After years of watching my three school-age kids put their belongings through the wringer, I know kids’ shoes need to be durable enough to handle much rougher wear than most adult footwear. They don’t hesitate to stomp through the mud or drag their feet laces-side down on the asphalt to stop their scooters. To select the best shoes for kids in 2026, we put over 40 pairs on a dozen kids—ranging in age from 2 to 14 years—and let them loose over several weeks. I also interviewed multiple pediatric podiatrists to learn what attributes support healthy feet. After testing, I selected the as the best shoe for kids overall. The brand is commonly recommended by podiatrists and comes in a variety of styles and sizes—and our kid testers preferred the feel. There are also nine other pairs that made the cut, depending on you child’s age and activity level.
Of all the shoes my kids tested, the Asics Kids GT-1000 sneaker is the pair they like best. It has just-right flexibility at the front, combined with a firm heel and plenty of cushion for their runs. The toe box is roomy enough to please kids with wider feet, and Asics says this shoe is good for neutral walkers and runners (meaning kids with normal arches and gait). But it’s also a good shoe for those who overpronate—meaning their feet roll inward or possibly have low or flat arches.
Both my 7-year-old and 11-year-old have no problem getting these on and off (we tried both a laces pair and a Velcro-like hook-and-loop pair). They wore them to hike, ride bikes, go to school and even play softball and baseball. After several months of testing, we’ve encountered no durability issues.
Podiatrists often recommend this classic brand. In fact, the adult version carries the . Dr. Priya Parthasarathy, a podiatrist in the D.C. area, named Asics shoes among her go-to recommendations for school-age kids, and Dr. Louis DeCaro, president of the lists the Asics GT-1000 among his who need orthotics.
It comes in an impressive array of colors, so your kid can find a match for their personal style, along with sizes for toddlers and teens—all for under $100.
Saucony shoes are among the most universally recommended children’s shoes by podiatrists, including those I interviewed. My kids have always found their Saucony sneakers comfortable (they’ve worn , , , and the Saucony Cohesion) and have worn them until they outgrew them rather than wearing them down.
We previously named the sneaker as our pick for the best overall kids shoe, but the brand replaced it with a new model this season: the . My youngest child tested that new model. It’s a sturdy, durable shoe, but she much preferred the updated Saucony Endorphin Kdz 2.0 featured here as our best value pick. It’s a lighter, more flexible shoe than the Cohesion and a bit more breathable. Plus, the new Cohesion only comes with a hook and loop closure, which means big kids might be too embarrassed to wear the Velcro-style shoes. On the other hand, the Endorphin Kdz 2.0 packs in a lot of value, including the option to choose between laces and a hook-and-loop closure.
Another tester, a teen, also favored the Endorphin for everyday wear and called it “stylish” and “very breathable.” Keep in mind that the Endorphin has a less robust tread, so it is made more for everyday wear, and there’s a bit less substance to it for running and sports. I think that’s what the kids liked about it so much, though: It felt light and easy on their feet.
The APMA awarded its , including certain Wind and Ride models. So while we’re featuring a single Saucony shoe style here, we do recommend the brand overall for children’s shoes.
With hundreds of styles to choose from, it can be hard to select the best Nike shoe for your child. My kids have tested and worn nearly two dozen unique Nike pairs between the three of them (I want to hide in embarrassment after tallying—and that’s not counting the cleats and slides they’ve worn from the brand). I also had our panel testers try out several other styles of Nikes. After all this testing, I like the Nike Cosmic Runner as the best Nikes for kids. That might feel like a bold statement, so let me tell you why.
The Nike Cosmic Runner is built like the best of Nike’s running shoes but for young kids still finding their footing. It’s lightweight and has a mesh breathable upper and stable cushioning. There’s a hook-and-loop strap closure for little kids and toddler sizes, or laces for big-kid sizes. Some big-kid Nike shoes drop the heel loop, but the Cosmic Runner has it in all sizes along with an additional loop on the tongue. The padding on the heel collar is particularly thick and plush. These Nikes feel more soft and flexible than some, though not too bendy.
