THE BEST BABY WALKING SHOES FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE’S FIRST STEPS
Is your baby getting ready to take their first steps? Do you already have a bonafide cruiser on your hands? If that’s the case, you’re 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.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
There aren’t a ton of guidelines parents need to follow when looking for their baby’s first pair of walking shoes. Dr. Leann Poston, a pediatrician at Invigor Medical in Kennewick, Washington, says, “The most important thing parents should look for is walking shoes that are well-fitting and flexible.” Alas, if your baby has adorable baby Jordan sneakers like my kids had, their stiffness would, unfortunately, eliminate them from this category.
Poston also advises, “Baby walking shoes should not change the way the child walks and should only protect their feet from getting hurt. They should have a large enough toe box for their toes to move.” In other words, don’t opt for anything too restrictive.
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. On your mark, get set: Go, baby, go!
If you’re looking for a great budget option, these are the best walking shoes to shop. These come in multiple colors, wash like a dream, and the bottom is flexible yet sturdy, which is exactly what you want your baby’s walking shoes to be.
The sides have extra stretch for easy on and off, and the top is roomy enough for the toes but provides enough pressure for stability and safety. They’re a real win for the price and don’t sacrifice quality.
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Infant First Walkers Slip On Toddler Sneakers
Super stretchy, super affordable, and super quick drying, these shoes help prevent sweaty, stinky baby feet while still cradling your baby’s precious little feet, providing support for those first steps.
Plus, what kid doesn’t want a pair of fire engine red shoes? Aren’t they just the most darling thing you’ve ever seen?
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Baby Boy 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 won’t get mad wearing.
Your kid can even help get themselves in and out of it, which is a major developmental milestone.
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Ryder II FlexiRun Active Sneakers for Kids
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. The shoes are the highest quality — the soles don’t pull away from the shoe, and the Velcro never becomes gross and puffy. (And they’re just fine, even after stepping in puddles and holding stinky baby feet.)
Plus, they’re so flexible and fashionable that you can easily pass these down to multiple children — they’re that good.
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Stride Rite 360 Boys Carson Athletic Sneaker
Machine-washable? Yes, please! The soles on these walking shoes are flexible, the top is washable, and the strap adjusts wonderfully. Plus, just look at how cute they are — they’re like, dad shoes baby shoes!
Stride Rite has been around for decades making great kids’ shoes, and their baby walking shoes are some of the best you’ll find.
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Baby Sneakers Tennis Shoes First Walker Shoes
During beach and splash park season, babies will want to get out there and play. This pair of shoes makes sure that your little one’s feet are safe and secure as they stomp about, splashing, playing, and having loads of fun in the water.
They’re mesh fabric and designed to let water flow through them without puddling. The insole is also made of quick-dry materials, preventing moldy, mildewy shoes.
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Tanner Sneaker for Little Kids
Apart from being just about the softest baby walking shoes on the planet, these were awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association — and that’s a huge deal. My kids loved See Kai Run and they stayed strapped on so efficiently, they only lost them occasionally.
They are also machine-washable, which is super helpful when your child decides that mud is the best walking surface.
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Squeaky Shoes for Toddlers With Adjustable Squeaker
These are quite possibly the cutest shoes of all time. They squeak with every step, but don’t worry, you can turn that off. It’s really just designed to delight and encourage your baby to walk.
It’s also great in a crowd or at the park, because you’re not going to lose track of your little one. They have a wide opening that makes them easy to take on and off, and honestly? These baby walking shoes are just a huge hit with kids.
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Lambskin Leather Soft Sole Shoes
Sweet pink ears and little whiskers make this pair of baby walkers special. And these are some of the best-made 100% leather baby walking shoes on the market. They’re snug without being tight, and the designs are just sweet. You’ll be sad when your baby grows out of them.
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Baby Walking Shoes
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting real “royal baby” vibes from these baby shoes — they’re just so prim and proper! They’re lined with soft cotton for extra protection and warmth, but because they’re all-natural, they’ll still breathe and support your baby’s feet.
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Leather Loafers Slip-On
I bought this exact pair for my 17-month-old nephew, and he was off to the races. It’s a really high-quality leather loafer for the price, easy to get on and take off, but not so easy that your child will be taking them off in the car and hurling it at their brother in the backseat. They look great with a preppy outfit but even better dressed down with jeans and a tee.
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Special Occasion Soft Sole Slip-On
For some reason, there are just not a ton of gender-neutral baby’s first walking shoes. This is really one of the few on the market, but it’s a really good shoe. It’s made of the soft, durable leather bottom with a canvas upper material and elastic back and sides to give a better fit.
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