Summer Shoes for Toddlers
There is so much pressure on buying the perfect shoe for your toddler. As a mom and a physical therapist, I fell into this trap too. It is important to support toddler feet the best we can because their little bones are developing until six years old! However, it is all about balance! So I’m here to lay it all out for you and answer your questions.
Is Barefoot Really Best?
Yes and no. For typically developing little feet, barefoot is often best to help the bones and cartilage develop uninterrupted. There are some little feet that need more support than others (over-pronation, calcaneal eversion, toe walking, etc), in which a more supportive shoe or even brace is necessary.
For most feet, we can encourage barefoot walking, but there are instances that require shoes. Often times, daycares will require shoes in toddler classrooms, and it is difficult to be outside barefoot when it is so hot! In this case, we can add a flexible-sole shoe!
What Does a PT-Approved Shoe Look Like?
I’d like to check most of these boxes when looking for a good summer shoe:
The entire sole is flexible, not just the toe box
Firm but flexible heel cup
Zero-drop (the heel should not be higher than the toe)
Straight shaft, not a huge curve in the shoe
Wide, especially in the toe box to allow toes to splay
If a sandal, close-toed to prevent slipping forward
My Favorites (With Links!)
My favorite budget-friendly sandal option-
My favorite summer sandal that can also be worn in the water-
**Please note the price and that people often resell these on Facebook Marketplace or Buy/Sell/Trade Groups!
Budget friendly water shoe-
My favorite budget-friendly sneaker-
**Available in multiple colors
My favorite splurge brands-
If we have the extra funds or these brands are running sales, my favorite splurges are:
Little Love Bug
Stride Rite- anything from the soft motion line
See Kai Run
Ten Little
Robeez
If you are the type of person who thrives from specific links, I have several of these on my Amazon Storefront .
*commissions earned
Do We Have to Use “Good” Shoes All The Time?
No! We get it, there are some REALLY cute and/or convenient options out there (for example: crocs, converse, adidas) that do not offer the best alignment and support. My rule at home is if we will be active for over a half hour, then we put a supportive shoe on. If we have school pictures, will be in the stroller a lot, or need the quick convenience, I will happily bend the rules and put on crocs. Again, it’s all about balance!
Final Thoughts
With a little bit of balance, we can find the right shoe for every kid! Let’s also normalize minimal pairs of shoes- your child doesn’t need 6 pairs of shoes that do the exact same thing. For this reason, we buy neutral colorways so that they can be passed down to the next child no matter the gender and match all of our outfits. This justifies paying a little bit more for a good shoe. Hopefully this guide can put your mind at ease and guide you to buying some great summer shoes!
Comments