaced more often. However, no matter which kicks your kids will strut in, getting the right fit is the biggest hurdle.
Dr. Leann Poston, a pediatrician at Invigor Medical in Kennewick, Washington, tells Best Products that there actually are not a ton of guidelines parents need to follow when looking for their baby’s first pairs of shoes. She says that first and foremost, “Parents should look for shoes that are well-fitting and flexible.” Alas, the stiff baby Jordans that my kids both wore before they became walkers would not fit into this category. They were adorable, though.
Poston says that the shoes “should not change the way the child walks and should only protect their feet from getting hurt.” Translation? Their shoes should fit well and keep their feet protected from danger but not inhibit the natural movement of their feet. As far as movement with fit goes, she notes that “Shoes should have a large enough toe box for their toes to move,” which means that you may need to test out a few pairs to see which fits best, but thankfully, most baby shoes have very adjustable fits that hug the feet.
Thanks to Dr. Poston’s helpful insight, we found the best baby walking shoes available for your little one right now. We considered fit, style, quality, and, of course, budgets of all sorts — all of which will have your baby walking in style in no time.
Robeez Baby Crosshatch Crib Shoe
For some reason, there is just not a ton of gender-neutral baby’s first walking shoes. This is really one of the few on the market, but it is a good shoe. It is made of soft, durable leather bottom with a canvas upper material and elastic back and sides to give a better fit.
Stride Rite Boy’s Theo First Walker Shoe
Say it with me: “machine-washable.” I mean, what? Hello, and yes please! The sole is flexible, the top is washable, and the strap adjusts wonderfully, and look at how cute they are. They are like, business baby shoes.
See Kai Run — Baby Girl’s Stevie II
Apart from being just about the sweetest baby walking shoes on the planet, these were awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. That is a huge deal. My own kids loved See Kai Run and only lost them occasionally.
Momo Baby Boys Soft Sole Leather Shoes
Up, up, and away! These little soft-soled sneakers from Momo shoes are out of this world. (OK, enough with the terrible dad jokes.) Sincerely, these are some of the best-made 100% leather baby walking shoes on the market. They are snug without being tight, and the designs are just sweet.
Robeez Baby-Boy’s Cozy Ankle Bootie Boot
Are you looking for a first walking shoe that will keep your baby’s toes super cozy? Look no further. This pair from Robeez has leather soles and a warm leather upper with faux fur on the inside. These are going to be the shoes your baby never wants to take off.
Pediped Originals Tyler Crib Shoe
I do not know about you, but I am getting real “royal baby” vibes from these baby shoes. They are just so prim and proper. They are lined with pigskin for extra protection and warmth, but because they are all-natural, they will still breathe and support your baby’s feet.
Minnetonka Braid Bootie
All the comfort of a bootie, but slightly less warm. These are transitional booties for your baby and are every bit as high quality as you would expect from Minnetonka. Leather all around, with deep, even hand stitching, these booties are designed to hug your baby’s feet comfortably.
Stride Rite Baby Girl’s Soft Motion Kylin Sneaker
When your cruiser really gets going, these sneakers from Stride Rite will keep them steady as they navigate their new world. The flexible rubber sole and washable canvas upper make for a sturdy, baby-friendly design that your kids will not get mad wearing.
See Kai Run — Ryder II FlexiRun Active Sneakers
A sneaker that looks like a sneaker for grown-ups or older children but performs like a baby shoe? Sign us up. This shoe from See Kai Run is a newer version of the ones my own children wore. In addition, they are so flexible and fashionable that you can easily pass these down to multiple children — they are that good.
Peggy piggy Baby Shoes
If you are looking for a great budget option, I have just the thing. These come in multiple colors, wash like a dream, and the bottom is flexible and sturdy. They are a real win for the price.
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