The Best Shoes For Kids, After Testing More Than 30 Styles

The best shoes for kids fit well, are easy to get on and can keep up with your child’s constant motion as they jump from one activity to the next. As a mom to three school-age kiddos who all possess a knack for shredding their shoes in weeks, I’d also add durability as an important element in finding the very best shoes for kids. After testing more than 30 pairs on the feet of a dozen kids ranging in age from 3 to 12—often testing the same pair twice on different children—and taking into consideration the advice of pediatric podiatrists on finding the right shoes for kids, we selected Saucony Cohesion as the best shoe for kids overall. They’re commonly recommended by podiatrists and come in a variety of styles and sizes for kids, from tots to teens.

However, we found 9 other kids shoes to consider, depending on the age of your kiddo, their feet, typical activity—and personal style. The Merrell Trail Chaser combines comfort, machine washability and durability to make for an ideal shoe for young kids, and the Stride Rite Kylo is ideal for toddlers and babies learning to walk. If you have a tween like mine who only acquiesces to Nikes, we tested seven styles from the brand to find the best models for kids.

Here are all the winners from our most recent testing:

For this guide, we primarily focused on testing sneakers and more typically athletic shoes for school-age children, though we did test some toddler shoes, including while reporting for our Best Baby Shoes and Best Toddler Shoes stories, so I included the top picks here, too. Once kids progress from the learning to walk stage to toddler to school kid, their feet have changed and developed significantly. For example, very young children and toddlers haven’t yet developed arches yet, and they need a more flexible shoe when learning to walk, or even to go without shoes, according to health professionals. An active 6-year-old or 8-year-old child who is racing around the playground and jumping from play structure to play structure and running across terrain that varies from wood chips to cement to the gym floor might appreciate something sturdier that supports those movements, too.

“Every stage of walking usually has a different type of shoe,” says Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, a podiatrist in the D.C.-area with Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic and a mom of three children under the age of 8. “So we start off more flexible, because kids are still learning how to balance, how to walk, how to run, so they really need that grip,” she says. “I prefer barefoot when they’re really young. But as they get older, we want sturdier.”

Saucony shoes are among the most universally recommended children’s shoes by podiatrists, along with Asics. My kids have worn five styles of Saucony kids shoes (the baby Jazz, Flash, Wind, Velocer and the Cohesion pair featured), depending on their age. They’re well-built, durable sneakers that last and are designed with active, young kids in mind. In fact, the APMA awarded its seal of approval to 13 pairs of Saucony children’s shoes, including certain Flash, Wind, Jazz and Ride models. So while we’re featuring a single Saucony shoe style here, we’re happy to recommend the brand as the best overall for children’s shoes.

My kids have always found their Saucony sneakers comfortable and worn them until they outgrew them, rather than wore them down—and this was the case with my 5-year-old’s Cohesion pair that she wore comfortably straight out of the box and then to school daily, on hikes, trick or treating, to the beach and on a long weekend trip walking around Washington, D.C.

Secure Closure And Favored By Podiatrists

Another reason I favor Saucony shoes overall is the secure closure, just-right flexibility in the front of the shoe and firmer structure at the heel, along with a grippy tread designed for playground play. The Cohesion offers breathability with a combination of mesh and leather upper—a combo that I’ve found boosts the durability and longevity of kid shoes. There are a wide variety of sizes, colors and closures available, too, from toddler to big kid youth sizes. I selected the Cohesion to feature, because it’s available in several models, depending on the retailer, including the Cohesion KDZ, which has hook and loop closure on both big and little kid sizes (crucial for kids who don’t know how to tie but wear a larger size) but also a laces option (for big kids who are now embarrassed to wear a Velcro-style closure). Two of the podiatrists I spoke with for this story specifically called out the Saucony Cohesion as one of their recommended shoes, too.

Saucony offers an overall great value, with shoes available from $30 to about $50—a breath of relief when many other children’s shoes start at $50 per pair and go up from there. They’re also widely available at retailers like Zappos and Amazon, so if you need a pair quickly (maybe after they outgrew them overnight as kids do), you just might be able to get them delivered before the week’s out.

---

The Asics Contend comes in three models, depending on your child’s shoe stage, from these cute toddler shoes with character designs to lace-up runners in big kid sizes from 1 to 7 youth. The Asics Contend 9 Pre-School shoe featured above runs from size 10 little kids to a 3 in big kids and comes with a hook and loop closure for a secure fit.

