We’re excited to welcome back Dr. Sneha Gosalia, Pediatric Physical Therapist and co-founder of Big Leaps Pediatric Therapy. In this post, she shares helpful guidance for families and therapists on choosing shoes that support healthy foot development as children learn to walk and move.
When Does Your Child Need Shoes?
Once your baby begins cruising along furniture and taking those first steps, you may wonder what kind of shoes they need.
The short answer: babies and new walkers don’t need shoes all the time. When it is safe, going barefoot allows children to feel the ground, practice balance, and strengthen the small muscles in their feet.
A young child’s foot is still developing. The arch may not be visible during the first few years, partly because of a natural fat pad in the arch area. This is normal and does not necessarily mean a child has flat feet.
When shoes are needed for protection, look for footwear that allows the foot to move as naturally as possible.
What Should You Look for in Children’s Shoes?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends choosing shoes that:
- Are lightweight and flexible, allowing natural foot movement
- Have a stable, non-skid sole for traction
- Fit properly and provide plenty of room for the toes
- Are made from breathable materials, such as leather or mesh
- Provide appropriate cushioning and shock absorption as children participate in more active and high-impact activities
- Are appropriate for the child’s age and activity
Shoe Recommendations by Age
Pre-Walkers:
Babies and crawlers generally don’t need shoes. Booties or soft, flexible pre-walking shoes can provide warmth and protection without restricting the feet.
Toddlers:
Look for lightweight, flexible shoes that stay securely on the foot. Leather or canvas shoes with laces or secure fasteners can be good options. When indoors and in a safe environment, toddlers can continue to spend time barefoot.
School-Age Children:
At this age, shoes should provide comfort, protection, traction, and appropriate shock absorption. Choose shoes based on the activity—athletic shoes for sports, sandals for warm weather, hiking shoes for trails, etc. Most importantly, make sure they fit well and allow room for growth.
Our Favorite Shoes Brands
Pediped: Flexible styles designed with healthy foot development in mind.
Stride Rite: Adjustable, durable, and flexible options for growing children.
KEEN: Well-constructed shoes and sandals with cushioning and support.
ASICS: Supportive athletic shoes with stable heel construction.
New Balance: Comfortable, supportive sneakers with good cushioning.
Saucony: Durable athletic shoes with cushioning for active kids.
Billy: Inclusive styles designed to accommodate inserts and orthotics.
Remember that the best shoe is one that fits your child’s individual foot well and is appropriate for their age and activity.
Want to Learn More?
For more information about choosing the right shoes for your child, check out What a Difference a Shoe Makes!
Thanks for providing this list of shoes for both adults and children, there are so many choices on the market that it can be very difficult to choose one appropriate pair. Choosing the right shoe will now be much easier.
I am posting. Thank you.
Choosing the right shoes for young children is surprisingly important. The AAP’s recommendations sound spot on, I will have to pay more attention to what shoes I buy for my kids. When children’s bodies are still developing, it’s extra important to get them the right equipment.
What about toe walking? Any shoe recommendations?
Here is another post with more information about shoe selection for common gait presentations, including toe walking! http://blog.dinopt.com/what-a-difference-a-shoe-makes/
We loved keens for summer water play but had to hold them out the windows on the way home from school because they smelled SOOOOOO bad. Even after washing & sunshine air drying. Several parents in our school had the same complaint. This brand was common because delicate toes were covered but could still get wet. Any fixes, suggestions? Would love to go back to this brand.
We have not had that experience with the KEENs and my little guy gets them quite wet and dirty! Every few days I put them in the washing machine and then let them air dry. PediPed also makes a similar style sandal if you want to try: http://amzn.to/2aJkSrk. Best of luck in your sandal adventures!
Do you have any experience with the Plae brand?
Depending on your child’s age and specific needs I am happy to recommend shoe options that might suit your needs! Feel free to email me directly at info@dinopt.com to speak further!
I have a toddler with bilateral club feet. He is 2.5 years old still in the ponsetti bar at night. Any suggestions on shoes. Everything we try seems to not work after 6 months.
Thank you for reaching out Rosie! Feel free to email me directly at info@dinopt.com and I am happy to offer specific shoe suggestions.
Hello, thanks a lot for a very useful article. May I bounce back on the plae brand subject please? I am a bit confused and annoyed:
-confused because I am reading above that the barefoot model is best. Plae seems to fit to this… While some of the shoes pictured seems more rigid and so obviously more supportive…
-annoyed because my 4 yo son has to get shoes for PE and he seems to only like those shoes.. for the style at least.
May I ask ask for a deeper dive please? Shall I go for more rigid than that if I want to preserve my child health? What about the barefoot recommendation?
Many thanks
Thank you so much for clarifying!
I wish I could come and consult. But we are miles apart… My son’s feet are on the wide side but mostly he seems to have a high top of feet near the ankle.
He is starting school in September but has been all his life in a nursery with no shoe policy. So, of course, he had shoes when playing in the garden but he has spent a lot of time barefoot. He is barefoot at home as well.
At school, he will wear shoes all the time. So I was trying to build on his habits (and probably strong feet??) and gets the best shoes for him for every day and PE…
May I ask for a recommendation please?
Any help is welcome really.
Feel free to send me an email at info@dinopt.com with his shoe size and I am happy to make recommendations!
I am a pediatric physical therapist and encounter many students with physical disabilities whose shoes do not FIT properly. In addition to the recommendations you have given for the type of shoe, could you offer suggestions and the need for proper fitting shoes? For example, I have had several children who toe-walk and they are wearing shoes that are simply too big for their feet. The shoes then tend to ‘slip’ off and I have found that they will often stay up on their toes as a way to help keep the shoe on their foot. I really feel that a proper fit is just as important (if not more importantt) than the material the shoes are made of. Thank you for this post.
You are absolutely correct Penny! Thank you for bringing attention to the importance of proper fitting shoes!
Am I reading it incorrectly or did the author state that arches form by puberty in the 2nd paragraph, but later in the article under the “parts of the shoe” section, state by 6-8 years?
Thank you for your careful reading! The post has been corrected. Best wishes!
Let me know if you’re looking for an editor 🙂
Nice Post! This is very helpful information for choosing the right shoe for kids provided by the dinopt. Thanks for sharing this list of Shoe Recommendations for both adults and children.
Is there anyway you could up date your shoe recommendations? It’s Aug 15, 2017 and a lot of the shoes you have posted aren’t sold anymore. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Shannon
I will do my best to keep it updated! Thank you for the reminder!
Admiring the time and energy you put into your website
and detailed information you provide. It’s nice to
come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same
out of date rehashed material. Fantastic read!
I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Thank you! Appreciate your support!
This is fantastic information – thank you! As any good parent, we are always trying to do and give our kids what is best to help their development (physically, emotionally and intellectually) and this is very helpful in giving them a leg, err foot/shoe, up. I am curious how you feel about brands such as Nike, Adidas and Reebok. Many thanks – much appreciated!!