10 Best Sneakers for Kids Reviewed in 2024
Ana
Purchasing sneakers for kids can be a trying experience for parents because of the multitude of choices available and the sometimes picky preferences of the child. To help make the process easier, we have selected the best products in this category that customers have purchased and loved the most. These featured items have the most reviews from online consumers, as well as the highest ratings and positive feedback. We are proud to showcase the best products that footwear manufacturers have to offer for your kid’s pleasure and comfort. Here are the best sneakers for kids in 2019.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 18 hrs of research
Has a rubber sole and molded rubber outsole
All-purpose shoe for everyday wear
Shaft is low-top from heel to toe
Has a soft cushioned collar lining
Laces are durable with sturdy d-rings
10 Best Sneakers for Kids Reviewed
1. K-Swiss Classic VN
Has a rubber sole and molded rubber outsole
All-purpose shoe for everyday wear
Shaft is low-top from heel to toe
Has a soft cushioned collar lining
Laces are durable with sturdy d-rings
Sizes may run a bit larger
Some said these show wear and tear soon
The K-Swiss Kids’ Classic VNs are for both boys and girls, made of leather and synthetic materials. The sneakers have rubber soles and outsoles that are molded rubber and a soft cushiony collar lining. These are good all-purpose shoes for everyday wear that offers great comfort and stability.
Read moreDesign
These amazing sneakers for kids include a toe of three-pieces for strength and longevity and a low-top shaft from heel to toe. The laces are durable with sturdy d-rings on leather straps of the five-stripe branding. They're offered in solid black, solid white, and iridescent and white and available in infant, toddler, big kid, and little kid sizes.
Comfort
Dependability and comfort are the top features of these sneakers. They have strong laces, sturdy d-rings, leather and solid rubber materials, and heavy-duty construction.
Price Range
Costing less than the average, these K-Swiss sneakers are highly valued for the sturdy construction and the wide selection of sizes for toddlers to big kids.
2. Skechers Electronz Blazar
Available in an assortment of sizes
Is lightweight and comfortable
Has a durable rubber sole
Features strong laces and a Velcro strap
Offered in several great color mixtures
Some said these get dirty quickly
Remarks of no traction and being slippery on smooth surfaces
Offered in black-red, blue-lime, silver-black, and black-charcoal-orange mix, the Kids Electronz Blazar Sneaker from Skechers are lightweight comfortable shoes with durable rubber soles.
Read moreDesign
The Skechers Electronz Blazar are all-purpose shoes that can be worn every day and feels good enough to wear for extended periods of time. Available in little kid, big kid, and toddler sizes, it features strong thick laces and a sturdy Velcro strap over the top for support.
Comfort
The fashionable style and the high comfort level will have your kids raving and loving these sneakers with fantastic color combinations. When footwear comes with laces and a Velcro strap, the manufacturer is ensuring that the laces stay secured when the shoe is on and extra support is given at the top of the ankle.
Price Range
Costing under the average of shoes in this list, these Skechers sneakers are worth the price because of the fantastic colors offered and the strong closure features of the laces and Velcro strap.
3. Skechers Girls Pepsters Colorbeam
Has all-rubber soles for best traction
Includes a heel pull for gripping ability
Features a Velcro closure for security
Has wide neon-colored shoelaces
Midsole is ridged for added traction
Problems with sizing
The traction is more for walking and not running according to a few buyers
Featuring the Skechers logo on the side and top Velcro strap, these Girls’ Pepsters Colorbeam Sneakers are available in three vibrant color splash themes that kids will love. Offered in sizes for big kids, little kids, and toddlers, they are made of synthetic and textile materials with all-rubber soles for best traction and grip.
Read moreDesign
Included is a heel pull for easy access and gripping ability and a midsole that is ridged for added traction. The Velcro closure is brilliantly sparkled and is paired with wide neon-colored shoelaces that are sturdy and long-lasting. For fun fashion that is comfortable to wear, these Skechers Pepsters are perfect for girls of all ages.
Comfort
No matter what age your little girl is or the size of her feet, these sneakers are offered in a perfect size just for her. Whether she is a toddler, big kid, or little kid, she will look great in a pair of these comfortable colorful shoes.
Price
This average-costing shoe has the fantastic features of exciting rainbow color schemes, solid rubber soles, and a Velcro strap closure with wide neon laces.