Comfortable And Ready To Go

My 6-year-old had no problem getting these on and off herself, and she really liked the Asics Cub Match sockliner design that uses a tiger print to guide kids toward putting their shoes on the correct feet (left and right). This sneaker includes durable toe reinforcement and a solid rubber outsole, and the shoes lasted many months before she outgrew them. They felt breathable and lightweight to both of us. At her insistence, we purchased her a second pair as soon as she outgrew the first.

My 9-year-old son didn’t love his Contend Grade School pair. He is a bit fussy about shoes, however, and said he simply found other shoes more comfortable and stylish. These felt stiffer to him. He did like the Asics Pre Venture Grade School, which has a more rugged tread; they became his trail shoes when he wanted to avoid getting his Nikes dirty, and I certainly felt confident in his ability to climb and play in these.

With Podiatrists’ Backing

Overall, I’m happy to recommend Asics brand generally, including the Contend and Pre Venture that we tested. The brand’s footwear has an ideal construction for kids, a variety of styles and an affordable price, sometimes starting as low as $35. They’re machine washable, but I do wish the Contend pair had a heel loop, which the Pre Venture includes. While this particular Asics shoe doesn’t currently carry the APMA seal, several adult Asics shoes do, and Dr. Parthasarathy named Asics kids shoes among her go-to recommendations for school-age kids.

Dr. Louis DeCaro of DeCaro Total Foot Care Center in West Hatfield, Massachusetts (he’s also the president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics) also lists the Asics Contend among his favorite picks for kids who need orthotics. A third podiatrist I interviewed also recommends the Asics Contend.

---

APMA-Approval On Multiple Lines And Styles

It’s hard to miss when selecting a Stride Rite shoe for a baby or toddler who is just learning to walk and still a bit unsteady on their feet. All of the brand’s Soft Motion, Lifestyle and 360 collections are APMA approved, along with many other Stride Rite shoes. That’s because they’re really designed for little ones to feel the ground more while they learn to get steady on their feet. The shoes are protective but allow for plenty of movement of the foot and toes with really flexible designs. All three of my kids wore various Stride Rite shoes as tots, and we never struggled with getting them on or off either given the oversized, flexible openings and easy hook and loop closures.

Flexible And Made For Babies And Tots

Two of our testers with toddlers under the age of 3 recently tried the Kylo and both appreciated the Ortholite memory foam footbed and didn’t hear any complaints from their tots. “It was hard to get him into any other shoe until he outgrew them entirely,” said one tester whose 2-year-old wore them daily for six months without any noticeable wear other than a bit of dirt. That’s one of the reasons we recommend Stride Rite in general; they seem to outlast other “crib shoes.” They’re also machine washable. Another tester also liked the Stride Rite Artin sneaker from its 360 line. It has a more rugged sole and possibly a smaller fit, but our tester had no trouble getting on themself and enjoyed wearing them on the playground.

Stride Rite shoe styles rotate out quickly, though, so it’s hard to recommend any one particular model when it may be gone next season. Instead, I’d recommend selecting one from one of its APMA-approved collections in a style and at a price that both you and your child like.

---

The vegan leather Ten Little Everyday Original shoes are designed with young kids, especially new walkers, in mind. They’re soft and flexible with a rubber sole and are a snap to get on with an easy opening and two thick straps that make up the hook and loop closure. The toe box is roomy and round. When my youngest wore these shoes at age 5 during testing for this story, she delighted in selecting the solid purple color and then decorating the shoes with the stickers each pair comes with, adding unicorns and lightning bolts to the exterior.

Several Ten Little shoes come with the APMA seal of approval, including its Everyday Original. The main drawbacks I encountered with the shoe is that it isn’t washable given its material and the “non-skid” sole seems geared toward new walkers and indoor outings versus the typical rough or active play of any kid age 5 and up. One of our panel testers with a 3-year-old remarked on the “elevated look” of this pair and opted to keep them as her tot’s dressier pair. Ten Little does offer this pair of shoes in slightly bigger kid sizes, but if you need a 3Y or up, you’ll have to consider its other styles, such as the Ten Little Classic Sneakers, which goes up to a 4Y. They’re stylish and made with the same vegan leather and rubber sole with limited tread, but come with laces for a big kid look.

---

A Cushioned But Sturdy Feel For Young Runners

The Hoka Clifton 9 is a well-regarded daily running and walking shoe for adults, so when the brand launched its line of kids shoes in 2023, we immediately started testing them with big kids, including my then 8-year-old son.

