Buying guide
Your baby’s first shoes
A child who is not walking does not need shoes. When to buy them, how to measure the foot, what a flexible sole means and why barefoot is best indoors.
In short
- Until they walk, a baby does not need shoes. Socks or soft booties, for warmth.
- Indoors, barefoot or in non-slip socks is best for learning to walk.
- First shoes, for outdoors, are bought when the child walks on their own. Thin, flexible sole, wide toe, good fastening.
- Leave 1–1.5 cm at the front and check the size every 2–3 months.
Baby shoes are adorable and, until the first steps, almost useless. A baby’s foot is soft, has a lot of fatty tissue and bones that are not yet fully hardened. It needs to move freely and feel the floor, not to be supported. Shoes come later, when they walk outdoors (see also what to buy in the first year, by stage).
By stage
| Stage | What they wear | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Not walking | Socks, soft booties, footed rompers | Only for warmth (see newborn clothes) |
| Pulling up and cruising along furniture | Indoors barefoot or non-slip socks | Feels the floor and finds their balance |
| Walking alone, outdoors | First shoes | Protection on tarmac, gravel, cold |
| Running, climbing | Shoes with a firm fastening | The size changes often |
What to check in first shoes
- Thin, flexible sole. The shoe bends easily around the toes when you press it with your hand.
- Wide, rounded toe, where the toes can spread out.
- The right length: 1–1.5 cm free at the front, with the child standing.
- Good fastening, with Velcro or laces, so the foot does not slip in the shoe.
- Non-slip sole, but without a thick, rigid tread.
- Breathable material: leather, canvas, mesh.
- Light. A heavy shoe tires them and makes them drag their feet.
You do not need “arch support” or “orthopaedic” shoes unless the doctor has recommended them. Flat feet are normal in young children.
How to measure
- Measure in the afternoon, when the foot is slightly bigger.
- The child stands on a sheet of paper, with their weight on both feet.
- Mark the heel and the tip of the longest toe, on both feet.
- Measure the longer foot and add 1–1.5 cm.
- Compare with the manufacturer’s size chart; sizes differ from one brand to another.
Check the size every 2–3 months. Young children rarely complain that their shoes are tight.
What to avoid
- Shoes worn by a child who is not walking. They do not help with walking (see our guide on what not to buy for a baby).
- Thick, rigid soles and heels, however small.
- Shoes “to last them until next year”. A shoe that is too big makes them trip.
- Socks without non-slip grips on parquet or tiles (see tips in home safety for a mobile baby).
- Shoes worn all day indoors, if the floor is warm and safe.
Our recommendation
Until the first steps: non-slip socks and barefoot indoors. When they walk on their own: a pair of light shoes with a flexible sole, a wide toe and 1–1.5 cm free at the front, bought after you have measured the foot. One pair is enough; they will outgrow it in a few months.
Frequently asked questions
When does a child need their first shoes?
When they start walking outdoors on their own, usually between 12 and 18 months. Until then, shoes do not help with walking. Indoors, walking barefoot or in non-slip socks lets the foot feel the floor and strengthen its muscles.
How can I tell if the shoe is the right size?
With the child standing, press on the toe of the shoe. Between the longest toe and the tip there should be about the width of your thumb, that is 1–1.5 cm. The shoe should not leave red marks after wearing, and the heel should not slip out.
Can I use second-hand shoes for my child?
Many specialists recommend new shoes, because the sole and the inside mould to the first wearer’s foot. Very lightly worn shoes, outgrown after a few weeks, can be an exception. Check that they are not deformed and that the sole is not worn down on one side.
Think it could help someone else?
Send the guide to your partner or to a friend who is expecting a baby.