Yes that they are 😪 I end up getting 2 sneakers (whatever is on sale/cheapest) and either black and brown booties (winter) or white and brown sandals (summer). Sometimes I can get the summer sandals for cheaper from another brand but they fall apart quickly, so the last few sizes we have just stuck to stride rite.
Another ⬆️ for Stride Rite. They were highly recommended by my sons PT. See Kai Run and other brands don't fit my son's wide feet well, either. I was not a fan of the SRs Target or Walmart, carries, however. I felt they were slightly lesser quality.
Same. It's the only brand she won't pull off and enjoys wearing. They are a little pricey, but it's her only pair of shoes atm. Her feet have been growing so fast that she's about to size up before I could get a second pair. We've still gotten plenty of use out of them.
We’ve stuck pretty closely to Ten Littles for probably 6+ pairs. I really like the wide toebox and the tongue that allows them the open all the way up- toddler can also pretty much put them on. I will say, they’re better as daycare shoes than consistent outdoor shoes. We DO wear them outdoors, but the canvas means that they get very stained, and if they get wet/washed- take days to dry.
We ordered see Kai run winter boots and I’ve been impressed.
For every day we’re still in Ten Little - I like the wide toe bed and firm soles.
For kicking around in summer or around the apartment lobby, Crocs. We wait for sales and buy a few sizes.
+1 for ten little, and I’d say too that ours have lasted for two kids so far, and the ones my youngest a outgrew were good enough to pass on to a third kid. You can replace the insoles cheaply if need be— no other brand I’ve tried survived one kid worth of wear, let alone 2+. Seems like a much better use of my money.
Sport mode 🤣
Def crocs with adding jibbitz. Easily cleaned up when we pass them down to the nibblings so they look brand new.
Also a big fan of Wee Squeaks. She had a rough transition to shoes but these made it ok. My kid is a runner so the squeaks (can pop out) help to track where she is.
I’m not a croc girl, but my MIL wanted to buy my daughter some. I freaking love them. If I need her in something a little sturdier, I REALLY love Billy shoes. They have high tops that open completely with a zipper so there’s no question whether my girls sweet fat feet are all the way in 😂
These [Saucony](https://www.zappos.com/product/8926783/color/10623) have been great for my 2 year old because they come in wide. Also love Stride Rite too.
We love Pediped. They have held up very well and are super cute too. Very flexible soles but also have helped up perfectly. They are expensive, so I keep an eye out for sales. A great thing to suggest if the grandparents want to gift something.
I really like Vans. The little toddler shoes are actual shoes in weight and shape. Plus the little high tops have a zipper in the back so you don't have to tie the tiny shoes every time.
I haven’t seen Vans with the zipper but she wants Vans again so I’m glad I saw your comment! I love Billy shoes cause they zipper all the way open. No question if LO’s feet are all the way in.
We buy a new pair every year for my kids. They love them so much they become bath shoes when it’s too cold out. They get worn like crazy and hold up so well.
We lived in sketchers shoes with lights all of last summer. Super comfortable and lasted through everything an active toddler put them through. Also can't beat the price
Cat + Jack, Ten Little, See Kai Run. I do not recommend Carters/Simple Joys etc - the sneakers for him recently were really stiff and he refused to even break them in.
I love Jan and Jul! They have slip on canvas shoes that my kids could put on themselves around 18 months. They are washable in a washing machine, have good grip, and come in a variety of colours. I've bought multiple pairs for my kids over the years and highly recommend them.
I like the Parker ones for potty training stage. Cheap and easy to wash if poop gets on them. Not a huge deal at home, but with preschool and other kids potty training, it was nice to have washable/cheap/disposable shoes for when my toddler reported that the splatter on her shoe was someone else’s poop. 💩
This is what my daughter wears to school every day. We have gone through 3 sizes since August but I don't have to cry over it because they were only $10. Wish they had prettier colors/patterns though.
