Best Toddler Shoes 2026

As toddlers become more mobile, proper footwear becomes essential to protect their feet and support development. As a mom to three, I’ve seen many toddler shoes over the years, and after testing over a dozen options with toddlers of various ages and speaking to both a podiatrist and a pediatric physical therapist, I named the Stride Rite Soft Motion Kylo (for newer walkers) and the Stride Rite Journey 3.0 (for more experienced walkers) the best toddler shoes. Both styles offer comfort, a roomy toe box and easy on-off design. I also found seven more pairs that experts, parents and kids selected as great shoes for toddlers.

We tested over a dozen options to find the best shoes for toddlers that are protective and support their development.

ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: ALICIA BETZ FOR FORBES

APMA-Approved For Every Stage

Overall, Stride Rite makes the best toddler shoes thanks to their comfort, APMA approval, easy on-and-off design and roomy toe box. For new and early walkers, our top pick is the Stride Rite Soft Motion Kylo. Our tester liked that they’re flexible yet still supportive, something the experts we spoke to recommend in a toddler shoe. At the same time, it’s durable and sturdy enough to last until your child outgrows it—which isn’t always the case with other first walker shoes. The Soft Motion Kylo is available in sizes 4 to 6, including wide options.

For older toddlers who have a bit more walking experience under their belt, the Stride Rite Journey 3.0 offers greater structured support and is more of an everyday sneaker than the Soft Motion Kylo. I found it to be less flexible than the Soft Motion Kylo, and I was really impressed with its ample traction and overall durability while remaining very lightweight. One of my twins used it for almost a year—it still has good tread and isn’t too worn down.

Dr. KC Rickerd, a pediatric physical therapist, recommends the Journey 3.0 as an overall good sneaker for kids. It’s available in sizes 5 to 10, including wide sizes. However, we’ve noticed that the stock of this shoe can fluctuate, so you might have to shop around a bit to find your child’s size.

The Stride Rite Journey 3.0 opens nice and big to get wide and chubby feet inside.

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Easy On-Off Design

Both shoes are easy to get on and off thanks to a hook-and-loop strap, and by the time our toddler tester turned 2, he was able to put the Soft Motion Kylos on by himself—undoubtedly putting an end to some early morning battles. The Journey 3.0 is similarly easy to get on, opening wide enough for my wide-footed 3-year-old to slip his feet into it easily. Both shoes also offer a wide option, so you can really get the right fit for your toddler.

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Best For Indoor Use And Flat Surfaces

I tested these shoes with my 3-year-old toddlers and they immediately became a favorite. My kids naturally gravitate toward them because they love the look, enjoy the comfort and appreciate how easy they are to put on. The Jan & Jul Mini Flyer is a bit of a cross between a first walker and a more structured shoe for an experienced walker. The sole has medium thickness—it’s thin enough for kids to feel the ground a bit, but thick enough to provide protection. Because of this, I’d recommend it more for indoor use than more rugged terrain or playgrounds. When it comes to support and structure on the rest of the shoe, it’s quite flexible, and there is some heel structure but not so much that it becomes restricting.

Jan & Jul Mini Flyer Toddler Sneakers open nice and wide to get chubby feet inside.

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Appealing To Kids And Parents

The shoes open nice and wide with a hook-and-loop closure that opens on both sides, and the wide toe box provides plenty of room for their toes to splay out. They also feel lightweight, and my kids are able to run and play in them. The designs are really kid-friendly, with fun prints and patches on the tongue.

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Wide And Roomy Fit Recommended By Experts

One of my toddlers has incredibly wide feet, and he has always been comfortable in Ten Little shoes, including the Ten Little Everyday Original. Even though the brand doesn’t offer wide sizes, the shoes are plenty roomy. Like the Jan & Jul shoes, these are a good middle-of-the road option. They’re more supportive and structured than a first walker, but they’re not quite as structured as a true sneaker. The toe box is generous, and the shoes slide on easily thanks to the two hook-and-loop straps. Our tester appreciated that the collar and tongue were padded, and he found that his toddler could wear these shoes all day without any discomfort.

