Back to School: Shoe Guide

Here at Daily Mom, we know that finding the right back-to-school shoes for your kids is just as important as finding the right clothing and gear. Kids’ feet grow so quickly; and from school to activities to kick-ball at recess, their shoes tend to wear out in the blink of an eye. That’s why we’ve rounded up the newest styles from our very favorite brands – and they’re our favorites for a reason. These shoes are stylish, modern, durable and made to be played in. (Don’t worry, we have a special recommendation for busy moms too!)

UGG Boots from Chasing Fireflies

The Gear

Let’s be honest – is there anything better than decking your child out in a trend that you love for yourself? That’s why we’ve fallen in love with kid-size UGG boots this school year, from Chasing Fireflies.  With several options for both boys and girls, Chasing Fireflies has your child covered for the coolest back-to-school shoes this year.  These adorable miniature versions of adult UGG boots will surely be the envy of the playground.

The Bailey Bow boots put a fun, feminine flair on classic UGG boots.  Featuring dainty satin bows going up the back of the boot, with UGG’s signature shearling lining peeking through, these are boots your little girl will adore wearing.  Chasing Fireflies also offers an exclusive personalized option, allowing you to add custom rhinestone icons & initials to your daughter’s boots.

And for the boys, Short Classic Ugg boots are where it’s at! Your little dude will love the super-comfy feel of his new UGG boots, and you’ll adore seeing him take on the school year with the trendiest kicks in town.  This style also offers a rhinestone personalization option.

With rugged soles meant to accommodate some serious play, your son will reach for his UGG boots every time he leaves the house.  Warm and cozy – and ready for play – sign him up!  He’ll be able to easily slip these on himself, and really, what more can you ask for on a busy school morning, than a child being able to put his or her own shoes on?

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No matter which style of UGG boots you choose from Chasing Fireflies this school year, you can be sure that your child’s feet will be comfortable, cozy, and toasty warm, from the crisp and cool fall months, through all of winter’s snowstorms and frost.

Features to Love

Kids Short Classic UGG Boots

• Rugged EVA soles
• Genuine sheepskin
• Shearling lined
• Available in black, chestnut, chocolate, gray, and light pink
• Personalization option available

Kids Bailey Bow UGG Boots

• Satin bows on back of boots
• Rugged EVA soles
• Genuine sheepskin
• Shearling lined
• Available in black, chestnut, gray, and hot pink

Brand

Chasing Fireflies was created to celebrate childhood, as well as parenthood. Do you remember the first time you ever rode a bike, or had ice cream for dinner? Sure, it was fun when you did it; but, as parents, it’s way more fun to experience your child’s “firsts” with them. They’ve taken great care in selecting magical children’s products that are sure to charm, surprise and delight your child (and you!).

KEEN

The Gear

From classroom to playground, KEEN has your kids covered (well, at least their feet!). With a wide variety of casual styles, fun color combinations, and sizes all the way from infant to Big Kids (1-6), there’s a KEEN shoe to fit every child’s personality and need this season.

The Encanto Scout High Top will bring an old school vibe to the playground at recess this year. With color combos perfect for boys and girls, this bold shoe will add some spunk to your child’s step.

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Made of soft, yet durable leather, a wide opening and hook and loop closure, this high top is easy to put on and take off, but will support your child’s foot with its thick, cushiony tongue, breathable mesh lining and EVA footbed.

If you’re looking for a more sophisticated high top, the Encanto Wesley fits the bill. This bold style boasts durability and comfort.

With many of the same features as the Scout, the Wesley takes it one step further for super active kids with Cleansport NXT™ for natural odor control and elastic lacing as well as hook and loop closures.

The Encanto Sneaker is perfect for a more casual, everyday shoe. Made of canvas and leather, this sneaker is smooth and slick, making it the perfect shoe to dress up or down. This can be especially helpful if your kids don’t like wearing dress shoes to special events.

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Made with all of the same great design and functionality features as the Wesley High Top (mesh lining, EVA footbed and Cleansport NXT™), you can’t go wrong with this classic sneaker.