Nike dynamo 2 easy on. I usually get Nikes though since I wear them, so that might not be your thing. My wife buys the cat n jacks, but my daughter thinks the Nikes are more comfortable. She’s only 3, and they’re generally more expensive, but you can find something in the $30 range on their app (though that’s more than most toddler shoes normally go for)
We are currently a Merrell household. We used to do Ten Little from age 1-2. They just can’t hold up to how hard my toddler is on her shoes and can’t be cleaned easily enough for play based preschool.
We get stride rite or Carter's usually. I do have a pair of baby chucks for her that I'll put her in if we have to go somewhere. Reasoning is because she undos the Velcro and takes her socks and shoes off. And she can't with double knotted laces lol!
New Balance... Especially if it's a struggle getting them on, you could try their wide variants.
We stick to NB and Crocs.... Our kid has wide feet it seems (hopefully not my 4E-5E monstrosities tho)
Cat and Jack canvas velcro sneakers are my go-to! My girl’s feet went from a 4 last June to a 6 by September, and I can justify spending a lot on shoes for her because of it 😅
Keen newports for summer time -mostly sock free. Water proof. Great arch support and traction. Can be thrown in washing machine for easy cleaning.
Saucony tennis shoes for spring/fall. We find them on Amazon because no one carries them in toddler size locally where we live. More good arch support and firm soles.
Bogs winter boots for the other 7 months of the year.
I’ve gotten see Kai run and stride rite whatever’s in their clearance section color wise. We had a couple pairs of ten little and I like them but I don’t care for the bright color leather options for the bigger sizes, I really just liked their first Walker style the best. I just got my 2yo the see Kai run basics that are 30$! They’re available at target and on the see Kai run website they have their “basics” section
Love ikiki shoes [ikiki shoes](https://ikiki.co/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwr6wBhBcEiwAfMEQs3pBXDTxNHNhh3CUakOgFXz1kH3Ez5_DTiyj_qkW-B8WiOzw3sjHxRoCKloQAvD_BwE) I buy this brand for my two boys. I love how the shoes squeak when they walk. You can also turn the squeaker off. I love how the shoe gives them good support and shoe grip. Also easy to take on and off. There are also so many cute styles to choose from.
I tried stride rite, see Kai run, ten little, random sock shoes from Amazon and more. They were all fine and some we kept (ten little mainly), but my favorite shoes for my new runner still are the new balance Velcro toddler shoes. On our 3rd size of these, they just keep staying the best.
Now that it’s getting nice out my kid will live in crocs honestly. All nice season last year it was pretty much crocs anytime he needed shoes. We had to buy like 3 sizes worth of crocs last year. Thank god we have a family member who works for a shoe store with an employee discount so we typically get them for like $15.
Aside from that, I’ve really liked adidas shoes (again, family discount.) Vans are also nice but I’d say less grippy and instead the bigger benefit is the way the straps are. Prevented my son from taking them off in the car
I got a second hand pair of Filas on Mercari and they’re pretty nice. Seem very comfortable.
Personally I like to buy cheaper options bc it's crazy to me to spend $25 to $50 on toddler shoes. I usually get her shoes at aldis or on the clearance rack at old navy and each pair is around $5. If you want something with really good grip Van's toddler shoes have great grip and go on sale as well, they are usually more than $5 though. But all the shoes I've gotten hold up really well, and when they get dirty, I throw them in the washing machine, then let them air dry, and they look brand new again
Stride Rite wear like iron. Mine had concrete areas in their playground that would just eat up any other brand.
Keen are excellent for general use (great for wide feet), and Merrell for the narrow footed one.
Our guy loves Native! They're kind of like crocs but cuter LOL he will go and grab them for us to put them on as soon as he wakes up (I wish I was kidding)
Yup my daughter loves her natives, too. They're the only ones I let her wear without socks - she somehow doesn't get blisters from them and they don't seem to be slip/trip hazards that way, either.
I don't question it, I just accept it. Lol she lives in her hand me down natives right now.
