Key points
- The AAP says babies' feet develop best when they aren't confined in shoes, and socks are enough for warmth.
- Shoes are for protection: walking outdoors and on uneven, hot or cold surfaces.
- First sneakers should be light, with thin, flexible soles that bend at the ball of the foot (APMA).
- A first pair lasts only two to three months, so there's no need to overspend (AAP).
The short answer: when walking moves outdoors
According to the AAP's HealthyChildren.org, babies' feet develop best when they aren't confined in shoes, and socks are enough to keep them warm. Once children are walking outdoors, they need shoes to protect their feet.
So no birthday triggers the first pair. What matters is where your child walks. A toddler cruising around the living room can stay in socks. The same toddler on a sidewalk, a playground or a gravel path needs shoes.
When most children start walking
The CDC's Milestones in Action lists walking among the milestones most children reach by 15 months. Children vary. If you have questions about your child's walking, the CDC's Learn the Signs. Act Early. materials can help you track milestones, and your pediatrician is the right person to ask.
Shoes or socks? It depends on the surface
A 2022 AAP patient education advisory, as quoted by Seattle's Child, says shoes protect feet during cruising, walking outside, or on uneven, hot or cold surfaces. Here's how that guidance maps onto a typical day.
| Situation | What the AAP guidance suggests |
|---|---|
| Crawling and playing on indoor floors | Bare feet or socks; the AAP says socks are enough for warmth |
| Cruising along furniture | The 2022 advisory lists cruising among the times shoes protect feet |
| Walking outdoors | Shoes, for protection |
| Uneven ground, like gravel or a trail | Shoes, for protection |
| Hot surfaces, like summer pavement | Shoes, for protection |
| Cold surfaces, like winter ground | Shoes, for protection |
| Slippery floors | Comfortable shoes with nonskid soles, such as sneakers |
The same AAP advisory says shoes, socks and footed pajamas should all have wiggle room. Snug socks and tight footed sleepers count too, so check them when you check shoes.
What to look for in a first pair
APMA advises that young children wear light shoes with flexible soles that bend easily but still protect. In a joint 2012 release with Stride Rite, APMA added that the younger the child, the thinner and more flexible the sole should be. For a new walker, that points to the softest, most flexible sole that still protects.
- A thin, flexible sole that bends at the ball of the foot, not in the middle (APMA)
- A nonskid outsole, especially for slippery floors (AAP)
- A toe box at least as wide as the widest part of the foot (APMA)
- Laces or a hook-and-loop strap to prevent toe clawing and gripping (APMA)
- About a finger-width of room in front of the big toe (AAP)
- Comfortable right away, with no breaking in (APMA)
For how to test each feature in the store, see our guide to soles, closures and materials. For sizing, start with how to measure toddler feet.
About 'first walker' shoe lines
Many brands sell dedicated lines for new walkers, such as Carter's Every Step and Geox First Steps barefoot styles. Carter's describes its new-walker shoes as having wide toe boxes and slip-resistant soles. A 'first walker' label is a useful starting point, not a guarantee. Still bend the sole, check the toe box and measure the foot before you buy.
Budget: buy well-made, not expensive
The AAP's guidance is to 'buy well-made shoes, but don't spend a lot of money,' because feet grow so fast that the first pair won't last more than two to three months. Plan to check fit about once a month, and expect to replace the pair soon.
Resist buying far ahead in bigger sizes. A shoe that is too big isn't a shortcut to savings, and a shoe that is too tight is worse still: the AAP says no shoes at all is better than shoes that are too tight.
When to talk to a professional
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about when or how your child is walking. For foot concerns, a podiatrist can help, and APMA offers a Find a Podiatrist service. Reasons to ask include:
- Questions about walking milestones, using the CDC milestone materials as a starting point
- Uneven wear at the toe or heel of your child's shoes, which APMA says can signal a foot problem
- A child who keeps taking shoes off, which the 2012 APMA and Stride Rite tips say may signal a poor fit
- Pain, or anything about how your child's feet look or move that worries you
Frequently asked questions
Do babies need shoes before they walk?
The AAP says babies' feet develop best when they aren't confined in shoes, and socks are enough for warmth. Shoes become necessary once a child is walking outdoors.
Should my toddler wear shoes indoors?
Indoors, bare feet or socks are usually enough under AAP guidance. On slippery floors, the AAP suggests comfortable shoes with nonskid soles, such as sneakers.
Are stiff, hard-soled shoes better for support?
APMA recommends the opposite for young children: light shoes with flexible soles. The younger the child, the thinner and more flexible the sole should be.
How long will the first pair last?
The AAP says no more than two to three months, because feet grow so fast.
What about sandals in summer?
A physical therapist's blog citing AAP guidance suggests choosing shoes by activity, including sandals for warm weather. The same fit rules apply: toe room, a flexible sole and a strap that holds the foot.
Sources
- Shoes for Active Toddlers — American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Why babies don't need shoes yet — Seattle's Child
- Milestones in Action: 15 Months — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Milestones in Action — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Buying Children's Footwear — American Podiatric Medical Association
- Children's Footwear and Find a Podiatrist — American Podiatric Medical Association
- Tips for Buying Kids' Shoes (2012) — Stride Rite and APMA via GlobeNewswire
- Baby walking shoes — Carter's
- First Steps — Geox
- Shoe recommendations for children — DinoPT blog