We all know from experience that regardless of a shoe's style, type, or material, what really makes them suit you will be their size. It doesn't matter how high-quality they may be - if they're not the right size, they can cause all kinds of problems ranging from blisters to hammertoes to ankle pain. It's the same for children. In fact, you'll need to take extra care to find the right-sized shoe for your toddler, as ill-fitting shoes can lead to even worse things such as bone and muscle problems when they grow up.

There are many sizing charts online that allow you to print them out and use them to measure your child's feet. However, if you don't have a printer, there are other methods as well. Simply place your child's foot on a piece of paper and draw a line behind their heel and in front of their big toe. Then measure the distance between the two lines using a ruler. You can then compare your measurements with sizing charts that can be found online.

In addition, there are some things you'll want to consider when looking for the right shoe size. It's a good idea to always leave around a 1/4" space in the toes to allow for extra room to wiggle and grow into. Also take into consideration the thickness of the socks your child might wear often with their shoes so that you can ensure there is enough room to accommodate that as well. Because toddlers can grow quickly, their feet should be measured every few months to ensure their shoes are still the right fit.

Unsurprisingly, one of the key aspects of a good water shoe is its resistance against water. Typical shoes will often retain water when wet, making them uncomfortable, heavy, and hard to dry. This can cause blistering, odor, and may even lead to mold growing on their shoes. But with water shoes, the material from which they are made renders them breathable and quick to dry.

Water shoes are generally made from synthetic fabrics or rubber, which are fabrics made using man-made fibers instead of natural fibers. When looked at under a microscope, it will appear like plastic spun into a fabric. Water shoes made of synthetic fabrics are lightweight, easy to dry, and easy to clean.  You can wear them in water, as they won't weigh you down, and you won't have to worry if they get covered in dirt, sand, or mud. However, one downside is that the manufacturing process of synthetic fabrics an sometimes cause harm to the environment, which renders them less eco-friendly than natural materials.

One common material in water shoes is neoprene, which is a synthetic rubber. The most outstanding benefit of neoprene shoes is their durability in a variety of different conditions. As the material is often used in protective gears, they offer protection against heat, chemical, and even ozone so that you can be sure that your toddler has maximum protection when out in the water. In addition, they are water resistant (which is obviously a must for all water shoes) and can provide great cushioning. They are also latex-free, so you won't have to worry about latex allergy in your toddler.

When doing activities such as fishing, kayaking,  or hiking on wet terrain, traction is crucial in ensuring safety for people of all ages. Not all shoes are suitable for slippery surfaces, and if you don't take care to choose the right pair, you may fall and cause serious injuries. It is especially easy for children to slip when they are still too young to be completely steady on their feet, and falling may lead to scrapes, sprained ankles, and lots of tears.

All water shoes are supposed to provide superb traction, as they are designed for use on slippery or wet terrain, and would ideally provide as much traction as on a high-quality hiking boot.  In order to know if a pair of water shoes will provide sufficient traction for your child, check the pattern and the depth of the grooves on soles of the shoe. Multi-directional lug patterns are great for traction, but as a general rule, the deeper the grooves,  the more likely it will provide good traction. Rubber outsoles are also crucial in providing traction. However, some toddler shoes or swim socks don't have a rubber outsole, and will instead have anti-skid dots that are effective in preventing slipping on smooth or wet surfaces. This keeps the shoe nice and light which is ideal when the feet are submerged underwater and will allow your toddler to move around freely. But keep in mind that these anti-skid dots provide much less protection compared to rubber outsoles, and likely won't be as effective at providing traction on surfaces such as rocky beaches.

Anyone who’s ever tried to help a toddler get dressed knows how hard a task this can be. Not only do they have an opinion on what’s appropriate footwear for what occasion, but they’ll often refuse to cooperate, which makes it so much harder to simply put on their sneakers and be out the door.

When shopping for any type of shoes for your little one, be it boots, sneakers or water sandals, you will want to get a model that’s easy to put on, and has been designed to make your life easier. This includes certain types of closures - you should always forego laces - but also stretch materials and pull tabs that make the job a bit less tiring.

The midsole is designed to provide cushioning and shock absorption to the shoe, nestling the foot in comfort. Whereas running shoes tend to have thick midsoles, flats and thinner shoes not designed for high-impact activities often have thinner midsoles.

The reason for this is simple: you need more shock absorption and vibration dampening during high-intensity movements or activities to maintain comfort and prevent foot injury than you otherwise would with a regular shoe, flat or sandal. Midsoles are often made from EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate), a synthetic plastic also used to make insertable orthotics. A firmer type of EVA for the midsole will make the shoe heavier, but more durable; whereas a softer type of EVA, like those found in running shoes, improve shock absorption, but wear much quicker.

Although the midsole tends to wear first before other parts of the shoe, your child will most likely outgrow them before they wear-out. For this reason, look for a shoe with a midsole that is most comfortable and appropriate for your child and their level and frequency of activities. For a highly-active child, look for a thicker midsole, to provide more cushioning throughout the day.