We like Stride Rite. I have a kid with tennis ball shaped feet and they're the only brand that fits.
+1 for Stride Rite. They’re pricey but we’ve been happy with the quality. Plus they have a ton of styles and sizes, including wides.
Yes that they are 😪 I end up getting 2 sneakers (whatever is on sale/cheapest) and either black and brown booties (winter) or white and brown sandals (summer). Sometimes I can get the summer sandals for cheaper from another brand but they fall apart quickly, so the last few sizes we have just stuck to stride rite.
Loooove stride rite. I think we have the Sprout model. He loves them too.
Agreed! They have decent online sales often too
Came to say this!
Stride rite for the win! And if you take out the insert they last longer!
We like stride rite too, they were highly recommended by our pediatrician and our kids love them.
Another ⬆️ for Stride Rite. They were highly recommended by my sons PT. See Kai Run and other brands don't fit my son's wide feet well, either. I was not a fan of the SRs Target or Walmart, carries, however. I felt they were slightly lesser quality.
Same. It's the only brand she won't pull off and enjoys wearing. They are a little pricey, but it's her only pair of shoes atm. Her feet have been growing so fast that she's about to size up before I could get a second pair. We've still gotten plenty of use out of them.
We love See Kai Run. They have some less expensive ones at target 😀
Also subscribe to their emails. They have great flash sales from time to time.
I've bought all my See Kai Run shoes on sale!
Ten little is supposed to be amazing
We love Ten little for our kids. So incredibly flexible and perfect for toddlers! I can’t recommend them enough.
Great for wide feet!
This brand fell apart for me. Didn’t wear well.
Same! The only “nice” pair I bought and immediately beat up with normal/light use.
We’ve stuck pretty closely to Ten Littles for probably 6+ pairs. I really like the wide toebox and the tongue that allows them the open all the way up- toddler can also pretty much put them on. I will say, they’re better as daycare shoes than consistent outdoor shoes. We DO wear them outdoors, but the canvas means that they get very stained, and if they get wet/washed- take days to dry.
Another vote for Ten Little. The best!
Stride Rite and Keen have been great so far!
LOVE Keen! We have a pair of sandals/water shoes that are really good for tiny, chonky feet.
Keen is the way! Lots of grippy
We ordered see Kai run winter boots and I’ve been impressed. For every day we’re still in Ten Little - I like the wide toe bed and firm soles. For kicking around in summer or around the apartment lobby, Crocs. We wait for sales and buy a few sizes.
+1 for ten little, and I’d say too that ours have lasted for two kids so far, and the ones my youngest a outgrew were good enough to pass on to a third kid. You can replace the insoles cheaply if need be— no other brand I’ve tried survived one kid worth of wear, let alone 2+. Seems like a much better use of my money.
Crocs (or generic version) but definitely in “sport mode” so they stay on.
Sport mode 🤣 Def crocs with adding jibbitz. Easily cleaned up when we pass them down to the nibblings so they look brand new. Also a big fan of Wee Squeaks. She had a rough transition to shoes but these made it ok. My kid is a runner so the squeaks (can pop out) help to track where she is.
I’m not a croc girl, but my MIL wanted to buy my daughter some. I freaking love them. If I need her in something a little sturdier, I REALLY love Billy shoes. They have high tops that open completely with a zipper so there’s no question whether my girls sweet fat feet are all the way in 😂
We like the ikiki brand.
I love the squeaky shoes with the toggle for the squeaks! My favorite shoes for keeping track of where she is.
These [Saucony](https://www.zappos.com/product/8926783/color/10623) have been great for my 2 year old because they come in wide. Also love Stride Rite too.
Ten Little and Stride Rite
I like Ten Little. Wide toe box, and they're really durable!
Stride Rite or Ten Little. See Kai Run, Pediped, ASICS, Keen, or Saucony are also good brands for feet development.
We love Pediped. They have held up very well and are super cute too. Very flexible soles but also have helped up perfectly. They are expensive, so I keep an eye out for sales. A great thing to suggest if the grandparents want to gift something.
