When buying your child's first pair of shoes, you want them to look good, be supportive and make sure your little one feels comfortable wearing them. Although shoes in their early years are mainly ornamental, it is crucial that children get used to wearing them as they are an item of clothing they will have to wear for the rest of their lives.
The choice of styles and materials is enormous, with big sportswear and adult shoe brands like Clarks and Kickers making their own ranges for both crawling babies and new walkers. Our top picks from Amazon and John Lewis, from great brands like adidas and Kickers, will allow your little boy or girl to be at the height of fashion whilst also being at the height of comfort!
Quick List - Top Baby Shoes
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As long as the shoes are not uncomfortable for them to wear, your baby probably won't mind too much about what you put on their feet. This doesn't mean that you can't have some fun choosing a cute style of shoe for those early years.
The range of styles is enormous, with lots of adult shoe styles now coming in miniature. Whether you're looking for a simple slip-on baby shoe that is just a step up from a sock, a trainer, or even a smart boot, you will be able to find what you're looking for.
Take a look at some of the best double buggies to keep your child protected while out and about!
It is unlikely that babies will be putting on their own shoes, so it matters less whether they will be able to use the shoe's fastening method. What does matter, however, is that the fastening on the shoe is easy for you to use.
You might prefer the look of laces and the reassurance that they'll stay put, but bear in mind that these are going to be harder to put on a – potentially kicking and screaming – baby. Shoes that have elasticated heels and Velcro straps make this task much easier.
Slip off those baby shoes so your child can have some fun on a baby play mat!
There is no one material that is used across the board in baby shoes. Leather is a popular choice, often in conjunction with different synthetic textiles. Leather in adult shoes is very tough and durable, but for baby shoes, soft leather is often used to allow for maximum comfort.
As far as the soles of baby shoes go, a similarly wide range of materials is used. Rubber is a popular choice for more solid, sturdy options. Suede and softer materials can also be used, often on slip-on shoe designs, as they still prevent slipping but are more comfortable to wear.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Superfit Freddy Open Toe Sandals | ![]() | Covered Sandals That Come in a Huge Size Range | |
2 | Adidas Unisex Babies’ Superstar Crib Gymnastics Shoes | ![]() | The Stylish Sportswear Trend Starts Early | |
3 | Kickers Unisex Toddler Kick Hi Shoes | ![]() | A Sturdy Boot for Adventurous Tots | |
4 | MiniFeet Soft Leather Baby Shoes - Ruby Red Sandal | ![]() | Pretty Pumps for Little Feet | |
5 | Juicy Bumbles Baby Shoes with Soft Sole | ![]() | Space-Age Shoes Which Are Easy to Slip On | |
6 | MK Matt Keely First Walkers Cute Cartoon Sneakers | ![]() | An Adorably-Designed First Walking Shoe That's Irresistible | |
7 | Geox Junior Tutim Riptape Pre-Walker Trainers | ![]() | Breathable Trainers That Look and Feel Cool | |
8 | Dotty Fish Soft Baby Moccasins | ![]() | Baby Shoes That Are Fashionable and Fun | |
9 | Start-rite Children's Leather First Chelsea Boots | ![]() | A Smart, Grown-Up Look for Your Little Ones | |
10 | Clarks Junior Surfing Tide Sandals | ![]() | The Perfect Sandals for Exploring by the Sea |
These sturdy and supportive sandals work brilliantly as a baby shoe for warmer weather. They are easy to slip on and off but can be tightened as much as is necessary with the two flexible Velcro straps.
The size range is also enormous, meaning they are suitable for both young babies as well as older toddlers. The design is embellished with plenty of nice details like the check pattern on the strap, but they are still a neutral enough colour to go with most clothes.
If your baby is active and likes to wriggle around a lot, these shoes may well be the solution for you. Firstly, the trainer style works brilliantly for energetic youngsters. In addition to this, they have two Velcro straps, giving you double the security of one without them being as difficult to sort out as laces.
