There are a few other factors that come into play when considering a toddler shoe’s ability to provide one with what they need in terms of comfort. It was important to pay attention to things such as the number of overlays and the flexibility of the overall shoe. The fewer overlays in the design of a shoe, the more likely it is that that the shoe provides one with a higher level of comfort while actually in use. On top of this, there are also several other features of these shoes which must be taken into account when considering the shoe’s ability to provide one with any level of comfort while in use.

Breathability: Circulation of air is something that must actually be taken into account when considering the design of the shoe itself. No one likes to walk around in a pair of shoes that effectively stifle the foot and result in the shoes feeling like moving saunas; it’s incredibly uncomfortable. On top of this, the design of the toddler shoes should typically be able to provide one with a level of moisture wicking during use. This is another aspect that increases in importance as the shoe is being used.

Responsiveness: Another aspect that is incredibly important when looking at the design of the shoe is the level of responsiveness that the sole unit of the shoe in particular provides. For instance, the design of the shoe must be able to provide one with what they need in regards to responsiveness and comfort during use. Responsiveness typically stems from the materials’ ability to redirect the wearers own energy during use. This redirection of energy typically results from the type of cushioning found in the sole unit of the shoe; the placement of the rubber also tends to play a major part in this quality.

Durability does not really come into play with shoes until they really begin walking and running around. When they are playing in a playground or spending more than a couple hours a day in a pair of shoes they should be able to stay in good condition and properly protect your child’s feet. When determining which materials will suit your child and their lifestyle best you must first think about their feet and the support they need.

Materials like soft leather and cloth are best for young feet, they provide protection while still being stretchy and flexible enough to allow for proper foot growth and movement. Anything stiff for a young child can have negative effects on the development of their feet. Avoid stiff leather, which can hinder foot development, and synthetics, which don't breathe.

A good breathable material is a must for your child’s growing, active feet. They should feel comfortable and airy throughout the day, not hot and sweaty in a pair of toddler shoes. If the material is breathable, moisture will be wicked away and feet will be left dry and comfortable. The importance of breathable shoes, especially for a young child is high, not only for comfort reasons, but sweat can have a lot of negative effects on not only their pair of shoes but their feet as well. The first part of the shoe that will be negatively affected is the insole; when a foot is kept hot and sweaty inside a tight shoe all day, it creates a perfect home for bacteria to grow. This will quickly lead to foot odor and irritated itchy feet. it is essential to prevent that from happening, and the easiest way to do that is to ensure socks are being worn at all times - which create a barrier, and if possible the insoles are removable and being washed frequently.

You never want to worry about your child slipping and falling while running around so buying a pair of shoes with a solid outsole is very important. A thick rubber sole is not really necessary at this stage, however, grooves or rubber non-skid soles will help your baby walk proficiently and give them great traction on all surfaces. Whether they are walking around the house on slippery kitchen tiles or trotting along down the concrete sidewalk. Having peace of mind knowing they can feel the ground beneath them and have a good grip in their shoes is what matters most. You do want to keep the weather in mind, and what shoes other than rain boots have a sole that can withstand wet ground.

Rain boots are always the easiest go-to, to slip on your toddler's feet when the weather is gross and you need to run out the door. Although they are the easiest option they are not always the most comfortable. Rain boots can be difficult for first-time walkers to comfortably walk in, due to their lack of support and often clunky shape and size. You don’t want a nice pair of running shoes to get ruined, and you want their feet to stay dry, so what are some other options when it comes to wet weather.

When looking for waterproof shoes the most common material used is synthetic. Synthetic shoes will be at least water-resistant and can get damp without being damaged, which is great for light time spent outdoors in rain. Most shoes can be made at least water-resistant with the help of sprays. Canvas and leather are great options to spray because they not only are easy to make water-resistant but are very easy to clean. Canvas can almost always be tossed in the washing machine, and leather takes nothing more than a damp cloth to wipe away dirt and spills.

As soon as your child begins walking, they are going to be in need of a couple of well-fitted pairs of shoes. From sandals, formal shoes, and plain runners - it is important to have a pair that feels comfortable and encourages your child to want to walk. The shoe should be snug but should be roomy enough to fit your pinky between their heel and the back of the shoe.

Children's feet grow very quickly, so any pair of shoes they have should offer enough wiggle room to let their feet comfortably fit. Every few months it is important to check the fit of their shoes and make sure they are still a comfortable fit. Due to the fact that their feet grow so rapidly, finding a shoe that is the perfect width and fit is not always necessary. A shoe should not require any sort of break-in period, If you notice any irritations or marks on your child's foot at the end of the day, the fit is incorrect and your child should no longer wear those shoes.

Fit and comfort truly go hand in and making sure your child’s feet feel good in the shoes they wear are pivotal. Flexible soles are a must have and ensure a natural step, they should ideally have a non-skid sole that is a rubber material. Most children’s feet are not nearly as developed as they eventually will be, and therefore most toddlers appear to have flat feet. This does make choosing shoes slightly easier because things like arch support or special insoles are not of importance. As long as the insole provides sufficient cushioning, to give the child's foot a nice supportive surface to stand on.