4. PUMA Sesame Street
Red and blue options
Beloved Sesame Street characters (Elmo and Cookie Monster) in the design
Soft suede outer, durable rubber sole
Made to last and can withstand light athletic activity
Special 50th Sesame Street Anniversary edition
All shoes have working laces; you may have trouble getting these on wiggly little ones
Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? Step out in style with these adorable blue (and red) suede shoes! The PUMA Kids Sesame Street Sneakers come in two different character themes. Both are available in Toddler, Little Kid, and Big Kid sizes. They’re great for casual wear or light athletic use! Celebrate Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary in style with these special edition sneakers for your favorite little fans.
Read moreDesign
The pop-art style of the shoes makes these a fun pick for kids. You can get them in red or blue! The red design features Elmo on the side, sitting back and enjoying his favorite music beside the busy city skyline one shoe and biking through the streets on the other. The blue suede tennis shoes show Cookie Monster biking on one shoe and eating cookies on a park bench on the other. These are low-top sneakers for kids and both styles also depict their respective character on the tongue of the shoe below the PUMA logo.
Comfort
All shoes take a little bit of breaking in. PUMA sneakers in this style tend to be very firm so don’t wear them out for long periods of time right away. The rubber sole provides traction for kids as they run, jump, roll, and explore the world around them. They’re suede, so they feel soft to the touch on the outside and the inside is a cute, cushy little pattern. All shoes include functional laces.
Price Range
These are the most expensive pair of sneakers on our list. If you want to splurge on a truly stand out pair of shoes, this is your stop! But if you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, try one of our other fabulous picks.
5. Adidas Originals Stan Smith
Shaft from the arch is low-top
Lining is made of terry cloth
Includes the OrthoLite sockliner
Has strong lacing and durable eyelets
Is a good court and everyday shoe
A few said these crease plenty
Sizes may run big
Only offered in big kid sizes and colors, these fabulous sneakers from Adidas are perfect court and everyday shoes for kids. Colors include white and green, solid white, and white and blue in this shoe made of full-grain leather with rubber soles.
Read moreDesign
The shaft from the arch is low-top, and the lining is soft comfortable Visa terry cloth material. The Stan Smith model is recognizable by the heel tab in a contrasting color and a mesh and leather upper that are breathable and soft. Included is the OrthoLite sockliner which limits odor in the shoe, lacing that is strong, and eyelets that are durable.
Comfort
The comfort of these shoes comes from the breathable mesh upper, terry cloth lining, and the supportive inner soles. Kids can wear these all day every day for comfort that lasts.
Price Range
Priced well below the average for items in this category and being an Adidas product, these kids' sneakers are a wonderful bargain because of the comfort and durable build.
6. Adidas Kids’ Superstar
Available in over thirty color combinations
Features a rounded toe box
Includes strong durable laces
Leather upper is smooth and flexible
Has the three-strip famous branding
Can be heavy and wide for some wearers
A few people experienced some stitching coming undone
With over 1,100 reviews from customers online, these Adidas Kids’ Superstar Sneakers are the most reviewed items of this category. They are available in over thirty color combinations with the Superstar logo and feature a rounded toe box and strong durable laces.
Read moreDesign
You know when you buy brand name items, you are getting dependable high-quality products. This is true of the Adidas brand that is known and loved around the world. These Superstar sneakers are proof of that top-quality for which they are known. The leather upper is very smooth, flexible, and easy to keep clean. All available colors have the three-strip famous branding in various colors, so you know that you are getting, wearing, and enjoying the best in kids’ footwear.
Comfort
Made of leather with a rubber sole, they have a low-top drop to the toe, making them very comfortable for every day, all day wear.
Price
These are the highest in price of all the sneakers listed in this guide. The Adidas brand commands a higher price than most because of the name recognition. These have the added features of a huge color selection and durable, well-made construction.
7. Adidas Baseline
Made of a leather, suede, and rubber
Shaft from arch is low-top
Has Velcro closures
Includes the famous adidas three stripes
Lining is soft and comfortable
Some parents said there is an inside bump in the toe area
The Velcro strap came off on a few shoes
The Adidas Kids’ Baseline CMF Inf Sneaker is offered in infant, toddler, and big kid sizes and made of a leather and suede upper and rubber soles. The shaft from the arch is low-top, and it has Velcro closures for a secure fit and ease in access.
Read moreDesign
These remarkable sneakers have the famous Adidas three-stripe pattern on the side in leather. It comes in purple and gray, copper metallic, and black colors for a wonderful selection to fit your child’s wardrobe and outfits.
Comfot
The lining is soft, thus providing a comfortable fit. The Velcro straps on these sneakers make them easy to put on and take off of the child. For infants and toddlers, this is a huge plus in footwear because it is tedious to tie laces on such small shoes.
