Sandals for kids are an essential summer footwear item. But, it can be challenging to find a pair that suits your kid’s individual needs.
Luckily, today, these types of footwear are widely popular and available almost everywhere. In addition, they come in different colors, designs, and supports for the kid’s feet.
Thus, it is recommended to look for higher-quality sandals that are durable and comfortable simultaneously. As a result, you won’t have to buy new sandals so often because they wear out so quickly. Yet, kids grow up so fast, and so do their feet, so it is not advisable to spend a fortune on something that will last a short period of time.
For that reason, we have compiled 5 important things to know before buying sandals for your little ones! Let’s check them!
Contents
Why Are Sandals Good for Kids?
Sandals are a great choice for kids of different ages. There are many reasons why a kid should wear them, and some of those are:
- Breathability – Their feet will be able to breathe and feel the fresh air as they play, walk around, or simply enjoy the nice weather.
- Comfort and support -This footwear provides great comfort and support all day long. Kids’ toes won’t get stuffed inside stuffy closed-up footwear such as dress shoes.
- Lightweight – Sandals are usually flat and thus lightweight. They are not crafted from heavy materials; thus, they are great for long walks and travelling purposes.
- Easy for dressing – Sandals are also very easy to put on and take off.
- Stylish – Usually, kids love this type of footwear. Mostly because they are easy to put on, they are very fun and come in various colors and designs.
- Affordable – Luckily, sandals will not cost you and arm and a leg. You can find them for a reasonable price in different official online stores as well as on Amazon and eBay.
What to Consider When Buying Kids Sandals?
Sandals for kids are an easy way of keeping your kid’s feet and toes cool on hot summer days. Thus, you need to consider several factors when shopping for kids’ sandals.
Age – The kid’s age is the first thing to consider. Different shoes are crafted for different kids. For instance, babies, toddlers, older kids, etc. Thus, it is very important to consider its age and get the right fit so that the child can wear the sandals longer. You can easily check their feet’ size by measuring them on the Footmeter. Once you get the size, you can start your search!
The fit – While your kid is still growing, you want to make sure their sandals fit correctly to prevent blisters and sores. Besides, nobody wants to wear uncomfortable footwear, especially when it comes to your kid.
Style – There are many different types of shoes for kids, and thus, different types of sandals, including styles and designs. If the kid dislikes the style of the sandal, they will probably not going to wear them. Luckily, there are a lot of choices to choose from, so remember to ask your little one whether they like the sandals or not.
The price – Last but not least, we should consider the price. It is always a good choice to look out for more quality-materials sandals but determine your budget. Think about whether it is worth it to spend a fortune on something that your kid is going to outgrow very soon? On the other hand, we do not want something uncomfortable and low-quality for our kids. Thus, try to find the middle ground.
What to Look for When Buying Kids Sandals?
Before you go and buy any type of footwear for your kids, whether dress shoes or hiking boots, you would want to check some of its features.
For example, you should consider the price, the fit, and the material they use, such as synthetic or natural rubber, artificial textiles, etc. And that’s okay. One should inform itself before making a purchase. The same thing applies to sandals for kids.
Here are the top 5 things to know and look out for when buying kids’ sandals!
Comfortability – We all know at this point that the size and fit matter. However, even if you buy the right size, the material may not be ideal for your little one. Consider what type of material is the most suitable for your kid. While some kids might prefer leather, others would prefer vegan shoes and sandals.
Decent support – Not all sandals are the same. Many have thicker straps, others have thinner ones, and some have more cushioning in the footbed. It is recommended to search for sandals that provide ample support to prevent your kid’s foot and ankle from moving too much. However, if your kid has, e.g., a high arch, you should look out for proper insoles rather than buying sandals for flat feet.
Durability – The level of difficulty in putting on and taking off the kid’s sandals also matters. Since kids will be outside most of the time, sandals need to withstand a kid’s play during summer days. They will be exposed to constant wear and tear, so if you are not planning on buying sandals every month, consider this feature. It is important that the soles of your kid’s sandals are tough enough to handle different surfaces including rocks and sand.
Waterproof feature – This feature really depends on your and your kid’s needs. Since summer days are all about playing around the pool or the beachside, it is recommended to look out for waterproof sandals or even swimming socks if you prefer!
Flexibility and lightweightness – We highly recommend you avoid stuffed and heavy sandals with a lot of features. Sandals should be light on kids’ feet and as flexible as possible in order not to limit foot movement. You can even look for sandals with cushy footbeds and soles that provide good traction on slippery surfaces.
Open Toe VS Closed Toe Sandals
Generally, we recommend closed-toe shoes for smaller kids, although this can vary based on your and your kid’s personal preference.
Closed-toe shoes provide better protection for their little, delicate feet and toes and help keep their feet more secure. Alongside that, they provide a bit more sun protection! However, we still recommend putting sunscreen on their feet, even if their feet are just a bit exposed to the sunlight.
Open-toe sandals are a good choice for those hot climates since they allow for more airflow. Older kids are also good candidates since they are more comfortable walking since open-toe shoes might present a trip risk for kids who are still improving their walking coordination.
Thus, according to your kid’s age and needs, as well as the weather of the place you are leaving, choose their sandals!
When is The Best Time for Buying Sandals for Kids?
We recommend the end of the summer as the best time to buy kids’ sandals.
For instance, you can start looking for this footwear in August. This is a good time to buy sandals because you will find the same shoes at a much lower price and even more options available since all stores are clearing out their stock to make room for new arrivals!
However, if your kid does not own a pair of summer sandals and the summer has just begun, that doesn’t mean that you should put your kid in their sneakers all summer until August comes! If you are really in need of buying a pair of sandals at the beginning of June, do it!
When shopping online, it is important to know your kid’s foot measurements. Do not forget to measure their feet with an accurate tool such as Footmeter and compare it to the store’s online size chart.
Conclusion
Sandals for kids are a great footwear option for those hot summer days. Today, many different styles are available; thus, you can get the one that suits your kid best.
Consider these 5 tips when buying these shoes. Comfortability, flexibility, support, and durability are the key features. And, of course, the right size is never not an option! So let your little one have the best of its summer days with the right footwear!
