Is there anything cuter than a baby’s feet? With their chubby ankles and tiny toes, it’s hard to resist tickling and kissing them. And while babies can happily go barefoot both in the crib and while learning to crawl and walk, there are times when you’ll want to cover them up with baby shoes.
Chilly air, cold floors, or trips outside call for baby shoes. And those cute little feet deserve the best baby shoes you can find.
Babies feet grow so fast!
But, buying baby shoes can be a bit challenging. For one thing, baby feet grow rapidly, and baby shoes don’t necessarily have the stretch and give that, say, a shirt would. That means looking for adjustable shoes or sizing up as your baby’s feet grow.
Since babies can’t tell you when their shoes are pinching, you’ll need to remember to feel the front ends of their shoes periodically to make sure that their little toes have enough wiggle room.
They also need shoes for different stages…
Another issue parents face with baby shoes is the changing ways in which babies use their feet. When infants are first born, the only real reason they need shoes is to keep their tiny feet warm. Many parents at this stage even opt for socks or bootie socks over baby shoes.
As babies get bigger, they usually begin holding their feet- or even putting them into their mouths, and start using them to roll over and push themselves around. At this point, parents will want soft shoes with strong closures, so curious and playful babies can’t pull their shoes off.
Crawling babies need shoes for traction…
Babies who are ready to crawl will need shoes that are very flexible and soft, so they can bend as babies use their feet for pushing. A bit of gripping on the sole will allow the baby to get some traction as they crawl. Babies who are ready for pulling up, cruising and walking, however, will need a shoe with real tread, which will help minimize slipping and falling.
What do I look for in a baby’s shoe?
No matter what your baby’s age, however, there are a few things that parents will always want to look for: value, wide availability, and attractiveness. We’ve sought out fashionable and low-cost shoes of high quality that are readily available through convenient online retailers like Amazon.
Parents also care about finding shoes that are easy to put on and keep on their baby’s feet, as well as shoes that are easy to clean. We’ve sought out shoes with quick but secure closures, like snaps, elastic, and velcro, and shoes that can be washed or wiped clean.
The 10 Best Baby Shoes
We’ve evaluated a large number of shoes on cost, availability, fashion, ease of use, and ease of care, and come up with the 10 Best Baby Shoes. Our ranking can help you find shoes that are affordable, practical, and (almost) as cute as your baby’s feet themselves.
1. AMSDAMA Baby Shoes Infant Anti-slip and Dirt-resistant Snow Booties Flats
Adorable, affordable, snug, convenient- the AMSDAMA Infant Adjustable boot easily tops our list of Best Shoes for Babies. These adorable baby shoes are available in no less than 23 different colors and styles, and range in size from 0 to 18 months.
We love the adorable animal designs, which include dog, fox, kitten, pig, bear, deer, sheep, owl, panda, elephant, raccoon, and more, as well as a selection of colored designs without animal faces. Most have a knitted surface, while a few have a fuzzy fleece surface.
About half the styles offered feature a velcro strap closure. This style is a very secure option for young walkers and allows parents to tighten the shoe to the exact size of a baby’s foot, a great option given how fast babies grow.
The rest of the AMSDAMA slippers have an elastic band closure that hugs the baby’s ankles. This style makes for faster putting on and taking off, but is less secure, making this style best suited for babies who are not yet ready for standing and walking.
All styles have a gripping rubber-dotted bottom surface, so early walkers won’t slip and slide as they stand or toddle around.
As a big bonus for parents, these cozy and cute slippers are fully machine washable, and keep their shape even after multiple trips through the laundry. Buyers agree on the quality of these baby shoes, awarding them a high Amazon customer average rating. The AMSDAMA baby shoes are a true bargain and are eligible for free Amazon Prime shipping.
what we love
- Selection of 28 different colors and styles available
- Adjustable straps allow you to fit them to baby’s individual foot size and shape
- Cozy lining keeps feet warm and won’t chafe
- Cute animal designs include fox, dog, kitten, owl, pig, bear, sheep, panda, elephant, raccoon, deer and more
- Machine washable
- More of a slipper than a sneaker, these shoes are best for early walkers
Score
- Cost: 94/100
- Ease of Use: 100/100
- Availability: 100/100
- Ease of Care: 100/100
- Fashion Score: 100/100
Overall score: 98.8/100
2. BirdRock Baby Lightweight Organic Cotton Baby Booties
If you’re looking for a more natural baby shoe that’s still cute, practical, and affordable, the BirdRock Baby Lightweight Organic Cotton Baby Booties are a perfect choice.
