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Baby shoes are super cute and all, but some of them have an inconvenient tendency to fall off your child's feet. When it comes to the best baby shoes that stay on, it's all about proper fit and secure fastening features to keep them right where they belong — on your little one's tiny feet.
Your baby’s shoes will never stay on if they are too big. So figuring out your child’s correct shoe size from the get-go is super important. Before purchasing, take the time to measure the length and width of your child’s feet, and cross-reference that with the shoe brand’s size chart. You want the shoe to fit snuggly but without leaving indentations on the foot. Be on the lookout for shoes that have a good size range to help you to achieve the best fit possible.
That said, fit is about more than just size. Shoes need to utilize some kind of fastening feature to securely hug your child's foot so that they won't fall off. Look for options with one or more of the following:
- Hook and loop closure: Adjustable straps with hook and loop closure (more commonly known by the trademarked name, "Velcro") allow you to quickly and easily tweak the tightness of the shoe, which is a biggie if you have a little one who doesn’t want to sit still.
- Snaps: While snaps aren’t quite as customizable as straps, they are much harder for a child to undo. If you’ve got a little one who can easily undo hook and loop closures, try upgrading to a shoe with snaps.
- Toggles: Not many baby shoes have toggles, but when you find a good pair that does, they are worth snatching up. A toggle fastener is the ultimate choice when it comes to adjustability; loosen the toggle to slide your baby’s foot into the shoe, then tighten it with one easy motion.
- Laces: Just like adult shoes, some baby shoes have laces that can be tied to varying degrees of tightness. The downsides with shoe laces are that they are more work for you to tie, and might be easy for your little one to untie.
- Elastic: Getting shoes on squirmy feet can be difficult. However, shoes that feature elastic (at the heel or elsewhere) are much easier to get on since they stretch to accommodate your child’s foot for a secure fit. Elastic is often used in conjunction with one of the other fastening methods.
From straps to laces and everything in between, these 10 baby shoes actually stay on your little one's feet — so you'll never accidentally leave one behind.
(And if your baby tends to lose socks as well, check out this list of socks that stay on.)
1
Editor’s Choice: A Cozy Pair Of Soft, Snap-On Booties That Really, Truly Stay On
Soft, cozy, adjustable… what’s not to love about these baby booties from Zutano? A fan-favorite on Amazon with more than 6,500 reviews, these fleece booties will certainly keep your little one’s feet from getting cold. Two adjustable snaps and gentle elastic at the ankle create a snug fit, so the shoes won’t slip off your child’s feet. Reviewers on Amazon gave these booties a near-perfect 4.8-star rating, with many people noting that they are the ideal combination of functional and cute.
Romper Commerce Editor Kate Miller raves, “I got these as a baby gift from a mama I consider to be always one step ahead on all things parenting. Of course, she was onto something. These booties are truly the best. While the price tag is a little steep, they last a really long time. I used the aforementioned baby-gift booties for both my daughters. Held up in the wash beautifully unlike so many other baby booties that lose their Velcro.”
Choose from a wide range of colors, including fun and bright apple green, two-tone gray and navy, and sweet baby pink.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Love these booties so much I had to get two pairs! My daughter likes to pull off her socks so I got these booties to go over her socks. I bought the 6 month size and she's been wearing them since she was 2 months old and they still fit really well (she's now almost 7 months). There are two snap buttons on the straps so you can adjust how tight you want the booties. They stay on her feet even though she tries to pull them off. I put these in the washer and dryer and they didn't shrink either!"
- Available Sizes: 3 - 6 Months, 12 - 24 Month sizes
2
A Pair Of Leather Moccasins That Slide On Easy (& Stay On)
If you’re looking for a sweet pair of moccasins with a little extra staying power, these Mejale slip-ons are a good bet. The elastic closure makes all the difference, as it stretches for baby’s foot to slide in, then closes to keep it there (without an ounce of pinching). Beyond that, these booties are made from supple genuine leather, and the flexible suede sole provides traction for babies who are finding their feet. Choose from four different colors, including watermelon pink and yellow.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "[...]I especially love how easy they are to put on and take off, yet the elastic ring around the ankle has kept baby from removing the shoes, which amazes me because she has removed so many other types of shoes. They are holding up well after a couple of months of daily wear. These are our go/to shoes for our learning-to-walk baby.[...]”
- Available Sizes: 0-6 Months Infant - 12 Months-24 Months Toddler
3
A Pair Of FringeMoccasins With Adjustable Straps
Some styles of baby moccasins can be a real pain to put on, or can easily slide off the feet. But these Antheron moccasins are different, and it’s all thanks to the strap, which features hook and loop closure. Simply undo the strap, slide your little one’s foot into the shoe, and adjust the strap to the exact tightness you need. It’s as easy as that.
Functionality aside, these adorable shoes come with precious fringe detailing, and you can choose from a bunch of different colors to match any look, or opt for a lace closure instead. The soft sole is easy on little baby feet, and the breathable cotton lining ensures that these will be comfortable all day long.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Easy to put on and actually are staying on my Houdini baby who removes every other shoe! So glad I got them! I ordered the 6-12 month size for my 10 mo. They fit great with a bit of [room to] grow. Perfect!"
- Available Sizes: 0-6 Months Infant, 6-12 Months Infant, 12-18 Months Infant
4
A Pair Of Stylish High-Tops
It honestly doesn’t get much cuter than baby high-tops, and this pair from Meckior will stay on surprisingly well. Tie laces allow you to tighten and loosen the shoes as needed, while elastic at the ankle makes getting the shoes on a total breeze. The shoes are made of a soft canvas material and feature a lightweight, anti-slip sole.