Like the adult shoes, the Hoka Clifton 9 in youth sizes has a cushioned midsole with a rocker heel that glides your foot forward. My active son ran his first 5K in his pair and credited the shoe with helping him run fast and confidently. Because he generally likes to wear his Nike Jordans to school, the Hokas became his walking and running pair of shoes—and I never worried about him slipping or tripping in them given their solid construction and tread. They came on family nature hikes, road trips and plenty of walks. They didn’t start to show wear until more than a year in, which is a long time for kids’ shoes, given they usually outgrow them before they break down. It sprouted a few holes in the fabric of the collar lining and there was a bit of wear to the heel. Yet, I was still incredibly impressed with their durability.

Limited To Big Kid Sizes And Laces

I do want to point out that the woven upper on the Hokas feels stiffer than most other running shoes, almost plasticky. This might bother kids used to a mesh upper that conforms more to the foot. It’s a fairly firm shoe, too, which might feel stiff to some kids, but they’ll likely enjoy that big midsole cushion, roomy toe box and bouncy feel as they push off the pavement. The Clifton is Hoka’s neutral and “balanced” running shoe. For an even more responsive and snappy running shoe, your big kids might enjoy the Hoka Kids Mach 6—and I can attest to enjoying trotting around the house in Hoka’s Ora Recovery slides for kids the day after a long run. My kids thought they were a bit too clunky, but if you have a kid who puts serious miles onto their shoes, they might appreciate a pair.

Also, Hoka only produces kids shoes in sizes 3.5 youth to 7 youth, meaning little kids miss out on these top-rated shoes. The Clifton 9s only come with laces, too, so those who haven’t learned to tie yet are out of luck. All five of Hoka’s youth shoes carry the APMA seal.

---

If your big kid runs track or is a little runner in training, joining you on those family fun runs, you might consider the Nike Pegasus 41. It’s the kiddie version of one of Nike’s most popular running shoes. The upper is incredibly breathable and the shoe feels great on: lightweight and bouncy. They feel a bit lighter and more flexible than the Hoka Clifton 9 (I tried both pairs on to compare—I can fit in to my daughter’s shoes).

Breathable, Bouncy And Comfy For Young Runners

My 12-year-old has been wearing the Nike Peg. 41 on weekly runs with me to test these shoes and as she tries to build up her endurance as a young athlete. I also was able to take a couple of runs in the Youth 6 size. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my run in them (I usually wear a Brooks Glycerin or a New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 as my daily trainer). I felt a snappy return with each foot strike thanks to the Air Zoom unit. There was a surprising amount of good cushion at the midfoot, too, which I liked given my high arches, but I’m not sure how many kids need that. The cushion feels nearly as plush as the Hoka Clifton 9, and the padded heel collar really snugs up a secure fit where the Hoka collar sat lower on my ankle. I do wonder how durable the Nikes will be long-term, so we’ll report back in a few months on how well they held up.

My daughter was able to wear her pair of Pegasus 41s right out of the box without any issues and had no complaints during her runs. The colorways and overall look of the shoe are maybe more in line with kids’ tastes these days than some competitors, too. And I’m happy to report that the Peg 41 does not run narrow and instead has a nice roomy toe box that’s ideal for running.

---

Long-Lasting And With APMA Approval

The Merrell Trail Chaser looks more like a hiking shoe than a typical kids sneaker with its rugged, thick and grippy outsole and reinforced toe cap. But I encourage parents to consider the Trail Chaser as their child’s daily playground shoe, winter shoe or summer camp shoe, especially those in elementary school. This is a hard-working, durable shoe that has served my kids well in mucky winter and spring weather, on family hikes and just leaping around with friends at recess. It’s comfortable enough to wear right out of the box—two other testers confirmed their kids had the same experience—with an EVA footbed and a firm heel counter (the back most part of the shoe). My kids have always outgrown this shoe before it wore down. It’s also the only Merrell Kids shoe with official APMA approval.

Lacks Full Waterproofing

The Merrell Trail Chaser comes in a Jr. version with little kid and toddler sizing, as well as a big kid shoe. Both include a hook and loop closure and a heel loop to assist with getting them on. I’ve tried this shoe with a toddler and elementary school kid and our testers did too. Both age groups were able to pull these shoes on easily. The upper includes a mix of mesh and synthetic materials, keeping it breathable enough. There’s an anti-stink lining, too. These are not waterproof Merrells, but they offer some water-resistance. This pair is not machine washable either, whereas another version was in years past, and my tweens now balk at the look of these whereas my first grader happily throws them on to play with the dog in the backyard.

---

Plenty Of Unique Styles With Overall Supportive Shoes

Nike Jordans offer kids a well-designed basketball shoe that can stand up to all their wild movements, jumps and leaps while also appealing to their budding fashion sense. My tween son and daughter have tested five pairs between them, and I believe the Nike Air Jordan 1 Mid, a classic and iconic Jordan, hold wide appeal for today’s kids, and it comes in a variety of rotating colorways and styles. This pair even comes in a crib shoe version.

