The Best Sneakers for Kids, According to Textile and Parenting Experts

Stride Rite designs shoes specifically for the different stages of developing children's feet, and these ones are ideal for younger kids that have recently moved on from baby shoes. They're breathable and lightweight like the others, plus they have an easy-on opening with elastics instead of laces.

Other standout features include a memory foam insole that gives excellent cushioning and machine washable capabilities (so it's no big deal if they become a total mess). The shoes are unisex, and come in multiple colors.

It can be tricky to find good kids shoes that fit wider feet, but this style from New Balance comes in regular, wide and extra-wide. Not only that, they're available in half sizes and have options for infants, toddlers, little kids, and big kids in each of the widths. In other words, it'll be hard not to find a good fit with this one!

The shoe itself is designed for both running and everyday use with shock-absorbing cushioning, a breathable upper, and lots of colors to choose from.

Reviewers call out these sneakers for running narrow compared to other shoes, which is ideal if most sneakers your kid tries on are too loose and wide. They're what the brand calls "casual athletic" sneakers, meaning they're made for your little one to wear every day. 

They also come in toddler sizes and color variations for boys and girls. And if you prefer to buy shoes with laces, Puma has plenty of options for these as well. 

The Cloadfoam cushioning from Adidas is exactly what it sounds like: lightweight and super soft for pillow-like comfort. The top of the shoe is designed to feel like a sock to give a snug yet flexible fit.

These lace-up shoes come in little kids and big kids sizes (no toddlers), and they're also available in versions for adults, which are best-sellers on Amazon.

Merrell is best known for its hiking boots, and this kid version uses the same construction in the comfy footbed and slip-resistant outsole that makes it perfect for outdoor adventures. The shoes also have mesh fabric to keep them breathable and a velcro closure to make sure they fit snug.

They're available in little kid and big kid sizes, with variations in color and wide sizes available.  

These slip-on shoes look like sneakers, but they're made entirely out of EVA foam and rubber (no fabric) so they dry quickly.  They're also lightweight and super easy to clean.

The ventilated holes throughout keep them feeling breathable and there's traction underneath to help prevent slips. These come in more colors than you can imagine with sizes for the entire family.

These best-selling shoes have an easy slip-on opening with elastic at the sides, a low profile around the ankle, and a grippy rubber bottom. The checkerboard print is a classic, but there are tons of prints for every style preference. Kids can even create their own customized shoes, choosing everything from colors and patterns to uploading their own image.

This style is for little kid and big kid sizes, but you can also buy them for infants and toddlers. They're even more popular in the unisex adult sizes.

For the kids who love sparkle, these shoes have glitter, sequin, and light-up accents at the toes that flash with the impact from each step. These have velcro closures for younger kids, but there are tons of variations in style and colors in the Twinkle Toes assortment.

They're not particularly suited for athletic activity like other picks in this roundup, but they're perfect as lifestyle sneakers. They still have cushioing and traction to keep kids comfy and safe from slips.