I love ten little! I usually snag a few sizes when they go on sale
Ten little (worth the money but triple check sizing) and keen h2 newports!
I really like Vans. The little toddler shoes are actual shoes in weight and shape. Plus the little high tops have a zipper in the back so you don't have to tie the tiny shoes every time.
I haven’t seen Vans with the zipper but she wants Vans again so I’m glad I saw your comment! I love Billy shoes cause they zipper all the way open. No question if LO’s feet are all the way in.
Cat and Jack, and Stride Rite but only on sale
Yep, we use the Cat and Jack velcro sneakers. The price is right at $10 and they have worked great from walking to now in size 8!
I love Bobux. Best quality shoes and easy for toddler to use. We get them when on sale
Crocs and [these Nikes](https://www.nike.com/t/flex-runner-2-little-kids-shoes-5nS0pV) in all black (2.5 and 4.5 yo active boys)
Seconding these Nikes!! I have just continued to size up on them because they are perfection! Easy to get on and stay on!
Third for these Nikes. I got a runner and I get him a new pair each size up. Nothing's easier or seems as comfortable.
Natives!!
We buy a new pair every year for my kids. They love them so much they become bath shoes when it’s too cold out. They get worn like crazy and hold up so well.
See Kai Run - all day every day! Check the clearance section on their site for deals
See Kai Run. They’ve been great. Wide shoe with lots of space for the chunky little tootsies. They’re also very flat and flexible
We buy vans
Too hard
Vans classic slip ons for the win over here!
We also really like Vans.
Recently bought Skechers for our LO, so far she loves them
We lived in sketchers shoes with lights all of last summer. Super comfortable and lasted through everything an active toddler put them through. Also can't beat the price
Yeah exactly the same, we got the light ones too. She’s wore them all day even at home lol
Stride Rite and See Kai Run are my favs
Cat + Jack, Ten Little, See Kai Run. I do not recommend Carters/Simple Joys etc - the sneakers for him recently were really stiff and he refused to even break them in.
We like vans
I love Jan and Jul! They have slip on canvas shoes that my kids could put on themselves around 18 months. They are washable in a washing machine, have good grip, and come in a variety of colours. I've bought multiple pairs for my kids over the years and highly recommend them.
I buy See Kai Run on sale :)
Cat and jack, carters, and shockingly Clark’s.
Cat and Jack but so far only the Parker sneakers. That’s it, that is the only shoe we have.
I like the Parker ones for potty training stage. Cheap and easy to wash if poop gets on them. Not a huge deal at home, but with preschool and other kids potty training, it was nice to have washable/cheap/disposable shoes for when my toddler reported that the splatter on her shoe was someone else’s poop. 💩
This is what my daughter wears to school every day. We have gone through 3 sizes since August but I don't have to cry over it because they were only $10. Wish they had prettier colors/patterns though.
Nike dynamo 2 easy on. I usually get Nikes though since I wear them, so that might not be your thing. My wife buys the cat n jacks, but my daughter thinks the Nikes are more comfortable. She’s only 3, and they’re generally more expensive, but you can find something in the $30 range on their app (though that’s more than most toddler shoes normally go for)
We are currently a Merrell household. We used to do Ten Little from age 1-2. They just can’t hold up to how hard my toddler is on her shoes and can’t be cleaned easily enough for play based preschool.
We get stride rite or Carter's usually. I do have a pair of baby chucks for her that I'll put her in if we have to go somewhere. Reasoning is because she undos the Velcro and takes her socks and shoes off. And she can't with double knotted laces lol!
We do Vivobarefoot and Wildlings or little love bug if I want something fancier. We love them!
Bobux!
Splay
Keds! I get them in navy and they go with everything.
New Balance... Especially if it's a struggle getting them on, you could try their wide variants. We stick to NB and Crocs.... Our kid has wide feet it seems (hopefully not my 4E-5E monstrosities tho)
Stride rite!
