The moment your little one takes their first steps is an exciting milestone. But when does your child actually need their first walking shoes, and how do you choose a pair that's perfectly suited for this? In this blog, we explain what to look out for and how to choose the right shoe for your child's foot type.
Why are first walking shoes important?
First walking shoes are especially important when your child starts walking. Indoors, bare feet, very flexible shoes, or slippers are still the best option. Outdoors, however, the foot needs protection against cold, moisture, and hard/sharp surfaces.
A good first walking shoe protects the foot from external influences, such as cold, moisture, and hard surfaces. The sturdy sole ensures that little feet are protected and get sufficient cushioning to absorb shocks during walking, making it less strenuous for the joints and knees.
Despite needing a sturdy sole, the shoe remains flexible, but only in the right place, namely at the toes. This is important so that the natural rolling motion of the foot is not hindered and your child learns to walk in a healthy way. A too stiff shoe can disrupt this movement and make walking more difficult.
In addition, a good first walking shoe has a sturdy heel counter that encloses the ankle well. This provides extra stability and support, which is especially important because children's feet still consist mainly of soft cartilage and therefore need support. This way, your child can walk safely and confidently, even on hard outdoor surfaces.
In summary, an ideal first walking shoe has a protective and cushioning sole, is flexible at the toes for a natural roll, and has a sturdy heel counter that encloses the ankle well for extra stability. Preferably choose a shoe made of leather, as this material breathes and helps reduce sweating. This way, the child's foot receives the right support for healthy development.
When does your child need first walking shoes?
You only need a first walking shoe when your child actually starts walking independently and also goes outside. As long as your child only crawls and occasionally stands up indoors, very flexible baby shoes, slippers, or simply bare feet are ideal for the healthy development of the foot.
Do you still want to go outside with your child while they are not yet walking independently? Then there are baby shoes without a heel counter that are completely flexible. These shoes are super soft and flexible, but are a lot warmer and offer extra protection. They often have an anti-slip sole with a crawling toe, which provides extra grip and stability while crawling, without hindering the foot's natural movement.
Do you notice that your child takes multiple steps in a row without help and enjoys exploring? Then the right time has come to provide real first walking shoes, especially for outdoor use. Indoors, slippers or bare feet are still the best choice.
What to look for in first walking shoes
- Protective and cushioning sole: The sole protects against hard surfaces like concrete and absorbs shocks during walking.
- Flexible at the toes: The shoe should only bend at the forefoot, so that the natural rolling motion of the foot is maintained.
- Sturdy heel counter: The heel must be sufficiently sturdy and enclose the ankle well for extra stability during walking.
- Good fit with growing room: Measure the foot correctly and allow for approximately 1.2 cm of growing room (about a finger's width). Our size chart already includes this growing room, so you don't need to add any more!
- Adapted to the width of the foot: Choose a model that suits the foot type, wider for wide feet and narrower for slim feet.
- Breathable material: Preferably choose leather, as it is the only natural material that breathes and helps to reduce sweating.
- Adjustable fastening: Laces or Velcro ensure that you can adjust the shoe well to the foot.
Tips for a good fit of first walking shoes
The right fit is crucial for the comfort and healthy development of the foot. At Junior Steps, we have several models that fit specific foot types well. Children with wider feet should choose a model that is a bit wider, so that it fits well at the forefoot without pinching. Children with narrow feet benefit more from a model that is narrower and fits snugly.
Please note: parents often think their child has wide feet because they find it difficult to put on the shoes, while the shoe simply needs to be loosened more. Therefore, always first completely untie the laces or Velcro before putting on the shoe. Only then can you adjust the shoe nicely to the foot. Only if the shoe still pinches at the forefoot or instep, even when the fastenings are completely loose, is the shoe too narrow and a different model is needed.
Preferably choose shoes with adjustable fastenings, such as laces or Velcro, so that you can precisely adjust the shoe to the foot. The same applies to sandals: a model that is also adjustable at the toes ensures that the foot remains comfortable during the first steps.
When is it time for new shoes?
Children grow incredibly fast, especially in the first few years. On average, a child between 0 and 2.5 years grows approximately one shoe size every 3 to 4 months. From 2.5 years, this usually slows down: one size every 5 to 6 months. Therefore, the right growing room in a first walking shoe is essential. At Junior Steps, we ensure that our shoes offer this growing room, yet have a perfect fit, so that the shoe encloses the foot firmly and remains comfortable.
To check if it's time for a new pair, you can take out the insole and place the heel completely against the back part of the sole. This way you can see how much space is left for the toes. If there is almost no space left, it's time to buy a new size.
Conclusion
The first walking shoes are an important part of your child's development. Always choose comfortable, sturdy shoes with the right width and good flexibility at the toes. Pay attention to the material and the correct size, so that your child can confidently and comfortably take their first steps.
Curious about our collection of first walking shoes? View our models below and find the perfect pair for your little one.