I also found the Cosmic Runner’s colorways particularly appealing for all ages. My first grader wore these daily for many months and found them comfortable and easy to put on and take off. They don’t seem to run as narrow as other Nikes. I wiped them down with a microfiber cloth several times after muddy days to keep them bright.
With A Dizzying Array Of Options, This One Is Just Right
Nike as a brand rarely shows up on podiatrists’ lists for the best kids shoes, and only a few kids Nikes have the —and three are crib shoes for babies or tots. (The one big-kid Nike shoe that recently gained the APMA seal is the , which we haven’t tested yet.)
I asked Parthasarathy why this was, and she says the issue is that the brand’s styles vary significantly: “They make some great shoes and they make some not-so-great shoes, and it’s really hard to decipher between the ones that are supportive and the ones that aren’t.”
All-Around Support With Plenty Of Unique Styles
Nike Air Jordans are well-designed basketball shoes that can stand up to kids’ wild movements while also appealing to their budding fashion sense. My tween son and teen daughter have tested a dozen pairs between them, and I believe the Nike Air Jordan 1 Mid, a classic and iconic Jordan, holds wide appeal for today’s kids. It comes in a variety of rotating colorways and styles, and this pair even comes in a crib shoe size.
“I like the Jordans because they’re a basketball shoe and they come up higher,” says Parthasarathy. “People wear high-tops when they’re playing basketball because they don’t want to sprain their ankles, because it’s a side-to-side sport." Although not strictly necessary, the same ankle support benefits kids, too, she says.
My kids’ Jordans have held up longer than their Nike Air Max 270s, likely thanks to their leather construction versus the synthetic fabric of the Air Max. This Air Jordan 1 Mid pair includes the Nike Air-Sole cushioning and a foam midsole. The shoes feel lightweight to my kids, and the higher mid-top has an extra smidge of support at the ankle. (You could also consider a high-top Jordan like the ; my son likes the heel loop on these to tug them on and the lined inner bootie that snugs up to the back of his heel.) The Air Jordan 1 Mid includes a rubber outsole, and I don’t worry about traction with these shoes.
Select Your Jordans Carefully
Jordans come in a variety of designs, which can make it challenging to find the right pair for your stylish kid. I’d recommend reading the description closely, examining the tread and considering the overall makeup of the shoe. Consider if there is any cushioning called out.
Nikes can run narrower than other children’s shoes, Parthasarathy points out, and they don’t typically come in a wide fit, so be sure to try a few pairs to find the one that works best on your child’s feet. She recommends Nikes for kids with “skinny, long feet.”
A Cushioned But Sturdy Feel For Young Runners
Like the adult shoes, the youth version of the Hoka Clifton 10 has a cushioned midsole with a rocker heel that glides your foot forward. It’s a fairly firm shoe, but they’ll likely enjoy that big midsole cushion, roomy toe box and bouncy feel as they push off the pavement. The varied tread means they can wear this shoe just about anywhere. The upper might still feel a bit stiffer than a more typical mesh upper on a traditional running shoe.
My active son ran his first 5K in his Clifton 9 pair and credited the shoe with helping him run fast and confidently. Despite plenty of use, they didn’t start to show wear until about a year in, with a few holes in the fabric of the collar lining and a bit of wear to the heel and the toe cap. I like that it has a little reflective strip, which is such a smart idea for kids shoes.
Kids Clifton Vs. Rincon
The Clifton is Hoka’s neutral and “balanced” running shoe but with extra cushion and loft. The for kids has a little less of a plush cushion and less of a heel-to-toe drop than the Clifton, which might appeal to kids who would benefit from feeling the ground a bit more underfoot. I wish it had a heel loop for kids to pull these on, but in general, it’s a roomy shoe that’s easy to get into.
