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14 best baby trainers
Whether they've just stopped crawling or are already stomping around the place, invest in some supportive, stylish footwear
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Your support makes all the difference.The only trouble with having children is that you have to buy them a new pair of shoes about every three months until they are five or six years old.
Buying footwear can be a minefield for new mums who may not understand that pre-walkers need softer soles, which mimic natural foot movement so that little ones can strengthen their grip, muscles and ligaments, while first walkers need a bit more support.
Baby trainers are by far the easiest type of shoe for little ones to wear as they often have Velcro straps and look effortlessly cool. But it is important for them to have a trainer that is well-fitted, with good support in the heel. Badly fitted shoes can bring on foot, posture and walking problems later in life, so it’s important to get it right.
If you can’t make it into the shop for a proper fitting, you can buy a foot measuring device – called a size gauge – or else many brands offer online guides to fitting shoes correctly, or easy-to-follow videos, which show, for example, how to measure feet using A4 paper, by drawing around the foot with their heel against the wall, and then matching the measurement with their brand’s sizing. Don’t make the mistake of measuring your child’s foot at a UK size four and then going around buying up shoes in that size, as sizes are not consistent across all brands. And don’t be tempted to buy a pair of trainers that has plenty of growing room – shoes that are too big are as bad for your little one as those that are too small.
With each pair of trainers we looked at style, comfort, durability and whether or not they were practical. They were road tested on our 18-month-year-old model, not only at home but also on holiday, and out and about in parks and playgroups.
1. Start-rite Baby Leo Leather Riptape Pre-walkers: £29.99, Start-rite Shoes
Pre-walkers are like wrapping your child’s feet in cotton wool. This scuff-resistant leather pair, worn by our tester all over the summer, gives just the right support for your crawling and cruising little one. The Velcro riptape means they are easy to stick on their little feet when you are rushing out the door. Start-rite shoes begin at a small UK size two and come in up to four different widths – E, F, G and H – so make sure you head to your local shoe shop to have their feet measured first.
2. Bobux Origin Xplorer: £27, Bobux
With their flexible soles, these are the ideal shoes for kids to learn to walk in. The super-strong, scuff-resistant fabric on the toe cap gives extra protection if, in between bouts of walking, they revert back to crawling. Our little tester found these perfect for clambering around on holiday in Spain as they are so lightweight, with a soft leather lining that makes them breathable in hot weather. The designs come in every colour of the rainbow, ranging from laidback to eye-catching. With so many styles to choose from, you are spoilt for choice. When they’ve outgrown these, you can move on to Bobux’s Step Up range, with more support for first walkers.
3. Little Lulu’s Ali White Trainers: £48, Not On The High Street
These ultra cute white leather trainers, from a small independent UK brand run by Sheffield mum Catriona Alfaham, are made of the softest Italian leather and jazzed up with multi-coloured laces. Our tester enjoyed showing them off as she cavorted haphazardly around the place, taking her first steps. These are ideal for babies learning to walk who are not quite ready for harder soles because the whole shoe is made of soft nappa leather, handmade in an Italian factory. A tip is to cut the laces so they are not quite so long, or else you might be forever tying them again. They come beautifully packaged, so make good presents, too. Remember to spray them with a protector, to protect that super-soft leather. These also come in a very cool camouflage design, with sizes ranging from 0-6 (EU 16), 6-12 (EU 18) and 12-18 (EU 20).
4. Hampton Canvas Plum: from £25, Hampton Canvas
These plimsolls from British brand Hampton Canvas are easy to slip on and off and start at a size 19 (UK seven), which fit an average two to two-and-a-half year old. Made of natural rubber, they are flexible, with no laces and an elasticated gusset, which allows children to put them on with minimal fuss. Our mini tester wore a pair in blue and white stripes that fitted snuggly and did not fall off if bought in the correct size. They come in a variety of tasteful, muted colours. They also come in adult sizes if you fancy matching. And what’s more, they have the royal seal of approval – Prince George owns a pair.
5. Vans Toddler Checkerboard Slip-On: £27, Vans
These are a mini version of Vans’ classic checkerboard style and we love them for aspiring skater kids. The elasticated panels make them super easy to get on and off and they are 100 per cent vegan, free of any animal byproduct. They start from the tiny size of a UK 1.5.