A shoe with elastic and a velcro strap make adjusting the shoe to perfectly fit your children’s feet a breeze, and more wearable because they will fit their foot a lot longer. Aside from that, it will be easy for your child to learn to put on their own shoes with easy closures. Laces are very hit and miss; if they come untied you risk the chance of your child tripping and getting hurt, and it is also a pain to constantly have to be re-tying laces. If they are long enough to double-knot and you think they will stay in place all day, they can be a good choice, and with certain toddler shoe brands, such as Converse, that is sometimes the only style they come in.

Of course, he or she is going to want to pick the style of the shoe, and your is going to pick something strictly based on design and their favorite color. Although it is always good to get your child involved, color, or style should not be a deal breaker, fit should be. Your daughter may want those pink, sparkly mary janes, however, if they do not stay on and slide around with every step she takes, it is a no-brainer that regardless of how adorable the shoe looks, those cannot be worn on a day-to-day basis and will potentially harm your child’s foot. The fit must be the first and foremost concern at all times, then comes style, color, and design.

Toddlers are energetic and constantly on the move, so it’s no wonder that they quickly go through shoes. From running outside in muddy grass to gym classes and everything in between, your toddler will make quick work of a brand new pair of shoes. A pair of shoes that fit well and are comfortable are number one but the way they will wear and the amount of time they will last can make or break whether a pair of shoes is worth buying or not.

Although your child may put their shoes through the ringer, a quality pair of shoes for toddlers should last the amount of time they are supposed to; until your child has outgrown them. If they are being worn out and destroyed sooner than that, it is important to look at what they are being used as. If your child is extremely active, then a flimsy pair of slip-on shoes are not going to hold up. Determining what needs a pair of shoes must provide and pairing them accordingly is essential. You are going to want to splurge a bit more on shoes that are getting almost daily use than you are on a pair of say, rain boots that are more so seasonal and will need to most likely be swapped out for a larger size each season, after receiving little to no wear. Running shoes are considered a shoe that gets daily wear, and they should be thoughtfully purchased with your child’s needs in mind.

When determining whether or not a pair of shoes will withstand your child’s day to day life, think about what their day consists of and the activities they will be wearing these shoes for. If they are attending a type of daycare or preschool, then they will most likely be doing outdoor activities and adventures and their shoes will take on a lot more.

Any white or light-colored shoe is going to get scuffed up and dirty very fast, so buying those as an everyday shoe doesn’t make much sense. Darker shoes that have a thicker rubber sole are perfect for running around outside; stains will show up much less, and they will grip the ground well. When deciding on a pair of shoes, take a look at if they are machine washable or not, this can make a huge difference in the durability and long-lasting appearance of the shoe. You will have to purchase shoes more frequently at this stage in your child’s life, but that should be due to the fact that they’ve outgrown them, not because they are too dirty or falling apart.

If you notice your child drags their feet while walking, finding a pair of shoes with a hard toe shell will help with the longevity of the shoes. It is common in most sneakers or boots, and an important feature to look for. Not only are the shells important but so are tough soles, if the sole bends effortlessly, they are not ideal for an active child.

Struggling to get your children’s shoes on and off can be an exhausting challenge, from wanting to do it themselves, to not wanting shoes on at all. A pair of shoes that your kid can put on themselves not only makes them feel like a big kid but makes your life that little bit easier. Closures play a large part in making a shoe either a breeze or nightmare to get on, so it is important to choose wisely.

Deciding on how the toddler shoe will be fastened comes down to their skill level, and age. The most common type of closure on a young child’s shoe is velcro; easy to do up, and very durable. You want a closure that is easily adjustable because that will make a shoe last longer. Velcro is great because you and your child will not have to worry about re-tying laces throughout the day. If your child is not a big fan of shoes, they can easily figure out how to take off their shoes and that can also be an issue. If your child is in preschool and shoes must be taken on and off throughout the day, worrying about laces can be a hassle, unless your toddler knows how to properly tie their shoes. The toddler shoe should be easy to get on so finding a pair of shoes with a heel pull tab is a big bonus, and can be really helpful when trying to get a snug pair of shoes on.

Children are always at different stages at different times, and what may work well for one toddler may be too advanced for another. It is important to base your child’s needs in a shoe off of what level they are at, walking wise etc. Although velcro is recommended, that doesn't mean your child should not have shoes with laces, if that is what works best for them. Remember that regardless of how well you think they walk, their stability is constantly changing due to the fact that their feet are always growing, so the more secure and well-fitted shoe the better.

Try to put style and looks at the back of your mind when choosing shoes for your child, at the end of the day a shoe that looks stylish, but that does not stay on is going to be one that sits in the back of their closet and was a total waste of money.