These baby shoes have some of the most fashionable patterns we’ve ever seen, with designs that are precious and whimsical but also chic and sophisticated. Patterns include choices that would work for a traditional boy or girl wardrobe, including flamingo, cactus, strawberry, surfboard, truck, bandit, and rainbow.
The design of the shoe itself is incredibly practical. The fabric is a lightweight organic cotton fleece, which is cozy but breathable and a good choice for Spring or Summer. The rubber texture pattern on the sole allows early walkers to stand and move around without slipping.
The best design feature on these baby shoes, however, is the closure, which has three snaps. That means curious and playful babies won’t be able to unsnap them and pull them off.
The San Diego-based BirdRock company is family owned and has highly reputable customer service. Better still, the company makes a donation for each baby shoe purchase to nonprofit Feed My Starving Children, which feeds a child in need for one day.
Helping the planet, helping kids in need and getting gorgeous baby shoes for a low price makes the BirdRock baby booties a real Best Baby Shoes winner. Real-world customers clearly agree that the shoes have earned high star average rating on Amazon, and are eligible for free Prime shipping.
what we love
- 21 charming styles available, with sizes from 1 months to toddler 7
- Adorable and chic stylish colors
- Organic cotton is better for the planet and a more natural choice for baby
- Every purchase supports a child in need through a nonprofit donation
- Machine washable, these baby shoes keep their softness, shape and color through multiple washings
- Three-snap closure means these shoes stay on even when babies try to pull them off
- Rubber dots on bottom of shoe keep them soft enough to be worn while resting in the crib, but still provide enough grip to prevent early walkers from falling
Score
- Cost: 80/100
- Ease of Use: 100/100
- Availability: 100/100
- Ease of Care: 100/100
- Fashion Score: 100/100
Overall score: 96/100
These look so cute and comfy! And, the best part is that Birdrock is committed to giving back… They donate a portion of proceeds to the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children organization!
3. HONGTEYA Baby Rubber Soled Prewalker and Toddler Shoes
These baby shoes are some of the most versatile on our Best Baby Shoes ranking and represent an excellent value as well. The HONGTEYA Baby Rubber Soled Prewalker and Toddler Shoes are available in four sizes and can fit infants as well as toddlers ranging in age from 0-24 months.
They are sturdy enough for babies who are learning to stand and to walk. The shoes themselves are made from genuine leather, and the soles are a combination of soft leather edges and a two-part rubber sole with added texture for gripping.
The closure on these shoes is a real plus- a velcro strap keeps them in place, and can be easily and quickly put on. Any parent who has struggled to get shoes onto their squirming baby will appreciate the convenience this adds, though snaps may be a better choice for those little ones who are prone to pulling their shoes off. Velcro also allows parents to slightly adjust the tightness of the shoe through the placement of the tabs when closing.
Nine styles and colors are available, including an adorable fox face in red, black or pink, as well as versatile solid colors. The black, brown, and gold colors, in particular, are excellent neutral shades that can pair well with any baby outfit. The leather upper surface is sealed so it wipes clean, though the sole has a suede-like surface, and may absorb stains, though this area is out of sight, so the overall look of the shoe wouldn’t be affected.