“I like the Jordans, because they’re a basketball shoe and they come up higher,” adds Dr. Parthasarathy. “People wear high tops when they’re playing basketball, because they don’t want to sprain their ankles, because it’s a side-to-side sport; these kids are doing side-to-side stuff all the time, right? And so a high top is fine for them, because it gives them additional ankle support. It’s not necessary per se.”

My kids’ Nike Jordans have held up longer than our Air Max 270s, likely thanks to their leather construction versus the mesh favored by the Air Max and other running shoes. This Air Jordan 1 Mid pair includes the Nike Air cushioning and a foam midsole. The shoes feel lightweight to my kids and the higher mid-top has an extra smidge of support at the ankle. (You could also consider a high-top Jordan like the the Flight Club series; my son likes the heel loop on these to tug them on and the lined inner bootie that snugs right up the back of his heel.) The Air Jordan 1 Mids include a rubber outsole and while I don’t worry about traction with these shoes, I wouldn’t suggest these as a playground shoe.

Select Your Jordans Carefully

Jordans come in a seemingly unlimited variety of designs, styles, fits and colors, which can make it challenging to find the right pair for your stylish kid. I’d recommend reading the description closely, examining the tread and considering the overall make-up of the shoe. Consider if there is any cushioning called out, as well as where your child plans to wear his shoes. These are expensive shoes and most pairs are spot clean only.

Also, Nikes can run more narrow than other children’s shoes, Dr. Parthasarathy points out—and they don’t typically have a wide fit option—so be sure to try a few pairs to find the one that works best on your child’s feet. She recommends Nikes for kid with “skinny long feet.” We had one pair of these Nike Air Jordan Mids that caused blisters for my 12-year-old during her first wear of them, but she confessed to wearing ankle socks afterward. Another pair of Nike Air Jordan MVPs were much too narrow for my son and had to be sent back altogether.

---

A Slip-On Shoe That Feels (And Looks) Like A Regular Sneaker

Kizik launched its line of “hands-free” kids shoes in 2022 with three styles, including the Anaheim. Just last year, it added more styles in sizes for younger children, and all of them—like their adult counterparts—can be stepped right into and wiggled on a bit without the need to bend down or to tie your laces. The brand’s patented designs rely on a thermoplastic heel that is flexible and springs back up after you step into it. Yet, these sneakers stay on your foot better than a traditional slip-on shoe—I wore my Kizik Milans regularly for about 10 months—and they offered typical walking shoe support and are certainly more supportive than say a Croc, a slide or a flat canvas shoe.

Two Forbes Vetted testers raved about the kids shoe line with one reviewer noting how much it sped up her mornings trying to get out of the house with four kids. Young kids seem into the colors, too. A third tester with a younger tot, however, couldn’t quite manage to get them onto his feet solo, so that’s worth considering if you have a child under say age 3. (Kizik is launching a brand-new toddler shoe that allows parents to pinch the shoe open wide enough to get it onto a squirmy tot.)

This Kizik shoe has a breathable upper and a roomy toe box. The insoles are washable but the shoe is spot clean only. I wouldn’t have minded an extra layer of midsole cushion in my pair, which I used for walking, and I suspect the kids might like it, too. (The just-launched Athens 2 for adults adds more cushion, so maybe this is coming to the kids shoes, too.) Some online reviewers have complained about durability issues, so I checked in with one of our long-term testers on her kid’s Kiziks, and she reported they’ve held up well besides a bit of dirt. However, her daughter finds her Kizik Orlando sneakers less comfortable now, which could mean they’ve simply worn out the Kizik “Flex Foam” support before the rest of the shoe—or it’s time for her to size up.

---

Whether they’re rocking a set of low-profile Air Force 1s or Jordans, that Nike swoosh seems to continue to hold a certain influence over American kids—at least that’s the case when I’m scanning the footwear choices at my children’s schools and on their friends’ feet. But with hundreds of Nikes to choose from–and all with varying attributes—it can be hard to select the best Nike shoe for your child.

My kids have tested and tried 19 different Nike shoe models between the three of them (I want to hide in embarrassment after tallying)—and that’s not counting the cleats, slides, sandals or updated shoe style, aka, next year’s version of the same shoe. I also had our panel testers try out several other styles of Nikes for kids that I had not yet tried, such as Nike Dunks Low. After all this testing, I like the Nike Kids Cosmic Runner as the best Nike shoe for kids. That might feel like a bold statement, so let me tell you why.

