Best Baby Shoes

Baby’s first pair of shoes is one of the sweetest purchases you’ll make. But more should go into it than just picking out an adorable option (although you’re welcome to grab something based solely on the fact that it’s cute, too). Here's your guide to finding the right walking shoes for your baby.

When should I get shoes for my baby?

Before she's walking, you really only need socks or booties to keep your baby’s feet warm. But once she starts to walk outside, she’ll need suitable shoes to prevent injuries to her tiny toes. 

When searching for a pair of baby shoes, Brittany Ferri, Ph.D., licensed occupational therapist, says to choose nonskid or rubber soles that will help with stability as your child begins to walk. 

What are the best first walking shoes for baby?

If your baby is learning to walk, you don’t need shoes indoors, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association, which recommends that pre-walking and walking baby shoes be flexible (you should be able to feel your baby's toes through them) and that they be made with breathable material (leather, cloth or canvas — not plastic). Dr. Ferri also suggests choosing lightweight shoes, which will be the most comfortable for babies to wear. 

How to choose the best baby walking shoes

When you're buying baby walking shoes, keep on the lookout for a few more criteria recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

• Flexible, nonslip soles. The AAP also recommends that baby’s first shoes should be closed-toe and comfortable for her to wear.

• Make sure the shoe fits. Baby shoes shouldn’t need to be broken in; they should fit your baby and be comfortable immediately with a bit of wiggle room.

• No special features needed. The AAP says that sneakers are a great choice and recommends that parents stay away from shoes with wedges, inserts or special arches, as they are not needed and can actually make it harder for baby to walk. 

How do I keep my baby's shoes on?

Infants are notorious for kicking off their shoes — and older babies may try to take them off on their own. A few tips to keep the shoes on baby's feet:

• Be sure it fits. First and foremost, the shoe should be snug without leaving marks when you remove it. “Use your hand to press down at the front of the shoe and feel for the big toe,” says Dr. Ferri. “You will want a couple of inches of wiggle room for the toes but not so much that the shoe is loose.”

• Buy shoes that adjust to baby's foot. Shoes with laces, Velcro, elastic ankle bands and snaps can be helpful features if your baby tends to lose shoes often.

• Try to find a pair baby likes! If your little cutie tries to take her shoes off, test a bunch of different styles. That can help you find one she actually keeps on.

How we chose the best baby shoes

When looking at the best baby shoes, we took into account the above guidelines and made sure that all of our picks were flexible and supportive, while offering plenty of traction. From there, we focused in on the styles that members of the What to Expect community, as well as our editors, have tested and recommend.

Ready to start shopping? Check out our top picks for the best baby walking shoes below.