7 Best Shoes For Toddlers And Kids (2026)
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Weโve personally researched and reviewed the best toddler and kid shoes on the market, focusing on how they support growing feet. These are our picks based on fit, flexibility, comfort, durability, and brand ethics.
Little feet are constantly growing and developing, so shoes should give toes room to move, allow the foot to flex naturally, and feel comfortable enough for everything from the school playground to an afternoon at the park. And because kids can outgrow a pair long before they wear it out, toddler and kid shoes need to be well made and designed to hold up to everyday wear.
Thankfully, more kidsโ footwear brands are taking a thoughtful approach to outfitting growing feet. From wider toe boxes and flexible soles to barefoot-inspired designs and natural and recycled materials, these are the brands we rely on in our own families for both foot development and comfort. Many of these shoe brands are also making strides toward more responsible manufacturing, using lower-impact materials and production practices that are kinder to the planet. There are even PFAS-free kids’ shoe brands on this list!
Our methodology & criteria:
We evaluated each brand featured in this guide against The Good Tradeโs standards for foot health, quality, sustainability, and everyday wearability. Because childrenโs feet develop quickly, we paid particular attention to how each shoe fits and moves with the foot, along with materials, construction, and durability.
- FOOT HEALTH, FIT & COMFORT | Growing feet need room to move and develop. We looked for shoes with thoughtful proportions, ample room for the toes, comfortable uppers, and designs that donโt unnecessarily restrict natural movement. We also considered flexibility, weight, cushioning, adjustability, and how easy each pair is to put on and wear.
- FLEXIBILITY & FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT | Childrenโs feet are naturally flexible, and shoes shouldnโt work against that. We considered how easily soles bend and whether each shoe allows kids to walk, run, climb, and play without feeling overly stiff or restrictive. For barefoot-style shoes, we also looked at features like thin, flexible soles and foot-shaped designs.
- SUSTAINABILITY | We looked for shoes made with lower-impact materials, including natural, organic, recycled, and responsibly sourced materials, as well as brands that prioritize ethical and transparent manufacturing practices.
- DURABILITY & LONGEVITY | Kids put their shoes through a lot, so we looked for pairs that can keep up. We considered materials, construction, and how well each shoe holds up to everyday wear, as well as whether it can be passed down, resold, repaired, or otherwise kept in use longer.
- STYLE | Foot health doesnโt have to mean boring shoes. We selected brands with thoughtful, versatile designs that kids will actually want to wear, from everyday sneakers and sandals to more polished options for school and special occasions.
Ultimately, the best kidsโ shoe fits well, lets little feet move naturally, and can keep up with the child wearing it. Sustainability matters, too, but a thoughtfully made shoe only has a lower impact if itโs comfortable enough to get plenty of wear. These are the brands weโd turn to when shopping for better shoes for growing feet.
Looking for kids’ clothing? These are the best organic kids’ clothing brands, tested by our editors.
1. Ten Little
Best For | Developmentally supportive shoes for growing feet
Materials | Natural rubber outsoles, 100% cotton lining, high-quality vegan uppers, and recycled materials in select styles
Sizes | 0โ18M, sizes 3โ13, and select styles through 4Y
Ten Little takes a thoughtful approach to childrenโs footwear from those very first steps through the preschool and elementary years. The brand offers a curated collection of podiatrist-backed shoes for babies, toddlers, and kids, including sneakers, sandals, boots, and more, with features designed around the way little feet grow and move. Thereโs even a personalized sizing platform that can remind parents when it may be time to size up, plus a text-to-order option that makes replacing outgrown shoes one less thing to remember.
The shoes are equally thoughtful in practice. Ten Little’s sneakers have wide, foot-shaped toe boxes, flexible zero-drop soles, grippy rubber outsoles, and easy-to-use closures that encourage little ones to get dressed themselves. The sandals have become a summer favorite for our editors’ children since the closed-toe Everyday Sandals are water-friendly yet offer more coverage than traditional open-toe sandals. From first walkers to bigger kids, Ten Little makes shoes designed with growing feet (and the parents trying to keep up with them) in mind!
2. Rothys
Best For | Machine washable kids’ shoes
Materials | Rothyโs signature thread, spun from recycled plastic bottles
Sizes | 8-3
Rothyโs has made a name for itself with washable shoes made with recycled materials, and its 2026 kidsโ collection feels especially well suited to back-to-school dressing. The collection goes beyond the usual sneaker rotation, with Mary Janes, loafers, clogs, sandals, and slip-on sneakers in classic neutrals and playful patterns. What we love most: Many styles are lace-free, making them easy for kids to get on and off themselves.
But the best part! Every Rothyโs kidsโ shoe is machine washable, with removable insoles that can be washed and air-dried alongside them. Plush footbeds and durable rubber outsoles are designed for long school days, recess, playdates, and weekends, while the Mary Janes and loafers can easily pull double duty for everyday outfits and dressier occasions. Itโs a thoughtful collection for parents who want kidsโ shoes that can keep up with the school year without sacrificing a little personality.
