BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details
As close to indestructible as kids' shoes get. AND she can put them on by herself. Win-win.
Generous toe protection for children who play hard. Kids can put these shoes on themselves. Can re-order tabs with different sizes to accommodate different sized feet. Designed for stability, support and comfort for young walkers. Comes in fuschia-purple, metallic silver and star dust blue. Sneakers have high burst synthetic and mesh upper. Hook-and-loop closure, pull loop at heel. Cushioned footbed. Flexible rubber outsole. Imported.
Not good for narrow feet. Difficult to keep closed.
These quick-dry shoes are ready for adventure, in the water and out. Keep a pair of socks handy, though, in case of blisters.
Lightweight. Flexible. Extra toe protection. Expanded tread pattern helps keep these water-ready shoes from slipping. Comes in coralin or fuchsia-purple. Lightweight IMEVA and soft buc upper with breathable perforations. Dual hook-and-loop closures. Manmade lining, footbed and, outsole.
Some kids get blisters when they wear these without socks. Will shrink if you put them in the dryer.
A dressier-looking alternative to the Ty sneaker style, with most of the same benefits.
Good for climbing and other activities. Designed for stability, support and comfort for young walkers. Suede and synethic mesh upper. Hook-and-loop closure. Comes in black or silver-pink. Breathable cushioned footbed. Flexible rubber outsole. Machine washable.
Running and activity can cause hook-and-loop closure to open.
A good choice when you need basic, streamlined school shoes.
Basic, streamlined unisex style. Removable straps make width adjustable for wide feet or high insteps. Comes in black or white. Full grain napa leather upper with suede detailing. Dual hook-and-loop closure. Lightly padded collar and tongue. Removable insoles. Rubber outsole with active traction.
Not good for narrow feet. No fun colors.
Little fashionistas who want to stand out will love these shoes, as long as they can get the hook-and-loop straps to stay closed.
Generous toe guard. Designed for stability, support and comfort. Textile upper with dual hook-and-loop closure. Pull loop at heel. Breathable, removable insoles. Flexible rubber outsole.
Hook-and-loop closure doesn't fasten as easily as other designs.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Plae was started a few years ago by the lead designer from Puma, making it an instant cult brand among parents in the know. They brand themselves as durable, washable kids shoes, and in our testing they do tend to hold up over time. We especially love the toe protection for little ones who love to drag their feet (anyone?) and play hard on the playground. Some models come with different-sized tabs to accommodate different foot widths – which is definitely a unique feature for kids’ footwear. Kids with narrower feet may find Plae to be too roomy, so keep that in mind when making a purchase.
Get emails you’ll love.
Learn about the products you’re wondering if you should buy and get advice on using your latest purchases.