Are you looking for the best school shoes for toddlers? The relationship you have with your child is an exciting one filled with exploration and adventure. As the child grows, his or her feet grow as well. Children grow out of their clothes and shoes extremely fast. Sometimes time flies by so quickly you do not realize when your child is no longer an infant, but now a toddler. It may seem like everything you have learned about babies is pretty much useless. It’s almost as if toddlers come with their own set of rules. And they may as well just.
As your infant grows and becomes a toddler, there is quite a lot you need to be prepared for, including the type of shoes you need to buy them. Toddlers have pretty active lives. For you as the parent, this will probably be the time when you need to be on your toes the most. You can no longer carry the child and take them where you want. Now your little bundle of joy has the legs to take them to where they want to go, and this may clash with your plans. You need to make sure your child has the right equipment to blaze trails (no matter how little the distance covered is). There are various types of shoes marketed for toddlers nowadays. You must know which ones will work best for your toddler.
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In a Hurry?
Are you in a hurry and want to get down to it straight away? Perhaps you do not have the time to go through the stacks of information available to you. Here’s a quick guide to help you know which shoes are best for toddlers.
The first thing you want to look for in a good pair is how comfortable they are. Since toddlers can not be relied on to tell you what they think of the shoes, it may help get the opinion of other parents. Kids have a way of letting you know. Also, make sure the shoes fasten on securely and that your child will not be tripped by a shoe that has come loose. Make sure you get the right size that has some room for growth but is not oversized. These are some and not all of the factors you need to consider. We have done our research and found the best options on the market.
Our Favourite
Keds unisex-child Ella Mary Jane Sneaker
This is a well-made minimalist shoe that allows the child freedom of movement. It is also lightweight
Keds unisex-child Ella Mary Jane Sneaker
If you have not heard about Keds, that’s alright. They have only been around since 1916! Where have you been? They are one of America’s very first athletic and lifestyle brands. The design of this shoe is quite simple. It is made up of two colours. The upper and the soles are designed to contrast one each other. There are two parts that make it all up. The upper part is made out of leather. Rubber is used for the soles. It has not been left plain which is amazing. They have added a lovely subtle flower. It is not intrusive by any means.
On the interior of the shoes is a memory foam insole. It is enhanced with deep flex grooves that complement the memory foam. Your little one is guaranteed to have long term comfort wearing these. You will be pleased to know that the outsoles provide excellent traction. The flex grooves provide a lot of flexibility.
Pros
- The shoes are well made.
- The design is minimalistic
- They are reasonably priced.
- You get some beautiful designs to choose from.
- This is a brand that we are fond of.
- They fit quite snugly if you get the sizing right.
Cons
- Some of the straps run too short.
- The shoes run narrow in some cases.
- The strap may be difficult to so for a toddler.
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PUMA Kids’ Smash V2 Velcro Sneaker
Most shoe enthusiasts will know the PUMA smash icon if you have not heard of it. It is one of the brand’s most iconic shoes. The smash V2 is made in homage to the smash icon. You will see some similarities if you have the two side-by-side or when you wear them. We are excited to see such an iconic shoe come onto the market in a more geared version towards the younger market. The upper part of the shoe was designed with inspiration taken from tennis. That meant the shoe had to be highly breathable and had to fit well. They achieved both of these goals.
The outsole also saw an improvement in their grip and a greater emphasis on making them more durable. This is a shoe that was made to be worn daily. The upper part is made out of leather and some synthetic material. The soles are made out of rubber. Each of the shaft measures low-top from the child’s arches. This tells you that each of the products provides some arch support. From an aesthetic point of view, this shoe was designed to fit seamlessly into casual wear or be used as an athletic sneaker. Several colours can be used to fit into some of the more constraining uniform regulations.
Pros
- The shoes are lovely.
- There is a range of colours to choose from.
- You can find a version for narrower and wider feet.
- They are quite durable.
- The velcro allows for adjustments.
Cons
- Not all of them are made of pure leather.
- The straps tend to curl up.
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Stride Rite Claire Mary Jane
If you fancy the Mary Jane design, here is another one. The first thing that you may notice that would set this one apart from the others is it is seemingly lightweight. That is not to say that it is the lightest shoe on our list. It is certainly one of the lighter ones. Perhaps “seemingly” is not the best way to put it. It is lightweight and looks light. Others may be light but do not necessarily look it.
The upper part of the shoes is 100% leather. This gives you the peace of mind of knowing that it will last. The tread on the soles provides good traction and grip for your child when they are on the move. We all know how important this is for active children. The outsoles are non-marking. To give you that added bit of comfort, the collar of each shoe is padded. We loved this shoe because the outsole is not only lightweight but incredibly flexible. It permits the child’s feet to move at will. Within the footbed is a memory foam insole.
To secure the feet in, you have the hook and loop closure. This a mechanism that is very easy to operate. It is even better for those who do not like tying shoelaces, those like me. The seams of the shoe are tonal. There are no care requirements that are out of the ordinary.
Pros
- The shoes are lightweight.
- They have a hook and lock mechanism.
- The outsoles provide a lot of grip.
- There is a memory foam insole.
- The upper is made of leather.
- The shoes are very flexible.
Cons
- There are some defective pairs reported.
- Quality control could be better.