These infant shoes are priced at an excellent value for an attractive leather shoe.
what we love
- Great traction on this gripping sole
- Easy closure with velcro strap across the top of the foot
- Cute fox design as well as more neutral solid color options
- Wide range of sizes
- Soft enough for pre-walkers but sturdy enough for early walkers
- Great value in materials- genuine leather shoes, with free shipping
- Upper leather area wipes clean
Score
- Cost: 82/100
- Ease of Use: 100/100
- Availability: 100/100
- Ease of Care: 95/100
- Fashion Score: 100/100
Overall score: 95.4/100
4. HsdsBebe Baby Boys & Girls Leather Hard Bottom Walking Sneakers
We love baby shoes with animal faces on them! This baby shoe style is popular for a reason- adults love how adorable they look, and they appeal to kids because they look like the toy stuffed animals little ones love.
Amid the many animal face baby shoes out there, the HSDSBEBE Animal Baby Walking Sneakers stand out for their cheap price, adorable design, and ease of care.
The HSDSBEBE Animal Baby Walking Sneakers are soft throughout, and the flexible soles have non-skid silicon texturing to prevent little early walkers from slipping and falling. These soft-soled shoes are best for indoor use, and can even be worn while resting in the crib.
There are three sizes offered, ranging from 0 to 18 months old, making this an excellent choice for the smallest infants. Be sure to check out all of the cute animal designs and colors; providing many choices for boys or girls.
These cute and practical infant shoes are also a bargain. They are reasonably priced and are also eligible for fast, free shipping through Amazon Prime.
what we love
- Cheap baby shoes, free shipping through Amazon Prime
- Many cute animal designs and colors
- Shoe designs are gender-neutral, so they can be shared or passed on to other babies regardless of gender
- Soft soles promote natural foot movement and walking development
- Silicon texture on soles prevents sliding and slipping
Score
- Cost: 86/100
- Ease of Use: 90/100
- Availability: 100/100
- Ease of Care: 100/100
- Fashion Score: 100/100
Overall score: 95.2/100
How cute are these? Cartoon characters on their feet… and the silicon texture on the bottom make them slip-resistant!
5. BirdRock Baby Moccasins
Another baby shoes from BirdRock makes our top five in Best Baby Shoes, thanks to this company’s commitment to quality and thoughtful design.
These baby shoes are moccasins and are more sturdy than the Birdrock Booties listed above. The baby moccasins have the traditional soft soles and side and top fringe of a classic moccasin and are individually crafted from high-quality genuine leather. That means they will hold their shape well over time, and wipe clean (unlike suede, for instance).
There are 30+ styles to choose from, one of the widest selections of any baby shoe we’ve seen, so there’s something for every style in stock. The choices include solid colors for easy matching with outfits, and eye-popping patterns like metallic gold skulls, leopard print, mermaids, and American flag designs.
The moccasins have an elastic band for closure that’s tight enough to stay on well through walking and running. Birdrock’s moccasins are best for older babies and toddlers, as they are sturdy enough to withstand walking and wear. They are offered in six sizes, from 2 M through 9.5 M, meaning they won’t fit small babies.
These are some of the most expensive shoes on our Best baby Shoes list, but represent a truly excellent value in light of their incredible style and quality. Customers agree… reviews on Amazon have yielded a high star rating.
As with the booties listed above, each BirdRock baby moccasin purchase feeds a child in need for one day through the company’s nonprofit partner, Feed My Starving Children. Shipping is fast and free, too, with Amazon Prime, and the company offers a lifetime warranty.
what we love
- 30+ attractive styles to choose from, with solid colors, patterns, metallic, two-tone, animal prints, boy, girl, and unisex options
- Wide size range, 2 M through 9.5 M
- Each purchase feeds a needy child for a day through a donation to nonprofit company partner
- Soft shoes are extremely comfortable
- Tight elastic band keeps shoes on while running and toddling around
- Top-quality leather makes shoes last
- Lifetime warranty offered
Score
- Cost: 76/100
- Ease of Use: 100/100
- Availability: 100/100
- Ease of Care: 90/100
- Fashion Score: 100/100
Overall score: 93.2/100
6. Luvable Friends Baby Unisex Fleece Scooties
The Luvable Friends Baby Unisex Fleece Scooties has won the coveted status of Amazon’s top pick in infant shoes and has an impressive 5,500+ customer reviews. Buyers give this infant bootie a high star rating on Amazon and reviews frequently praise its softness and warmth.