The Nike Kids Cosmic Runner is built like the best of Nike’s running shoes but for young kids still finding their footing. It has that classic mesh breathable upper, stable cushioning and is lightweight. There’s a hook-and-loop strap closure for little kids and toddler sizes, and laces for big kid sizes. Where some big kid Nike shoes nix the heel loop, the Cosmic Runner has it in all sizes, along with an additional loop on the tongue. The padding on the heel collar is particularly thick and plush. These Nikes feel more soft and flexible than some, though not too bendy.

I also found the Cosmic Runner’s colorways particularly appealing for all ages. My first grader has worn these daily for the last month and finds them comfortable and easy to get into and out of. They don’t seem to run narrow. I’ve had to wipe them down once already after a few days of muddy weather. (Dear Nike, please make more machine washable kid shoes.)

With A Dizzying Array Of Options, This One Is Just Right

I want to point out that Nike as a brand rarely shows up on podiatrists’ lists for the best kids shoes and only two pairs appear under children’s footwear with the APMA Seal—and both are crib shoes for babies or tots. I asked Dr. Parthasarathy why this was and she pointed to the variety of Nikes available, making it hard to determine the best. She says the problem with Nike is the styles vary significantly. “They make some great shoes and they make some not-so-great shoes, and it’s really hard to decipher between the ones that are supportive and the ones that aren’t.”

I never worried about sending my kids to school or out for a walk in the Cosmic Runner, unlike some of the more flat-soled Nikes they favored like the Nike Blazer Mids, because of the running shoe design. They offer a more secure fit than the laceless Nike Flex Runners and better durability than the flashy Nike Air Max 270, which my younger kids shredded with ease.

---

The Other Kids Shoes We Tested

Shoes can be highly personal, so while we only tested shoes that reviewers and/or the APMA rated highly, our kid testers didn’t always like them. Maybe they were too stiff to get on, uncomfortable to that particular kid—or rejected based on their look. Or as their caregivers, we noticed a certain brand or style disintegrated in weeks and didn’t have the durability we expected in a good shoe.

Below, you’ll find the other children’s shoes our kid panelists tested during this review process that didn’t quite make our list as top picks. The top section of the list tested well enough that we think they’re worth considering for some families, while the bottom half of the list consists of shoes we just can’t recommend.

Might Be Worth A Look

Adidas Lite Racer Adapt 5.0: This is an exceedingly lightweight, slip-on shoe from Adidas that my son tested for us last year. While we initially liked it, and I’m still happy to recommend it if you have a kid who really prefers its fit or needs something lightweight, it bends quite nearly in half, which left me concerned after speaking to podiatrists. I worry about the durability with this shoe, too. It was easy for him to slip into these shoes, though, and we didn’t have any issues with it slipping off. (We tested the 5.0 and it is now on the 7.0 version.)

Crocs: We tested these beloved shoes across several kids, including my own, but we can’t recommend them as a “best” shoe given they’re too easy for kids to slip out of and trip on. So we’re happy to recommend them for the beach or at the pool, but these beloved, comfy, ugly shoes shouldn’t be a daily shoe. After all, if they’re banned from gym class and summer camp, that ought to be a sign to us all.

Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars: I’ll confess my eldest wore these for years in the high-top version. She selected them and insisted on them from about first grade on and they taught her to tie her shoes. But they’re not a podiatrist’s favorite shoe and I can see why after considering the flatter sole, the lack of anything in the way of structure, support or cushion. So, we’re not including them in our best picks, but if you have a young Chuck Taylor fan, you might allow them less active and non-sports activities—and not all the time.

Nike Dunks: Our tester’s 11-year-old son felt good in his pair of Dunks and his mom liked that they had both good traction and could also look dressy enough for church or take him to ice hockey practice. She called them durable, too. I think they’re worth considering if this style of Nike is preferred to your kid versus a Jordan or the more running-oriented shoes like the Cosmic Runner.

Nike Air Max: I’ve had mixed luck with Nike Air Maxes with my kids. My then-third grade son poked holes in the mesh upper of two different pairs of these 270s with his toes, but my first grader did really well in this pair of Nike Air Max 90 EasyOns. The latter have less mesh and more leather in the construction, which might contribute to their durability, but I did worry about sweaty feet. One podiatrist I spoke with noted that Nike shoes are known for being more narrow and fitting smaller overall and said that narrower fit could have contributed to the wear on the shoe in those areas. I also recommend looking closely at the tread on the pair of Air Max shoes you’re considering, because this can vary from excellent to mediocre in terms of traction and grip. The EasyOns are more of a slip-on, too, with a small hook-and-loop strap at the top.