Sizes For Younger Kids
The Clifton 10 also comes in a little-kid version, the , which has a hook-and-loop closure and is available in sizes 10.5 little kid to 3 big kid. My 7-year-old tried this version of the shoe and loved it for big, active days, including summer camp and hikes. We did experience a couple of quality issues with the younger kid shoe, including a strap that lost its stickiness within a couple of months, rending one of her shoes useless without ties, and then the second pair we tried had a bit of fraying along the outsole at the heel, but it was nothing that impacted performance, just the aesthetic of the $100 shoe.
A number of , though the kids Clifton 10 version is not yet one of them.
If your big kid runs track or is a little runner in training, you might consider the Nike Kids Pegasus running shoe. It’s the kid version of one of Nike’s most popular running shoes—the adult version carries the . The upper is incredibly breathable, and the shoe feels great on: lightweight and bouncy. They feel a bit lighter and more flexible than the Hoka Clifton (I tried both kids pairs on to compare).
Breathable, Bouncy And Comfy For Young Runners
My 12-year-old wore the Nike Pegasus sneakers on weekly runs with me to test these shoes as part of her training for club softball. I also went for a couple of runs in her youth size 6, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them (I usually wear a Brooks Glycerin or a New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 as my daily trainer). I felt a snappy return with each foot strike, thanks to the Air Zoom unit. There was a surprising amount of cushion at the midfoot, too, which I liked given my high arches, but I’m not sure how many kids need that. The cushion feels nearly as plush as the Hoka Clifton, and the padded heel collar really snugs up nicely on my foot, whereas the Hoka collar sat lower on my ankle.
My daughter was able to wear her pair right out of the box without any issues and had no complaints during her runs. The colorways and overall look of the shoe feel more aligned with kids’ tastes these days than some competitors. I’m happy to report that the Nike Kids Pegasus 42 does not run narrow and instead has a generous toe box that’s ideal for running.
We tested five New Balance styles for kids, including pairs just for toddlers, hook-and-loop sneakers for grade-schoolers and lace-ups for big-kid runners. This pair of New Balance Kids Fresh Foam 625 sneakers impressed us the most with its cushy midsole, just-right price, size variety (including three widths) and the option to wear them with laces or the bungee hook-and-loop strap in younger children’s sizes.
They simply felt lighter, more breathable and more comfortable to our 10-year-old tester than any other New Balance selections. These are the shoes he chose for a day trip at Legoland New York Resort, where he walked more than 8,000 steps around the theme park and clambered in and out of rides.
The one thing that he complained about was the tongue of the shoe getting stuck and kind of folding over itself, causing him to have to pause and untangle it. We also needed to replace these shoelaces before he wore out the shoe, but he does wear them hard.
Another Great New Balance Option For Kids
I also recommend the that our 14-year-old teen tester loved so much that she bought a second pair after the first. They’re more expensive than the 625s, lack the heel loop and come in fewer colors and closure options, but we wanted to share that feedback in case the pair worked well for someone else.
APMA Approval On Multiple Lines And Styles
It’s hard to miss when selecting a Stride Rite shoe for a baby or toddler who is just learning to walk and still a bit unsteady on their feet. All of the brand’s along with many other . That’s because they’re really designed for little ones to feel the ground more while they learn to get steady on their feet. The shoes are protective but allow for plenty of movement of the foot and toes with really flexible designs.
Flexible And Made For Babies And Tots
Two of our testers with toddlers under the age of 3 tried the Kylo, and both appreciated the Ortholite memory foam footbed and didn’t hear any complaints from their tots. “It was hard to get him into any other shoe until he outgrew them entirely,” said one tester whose 2-year-old wore them daily for six months without any noticeable wear other than a bit of dirt. That’s one of the reasons we recommend Stride Rite in general; they seem to outlast other “crib shoes.” Many of them are also machine washable.
Another tester also liked the from the brand’s 360 line. It has a more rugged sole and possibly a smaller fit, but our tester had no trouble getting them on and enjoyed wearing them on the playground. Finally, during toddler shoe testing, we also found the ideal for older toddlers who might be ready for a bit more structure—but they’re not ideal for new walkers due to the thicker, bigger sole.