The Luvable Friends Baby Unisex Fleece Scooties come in nine solid colors and are made from 100% polyester fleece, which is warm yet lightweight. The ankles feature a tab on the back to help pull them on and close with a wide velcro tab that allows for some degree of control over how tight they are.
The bottom of these infant shoes has rubber dots in the front and back, which adds a bit of grip, though not enough to make little walkers truly steady on their feet. The overall softness and lack of a true sole make these booties ideal for little infants.
Buyers consistently say this infant shoe is very soft and warm, and is well-suited for keeping babies feet warm in winter. Sizes range from 0-18 months, and the shoes can be worn with or without socks. Cleaning is incredibly easy; the shoes are machine washable and can even go through the dryer with no damage.
These are the cheapest shoes on our entire list of Best Shoes for Babies, and they’re even eligible for free shipping on Amazon with Prime membership.
what we love
- These are the cheapest baby shoes on our Best Baby Shoes list
- Free and fast shipping on Amazon with a Prime membership
- Reputable product, with over 5,000 customer reviews and a very high star rating
- Warm fleece material
- Machine washable and dryer safe
- Unisex styles in solid colors mean they can be used regardless of baby’s style, outfit, or gender
Score
- Cost: 96/100
- Ease of Use: 100/100
- Availability: 90/100
- Ease of Care: 100/100
- Fashion Score: 80/100
Overall score: 93.2/100
Keep those cute baby toes warm with the Luvable Friends Baby Unisex Fleece Scooties
7. Delebao Soft Infant Bowknot Shoes
If you’re looking for inexpensive and attractive baby girl shoes, the Delebao Soft Infant Bowknot Shoes are perfect. The style is a more fancy twist on a regular moccasin, with a fringe topped by an oversize box.
There are a full 24 colors to choose from, including bright shades like red and pink, neutral colors like white, black, and coffee, and flashy styles like metallic and two-toned shoes. That makes these a great go-to for a special occasion, such as a christening, first birthday, or a baby photoshoot.
This baby shoe is made from artificial leather, which does not last as long as genuine leather, but will be appreciated by those who wish to avoid animal products. The shoes slip on, making it fast and convenient for parents to get their babies dressed, though little ones will also find them easier to pull off than shoes with a closure strap.
The medium-soft construction means these shoes are great for babies who are crawling and pulling up but not yet walking, since they offer some support while still being soft and flexible.
The Delebao Soft Infant Bowknot Shoes are tied for cheapest infant shoes in our entire ranking of Best Baby Shoes. Amazon Prime members will get free and fast shipping as well. This product has earned the designation of #1 Bestseller from Amazon for Baby Girl Shoes and boasts thousands of satisfied customer reviews.
what we love
- Free shipping for Prime members
- 2,000+ customer reviews and high star rating means this is a reliable product
- 24 styles to choose from
- Attractive design and bow styling make this a fashionable shoe that would be good for formal occasions or baby photos
Score
- Cost: 94/100
- Ease of Use: 100/100
- Availability: 90/100
- Ease of Care: 80/100
- Fashion Score: 100/100
Overall score: 92.8/100
8. BMCiTYBM Toddler Winter Snow Boots
Dressing kids in the winter months can be a real challenge, and babies’ hands and feet are especially vulnerable to chilly temperatures. It’s easy to find soft fleece booties, but there are fewer options for true boots to older babies that can withstand really cold temperatures and are built for walking outdoors.
The BMCiTYBM Toddler Winter Snow Boots not only fit the bill but are attractive and well-designed, too. The inside of the BMCiTYBM Toddler Winter Snow Boots is lined with soft fake fur that keeps little toes truly warm and cozy. The outside is made of a rugged material that locks out the cold, and several of the styles are even waterproof, making cleaning easy and keeping feet dry whatever the weather.