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Hush Puppies Gavin Uniform Dress Shoe
We love our Hush puppies, do we not? If you have yet to get a pair of them for your child, this is always a good time to give them a go. They are a staple American brand that has been around for generations. The upper part of the shoes is made out of leather. This is a great sign that the child will have some cover from the rain and other weather conditions. It is also a good indicator of durability. There is minimal stitching involved in the manufacturing process, which always guarantees that there are fewer seams for water or cold air to get through. They do have a mesh lining in place to ensure that air is permitted to move around and allow some breathability.
Inside the shoe is a footbed that is cushioned with memory foam. It provides both underfoot protection and comfort as you get through your day. There is an antimicrobial treated sock liner as well. That guarantees that the shoes stay bacterial and odour free for much longer. And if you are wondering, yes, these shoes comply with school uniform guidelines. The outsoles are non-marking. The closing system on the shoes is made out of velcro. It makes them very easy to put on and to remove. This does not come at the expense of any of the other features. The feet are kept secure.
Pros
- The shoes remain odour free for long.
- They are very comfortable.
- They are somewhat water-resistant.
- They provide a fair amount of grip.
- They are known to be durable.
- They are highly breathable.
Cons
- There seems to the inconsistency in product quality.
- The strap could have been longer.
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New Balance Kids’ 680V5 Hook and Loop Running Shoe
The good thing about kindergarten is that there is not much of a school uniform. Without that relaxed manner, our little ones would be missing out on this amazing shoe. The first notable characteristic they have is the combination of the laces with the hook and loop system. This works wonders when your little one is still learning to do his/her own laces. You have the peace of mind in knowing that even if the shoes were to be removed, they could put them back on using the secondary system. Laces are a bit more difficult to get the hang of. Beyond that, their upper is made of synthetic and textile material. The sole is made out of synthetic material that has a rubbery feel to it. It is a material that provides ample underfoot protection.
The shaft rises to the low from the child’s arch. The EVA midsole is injected. This is one way to ensure quality control in the standard of the products that they produce. The shoe’s heels are what the manufacturer calls ABZORB heels. They are known to provide crash pad cushioning. Your child has support and protection as he or she runs around in kindergarten. This is a brand that has been at the forefront of product development for athletes and others. One of the things that make them stand out from the crowded market is their commitment to product research and development instead of garnering more sales through marketing ploys such as celebrity endorsements. I am sure that is not something that matters much to your little one.
Pros
- The shoes are very comfortable.
- They provide great underfoot protection.
- The heel absorbs impact.
- There is a great selection of colours for kids.
- They are durable.
- They have a good velcro strap.
Cons
- Durability not great for extensive use.
- The sizes tend to run small.
- More could be done about quality control.
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Buyer’s Guide
Having a child and watching them grow is an incredible journey. There are so many milestones to celebrate, so many pictures to take, and memories to keep. Your toddler rolls out precious moments, and you want to make sure that he or she is properly supported and catered for. The role your toddler’s shoes play may be more vital than you imagined.
What shoes are best as my toddlers first walking shoes?
The shoes your baby takes their first steps in need to be the right size. Walking is a new adventure for your baby, and they have no clue what to expect. Look at it this way, imagine having to learn to drive on a car with a bad wheel alignment. You will never really know how a properly aligned car feels and you may pick up some bad habits. Get your baby the right walking shoes so that they learn how to walk in the right shoes. Shoes offer stability and support and allow the child’s feet to feel as close to the ground as possible. Know your baby’s size. Get your baby’s feet measured by a professional before you start buying his or her first shoes. Make sure to also pay attention to the width of your child’s foot.
How do I know my toddler’s shoes fit properly?
Check that the big toe has enough wiggle room about half an inch from the tip of the shoe. Wiggle room is important because toddlers are quite busy people and you want to make sure they have the utmost comfort to run around as they please. Remember that one size may fit today and next week, it’s a different story.
How flexible should toddler’s shoes be?
You want to look for shoes that bend on your hand. Flexible and manageable shoes. Remember that they will be worn by someone with soft feet, whose feet muscles are still developing and strengthening. You want to get a pair of shoes that encourage this growth rather than hampers it. Stiff shoes are not good.
What material should baby’s shoes be made of?
The best walking shoes for babies are made of leather or mesh material. Plastic is not good, no matter how cute it looks. Shoes made of leather or mesh, allow the feet to breathe and have rubber soles for traction.
What design is best for my toddler?
The baby merchandise market is ever-growing. For as long as there are babies, this industry will keep thriving. There are dozens of cute shoes in different designs. When is it time to step away from the cowboy or cowgirl boots?
These designs are not great for kids because they are normally made of very unfriendly material such as animal skin which tends to cause skin irritation. You will also find that for cowboy boots to look authentic, they need to have all the bells and whistles. And this includes spikes and pointy fronts which a toddler can easily turn into an emergency room situation.
Final Thoughts
Toddler shoes should provide support and stabilize new walkers. When your baby is indoors, try to encourage them to walk barefoot as much as possible. He is because they still need to learn how their feet work. Feet have a natural way of interacting with the ground, and they communicate this stability throughout the body. Barefoot is best. However, you will need to also go outdoors with your toddler. This means you will need to get shoes that protect your baby’s feet against the elements and environment. We hope that our reviews help you make the right decision for your child. Happy shopping!
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