As new moms will quickly learn, there's a fine line between baby shoes that look adorable — but are more or less useless — and those that actually stay on an early toddler's tiny feet. The trick is to find a pair that stays secure around the ankle — whether with elastic, a higher cut, or Velcro straps that keep everything in place. Here, seven practical pairs that will actually stay put . . . and don't look half bad, either!
Tiny toes need extra protection from frigid temperatures, and the following eight pairs of boots provide just that, plus a major dose of Winter style. For baby and toddler boys and girls, boots from big-person brands Ugg and Sorel, along with offerings from kid companies Robeez and Pediped, are filled with cozy shearling, wool, faux fur, and more and feature easy on-and-off designs. Keep clicking to find your favorite pair to ensure your babes can enjoy this Winter feeling warm and looking cute.
Your lil one will be toddling about in style in any of these soft-soled shoes. Made to endure playgrounds, parking lots, or the hardwoods of your own home, these booties are ready for the first adventures of walking. With Velcro grips and elastic flexible bands, your tot's shoes will stay where you want them while she's exploring the world. Click through for a roundup fit for any newly mobile tot.
Baby shoes can be a challenge. Finding the right fit and style is hard enough, and once you finally settle on a favorite pair, odds are your little one will outgrow them within days. But brand-new product Shupeas might be the answer to our baby-shoe woes. Invented by former Louis Vuitton executive (and mom of two) Galit Harari, Shupeas use expandable technology (it's even applied for a patent) to expand to fit babes 3-24 months. According to the company, buying one pair of leather or vegan Shupeas is like buying four pairs of Robeez! But unlike some of our other favorite baby booties, Shupeas use Velcro instead of elastic, which means you can say bye-bye to those sad marks around those chubby ankles. As an added bonus, that Velcro allows for a totally customized fit, which leads to less slippage and shoe loss. Cute styles like pink cupcakes, lavender hearts, brown peace signs, and blue puppies are obviously made for kids but not totally cutesy.
A few styles and colors of Shupeas are currently for sale online ($36 each), and more will be available at Babies "R" Us and Amazon.com in late Summer. Expect prices to drop to around $15 for vegan Shupeas and $25 for leather. So what do you think, is that a small price to pay for one pair of shoes that will last almost two years? Or are you skeptical that Shupeas could really work for your little one? Weigh in below.
While many experts say barefoot is still the best way for your lil one to learn to walk, during the colder months, it can be hard to leave those little toes uncovered. Luckily for mamas of aspiring walkers, tons of new-technology and old-school soft-sole shoes are out there, specially designed to get your babe up and moving. From Pediped's Grip 'n' Go shoes to Robeez classic slip-ons, tiny shoes have never been cuter — or better designed. Keep clicking for 10 footwear options that are sure to help baby take those first steps.