Both of the experts I interviewed recommended these shoes. “I really like the flexibility that they offer and the width,” says Parthasarathy. Similarly, Rickerd recommended them as a good pick for kids with wide feet.

Toddler-Friendly Extras

Our tester found these shoes to be incredibly toddler- and parent-friendly. I appreciate that the brand considers toddlers not just in the shoe’s structure, but in the thoughtful extras as well. The color options are fun and vibrant, giving kids the chance to pick a pair they truly love. Each pair comes with stickers for personalization, and the insole includes helpful cues to teach kids which shoe goes on which foot.

If parents or toddlers are looking for a slightly different style, we have also used—and liked—the Eco Canvas Sneakers and the Retro Suede Sneakers, though this option is slightly narrower.

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A Minimalistic Shoe For Their First Steps

Though Parthasarathy recommends that toddlers go barefoot whenever possible, that isn’t always possible when they’re out in public and need their feet protected. “When they’re first starting to walk, you want to have shoes that are more flexible to allow their proprioception to form, and that’s why barefoot is usually best,” she says. This is one of the many reasons I like the Nike Swoosh 1 for new walkers, as did our tester who found that the shoes are incredibly flexible and provide close to a barefoot feel.

The Nike Swoosh 1 is a great shoe for new walkers because it’s so flexible making it easier for them to really feel the ground as they take each step.

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Soft And Comfortable

These shoes provide a comfortable fit, with our tester calling them “cozy” thanks to Nike’s Flyknit textured chenille outsole.

Our 2-year-old toddler tester was able to put these shoes on herself, which is always a bonus. They also stayed on really well throughout testing, which can be an issue with new walkers—you want something that stays nice and snug to their feet to prevent them from tripping.

Narrow Fit

Nike shoes tend to run a bit narrow, and our tester for these shoes has pretty tiny feet, so it’s important to note that kids with wide or chubby feet are better off with a brand like Ten Little or New Balance.

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They Can Slip Them On Without Help

One of the biggest struggles when it comes to toddler shoes is finding an option that they can get on easily, especially for toddlers who are in the “I do it myself!” stage. With the Kizik Squeeze It, they really can do it themselves. The 2-year-old who tested these shoes was easily able to get them on herself—and she reveled in the independence it gave her. Once their foot slides in, the shoe pops right back into place every time.

The shoe is available in Bellwether Blue, Festival Fuchsia and Green Monster, the latter of which resembles a dinosaur or dragon that chomps on your toddler’s foot when they put the shoe on. This is a really whimsical and enticing design for kids who are reluctant to put their shoes on.

Toddlers like the independence they get when they can slip Kizik shoes on themselves.

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Not As Secure As Other Options

The toe box is pretty roomy, contributing to how easily the shoes slip on. This makes them a great option for toddlers with chubby or wide feet. Some reviewers have noticed that the shoes slip off just as easily as they slip on, but our toddler tester (who has relatively narrow feet) didn’t have this problem. “The more worn or broken in they got, the looser they got,” says the tester. “She could keep them on her feet, but they did flop a little toward the end of wearing them. Kind of like when you don’t tie your shoes and they’re loose—they just got stretched out.”

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Ideal For Running, Jumping And Playing

If you’re looking for a sneaker for a toddler boy to run and jump around in, the Asics Contend for toddlers is ideal. “When it comes to athletic shoes, I like New Balance and Asics more for the kid that goes to daycare or school and that’s running around. They have great structure,” says Parthasarathy. My 3-year-olds have both gravitated toward this shoe a lot. It’s more of a true sneaker than a first walker, but it’s not overly structured or restricting. They also have more flexibility than some of the other sneakers I tested. Asics recently released the Contend 10, which we’re looking forward to testing.

My toddlers have worn these shoes quite a bit, and they’ve proven to be durable. This shoe also has an animal printed on the insoles to help kids get their shoes on the right foot.

The Asics Contend is a toddler-friendly sneaker that can keep up with all of their adventures.

ALICIA BETZ FOR FORBES

Not As Great For Wide Feet

Just by looking at these shoes compared to others I’ve tested, they’re a bit narrower than other options. Between my two 3-year-olds, this shoe fits better on the one with more narrow feet. The hook-and-loop closure is tougher to fasten on my wider-footed child and sometimes comes undone while he’s playing.

