What are good shoes for learning to walk?

When your baby takes their first steps and starts learning to walk, you’ll likely be searching for their first walking shoes. But what should you pay attention to? Good first walking shoes or baby slippers will protect your baby’s feet and give them better grip. There are four key things to consider when buying your baby’s first shoes: a good fit, a flexible non-slip sole, a secure closure, and comfortable materials. Here’s everything you need to know.

Good fit

To learn to walk properly, a baby needs slippers or shoes that fit snugly on their feet and are both firm and flexible. Good baby shoes or slippers offer enough space for the toes and fit well around the heel and ankle. This provides support and stability, preventing the feet from turning inward or outward during those first steps. Make sure the shoes are the right size. If the shoes are too big, your baby may trip. If they are too small, they can cause discomfort and hinder your child’s ability to walk.

Not sure what shoe size your baby needs? You can find out using our size chart for baby slippers and shoes.

Comfortable materials

The shoes or slippers your baby learns to walk in should be made from soft materials like leather. Leather slippers keep your baby’s feet warm and, because the material is breathable, your baby won’t get sweaty feet. The material molds to your baby’s feet and provides good support during those first steps.

Flexible non-slip sole

Baby shoes with flexible soles are essential when your baby is learning to walk. The flexible sole allows the muscles and joints in your baby’s feet to develop naturally and ensures their foot growth is not restricted. Additionally, it’s important to buy shoes with non-slip soles so your baby doesn’t slip while learning to walk and can maintain a solid grip. Our Lodger Stepper and Walker learning shoes both feature flexible non-slip soles.

Read more about non-slip soles

Good, easy closure

You definitely don’t want your baby to lose a slipper or shoe while learning to walk. With a Velcro closure around the ankle, our Walker shoes stay securely on your baby’s feet. Another advantage of Velcro is that it allows you to adjust the fit to your child’s feet, ensuring the slippers are never too tight or too loose. Plus, as a parent, you can easily put the shoes on and take them off, but your baby won’t be able to remove them by themselves.

Conclusion

When buying your baby’s first shoes, there are four things to consider: fit, material, sole, and closure. First, the fit must be right, so the shoes should comfortably fit the shape of your baby’s feet. The material should feel comfortable against your baby’s feet. The sole of your baby’s first shoes should be flexible and non-slip. Lastly, it’s helpful if the shoes stay on securely with an easy Velcro closure.

The Lodger Walker meets all of these requirements and is a great choice for learning to walk. The Lodger Stepper is a good baby shoe if your baby is crawling and taking their first cautious steps indoors.