3. Native Shoes
Best For | Playful, lightweight kids’ shoes
Materials | Bio-based EVA (Sugarlite), sugarcane-derived resin, rubber on select styles
Sizes | 4-10 (little kid), 11-6 (big kid)
Native Shoes is loved by the editors on our team for making kidsโ shoes that are fun, practical, andโmost importantlyโeasy to get on and clean! While the brand is best known for its Jefferson sneaker, its current kidsโ collection includes sandals, slip-ons, clogs, and sneakers in a huge range of bright colors and playful prints. Many styles are made with Sugarlite, Nativeโs proprietary EVA blend that incorporates sugarcane-derived resin and is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with traditional EVA. The shoes are also lightweight, hand-washable, odor-resistant, and water-friendly, making them ideal for summer adventures.
4. Reima
Best For | PFAS-free kids’ shoes
Materials | Recycled materials, natural rubber, EVA, and ReimaTec waterproof materials
Sizes | 3.5/4Tโ7Y, depending on style
Reima is one of our favorite kids’ shoe brands for truly nontoxic footwear. The Finnish company says kidsโ well-being comes first, which means its footwear is made without added PFAS, PVC, or heavy metals. That commitment is especially meaningful in waterproof shoes, where PFAS have historically been used to create water and stain resistance. Instead, the brand uses its ReimaTec waterproof technology and other materials designed to keep little feet dry without added PFAS or other harmful chemicals.
The shoe collection itself covers everything from everyday sneakers and flexible barefoot shoes to rain boots, hiking shoes, and insulated winter boots. Its barefoot styles are great for growing feet, with wide toe boxes, zero-drop soles, and thin, flexible construction that allows natural movement. Several of these styles have also earned the American Podiatric Medical Associationโs Seal of Acceptance.
5. Vivobarefoot
Best For | Kids barefoot shoes
Materials | Recycled and synthetic materials, natural leather, and rubber, depending on style
Sizes | US 3โ8 toddlers, 9โ11.5 preschool, 12โ3 kids, and 4โ7 juniors
Rather than molding a childโs foot to the shape of a conventional shoe, Vivobarefoot (a B Corp) wants the shoe to get out of the way. The brand’s kidsโ shoes feature wide, foot-shaped uppers, thin, flexible soles, and zero-drop construction, giving growing feet room to spread, flex, and move naturally. The brand makes barefoot shoes for every stage, from easy-on toddler styles to school shoes, everyday sneakers, hiking shoes, and boots for bigger kids. The soles are thin enough to provide ground feel while still protecting little feet, and the roomy toe boxes let toes move rather than get squeezed togetherโall of which is ideal for developing strength, flexibility, balance, and sensory feedback.
The current 2026 collection includes school-friendly sneakers and boots alongside trail shoes and everyday trainers, so barefoot footwear doesnโt have to mean sacrificing style or practicality. For parents looking for shoes that let kids move more naturally, Vivobarefoot is one of the most comprehensive options out there. We’re big fans!
6. Tevas
Best For | Kids’ sandals
Materials | Recycled REPREVEยฎ polyester, EVA foam, recycled nylon, rubber
Sizes | Toddler 4Tโ13 and Big Kids 1โ7, depending on style
Teva has been a go-to for outdoor sandals for decades, and its kidsโ collection brings the same easy, durable designs to little feet. The collection includes classic adventure sandals, water-friendly styles, sneakers, and the slightly elevated Midform Universal, with plenty of options for playground days, summer camp, beach trips, and everything in between. Adjustable hook-and-loop straps make for an easy, secure fit, while cushioned EVA footbeds and grippy rubber outsoles keep them comfortable on the move. We also appreciate the thought Teva puts into its materials. Select styles use recycled REPREVEยฎ polyester in the straps and recycled nylon, alongside EVA and rubber for cushioning and traction. These are shoes that can handle a little dirt, water, and general kid chaos!
7. Veja Kids
Best For | Classic, everyday kids’ sneakers
Materials | Leather, organic leather, organic cotton and fabrics, vegan materials, mesh, and suede
Sizes | 0โ6M through 7Y, depending on the style
We love VEJA for bringing together ecological materials, social initiatives, and greater supply-chain transparencyโour editors have personally vetted the brand’s adult sneaker collection, and it’s one of our faves! The kidsโ sneaker line brings the same recognizable, minimalist designs to little feet, with everything from soft baby shoes and elastic-laced sneakers to classic styles like the Esplar, V-10, and V-90. As for materials, Veja kids sneakers are made with organic leather, organic cotton, and recycled or vegan materials, depending on the style, alongside the brandโs signature rubber soles. They also offer plenty of practical options for everyday wear, including elastic laces and strap closures for younger kids. The result is footwear that works with school uniforms and play clothes as well as slightly more dressed-up outfits.