Price Range
Priced over the average but not the highest cost item here, these sneakers from Adidas are valued for the strong materials and the easy Velcro closures.
8. New Balance KL574
Made of durable suede, mesh, and rubber materials
Includes an EVA lightweight midsole
Offered in over thirty solid colors and color blends
Different closures and widths are offered
Is a highly popular mode
Complaints of being too narrow
Sizes were a problem for some kids
The New Balance KL574 is as versatile as it is popular, and we think those two have something to do with each other. This shoe is available in Infant, Toddler, Little Kid, Youth, and Big Kid sizes. It comes in 34 different mesh and leather designs. It’s the perfect lightweight, flexible footwear for active kids.
Read moreDesign
All of the colors have the New Balance logo on the side and feature a heel counter on the exterior. The flexible and strong materials used in the construction of these shoes are great for the growing foot of a child. Several closures and multiple widths are offered, and this is a highly popular model for the company with a famous history of success.
Comfrot
It includes an EVA lightweight midsole for fabulous cushioning and is offered in over thirty solid colors and color mixtures in teal, green, black, white gray, and purple.
Price Range
This is one of the higher-priced products on this list but not the most expensive. It is valued for its huge array of offered color combinations and its proven impressive history with the company.
9. Keds School Days II
Has a lining of soft comfortable terry cloth
Includes a durably padded collar
Shoes lace up for a stable secure fit
Contains a footbed of memory foam
Offers steady safe stepping
May damage easily in the toe part
Some said these are heavy to wear
These cute little throwback sneakers are almost too cool for school. The School Days II design features a classic, vintage aesthetic. These Keds are available in three different colors for Toddlers and Little Kids (4-8 years).
Read moreDesign
Made just for girls, these splendid sneakers are available in solid white black and white, and black and navy. The shoes lace up for a stable secure fit and offer steady safe stepping you can depend on. The fashionable trendy look makes them the shoes to wear.
Comfort
Comfort is the main feature of these sneakers. They have a lining of soft comfortable terry cloth and a durable padded collar. Included is a footbed of memory foam for the best support and comfort.
Price
These terrific sneakers are at the low end of the price range of these items. The premium leather, terry cloth lining, and memory foam insoles make them a much-valued product.
10. Jordan 1 Low Alt
Trendy, modern style
High quality materials
Supportive structure
Rubber sole for traction
Flexible
Not much ankle support
Jordan sneakers are a staple in many fashionable young wardrobes! These sturdy low tops have a soft interior cushioning to keep little feet spry and comfortable. They’re available in Little Kids Sizes 1-13.5. The color combination is cool and modern while a sophisticated design and hand-picked materials work together to create long-lasting support for your adventurous little one.
Read moreDesign
Red, white, and black leather and imitation leather combine to make these stylish Jordans a reality. Suede detailing and real laces complete the shoe. None of these sizes include a velcro option so take note if you have trouble getting shoes on children or if they need assistance in tying laces. These are low top sneakers with a Nike logo along the side. Rubber soling provides traction and protection for kids on the go.
Comfort
The Jordan 1 Low Alt design is both supportive and flexible. Nike has carefully crafted a shoe from materials that will hold up against rough play while still giving kids the room to be as agile as they desire. These don’t provide a lot of ankle support though, so bear that in mind if your child needs a little extra structure in that area.
Price Range
These are the second most expensive pair on our list. They’re stylish and very trendy currently. These Jordans will also last through some serious wear and tear.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Design
We selected the best sneakers for kids for this buying guide that have the most feedback from customers and the highest ratings. The sneakers in this list that have both of these honors are from Adidas. They are one of the foremost leaders in shoe manufacturing today because of their superior products. The Kids’ Superstar Sneaker has the most reviews and the Kids’ Baseline CMF has the highest ratings of any sneaker in this category. Online consumers have overwhelmingly chosen all of these sneakers as the best of what manufacturers are offering, and the majority of them would purchase these again because of the very high satisfaction level. These are all the latest styles with the most updated and recent fashions that kids want and are eager to wear. Many of these have super choices in solid colors and color schemes for kids to pick their favorites. While most of these have tie shoelaces, we do highlight a few selections that feature Velcro closures for easy access and dependability in staying on the feet. Shoelaces come untied and can be a hazard for very active kids, so Velcro is an ideal option for safety for some children.
Comfort
The most important feature for shoes is the comfort, especially when it comes to sneakers for kids. These all have high levels of comfort because of the breathability, sole support, fit on the foot, and high-quality materials used. Children’s shoes must be well-ventilated for them to not retain sweat and moisture buildup from high-powered activities. These sneakers are remarkably breathable and supportive of the various parts of the foot. The soles are cushioned and give great arch support for those high-impact jumps and quick foot movements. Only the best materials were used in the construction of these kids’ sneakers to make them dependable and durable to wear for an extended period of time.