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Supports Healthy Foot Development

Robeez’s First Kicks shoes are APMA-approved, meaning they support healthy foot development, which is essential when toddlers are growing and learning to walk. The Valerie style we tested is flexible with a slightly supportive heel, making it comfortable for early walkers. A hook-and-loop closure allows you to easily open it up to slide their feet in, while a pull tab on the back helps get the shoe fully on.

Robeez offers a wide variety of stylish girls’ shoes, including the Valerie First Kicks. Note that the style and construction of the First Kicks shoes varies pretty significantly from one style to the next. Other First Kicks styles feature pink bows, white daisies, and metallic leather—making them a go-to choice for pairing with a cute outfit or dressing up for a special occasion.

Ideal For New Walkers With Smaller Feet

Our tester has thicker feet and often struggles to fit into shoes, so it didn’t come as a huge surprise that it was difficult to get her feet into these shoes. There is a good amount of cushioning around the shoe, which could explain why it can be tricky to find the right fit. Ultimately, they seem to work best for toddlers with slimmer feet.

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A Durable Option For All Day Wear

Sneakers are a good pick for toddlers who are more experienced walkers. “As you get out of the first-walker shoe, the shoes tend to have more structure to them to prevent them from falling and slipping,” says Parthasarathy, who also recommends New Balance shoes thanks to their wide width. A shoe like this one is great for all day wear, being on the playground and running around with friends. This is one of the more rigid shoes I tested, and I’d consider it a true sneaker. It has good traction and a thicker sole.

The New Balance 574 New-B Hook And Loop is a more rigid sneaker that’s best for experienced walkers.

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Recommended By Experts And Loved By Kids

Rickerd recommends this shoe as an all-around great sneaker, and my wide-footed toddler chooses it almost every time. It slides onto his feet easily, and he never complains about discomfort while wearing them. After about two months of testing, it held up remarkably well.

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Other Toddler Shoes We Tested

In total, we tested 16 toddler shoes with a panel of testers, including new walkers as well as toddlers who have already been walking for a year or two. I personally tested many of the shoes with my then-3-year-old twins. Here are a few that didn’t make the final cut:

See Kai Run Viento Sneaker: Though this brand is often recommended by professionals, we had trouble with the fit of these shoes. The shoe wasn’t deep enough to hold my toddlers’ feet and we couldn’t secure the strap. My toddlers also often asked to take these shoes off, because they were uncomfortable.

Atoms Kids Model 123: These shoes are bold and stylish, and they’re machine-washable. However, they’re more narrow than I would like for a toddler shoe, and they’re not super easy to slip on.

Skechers Slip-Ins Ultra Flex 3.0: This slip-on option didn’t perform quite as well as the Kizik shoes we tested. The material isn’t as durable, and they’re more narrow.

Saucony Unisex Child Jazz Lite 2.0: Saucony is a really great kids shoe brand, but this particular style wasn’t one of the best options we tested for toddlers. They’re more narrow and rigid than many others we tested. We also noticed that it can be difficult to find these shoes in stock.

We previously tested and recommended the Kizik Kids Anaheim, which has since been discontinued.

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What We’re Testing Next

Billy Footwear: We’re looking forward to testing a pair of these adaptive sneakers with a toddler who wears orthotics. They zip open to easily allow orthotics or other assistive devices to fit inside the shoe.

Asics Contend 10: Our pick for the best toddler shoes for boys, the Asics Contend 9 has been updated to the Asics Contend 10. We’re looking forward to getting a pair of these shoes on little feet soon.

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How We Tested The Best Toddler Shoes

Testing toddler shoes involved watching tiny feet take thousands of steps—at home, on the playground, on the sidewalk and beyond. Here’s a peek into our testing process.

We tested over a dozen pairs of shoes with more than five kids to find the best toddler shoes.

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Flexibility, Tread And Traction

Because toddler shoes need to balance flexibility and support, we bent and twisted each one to assess how well they flexed. We also squeezed and evaluated the heel cup to determine how much support it provided. “The back of the heel shouldn’t be able to collapse completely. So when they’re younger, you’ll see it’s more flexible materials, but as they get older, the back of the heel should be a little firmer so their heel doesn’t flop around,” says Parthasarathy.