These high-tops have certainly caught the eyes of Amazon reviewers; they gave this pick an impressive 4.4-star rating among 500 and growing reviews.
Choose from a ton of different colors, including a bright yellow and a stylish brown and black combo.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "Perfect for little fat baby feet. Even for my baby’s long narrow ones, they lace up nice and snug, so she can’t pull them off easily. Material is soft and light enough for my baby to move around in them."
- Available Sizes: 0-6 Months Infant, 6-12 Months Infant, 12-18 Months Toddler
5
A Pair Of Outdoor Boots That Can Be Worn Alone Or Over Other Shoes
When the weather is cool, these Stonz baby boots will certainly keep your little one’s toesies warm. The boots are made of a cold- and wind-resistant nylon and feature a fleece lining that’s extra cozy. Best yet, two adjustable toggles will keep the shoes on your baby’s feet, which is extra important when cold and wet weather is involved. What’s cool about this pick is that they can be worn alone or on top of another pair of shoes for added protection and warmth.
While this pick is a bit on the pricey side, Amazon reviewers noted that they're worth every penny as they have held up in even the ickiest of weather; plus, the struggle to get the boot on is nonexistent (slip and cinch).
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "These boots are amazing! They slide on so easily and stay on little wiggly feet! I love the grip of the base material and the durability of the whole shoe. We have every size and have used them with and without shoes under in rain, snow and shine and his feet are always dry and warm!"
- Available Sizes: 0-6 Months Infant
6
A Strappy Sneaker Available In Wide & Extra-Wide Sizes
Stride Rite is a beloved baby shoe brand, thanks to their high-quality shoes with clever design. And these Adrian baby sneakers are par for the course. The rubber soles feature grooves that enable baby’s natural movement. The memory foam insoles are designed to be comfortable, and the lining is breathable. When it comes to making sure these kicks stay put, a hook and loop closure strap will allow you to adjust as needed (the laces are decorative).
Amazon reviewers gave this pick a near-perfect 4.8-star rating, championing these sneakers for their good size range (including half, wide, and extra-wide sizes). Choose from five cute colors.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "We love these shoes. Easy to put on, they stay on, and they are finally wide enough for my child's foot!”
- Available Sizes: Infant 3-3.5, Toddler 4-6, including half, wide, and extra-wide sizes
7
A Pair Of Closed-Toe Sandals With Secure Straps
These LONSOEN leather sandals are the perfect pick for a warm day. The cutout sandals allow the feet to breathe, while the hook and loop closure ensures that the sandals stay snugly on your baby’s feet. Plus, a closed toe front helps to prevent injury, and a rubber sole provides superior traction. These sandals are certainly highly regarded on Amazon; reviewers gave this pick a standout 4.5-star rating, among 600 and growing reviews.
The sandals are made from a soft leather, and come in nine different colors.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "These are great — they were so inexpensive but they look super cute. Very easy to get on and off baby and lightweight so they’re easy for baby to walk in. Love these sandals!"
- Available Sizes: kids' 3 - 7, including select half sizes
8
A Fan-Favorite Dress Shoe With An Embellished Strap Closure
These sweet dress shoes are simply charming. The soft mary janes feature floral details that are actually a hook and loop strap for easy adjustability. If flowers aren’t your thing, don’t worry: The listing has other adorable designs including glittery and lace options.
Amazon reviewers gave this pick a 4.3-star rating after more than 1,000 reviews, with many mentioning that these are the perfect special occasion shoes.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "I purchased these shoes for my babies first birthday and they were just LOVELY! They were perfect and to my surprise, my daughter kept them on her feet the whole day. She never likes shoes and yanks them off when she can, but these she didn't. I definitely recommend. I ordered the pink/blush shoes.”
- Available Sizes: Infants 0-6 Months, 6-12 Months, 12-18 Months
9
A Cozy Pair Of Slippers
Everyone deserves to cozy up in a warm pair of slippers, including babies! And this pair from Sakuracan certainly fits the bill. Made of an ultra-soft fleece and cotton combo, the slippers are simply the best when it comes to comfort. A sock-like closure holds the slippers in place, while an elastic top ensures that they're easy to slide on your child’s feet. The nonslip bottoms help to prevent falls on slippery surfaces.
Amazon reviewers have gone wild about these cute slippers (available in a variety of different styles), giving them a 4.35-star rating overall after thousands of reviews.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "This is a fantastic product. My son is 10 months and we ordered the 12-18mo size so he could grow into them. They are just slightly big as expected, but the design is perfect for kids who hate shoes or always remove their socks! We had tried so many different things but these shoes work great. The elastic band inside allows for the extra "hug" and helps keep the shoes in place. My 10 month old cruises around all day and finally has WARM feet! He doesn't even try to pull them off anymore.”
- Available Sizes: 3-6 Months Infant - 12-18 Months Toddler
10
A Pair Of Water Shoes With Convenient Straps
Water shoes are actually one of the most versatile shoes out there. Your baby can wear them in the ocean, at the beach, in a pool, in the backyard, at a waterpark, or really any situation where water is present. And while traditional water shoes seem to come off in an instant, these JIASUQI water shoes actually stay in place because of a hook and loop closure strap. Don’t just take my word for it; Amazon reviewers were certainly impressed as well, giving this pick a 4.3-star rating among 10,300 and growing reviews.
These water shoes feature a rubber sole that helps to prevent slips, plus an upper made from a stretchy blend of polyester and spandex. The shoes come in a ton of different color and pattern options, but study them carefully before you settle on a specific pair, as some of them come without the secure strap.
Enthusiastic Amazon review: "My daughter loves these shoes: fits snugly but not too tight, thanks to the [adjustable strap]. Protected her when walking over rocky shore."
- Available Sizes: kids' 1-2 - 12.5-13
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