Getting your baby to walk is one of the great joys of parenthood. The best baby walking shoes are safe and comfortable, so you can help your baby get moving. Our Top Pick goes to Lelli Kelly Girls’ Soft Sole Walking Sneakers which are machine washable with soft soles, a wide toe box and bright bold colors. But if you’re looking for an alternative, we also have an Award-Winning pick in See Kai Run Baby Boys’ Stevie II, a softer sneaker option with a reinforced toe cap, as well as a Best Budget choice from Peggy Piggy that’s ideal for babies just beginning to walk.
Our top picks for the best baby walking shoes for your little one include brands like Stride Rite and the award-winning Baby Girls’ Stevie II See Kai Run. Our shoe experts have scoured the market to find only our favorites, from soft soles with bold colors and machine washable water shoes. We hope you find a good pair that makes walking together more comfortable for both of you!
Want to help your baby learn to walk? Start with the correct footwear: our list of the best baby walking shoes will give you and your little one a good foundation for success. We love Peg Perego, Stride Rite and New Balance for their great quality, soft soles and patterned designs.
Our baby walker shoes provide a soft, cushioned insole that gives your infant the support he needs as he starts taking steps. We carefully selected only the highest quality baby walking shoes to help keep your child’s feet protected—and our affordable prices make them easy on the budget too. Need a convenient and safe transportation option for getting around with your little one? Check out our push strollers and exercise buggies.
Best Shoes For Babies Learning to Walk
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.
Depending on the brand of baby shoes, you can expect your child to grow out of them in 3 to 6 months, with some lasting as long as 8 months, thanks to their adjustability. If you’re buying a soft leather shoe like a Robeez, they will cost a bit more, but their wear time is longer — about 6 months. Less expensive loafer and sneaker styles tend to need to be replaced more often. But no matter which kicks your kids will strut in, getting the right fit is the biggest hurdle.
Dr. Leann Poston, a pediatrician at Invigor Medical in Kennewick, Washington, tells Best Products that there actually aren’t a ton of guidelines parents need to follow when looking for their baby’s first pairs of shoes. She says that first and foremost, “Parents should look for shoes that are well-fitting and flexible.” Alas, the stiff baby Jordans that my kids both wore before they became walkers would not fit into this category. They were adorable, though.
Poston says that the shoes “should not change the way the child walks and should only protect their feet from getting hurt.” Translation? Their shoes should fit well and keep their feet protected from danger but not inhibit the natural movement of their feet. As far as movement with fit goes, she notes that “Shoes should have a large enough toe box for their toes to move,” which means that you may need to test out a few pairs to see which fits best, but thankfully, most baby shoes have very adjustable fits that hug the feet.
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!
1
BEST BUDGET PICK
peggy piggy Baby Shoes
peggy piggy
If you’re looking for a great budget option, I have just the thing. These come in multiple colors, wash like a dream, and the bottom is flexible and sturdy. They’re a real win for the price.
2
AWARD-WINNING
Baby Girl’s Stevie II
See Kai Run
Apart from being just about the sweetest baby walking shoes on the planet, these were awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association. That’s a huge deal. My own kids loved See Kai Run and only lost them occasionally.
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3
BEST FOR CRUISERS
Stride Rite baby boys Soft Motion Kylin Sneaker
Stride Rite
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.
4
HIGHEST QUALITY
Ryder II FlexiRun Active Sneakers for Kids
See Kai Run
Now 10% off
$45 AT AMAZON$50 AT NORDSTROM$50 AT ZAPPOS
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. Plus, they’re so flexible and fashionable that you can easily pass these down to multiple children — they’re that good.
5
BOLD COLORS
Infant First Walkers Slip On Toddler Sneakers
montaas
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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6
SOFT SOLES
Special Occasion Soft Sole Slip-On
Robeez
$25 AT AMAZON$29 AT BED BATH AND BEYOND$25 AT MACY’S
For some reason, there’s 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 soft, durable leather bottom with a canvas upper material and elastic back and sides to give a better fit.
More: The Best Baby Products for All New Parents
7
BABY WATER SHOES
Baby Sneakers Tennis Shoes First Walker Shoes
BMCiTYBM
During beach and splash park season, babies are going to 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, and designed to let water flow through them without puddling. The insole is also made of quick-dry materials, preventing moldy, mildewy shoes.
8
BEST MACHINE-WASHABLE
Stride Rite Boy’s Theo First Walker Shoe
Stride Rite
Say it with me: “machine-washable.” I mean, what? Hello, and yes please! The sole is flexible, the top is washable, the strap adjusts wonderfully, and look at how cute they are. They’re like, business baby shoes.
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9
BEST 100% LEATHER
Lambskin Leather Soft Sole Shoes
Kimi & Kai
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.
10
CUTEST DESIGN
Baby Walking Shoes
Methee
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.