The iridescent straps add a subtle touch of colour, and the overall plain white design will mean that these shoes will go with most outfits. If you're looking for some streetwear chic, these cute trainers from adidas make a great choice.
If you're looking for some more heavy-duty boots for your intrepid tot, look no further than these well-crafted, classic-looking boots. With Kickers, you know you are going to get a shoe of the highest quality, and these little boots are no different.
The design is simple, but the light and dark blues complement each other to make a baby shoe that is a bit smarter than some other options out there. It might be trickier to get the shoes on in the first place with the solid heel and laces, but once they are on, you know they'll stay in place.
Your little one will love the look of these sweet shoes with their bright red colour and daisy design. You'll love how easy they are to put on and how well they stay on with a heel that has just the right amount of elastic. The band across the top also helps to hold them in place.
The suede soles are soft but are still anti-slip so your shoes won't hinder your child as they learn to be more steady on their feet. These make for a perfect pair of summer shoes for those warmer months.
Babies are sure to love the bright colours on these shoes and the rocket design is exciting to young and old eyes alike. Parents will love how easy it is to put these shoes on your baby's feet with their gently elasticated heels with can slip on simply but won't fall off once in place, no matter how much wriggling is done.
The soft leather sole makes them comfortable for very young babies and they are the perfect introduction to what wearing shoes feel like. There is a wide range of designs to choose from as well!
The anti-slip technology of these shoes makes them a great choice for first walking shoes. The sole is solid enough to support your baby as they take their first steps but overall the shoes are soft enough to be comfortable to wear throughout the day.
The Velcro makes it easy to put these on and take them off, and the cute animal design adds charm without looking tacky. Just bear in mind that is only a very limited amount of sizes, so the shoes won't suit babies of all ages.
With these trainers, your youngster can look cool and feel cool. The breathable design will keep your baby's feet from over-heating and make them more comfortable in the process. But this technology doesn't sacrifice the shoe's looks, and they'll still look very fashionable on your little one's feet.
The sizing is done in European sizes, so you might need to look at the size guide to work out which size will be suitable for your baby. They may be expensive, but if you're happy to pay a premium for the best, you won't be disappointed.
These shoes may look like smaller versions of an adult style, but they have been adapted enough that they will work well for your baby. Firstly, the size range goes all the way from birth to two years old, so it will be easy to find the right ones for your baby at their particular stage.
The suede looks lovely and works well as a material for baby shoes thanks to its soft nature, too. One drawback is the lack of secure fastening. Whilst slip-on shoes are great for babies and make your life that bit easier, without any fastenings, these shoes might slip off.
Baby shoes don't all have to be brightly coloured slip-ons. In fact, it is a good idea to introduce different shapes and styles of shoes so that your youngster learns to adjust. These little boots are incredibly stylish, but they still manage to be comfortable, vital if your little one is going to be happy wearing them.
The good-quality leather and huge range of sizing do lead to a slightly higher price tag, and the sizing doesn't go as small as some other choices, so these don't make a good choice as your baby's first pair of shoes. For toddlers, however, this is worth the investment.
Lightweight and flexible, these sandals are the perfect choice of footwear if your little one has started walking and they require something less heavy-duty during the summer months. They are water-friendly so, if your baby is playing by the sea, you don't have to be worried about them ruining their shoes.
The sizing for these sandals starts a bit bigger than some other baby shoes and can only really be worn towards the end of their first year. They are also very uncovered so can't be used if the weather conditions are bad.
No. 1: Superfit |Freddy Open Toe Sandals
No. 2: Adidas|Unisex Babies’ Superstar Crib Gymnastics Shoes
No. 3: Kickers|Unisex Toddler Kick Hi Shoes
No. 4: MiniFeet|Soft Leather Baby Shoes - Ruby Red Sandal
No. 5: Juicy Bumbles|Baby Shoes with Soft Sole
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