Nike Blazer Mid: This popular lifestyle shoe is OK for occasional wear, but it doesn’t have the best tread or support. It held up for nearly a year before the stitching on it came out for our tween tester with the shoe’s tongue completely separating and the upper detaching from the sole in two places.

See Kai Run Kids: This shoe brand is often recommended for new walkers and preschoolers by podiatrists, the APMA and parents alike. Our testers found the quality hit or miss. The pair that I gave to my preschooler breaking down in less than a month. Another pair of See Kai Run sneakers lasted many months on my new walker, so I cautiously recommend them. They do carry the APMA seal of approval. Another tester found her pair of the Kristen sneaker durable but a bit stiff for her young child. A third tester praised the durability of her Dean Adapt pair of boots.

Merrell Kids Nova Sneaker: My 4-year-old liked this hiking sneaker from Merrell, but it has since been discontinued. It was comfortable and easy for her to get on. A second tester, a 6-year-old, is less sure on his pair and more reluctant to wear them.

Nike Flex Runner 3: This laceless design requires getting the right fit to ensure they don’t slip off while they’re walking or running, which happened in gym class to one of our testers. Our 3-year-old toddler tester and his parents didn’t find these easy to put on, in fact, they were scared that cramming their kid’s foot into it would hurt him. Our older tween testers, however, found these easy to slip on and praised the overall look and comfort of the Nike Flex Runner 3.

And A Few That We Can’t Recommend

Children’s Place Running Sneakers: These didn’t work all around. Our toddler tester found them uncomfortable, they started showing signs of wear in a week and they were hard to get on, because they were too stiff.

Feetcity Unisex Baby Shoes: This Amazon favorite was too stiff, hard to get on and had sizing that was hard to decipher.

On Kids Cloud Sky: Multiple testers had trouble with these stylish shoes from popular sneaker brand On. The laces broke, often within days, on the youth sizes, leaving my kid to wander school with loose shoes in one instance. A younger tester enjoyed the hook and loop closure on her Cloud Play version as well as the bright rainbow colorway, but the lace section still broke and they became dirty and worn out looking too quickly for $100 shoes.

Plae TY: We wanted to like these washable, lightweight shoes. They’re stylish, offer great traction, a nice size variety and the flexibility looks good for new walkers. But they consistently run narrow and long and our tot tester didn’t seem eager to return to wearing them.

Under Armour Pre-School Assert 9: This shoe was too structured and uncomfortable for our 4-year-old tester to wear. We tossed them.

We’re continually testing and trying more kids shoes—because the kids keep growing and new models keep coming out—so we’ll report back here as we find more winners and losers. We’re currently testing: Sketchers, Tsukihoshi Kids, Saucony Endorphin, Nike Star Runners and several pairs of New Balance kids shoes.

---

How We Tested Kids Shoes

Before putting together a list of shoes to test, I consulted the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)’s recommendations and considered the shoe features and qualities that podiatrists recommend for children. The APMA offers a “Seal of Acceptance” to shoes it finds support “good foot health.” It only reviews the particular shoes (and socks, insoles and equipment) that are put forward by brands. Each item is reviewed by a group of APMA podiatrists. (You can sift through the APMA’s approved shoes on your own if you like via its website and filters are available to sort by gender, age and style.)

Next, we picked shoes that lined up with the attributes that podiatrists recommend—and then put them to test in real life. Every tester filled out a feedback form assessing how well the shoe fit and otherwise performed for their child. This story is a culmination of that panel testing, which began in 2023 and since then, we’ve ordered dozens of pairs of shoes for kids to test and wear. As new shoes become available and new kid testers, we continue testing and updating this story by incorporating that new feedback into our results.

Here are the areas we tested the shoes in:

Ease Of Getting The Shoe On For Kids

Kids need to easily be able to get into their shoes. If it’s too frustrating or an uncomfortable experience for your kid (or caregivers if you’re dealing with toddler shoes), they’ll never want to wear it. Or they’ll jam their feet into it over and over again, so the shoe’s structure deteriorates. Sometimes the shoe opening is just too narrow for a kid or the heel collar is not soft or plush enough, or maybe they really need a heel loop to yank them on. Each tester noted how easily their child could put the shoe on or if they struggled. Toddler parents left notes on how easy it was for grown-ups to put the shoe onto their kid.

