Kids have different sneaker needs than adults. When we look, say, for the best walking shoes for women, we have to consider adult problems like flat feet, bunions and work that has us on our feet all day. But kids are different. They don’t need fancy arch support (flat feet are normal for babies and toddlers and kids up to age 6) and kids rarely stand for hours; they’re good at sitting when they need to rest. A good walking shoe for your child just needs to be comfortable, easy to put on, stylish enough for your kid and affordable.
1 Best Overall
Nike Star Runners
Our Lab pros and parent testers alike trust Nike for kids’ shoes, including these Star Runners, which the brand touts for track practice and other kids’ athletics in addition to walking and racing around the playground. “Nikes are definitely a splurge, but I’m willing to spend on these sneakers because my kids wear them literally every day,” says Lexie Sachs, Executive Director, Strategy & Operations, a mom of two and a frequent Disney World traveler. Her kids have walked miles in the parks in them!
Sizes: Little Kid 2 to Youth 7
2 Best Value
All In Motion Kids’ Harley
The laces on this Target-brand sneaker are just for show. These are easy, slip-on walking shoes for under $35 that help your child quickly get ready and out the door. “My kid insists on slip-ons because velcro is cringe and laces are too much work,” a tester told us.
Sizes: Little Kid 13 to Youth 6
3 Best All-Weather
Adidas Terrex
Adidas considers these hiking shoes appropriate for terrain as rough as trails or as simple as concrete playgrounds. Parents told us they rely on these as their kids’ everyday sneakers — one mom even shared a screenshot of her nine Amazon orders for this same shoe over the past six years.
Sizes: Little Kid 1 to Youth 7
4 Best for Hiking
Merrell Trail Chaser
Merrell makes slip-resistant, strong outdoor walking shoes that are durable over time andgood for all terrain from hiking trails to Disney parks. “My 8-year-old daughter loves these and they hold up really well. She grows out of them before they break or wear out,” a parent told us.
There’s a hook-and-loop closure at the top of the laces. These range in sizes from babies to big kids and there is a pink version and a classic dark brown and orange design.
Sizes: Little Kid 1.5 to Youth 7
5 Best Lightweight
New Balance Arishi Fresh Foam
Several parents told us that New Balance is their default choice, having tried other brands and realized that these, with their light weight but thick cushioning, work best for their fast-growing, fast-moving kids. The largely mesh upper make these more breathable than other kids’ walking shoes.
Sizes: Youth 3.5 to 7
6 Best for Big Kids
HOKA Mach 6
Our Textiles Lab has extensively tested the best HOKA shoes for runners and adults who work out. They’ve come to trust the ones for children, too, built to be “a lighter shoe, better suited to kids,” said Emma Seymour, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst.
The Mach 6 comes in seven color styles including black and pink. The brand says they are built with thicker outsoles than the adults versions for extra durability. (Kids are hard on their sneakers!) These are expensive for kids’ sneakers, but they’re sized for bigger kids who don’t grow as rapidly as preschoolers.
Sizes: Youth 3.5 to 7
7 Best for Little Kids
Ten Little Everyday Original
Sachs used these when her kids were younger. “I loved how they looked more elevated than an athletic sneaker, but they were great for a young walker,” she said. Ten Little has earned the APMA Seal of Approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association.
The Everyday Original is made with a faux leather upper, cotton lining and rubber soles. It comes in 11 colors including two shades of pink, black, white and a metallic silver. This brand received one of our previous Parenting Awards for their First Walkers, which are for toddlers wearing Little Kid sizes 3 to 6.
Sizes: Little Kid 4 to 13
8 Best for Toddlers
Stonz Cruiser
These are featured in our most recent Parenting Awards where we said that they check all the boxes for top-notch toddler footwear: a wide opening, flexible soles, breathable (and washable) fabric and spacious footbeds. The sole is extra thick for durability.
In testing, families reported that their toddlers were able to get Stonz Cruisers on and off by themselves with the easy hook-and-loop closures. On Amazon they come in navy, black, beige and pink.
Sizes: Little Kid 6 to 11
9 Best for Babies
Nike Swoosh 1
Our Lab pros and home testers liked these shoes for new walkers so much, we gave these one of our most recent Parenting Awards as well. They seem to mimic the feeling of walking barefoot, and the Swoosh 1 has a wide toe box to allow for natural flexing of the toes while babies learn to stand, cruise and take first steps.
Sizes: Little Kid 3 to 7