Stride Rite shoe styles rotate out quickly, though, so it’s hard to recommend any one particular model when it may be gone next season. Instead, I’d recommend selecting one from one of its APMA-approved collections in a style and at a price that both you and your child like. We’re happy to see the Kylo has endured as an option through the several years that we’ve been testing kids shoes.
The vegan leather Ten Little Everyday Original shoes are designed for toddlers, especially new walkers. They’re soft and flexible with a rubber sole, and they’re simple to get on, with a wide opening and two thick straps that make up the hook-and-loop closure. The toe box is roomy and round. When my youngest wore these shoes at age 5 during testing for this story, she delighted in selecting the solid purple color and then decorating the shoes with the stickers each pair comes with, adding unicorns and lightning bolts to the exterior. (We had multiple younger tots also test these shoes.)
Several Ten Little shoes come with the , including its Everyday Original. The main drawbacks I encountered with the shoe are that it isn’t washable, given its material, and the “non-skid” sole seems geared toward new walkers and indoor activities versus the typical rough or active play of any kid age 4 and up. One of our panel testers with a 3-year-old remarked on the “elevated look” of this pair and opted to keep them as her tot’s dressier pair.
The sizing on this shoe tops out at 2Y, which is definitely the younger elementary age, especially first grade and younger.
A Slip-On Shoe That Feels (And Looks) Like A Regular Sneaker
Kizik launched its line of “hands-free” kids shoes in 2022 with three styles, and we’ve tested several pairs with multiple kids. All of them—like their adult counterparts—can be stepped right into and wiggled on without the need to bend down or to tie your laces.
The brand’s patented design relies on a thermoplastic heel that is flexible and springs back up after you step into it. Yet these sneakers stay on your foot better than a traditional slip-on shoe and offer more support than a Croc or flat-soled canvas shoe. Our kid testers (and their parents) love the ability to step right into these and walk out the door—you’ll also find Kizik Athens on our list of the best shoes for pregnancy.
This Kizik shoe has a breathable upper and responsive midsole. Our testers—from toddlers to young elementary school–age kids—have worn and loved the and Anaheim (our previous pick that was retired), and we are currently testing the new baby and toddler shoe, . We’ve had some quality issues with pairs and then had perfect ones delivered, which was the case with the . Three pairs were worn extensively, while the sole began to separate on a fourth. We also find it frustrating how quickly the brand retires styles, because once our kids find the right fit, that one has gone out of stock in favor of a new design. One tester felt the Athens 2 ran a bit smaller than previous pairs.
The new Athens 2 keeps the step-in design, but there are also real laces to tighten and tie as needed, which is a departure from previous Kizik kids shoe designs. This could be a hindrance to some little kids on one hand, but it might help bigger kids start getting into regular shoe-tying habits on the other.
The Other Kids Shoes We Tested
For this guide, we primarily focused on sneakers, especially athletic shoes for school-age children, but we included some of our picks from our guide to the best toddler shoes, which is also fully backed by extensive real-world testing. Our team has tested over 40 kids shoe styles. For the sake of clarity and brevity, we no longer list all shoes that we don’t recommend.
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few of the other children’s shoes our kid panelists tested and liked:
: Two 7-year-old testers liked these shoes well enough to wear to school, on the playground and to their various after-school activities. They’re available in three widths and sizes from 2C to 7Y, so they are a versatile pick. The shoes just weren’t quite as plush and comfy as the other New Balance Fresh Foam sneakers.
: This pair, too, is worth a look. It’s a little bit stiffer and less flexible than the other New Balances we tested and seemed to run narrower, but we liked the fit overall and the strong tread. Plus, the heel loop is a nice touch. The colorways were compelling to kids, too.
: Our tester’s 11-year-old son felt good in his pair of Dunks. His mom liked that they had good traction and could be worn to ice hockey practice but also look dressy enough for church. She called them durable, too. I think they’re worth considering if your kid prefers this style of Nike over a Jordan or more running-oriented shoes, such as the Cosmic Runner.
: We really liked this shoe and consider it a runner-up for best slip-on shoe for kids. Our kid tester found it comfortable and roomier than the Kizik.