We also noted how thick the sole was and how much traction each shoe provided. For newer walkers, we looked for thinner soles that still offered protection and traction, and for more experienced walkers, we looked for a thicker sole with more traction. We noted if the toddlers ever slipped or seemed unstable in the shoes.

Comfort

Each tester evaluated how comfortable their toddler was in the shoes and asked for their feedback if they were old enough to give it. We noted which shoes they preferred wearing, whether they tried to take certain shoes off and if they had anything positive or negative to say about them. We also noted if the shoes caused any irritation, marks or blisters.

Durability

We used the shoes in various settings and noted any unusual wear to the shoes. While it can be difficult to conduct long-term testing since toddlers grow out of shoes relatively quickly, we continue to keep long-term testing notes on any shoes that we are able to.

Ease Of Getting The Shoes On And Off

We evaluated how easy it was to get each shoe on and off by both parent and toddler. We paid close attention to how wide the shoe can open, as well as what the closure type is. We also made note if the toddlers were able to get the shoes on themselves (which tends to happen when they’re 2).

It’s also important to make sure that the shoes stay on, so we considered how well they stayed on the toddlers’ feet and whether or not they were difficult to secure.

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What To Consider When Buying Toddler Shoes

When buying shoes for your toddler, you want to strike the right balance between something that supports their foot health and something they’ll actually wear. “The truth is, barefoot is generally best, but the need for protection for our littles’ feet at some point is pretty inevitable,” says Rickerd.

Comfort And Fit

Whenever possible, have your child try on the shoe before buying it. The right one should go on without forcing and shouldn’t cause any rubbing or irritation.

Consider the shape of your child’s foot; some have wider and chubbier feet than others, so you want to pick a shoe that’s designed for their foot shape. “This is especially important for kids with flatter feet,” says Parthasarathy. “You want to make sure they’re wide enough to accommodate the width of their foot. If that doesn’t happen, sometimes kids can even get ingrown toenails or start to develop curly toes where the toes just aren’t being as spread out. Toddler feet are cute, chubby little things, and so they tend to take up more room in shoes, so the width is really important.”

Rickerd recommends looking for a shoe with a wide, foot-shaped toe box, not something that tapers at the toes. This helps ensure their toes can splay out, and it can help support their muscles as they get steadier on their feet.

Good Traction

Rickerd recommends grips on the bottom of the shoe to prevent toddlers from slipping. Because they’re just learning to walk, you want the shoe to have enough traction that they won’t slip without the shoe being overly bulky.

Flexibility

“It should have some flexibility to it for the younger kids, but as you get close to the end of the walking phase, you want some structure to it,” says Parthasarathy. A good toddler shoe strikes a balance between being flexible enough that their foot can move naturally while still providing structure. Rickerd also explained that a supportive heel cup with some adjustability around the ankle can help ensure the shoe fits properly and reduce their foot slipping around inside.

Walking Stage

“Every stage of walking usually has a different need and a different type of shoe,” says podiatrist Priya Parthasarathy. “Through toddler development, usually we start off with more flexibility and then transition into more arch support as kids grow older and get the mechanics of walking.”

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, the baby and kids gear team works diligently to test and recommend the best products for kids and families.

• The author of this article, Alicia Betz, is the baby and kids gear writer. She’s a mom to three and an experienced parenting journalist and product tester. She has tested the majority of the shoes on this list with her kids.
• The editor of this article, Rose Gordon Sala, is a deputy editor at Forbes Vetted. She’s an experienced editor and journalist who has tested dozens of kids shoes and wrote our guide to the best kids shoes for school-age children.
• We frequently recommend and test kids footwear, including the best kids water shoes and the best baby shoes.
• We routinely monitor and update this article to maintain freshness and ensure accuracy. It was most recently updated by Betz in August 2026.

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Our Experts

• Priya Parthasarathy is a podiatrist in the D.C.-area with Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic, mom of two young children and a spokesperson for the APMA
• Dr. KC Rickerd is a pediatric physical therapist, mom of three and founder of Milestones & Motherhood

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