The closure features a plastic slider and elastic laces. This allows parents to tighten the shoe to the exact right size for their baby, and to adjust it to accommodate thick socks or growing feet as needed. The rubber sole has some of the best anti-skid we’ve seen, with several different tread textures to keep kids upright even on a slick, icy, or wet surface.
The BMCiTYBM Toddler Winter Snow Boots are priced the highest on our list but still a great value considering their solid construction and high-quality materials. Prime members can save with free shipping when purchasing through Amazon.
what we love
- Attractive rugged styling, especially for a winter boot
- Closure features slider and elastic, making these both fast to put on and difficult for kids to slip off their feet on their own
- Adjustable laces means these can be tightened to the exact size of baby’s feet
- Very warm materials make these perfect for winter and really cold climates
- Strong rubber sole has several different areas of tread for maximum anti-slip gripping, great for icy sidewalks
- Fake fur lining is very soft and cozy, while outside is rugged and waterproof
Score
- Cost: 72/100
- Ease of Use: 100/100
- Availability: 100/100
- Ease of Care: 95/100
- Fashion Score: 95/100
Overall score: 92.4/100
SNOW DAY! Yes… These are perfect for playing in the snow and enjoying the day! They come in cool colors, too!
9. adidas Kids’ Vl Court 2.0 CMF Skate ShoeS
From a trusted name in footwear, the adidas Kids’ Vl Court 2.0 CMF Skate Shoe displays quality workmanship through and through.
With sizes suitable for ages one to four years old, this shoe is on the pricer side for a kid’s shoe; however, is well worth it due to its durability factor. This comfortable shoe is designed with little feet on-the-go in mind making it perfect for indoor or outdoor play.
The rubber soles resist slips and falls, and the upper synthetic leather is excellent quality. The rubber cupsole adds to the comfort and stability of this shoe. With its hook and loop closure, little hands can easily take them on and off. The three-stripe design is a classic and stylish look that goes with every outfit.
Designed for either girls or boys, parents who remember the adidas brand know they are purchasing a quality product. Product reviews rate them a 4.8 out of 5 stars citing “perfect sizing” and the “cuteness factor” as reasons to buy this pair of shoes for your little one.
what we love
- A variety of sizes
- Easy on and off with hook and loop closure
- Quality construction
- From a trusted name in footwear
- Looks great on boys or girls
Score
- Cost: 95/100
- Ease of Use: 100/100
- Availability: 100/100
- Ease of Care: 95/100
- Fashion Score: 95/100
Overall score: 97/100
10. Meckior First Walkers
Meckior First Walkers have earned the distinction of “Amazon’s Choice” in baby shoes, a status the company gives to the product that’s most highly rated, well-priced in its category, and which is available to ship immediately.
These cute baby sneakers have earned a high star rating on Amazon, based on 500+ customer reviews. The price is right as well; these baby shoes aren’t expensive at all and are eligible for free shipping.
The Meckior First Walkers are styled like a classic Converse high-top, right down to the black edging on the sole and star on the ankle. There are other styles available as well, including a sophisticated faux leather and cool retro skateboarder style checkered designs with wave details. There are a full 18 colors and styles to choose from, so it’s easy to match any baby’s wardrobe, gender, or style.
The Meckior First Walkers come in three sizes, and can fit babies from 0 months to 18 months. They close with laces, which completes the retro sneaker look and allows parents to control tightness, but does make putting them on more time consuming.
The soft soles make them flexible and comfortable, but are not thick enough for extended outdoor wear, as the soft sole won’t provide a lot of protection against bumpy ground. That makes these soft and cozy shoes a good choice for indoor play, especially for new walkers who will be getting up and down frequently, and will benefit from a very flexible shoe.
what we love
- Wide range of cute, casual and funky styles
- Low price, plus free shipping
- Tabs on back of shoe make these easy to pull on
- Available in three sizes to fit 0-18 months
Score
- Cost: 90/100
- Ease of Use: 90/100
- Availability: 100/100
- Ease of Care: 90/100
- Fashion Score: 90/100
Overall score: 92/100
These little high-top boy’s first walking shoes are perfect for indoor activities. They come in several colors to choose from!
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