: This is a great everyday running shoe for big kids that just got edged out by its sibling, the GT-1000, which we found a bit more supportive and comfortable. The Gel-Cumulus 27, however, has a bit higher of a heel-to-toe drop. It’s made for those who under-pronate or roll their foot out while running, so this might be the right shoe for your kid if that matches their gait. Great tread and durability, too.
How We Tested Kids Shoes
This story is a culmination of several years of testing, which began in 2023. Since then, we’ve ordered dozens of pairs of shoes for kids (mostly the the kids of our parenting team) to test and wear. As new shoes become available, we continue testing and updating this story.
Selection And Testing Process
I consulted the and considered the shoe features that podiatrists recommend for children. The APMA offers its Seal of Acceptance to shoes it finds support “good foot health.” Each item is reviewed by a group of APMA podiatrists, but they only consider only the shoes that are put forward to them by brands.
Next, we made a list of contenders that lined up with those attributes and put them to the test in real life. Our panel included kid testers across a range of ages. Every tester’s parent filled out a feedback form assessing how well the shoe fit and otherwise performed for their child.
Criteria Assessed
- Ease of on/off: If it’s too frustrating or uncomfortable for kids or caregivers to put on the shoes, they’ll never be worn. Each tester noted how easily their child could slip the shoe on, or if they struggled. Toddler parents left notes on how easy it was for grown-ups to put the shoe onto their kid.
- Fit and closure security: Slip-on or step-into shoes are popular for kids, but they can easily slip off their feet. DeCaro points out that many kids wear their shoes too loose, so even with laces or a hook-and-loop strap, they must close securely to avoid injury. We asked all testers if the shoes stayed on their kids’ feet and if the closure—whether laces, straps or something else—stayed closed and secure all day.
- Comfort: This is arguably the most important attribute for any shoe; no one wants to wear an uncomfortable shoe that causes pain or blisters. All testers let us know if their kids said the shoe was comfortable, if they complained of any issues and if they reached for that particular pair over another.
- Traction: Kids don’t move the same way as adults. In addition to walking, they run randomly, hop up onto ledges, plunge into mud, skate across ice patches and scale slides at recess. Since youngsters need plenty of traction and a grippy tread, all of our testers took careful notes on the tread and if they noticed any slipping or stability issues.
- Flexibility versus structure: Little kids need a fairly flat, bendy shoe so they can feel the ground a bit more. But older kids (kindergarten and up) can start wearing shoes with more support, cushioning and maybe even a little heel drop—like with the and . We had all our testers bend the shoes, get hands-on with the upper and notice overall how stiff or flexible the shoe felt.
- Durability: Though kids can outgrow shoes quickly, no parent wants to buy a pair that gets holes in a month. All testers noted any immediate and long-term wear, including scuffs, cracks, broken laces, shredded or loosened straps, damage on the collar or inside of the shoe, and heel or outsole wear. We also took note of dirt and scuffs and how easy they were to clean and otherwise maintain.
What To Consider When Shopping For Kids Shoes
If you’re ready to start shopping for your child’s next shoe, start by weighing the same attributes that we outlined in our testing with your own child. First, factor in their age: Can they tie laces yet? Are they just learning to walk, or are they an active grade-schooler? Also consider where they plan to wear the shoe, their foot shape, their style preferences and any attributes that you as a parent might prefer, such as breathability or washability.
Child’s Age
As kids progress from the learning-to-walk stage to toddler to school-age, their feet change and develop significantly. For example, very young yet, and they need a more flexible shoe when learning to walk (if they need shoes at all at this age) according to health professionals.
“Every stage of walking usually has a [need for a] different type of shoe,” says Parthasarathy. “So we start off more flexible because kids are still learning how to balance, how to walk, how to run—so they really need that grip,” she says. “I prefer barefoot [style shoes] when they’re really young. But as they get older, we want sturdier.”
Younger kids also need an easy closure, such as secure hook-and-loop or Velcro straps. Older kids can have a shoe with more structure and a firm heel counter but still need some bend in the front of the shoe, not at the arch. They also might be able to tie their shoes by now.