Features to Love

Encanto Scout High Top

• Made with soft, durable leather
• Adjustable hook and loop closure
• Wide opening, making it easy to put on and take off
• Breathable, mesh lining and EVA footbed
• Outsole made of non-marking rubber to prevent scuffing
• Thick, padded tongue
• Comes in 3 fun color combos: Silver Splatter/Purple Wine, Black/Macaw, Poseidon/Very Berry (featured here)
• Available in Toddler (Sizes 4-7) and Little Kid (Sizes 8-13)

Encanto Sneaker

• Breathable mesh lining and EVA footbed
• Canvas and leather materials
• Padded collar for ultimate comfort
• Made with Cleansport NXT™ for natural odor control
• Hook and loop strap over instep and elastic lacing
• Outsole made of non-marking rubber to prevent scuffing
• Comes in 4 color combos: Everglade/Very Berry, Magnet/Black, Purple Heart/Fusion Coral, True Blue/Jasmine Green (featured here)
• Available in Toddler (Sizes 4-7) and Little Kid (Sizes 8-13)

Encanto Wesley High Top

• • Made with padded collar and tongue for ultimate comfort

• • Adjustable hook and loop closure

• • Made with Cleansport NXT™ for natural odor control

• • Breathable mesh lining and EVA footbed

• • Durable rubber overlays on toes and heels

• • Outsole made of non-marking rubber to prevent scuffing

• • Comes in 3 color combos: Gargoyle/Koi, Black/Tango, Dress Blue/Macaw (featured here)

• Available in Little Kid (Sizes 8-13) and Big Kid (Sizes 1-6)

Brand

Keen was launched in 2003 as the result of asking a simple design question: can a sandal protect the toes? The answer was yes, and it launched a commitment to designing a wide array of footwear, bags and apparel that enable you to play any place without a ceiling. Keen makes footwear for the entire family, and they have an excellent reputation for comfort, support and durability. They partner with non-profit organizations around the world to give back to communities, and manufacture over 20 different styles of shoes in their factory in Portland.

Pediped

The Gear

There’s nothing like a new pair of shoes to start the school year! Pediped offers durable, high-quality footwear for kids that is sure to last all year. This fall, send your child back to school in style and comfort with a new pair of boots or a casual pair of sneakers.

Pediped’s Flex Madeline Chocolate boot for girls is not only a fashionable statement that matches almost any outfit your little one picks out, but also provides protection against the elements as the weather begins to change.

The Flex Jackie Boot Navy is the perfect bootie for either boys or girls, offering faux fur inside that is not only incredibly soft to the touch, but also keeps feet nice and warm. The bootie is also a great option for casual school wear or more formal school uniforms.

For a more casual option for your active boy, Pediped’s Flex Gehrig Navy/Cherry is a great sneaker that not only provides great traction, but also allows your child to easily slip the shoes on and off with a quick velcro closure, perfect for the morning rush to school.

Features to Love

Flex Madeline Chocolate

• Genuine leather upper
• Breathable mesh lining
• Flexible rubber sole
• Inside zipper
• Additional insoles for a snug fit as child’s foot grows
• Fashionable buckle details

Flex Jackie Boot Navy

• Unisex
• Genuine suede upper
• Faux fur lining keeps feet warm and soft
• Flexible rubber sole
• Adjustable velcro closure
• Cold weather boots designed to withstand all weather
• Additional insoles ensure a good fit as child’s foot grows
• Great for every day and formal events

Flex Gehrig Navy/Cherry

• Breathable mesh lining
• Flexible rubber sole
• Casual style
• Velcro closure
• Machine washable
• Additional insoles ensure a good fit as child’s foot grows
• Dark navy color with pops of bright red

Brand

Pediped was founded after one mom discovered that barefoot walking was the best form of walking for healthy little feet. After searching high and low for a shoe that was not only stylish, but also mimicked that of the bare foot, Angela and Brian Edgeworth took matters into their own hands and made it their mission to build a shoe with the support of a soft leather sole and unbeatable style to match. With high quality leather, eco-friendly materials, and fine craftsmanship, Pediped was one of the first children’’s shoe companies to earn the American Podiatric Medical Association’’s Seal of Acceptance for promoting healthy foot development. 

 Livie & Luca

The Gear

No one does fall shoes quite like Livie & Luca – this is one of our all-time favorite places to buy our children’s shoes, and this fall’s collection is no exception. This is a company that brings together classic styles with a touch of whimsy that your child will absolutely adore.

Each pair is truly built to last, and will still look incredible after the fall/winter season is long gone – you could easily pass these shoes down to a younger sibling or resell them to a boutique consignment store. Either way, you’ll be impressed with how well Livie & Luca shoes hold up to lots and lots of play.

Livie & Luca’s new Dahlia Mary Jane (shown here in gray) will coordinate with so many of your daughter’s fall outfits. She’ll love the fall-themed floral accents on the toes, and you’ll love the fact that she can easily get these shoes on her feet all by herself. How’s that to help speed up the school morning rush?

Your daughter won’t want to take off the adorable Molly bunny shoes! These shoes are simply beyond cute. With bunny ears, a precious embroidered face (complete with whiskers, nose, and mouth!), and perforated holes for eyes, your little one will love prancing around in her special bunny shoes every day. She will constantly be singing, “I’m hopping like a bunny,” while enjoying endless play in these comfortable kicks.