Secure Fit And Closure

Laceless or otherwise slip-on or step into shoes are popular with all ages, in part because it makes it easier to get out the door faster and on with your day. Kids and families also appreciate anything that speeds up their daily routine. But some slip-on shoes slip right off your feet, or don’t offer enough of a secure fit, increasing the chance of a stumble. Dr. DeCaro also points out that many kids wear their shoes too loose these days anyway, so even if you do have a lace shoe or a hook-and-loop strap, you want to be sure they can and do close securely to avoid injury. We asked all testers to let us know if the shoes stayed on their kids feet and if the closure—whether laces, straps or something else—stayed closed and secure all day.

Comfort

This is arguably the most important attribute for any shoe as long as the overall design is already ideal. No one wants to wear an uncomfortable shoe that causes pain or blisters. Most kids kick those shoes right away from you if they’re uncomfortable. That’s one of the most direct ways to judge a shoe’s comfort with kids: Do they want to wear it again? And do they want to wear it instead of another shoe? Or are they refusing to put their shoes on in the morning again?

Of course, some kids aren’t going to be able to verbalize the issue or connect the experience of foot pain with a bad shoe, Dr. Parthasarathy told me. She said that sometimes kids come in with heel pain but other times they’ve just been refusing to go on walks, complaining of “tired feet” or saying they can’t keep up with their friends. “Changing their shoe makes one of the biggest differences,” she says. She also recommends checking the fit on your kids shoes monthly; there should be “one thumb’s width between the end of the longest toe and the edge of the shoe.”

All testers let us know if their kids said the shoe was comfortable, if they complained of any issues and if they reached for that particular pair over another.

Traction

We carefully examined the tread of each shoe before ordering it, because let’s face it, kids’ movement and behavior is a little different. They basically run everywhere they go; they hop up onto ledges just because; plunge into mud just to see; skate across ice patches rather than avoid them; scale slides at recess; they might walk, take a trail run, scoot, bike and puddle jump in the same day—so they need plenty of traction and a grippy tread. All of our testers took careful notes on the tread and if they noticed any slipping or stability issues for their kids.

Flexibility Vs. Structure

Older kids can take a bit more structure or firmness to a shoe as they get older as Dr. Parthasarathy pointed out earlier. Little kids need a fairly flat, bendy shoe so they can feel the ground a bit more. But older kids (kindergarten and up) are starting to enjoy a shoe with more support, cushion and maybe even a little heel drop—like with the Hoka youth shoes and Nike Pegasus 41. But Dr. Galante notes that a soft, somewhat flexible shoe is probably going to be more comfortable overall. “When it comes to the rigidity of a shoe, probably err on the side of more flexible with a little bit of semi-rigidness to it, because if it becomes too rigid, it’s uncomfortable and it doesn’t allow free movement of the foot. And if it’s just too darn flexible, it potentiates injury a little bit more.”

He also points out that a mesh upper often feels more comfortable for daily wear to many than leather uppers. “If you have a leather upper, it’s a little bit more restrictive and it may be uncomfortable.”

We had all our testers bend the shoes, get hands-on with the upper and notice overall how stiff or flexible the shoe felt.

Durability

Kids don’t wear their shoes as long as adults, because they outgrow them—often within 6 months or even sooner when they’re really young. As they get older, you might get a year out of them, but it’s important to check your kids’ shoes regularly for fit but also wear and tear.

At the same time, no parent wants to buy a shoe for the child that sprouts holes in a month or loses the stick of its hook-and-loop closure in two months. All testers noted any immediate and long-term wear to the shoes, including scuffs, holes, broken laces, shredded or loosened straps, wear on the collar or inside of the shoe and heel or outsole wear. We also took note of how easily they collected dirt and how easily they were to clean and otherwise maintain.

---

What To Consider When Shopping For Kids Shoes

If you’re ready to start shopping for your child’s next shoe, we’ve hopefully guided you toward some of the best current shoes and brands available. But still, it can be overwhelming when looking at the options.

You may want to weigh the same attributes of a shoe that we outlined in our testing with your own child by factoring in their age (Can they tie laces yet? Are they just learning to walk or an active grade-schooler?), where they plan to wear the shoe, what their foot shape is, their style preferences and any attributes that you as the parent might prefer, such as breathability or washability.

I’ll share a few more tips from our podiatrist experts below on finding the best shoe for kids. Dr. DeCaro, though, suggests that parents shouldn’t spend too much time worrying about the midsole cushion or the right flexibility and so on. Overall, shoes for kids without foot problems or issues are about “protection” and “getting shoes that are comfortable and well fit and the ease of putting them on.” He adds: “I’ve seen $80 shoes that are no better than a $20 shoe from Target or Walmart, because the kid doesn’t really need anything fancy, and they’re going to outgrow it or destroy the shoe within six months.”