Fit
DeCaro says it’s best for kids to try on shoes at the end of the day when their feet are the most swollen. Dr. Jason Galante, a double board-certified foot and ankle doctor and surgeon, suggests heading to a shoe shop for a proper measurement of their foot, if you can. Different styles and brands can vary greatly in terms of fit, which often means ordering several pairs to find the right size if you’re shopping online.
Caregivers and parents shouldn’t buy shoes “with room to grow,” adds DeCaro, as it could lead to foot issues later. It can also cause injuries due to slipping in a shoe with a loose fit. Instead, there should be about a thumb’s width of space between their longest toe and the end of the shoe. For kids ages 10 and under, DeCaro prefers the space to be a bit smaller—about the width of a pinky finger.
Comfort
Your kid’s shoe should be comfortable right out of the box, without needing a break-in period, says DeCaro. Let your child walk around inside and up and down stairs, if you can, before purchasing. Make sure the fit is right for their foot and that nothing is bothering them or rubbing against their foot or ankle.
If you have a little kid, just keep in mind that they may not be able to verbalize that their shoe is uncomfortable, or realize that it’s the cause of their foot pain, says Parthasarathy.
So, look for signs: She notes that sometimes her patients come in with heel pain, but other times they’ve just been refusing to go on walks, complaining of “tired feet” or saying they can’t keep up with their friends. “Changing their shoe makes one of the biggest differences,” she says. She also recommends checking the fit on your kids’ shoes monthly.
Overall Shoe Design
Look for “shoes that are able to firmly stay on their feet, especially for children that are going to school, going on the playgrounds, climbing,” says Parthasarathy. “We don’t want anything that can just fall off, such as flip-flops and Crocs.”
For grade-school kids from kindergarten and up, pick a shoe with a firm heel counter and a bit of flexibility in the toe box. You don’t want a shoe that’s too stiff, adds DeCaro, but it should be stiff in the middle.
"The shoe shouldn’t be able to completely bend in half,” adds Parthasarathy. “The shoe should be wide enough to accommodate the width of their foot because their feet are growing and they’re usually wider when they’re younger." Finally, she advises parents to consider the needs of the activities kids will be doing while wearing the shoe, such as running or playing basketball.
Breathability
Kids do tend to have stinkier, sweatier feet than adults. Galante favors mesh, breathable shoes for kids for this reason. DeCaro recommends spraying their shoes with an antimicrobial for the first three weeks to ensure they stay stink-free.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted baby and kids team tests everything from toys to pregnancy gear, with the goal of helping families find the best products for their needs.
- Author Rose Gordon Sala is a longtime journalist with more than 20 years of reporting experience—and 13 years as a parent. She’s focused on parenting coverage for the last decade. As a the former deputy editor at Forbes Vetted, she oversaw gear, baby and kids and consumer tech writers and editors. With three school-age kids, she often tests and reviews big-kid gear, such as smartwatches for kids and kids mattresses as well as tween gifts.
- Sala relied on the and buying advice for parents to create her initial list of kids shoes to test, and she pored over additional suggestions provided by the three expert podiatrists (trained foot and ankle doctors) she interviewed in order to understand what to look for in a good shoe for a child, especially at varying stages of a kid’s development. All three podiatrists shared additional literature on children’s foot health and development as well as some of their favorite shoe brands and features.
- This story was edited by Margaret Badore, the senior baby and kids gear editor at Forbes Vetted. She and her three kids also served as testers for this story, and she has 18 years of experience as an editor and reporter.
Our Experts
- Dr. Louis DeCaro is a board-certified podiatrist and podiatric surgeon with a speciality in pediatrics. He operates in West Hatfield, Massachusetts, and he’s also the president of the .
- Dr. Priya Parthasarathy is a board-certified podiatrist in the D.C. area with and a mom of three children under the age of 8. She’s also a spokesperson for the APMA.
- Dr. Jason Galante is double board-certified in foot and ankle medicine and surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine at ; he’s also a father to two children.