Price Range
When there was a price range for an individual item, we took the higher price for the best cost comparison. These prices are analyzed in each item’s Cost and Value Section to highlight the main value points. Generally, Adidas, New Balance, and PUMA are the most expensive sneakers for kids on this list because of their high-quality and terrific reputation as leading shoe manufacturers.
Design Comfort Price Range 
Between the ages of 1-3, your child's feet can grow as much as 1.5mm each month. Shoe sizing can be a little more complicated for kids than adults as some sizes rely heavily on national averages for the age group and others are more specifically tailored to measurements.
Your child's feet typically stop growing once they hit puberty. Toddler and Youth sizes tend to be unisex but once you hit the Big Kids sizes and beyond, you’ll notice a difference in girls and boys sizing due to general changes in the structure and shape of the foot for each biological sex.
Other Factors to Consider
Durability
Shoes for kids must be durable second to comfort. If they do not last for at least one school year, then parents will be dissatisfied and repurchasing sneakers again too soon. They must be durable in every part from the soles to the toes and heels to make them worthy of the cost. Since all of these sneakers are from the best makers of footwear, they will last a long time. These sneakers have outstanding craftsmanship in the stitching, selection of materials used, and manufacturing. You can count on the sturdiness of these products as they will stand up to the wear and tear from children and perform quite well.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Which of these sneakers are just for boys? Which are just for girls?
The sneakers here that are just for girls are the Keds School Days II Sneaker and the Skechers Kids Girl’s Pepsters Colorbeam Sneakers. The only one specifically for boys is the Adidas Originals Boys’ Stan Smith J Sneakers. All of the others are unisex and can be worn by either boys or girls equally as well.
q: What is the age range for these shoes?
This varies with each offered item, but basically little kids and big kids can fit into all of the sneakers here. Some of them offer toddler and infant sizes, making them have a huge range of sizes available. We list the size ranges for each in the individual summary sections.
q: Which ones have the best color choices for kids?
The products listed with the best color choices are the Adidas Kids’ Superstar Sneaker and the New Balance Kids’ KL574 Sneaker. They have many selections to choose from in solid colors and various color combinations sure to please any child and match any wardrobe or school uniform.
q: What is the best way to clean these sneakers?
The manufacturers did not give any washing or drying instructions in the product descriptions, but we would assume that these sneakers are like other athletic and everyday tennis shoes and can be machine washed. Unless the package directions state specifically that they must be hand-washed and air-dried, it would be suitable to wash these in a machine. It is probably best to air-dry these sneakers to keep them in the best condition the longest.
q: Which items have the best ratings from customers online?
The sneaker with the best ratings from consumers is the Adidas Kids’ Baseline CMF Inf Sneaker. It is way ahead of all of the other items in this category. The Adidas company is known for its high-quality construction and material choices for its products.
q: Do any of these shoes have safety features for kids such as reflectors?
No, these are all basic everyday wear sneakers for walking and running. They do not have any special features other than durability, comfort, breathability, supportive, and dependable. One product does have fantastically bright colors and sparkle on the Velcro lacing strap, which could possibly be seen in darker areas. This is the Skechers Girls’ Pepsters Colorbeam Sneakers. The colors look neon, but we do not know if they do indeed glow in the dark or can be seen at night.
q: What are most of these shoes made to make them last?
The majority of these sneakers are made of lightweight breathable materials that are suitable for kids to wear every day and all day long. These include leather, suede, rubber, and mesh materials for the outer parts. The inside of some of these items has a soft inner lining of a comfortable fabric such as terry cloth for cushioning and support. The Keds School Days II Sneaker for girls has a layer of memory foam on the inside for a wonderful foot experience kids will appreciate.
q: About how long are these sneakers supposed to last kids? Should parents be buying more than one pair in a school season?
These are all products from the leading manufacturers in footwear, so the quality and durability are high. One pair should last a child throughout the school year easily, but this greatly depends on the amount of use and abuse the child puts the sneakers though. Sometimes kids may play outdoors after school with these on, which will be decreasing the amount of time they can be worn long-term. For children who wear others shoes periodically instead of these sneakers, they should experience longer lives with their shoes.
Sources
- , CHECK THE FIT, Online Article
- , How to Fit Your Kid for Shoes, Online Article
- , are your kids' shoes too small, too big or juuust right?, Online Article