6. Nike Free RN 2017: £26,47, Nike
They might not be able to jog yet but these from Nike will certainly keep little feet cushioned. They have a snug-fitting, adjustable Velcro strap to make them secure. Unlike some of the cheaper trainers, they offer good support in the heel, so they can be worn for longer periods of time – and they’re flexible, which means they’re ideal for little ones who are just learning to walk. Or run. These come in a range of colours – including this party-ready red version – and there is an option to customise, allowing you to choose graphics and colours, and also add a name or date to the tongue.
7. Converse Small Star Hi Canvas: £28.99, Office
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Converse, and this style is a classic. The laces are not terribly practical but the overall effect, along with a pair of jeans or a dress, makes up for the headache of getting them on and off. For pre-walkers, the Converse First Star Pink Canvas (£26.99), which goes up to an infant size four, is made out of soft moccasin with a flexible outsole, pink canvas upper with padded insole and quilted outsole. Both styles also come in navy and white. And for newborn babies, there are the Converse Crib Socks (£10), which come in blue, red or pink, if you just can’t wait to get them into a pair.
8. Supergra 2750 B Strap Baby: £17.50, Superga
This is a mini version of the adult classic, made in 100% cotton with an extra-thick gum sole and optional leather insole to give more cushioning and extra wriggle room once taken out. The shoe is lightweight, unlike some other baby trainers, so your little ones won’t feel like they are walking through treacle. We love that they are machine washable, which comes in extremely handy with a mucky toddler. They come in a range of exotic sounding colours, from Island Green to Orange Clay, and start at size UK 2 (EU 18), going up to size 7 (EU 24).
9. Clarks Brite Play First: £32, Clarks
Long gone are the days when you went down to Clarks to be measured up for a boring T-bar shoe for school. This pink, sparkly leather pair, with glittery mesh panels, has integrated lights that flash on impact. Available in whole and half sizes and different widths, they also come in Silver Leather and Aqua Leather. You can book a kids’ in-store fitting appointment online so you know your little one is wearing the right size. Clark’s has been around for over 170 years so feel reassured the brand know what’s best for their feet.
10. George at Asda First Walkers Leather Trainers: £15, Asda
These bold blue suede trainers with mesh panels and real leather uppers have two handy Velcro straps. The flexible soles and comfy squidgy padding insole make them ideal for first walkers. Good quality and very good value for money, they are also available in black. There are plenty of other styles in the George range if these don’t suit.
11. Tesco F & F Cat Face Star Print High Top Trainers: £5, Tesco
This cute blue pair has a cat’s face on the toe and pink stars on the side. They have elasticated laces which makes them easy to slip on and off while a “puurfect” slogan on the mid sole adds to the excitement of any child who loves felines. They’re great value, and score top points for style, so you can’t go wrong with a few pairs in the cupboard – but be warned, as they don’t offer much support or comfort for longer periods of time. Sizes start from zero to three months, and go up to 12 to 18 months.
12. Adidas Originals Campus Shoes: £42.95, Adidas
We’re no expert, but apparently these baby trainers “revamp an 80s Basketball classic”. The elastic laces, which are just the right length, allow for easy on-and-off. They have a reinforced toe cap and a bouncy, soft insole, making them less clunky than you might expect from a proper trainer for infants. They start at a UK size 3 and our pick is the grey suede as it will go with everything, but they also come in a pale pink or light green.
13. Zara Dinosaur High Top Sneakers: £22.99, Zara
These fun beige and brown trainers, with three dinosaur-themed spikes sticking out of the back heel, are based on a Diplodocus, which had pointed bony spines lining its back. They’re great for colder weather, with a warm, fake sheepskin-type lining and extra-strong rubber toecaps to allow for plenty of bashing about. They come in UK sizes 3 to 8 (approximately three months to four years) and will impress all their little mates.
14. Next Metallic Crawler Wings High Tops: £11, Next
These high top trainers with a metallic mottled effect and silver angel wings on the side of the shoe are one of the most delightful designs we came across in our search for the perfect baby trainer. The white laces are not that practical and they are not the most hardwearing, but for such a romantic shoe, they are certainly a great bargain. And one that your little one will shine in at any party.
The Verdict: Baby trainers
With children’s shoes, it seems that unlike other areas of your child’s wardrobe, skimping on quality and going for the cheapest trainers when you have your child’s foot health in question, is not a sensible idea. We found the Start-rite Riptape Pre-walkers were the comfiest and most practical, and at £29.99, they were the best value for money overall. For first walkers, the bright blue George pair, at £15, are a bargain worth getting.