Child’s Age

We’ve talked a lot about how younger children who are learning to walk might be barefoot or wear a flatter, roomy and flexible shoe so they can really feel the ground. Younger kids also need an easy closure like a secure hook and loop. Older kids can have a shoe with more structure and a firm heel counter but still some bend in the front of the shoe, not at the arch, though. They also might be able to tie their shoes by now, or they might not.

Fit

Dr. DeCaro offered a reminder that it’s best to shop or try on shoes at the end of the day, even for kids, when your feet are more swollen. Dr. Galante suggests trying a shoe shop for a proper measurement of their foot if you can. No two shoes—or shoe brands—tend to fit the same, so it’s often going to mean ordering several pairs to find the right size if you’re shopping online.

Caregivers and parents shouldn’t buy shoes “with room to grow,” adds DeCaro, as it could lead to foot issues later. Instead, there should be about a thumb-width’s distance from the end of the shoe to their longest toe. DeCaro prefers a “pinky finger” distance for kids age 10 and under actually.

Comfort

This is one of the main deciding factors in any shoe purchase, and kids are no different. Their shoe should be comfortable right out of the box, says Dr. DeCaro, without a break-in period. Let your child walk around inside, up and down stairs if you can, before purchasing, make sure the fit is right for their foot and nothing is bothering them, or rubbing against their foot or ankle.

Of course, we have to balance comfort with a safe and secure shoe pick, which comes down to the shoe design. Because if we were just shopping on comfort, my kids would wear their Crocs and Ugg slippers daily.

Overall Shoe Design

Instead, we’re looking for “shoes that are able to firmly stay on their feet, especially children that are going to school, going on the playgrounds, climbing,” says Parthasarathy. “We don’t want anything that can just fall off such as flip-flops and Crocs.”

For grade-school kids from kindergarten and up, you want to pick a shoe with a firm heel counter and a bit of flexibility in the toe box. You don’t want a too stiff shoe, adds DeCaro, but it should be stiff in the middle.

“The shoe shouldn’t be able to completely bend in half,” adds Parthasarathy. “The shoe should be wide enough to accommodate the width of their foot, because their feet are growing and they’re usually wider when they’re younger.” Finally, she advises parents consider the needs of the activity kids will be doing while wearing the shoe.

Breathability

Kids do have stinkier, sweatier feet. Dr. Galante favors mesh, breathable shoes for kids for this reason. Dr. DeCaro recommends spraying their shoes with an antimicrobial for the first three weeks to ensure they stay stink-free.

---

My Expertise

I’m a longtime journalist with more than 15 years of reporting experience, but I’ve focused on covering kids and parenting subjects for the last decade. As a deputy editor at Forbes Vetted, I’m passionate about helping families find products that really hold up and make their lives easier and their kids happier. Now that my three kids are school-age, I’m often testing big kid gear and products. Most recently, I tested smartwatches for kids and kids mattresses.

For this story, I already had 11 years of personal experience buying and fitting my kids into shoes. They truly have chewed through more shoes and sneakers than I care to recall, but I drew on that experience to start shaping our list of shoes to panel test with more kids and their grown-ups. I also understand the pain of trying to get out the door quickly in the morning, teaching a child to tie their shoes and dealing with fashion-finicky tweens who flat out refuse to wear anything that doesn’t suit their current style cravings. I’ve sat through hundreds of shoe try-ons and lace sessions with my children, so I understand how crucial it is to selecting the right shoe. I’ve also seen which shoes tend to hold up and which create painful blisters, and I’m currently running with my two oldest kids on weekends.

I also read through APMA’s shoe recommendations and buying advice for parents, and pored over additional suggestions provided by the three podiatrists, trained foot and ankle doctors and experts, to understand what to look for in a good shoe for a child, especially at varying stages of a kid’s development. All three podiatrists shared additional literature on children’s foot health and development, as well as some of their favorite shoe brands and features. For this article, I interviewed these three experts:

• Louis DeCaro, is a board-certified podiatrist and podiatric surgeon with a speciality in pediatrics; he operates DeCaro Total Foot Care Center in West Hatfield, Massachusetts and he’s also the president of the American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics (ACFAP).
• Priya Parthasarathy, is a board-certified podiatrist in the D.C.-area with Foot and Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic and a mom of two young children; she’s also a spokesperson for the APMA.
• Jason Galante, is ​​double board certified in foot and ankle medicine and surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine at Essex Union Podiatry in New Jersey; he’s also a father to two children.