Best Infant Shoes 2024 – Today’s Parent

Choosing the right pair of infant shoes can be a challenge—whether you’re looking for a practical pair, something warm, or just for photos—there are so many choices out there. We’ve narrowed it down to some of the most stylish and practical options on the market to help you find the ideal shoes for your little one.

According to Dr. Whitney Casares, infants do not need shoes. “Using their bare feet to sense the world around them as they explore and learn to walk is beneficial to them,” she says.  Still, there are good reasons to have a pair or two of baby shoes on hand including protecting the feet outside and during certain weather conditions like rain or snow. 

Dr. Casares warns against shoes with a hard sole or any pair that constricts a child’s movement at the ankle joint. “Fluffy slippers designed to keep little toes warm and cozy are a perfect option for cold weather stroller adventures if you need protection during harsh weather.”

To help you make the top decision, here are the best infant shoes to consider.

If you’re looking for a simple shoe for a little extra warmth and protection, this pair is an excellent choice. The classic slip-on sneaker style is easy to wear, making it our top choice.  Made of cotton, they have a soft outsole that’s skid-free—perfect for extra protection during the days of early walking and crawling.

With several styles available including silver glitter and navy, these shoes are just as adorable for photos as they are practical.

• Trusted brand
• Versatile wearing
• Elastic and hand loops make it easy to put on and take off
• Affordable price

• Baby may be able to remove them too easily

These super chic slip-ons are an excellent deal. These little loafers look just like chic adult shoes. Parents can choose from several colors including black, brown and blue in both leather and suede styles.

Smartly designed to be comfortable and versatile, the loafers are great for playground adventures as well as more formal occasions. The soft cotton lining keeps the foot dry and protected.

• Excellent price
• Several styles to choose from
• Wear indoors and outdoors
• Makes a nice gift

Parents living an eco-friendly lifestyle will appreciate these unisex booties from Burt’s Bees Baby. Made from 100% organic cotton, these are a particularly smart choice for babies with sensitive skin. Better yet, this material is breathable, which keeps babies more comfortable.

Choose from pink or heather gray. These booties complement any outfit, staying on with the help of a snap and two adjustment options. They’re ideal for babies who tend to kick footwear off—no more lost shoes! 

• Trusted brand
• Machine-washable
• Elastic ankle makes these easy to move around in
• Reviews noted how well these stayed on
• Physical therapist-approved for infants under six-months

• Might not be warm enough for cold days

Whether it’s onesies or shoes, babies grow out of everything so quickly. Opting for a shoe that’s flexible enough for growing feet means you can keep them in baby’s closet just a little bit longer. Case in point: one reviewer noted their child was still wearing these booties at eleven months because they run large.

Choose from several colors including ivory, pink and brown. Buy these as a set with a matching hat, which makes a thoughtful gift.

• Reviewers noted the high-quality
• Stylish design
• Buttons help them stay on

• The sole may not be substantial enough for outdoor play

While your little one might not be walking yet, crawlers need foot protection, which is why we love these non-skid walking shoes. A sock and shoe hybrid, they have an anti-collision toe box that acts as a barrier. This protects feet from crawling injuries and provides support during the standing-to-walking transition. The non-slip rubber sole prevents slips and falls. 

These cozy shoes are breathable and moisture-wicking, which is useful during the warmer months or in hotter climates. With so many styles and colors to choose from including solids, stripes and hearts, you might have to purchase more than one pair!

• High-quality outer sole
• Lots of colors and styles to choose from
• Ultra flexible
• The design prevents these shoes from slipping off easily

• May be slightly hard for some parents to put on

If your baby is walking around outside for the first time, they probably need a protective shoe to support them. Ideal for the first steps, this durable pair of boots has traction for toddling around outside.

Designed to fit snugly, these shoes are available in both slipper and boot styles, making them a good choice for colder or even snowy days. It’s available in several colors including, tan, pink, brown and even a fun champagne glitter option. These are also good for taking early steps toward walking outdoors.

• The faux fur lining is great for windy days
• Nice style choices for both boys and girls
• Warm
• Reviewers noted high durability
• Easy to clean

• Slippers may slide right off

Who doesn’t love a parent-and-me moment? That’s exactly what you can get with these unisex UGG boots. Made in black and tan, the cozy shoes feature a sheep fur lining to keep toes warm and toasty. Like any pair of UGGs, wear these with or without socks.

With a velcro fastener on the side, these boots can slide on and off. The soft outer sole makes these a better choice for crawlers than walkers. Designed to stay on no matter what, your little one is less likely to kick them off and lose a shoe while on the go.

• Great for photo shoots
• Keeps feet incredibly warm
• Cozy
• Stays on

• The price is a bit higher than other options

With more than 10k reviews and an average rating of 4.7 stars, it’s easy to trust these booties are an excellent choice. Does your infant kick off their shoes? There’s no need to worry with these because these boots feature two snaps that help them stay on.

The non-slip gripping soles provide stability to walkers and babies learning how to stand, which is a total bonus. Better yet, the soles are still soft enough to give babies a full range of motion.

• Wear over socks or footed pants
• Soft sole
• The lining keeps feet warm
• Lots of color and style options
• Some of the styles have GOTS-certified organic cotton lining
• Available in 27 styles
• Doesn’t interfere with foot development

• The cotton/polyester blend may not be breathable enough for all kids