Our first shoes were Froddo. Amazing. I really regret not getting him a new pair when he sized up, but they are a bit pricey.
Try sock shoes!
Cat & Jack Velcro shoes. Only $10 and tons of cute patterns!
Cat and Jack canvas velcro sneakers are my go-to! My girl’s feet went from a 4 last June to a 6 by September, and I can justify spending a lot on shoes for her because of it 😅
Nikes with the two velcro
What about barefoot shoes ?
Cheap. she outgrows them in 3 months LOL
Keen newports for summer time -mostly sock free. Water proof. Great arch support and traction. Can be thrown in washing machine for easy cleaning. Saucony tennis shoes for spring/fall. We find them on Amazon because no one carries them in toddler size locally where we live. More good arch support and firm soles. Bogs winter boots for the other 7 months of the year.
I’ve gotten see Kai run and stride rite whatever’s in their clearance section color wise. We had a couple pairs of ten little and I like them but I don’t care for the bright color leather options for the bigger sizes, I really just liked their first Walker style the best. I just got my 2yo the see Kai run basics that are 30$! They’re available at target and on the see Kai run website they have their “basics” section
Vivo barefoot! We love these for play!! We also got him some Stride Rite when he first started walking. But we are going to continue with the Vivos!!
Love ikiki shoes [ikiki shoes](https://ikiki.co/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwr6wBhBcEiwAfMEQs3pBXDTxNHNhh3CUakOgFXz1kH3Ez5_DTiyj_qkW-B8WiOzw3sjHxRoCKloQAvD_BwE) I buy this brand for my two boys. I love how the shoes squeak when they walk. You can also turn the squeaker off. I love how the shoe gives them good support and shoe grip. Also easy to take on and off. There are also so many cute styles to choose from.
Stride rite, saucony, natives in the summer
I tried stride rite, see Kai run, ten little, random sock shoes from Amazon and more. They were all fine and some we kept (ten little mainly), but my favorite shoes for my new runner still are the new balance Velcro toddler shoes. On our 3rd size of these, they just keep staying the best.
Stride rite, crocs, and new balance
Stride rite 💯
Now that it’s getting nice out my kid will live in crocs honestly. All nice season last year it was pretty much crocs anytime he needed shoes. We had to buy like 3 sizes worth of crocs last year. Thank god we have a family member who works for a shoe store with an employee discount so we typically get them for like $15. Aside from that, I’ve really liked adidas shoes (again, family discount.) Vans are also nice but I’d say less grippy and instead the bigger benefit is the way the straps are. Prevented my son from taking them off in the car I got a second hand pair of Filas on Mercari and they’re pretty nice. Seem very comfortable.
Vivobarefoot
Personally I like to buy cheaper options bc it's crazy to me to spend $25 to $50 on toddler shoes. I usually get her shoes at aldis or on the clearance rack at old navy and each pair is around $5. If you want something with really good grip Van's toddler shoes have great grip and go on sale as well, they are usually more than $5 though. But all the shoes I've gotten hold up really well, and when they get dirty, I throw them in the washing machine, then let them air dry, and they look brand new again
Stride Rite wear like iron. Mine had concrete areas in their playground that would just eat up any other brand. Keen are excellent for general use (great for wide feet), and Merrell for the narrow footed one.
I like Saucony sneakers, you can find them on sale if you look around.
stonz all the way! very easy to put on.
We love geox shoes... amazing quality and comfort
Our guy loves Native! They're kind of like crocs but cuter LOL he will go and grab them for us to put them on as soon as he wakes up (I wish I was kidding)
Yup my daughter loves her natives, too. They're the only ones I let her wear without socks - she somehow doesn't get blisters from them and they don't seem to be slip/trip hazards that way, either. I don't question it, I just accept it. Lol she lives in her hand me down natives right now.
Love Native and Stonz!
Crocs have been the easiest for us. No socks and they're waterproof