When Can Your Baby Start Wearing Hard-Soled Shoes?
Is your baby ready to take their first steps in hard-soled shoes? Learn the surprising truth about timing this milestone—get it wrong, and you could risk hurting their natural development.
Updated May 6, 2025
Did you know that the shoes we wear as children can influence foot pain in adulthood? Choosing the right shoes at the right time is key to supporting healthy foot development.
Below, we explore the perfect time for your baby to start wearing hard-bottom shoes.
» Get the best hard-soled orthopedic shoes for your baby
When Is the Right Time to Transition From Soft-Soled to Hard-Soled Shoes?
The best time to switch to firmer-soled shoes depends on a child’s walking confidence, not just their age. Most babies start walking between 8 and 18 months. After 6 weeks of steady walking, firmer-soled shoes are ideal, especially for outdoor protection.
» Find out when your kid should start wearing soft-soled shoes
Key Milestones for the Shoe Transition
Look for these signs before switching to supportive shoes:
- Walks confidently without holding onto furniture or hands.
- Shows balanced walking with fewer falls.
- Moves quickly across rooms.
- Navigates carpet, hardwood, and outdoor surfaces comfortably.
- Walks by landing on the heel first, then rolling to the toes.
In my physiotherapy practice, a 16-month-old with a wide-based gait transitioned to hard-soled shoes and soon showed a narrower stance, better balance, and confident walking across carpet and tile.
» Explore the key developmental milestones your baby will go through
Support Your Baby's Feet Today
Check your baby's shoes for proper arch support and cushioning, especially if you walk on hard surfaces daily. The right footwear now can help undo the impact of poor choices in childhood.
For quality options, consider First Walkers shoes, an international brand known for orthopedic sandals, sneakers, and shoes designed for children.
The footwear, recommended by orthopedists and pediatricians, offers lightweight materials, flexible soles, proper arch support, and cushioning to promote healthy foot development.
Popular models include the Petit Coralie boots, ideal for children needing extra support, like those with cerebral palsy, and the Johnny Rigel sneakers, praised for aiding kids with low muscle tone or joint hypermobility.
Browse Orthopedic Shoes
Our collection features supportive sandals, sneakers, and leather shoes in a variety of colors that support healthy foot development in children aged 0-7 years.
Browse Orthopedic ShoesDisclaimer: First Walkers' information is intended for educational and informational purposes related to toddler footwear and feet. We encourage you to consider individual circumstances and consult qualified orthopaedists about specific conditions.