Livie and Luca’s quintessential Petal shoes are a modern twist on the classic Mary Jane, and to put it simply, these are a staple item in our Daily Kid’s wardrobe every season. We can’t get enough! The Petal shoe is available in a variety of colors this fall season, perfect to match any of your little one’s back-to-school outfits.

The Hayes sneaker for your little guys is the perfect shoe to ring in fall. The great pattern is stylish and fun and the straps make for easy on and easy off!

For a comfortable shoe that he just can’t take off, their Grip sneaker is fantastic! This leather shoe is as durable as it is comfortable and will take him from the classroom to the playground all the way to weekend adventures. 

Features to Love

Dahlia

• Available in gray or pink leather
• Multicolor suede flowers
• Nude leather lining
• Velcro closure for a just-right fit
• Breathable inner sole
• Padded collar for comfort

Petal

• Available in a variety of new colors, perfect for fall
• D-ring and Velcro closure for a just-right fit
• Natural leather lining
• Padded collar for comfort

Molly

• Available in black patent leather or red leather
• Embroidered bunny face
• Nude leather lining
• Velcro closure for a just-right fit
• Breathable inner sole
• Padded collar for comfort

Hayes

• Available in blue tweed or walnut exterior
• Colorful inner canvas lining
• Breathable inner sole
• Velcro closure for a just-right fit

Grip

• Leather exterior
• Plaid flannel lining
• Breathable inner sole
• Easy hook and loop and elastic closure for a just-right fit
• Padded tongue and collar for comfort

Brand

Inspired by a pair of hand-made shoes, combined with the purpose to spread joy, Mitzi Rivas brought Livie & Luca’’s first collection into the world in 2005. When her close friend, Amie Garcia, saw that first pair of shoes, she fell in love and wanted to give them to her own children and to others. As a teacher, Amie strove to make a difference in children’’s lives, and she knew that through these beautiful shoes, that purpose would continue.

Livie & Luca’’s mission has always been based on these values: to spread joy and to make a difference through the creation of comfortable and whimsical shoes, and to do meaningful work in which their products positively affect the lives of others. The guiding idea behind Livie & Luca is that they sell more than just shoes; and this idea has proven to be the key to their success.

Foot Cardigan

The Gear

If the uniform blues have your crew dreading heading back to class, remind them of all the fun they can enjoy with unique socks. Adding just a touch of personality with festive socks can help make an understated fashion statement while staying within the lines of the school’s requirements. A sock subscription from Foot Cardigan will keep the fun going all semester long with monthly deliveries of two pairs of fun socks in patterns that are classy, sassy and everything in-between.

Available for kids, teens and adults, Foot Cardigan’s low cost subscription model will provide an exciting package to look forward to each month. Offering gender specific styles and sizes allows you to order a kit for every member of the family, and ensures that no two socks are exactly alike.

Features to Love

• Two creative and unique pairs of socks delivered every month
• High quality cotton, polyester, spandex blends
• Available in a wide variety of sizes and genders
• Discounted for annual subscribers

Brand

Foot Cardigan strives to change the world – one sock wearer at a time. This fun company uses their unique design process to create a fun and fashionable pair of socks every month that will bring a smile to the face of everyone who sees your stylish footwear.

For the Moms!

Bzees 

The Gear

Mom duties might change when kids head back to school, but they certainly don’t lessen. That’s why getting the ideal pair of cozy boots can help in every-day duties. Relying on shoes for back pain for support will lessen the stress, and keep you active. Chores will be made easier and less intimating immediately! Whether you’re headed to the office or heading up the PTA (or both), moms need a new pair of super comfortable shoes in September too.

The Bzees Duet Sandal is a great choice if you’re looking for something both stylish and comfortable! The Cloud Technology is designed to make you feel weightless and energized. The memory foam sole provides cushioning that bounces back with every step. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable shoe!

One thing that we love about this particular shoe is that it’s machine washable! When accidents happen, just throw them in the wash.

Features to Love

• Center zipper for easy on/off
• Free Foam Footbeds
• Heel pull tab
• 2” heel height
• Available in black or white
• Stretch fabric upper forms to your foot
• Machine washable

Brand

Bzees is a playful shoe brand that takes you to what they call Shoetopia: the state of bliss where your feet can take you anywhere. With many styles available, there is a pair for every personality and every need. What makes Bzees the best is their Cloud Technology which assures that their shoes are lightweight and comfortable. The best part? Every pair of Bzees can be tossed in the washing machine!

With the right kicks, your child (and you!) will feel confident and comfortable to tackle everything from classroom projects to playground activities. We hope you’ve found something for everyone in our 2016 Shoe Guide.