Kids' sandals 2025

Choosing the right sandals is more challenging than with other types of shoes. An open sandal reveals missing or excess space more than a closed shoe, and it’s also worn without socks, so the way it fits on the foot is different from, for example, sneakers.

So measure your foot correctly, don't overdo it with the oversize, as for very open sandals with a free toe and heel we recommend about 6–8 mm; for closed ones, 8–11 mm. In addition, children usually wear them for about 3–4 months, during which the likelihood of rapid growth of their feet is lower.

Consider whether you need the most breathable open sandals or a sportier type with a closed toe for foot protection, too. Especially for new walkers, very active children, and small kids, it’s better to choose a more closed type of shoe.

Comparison of basic parameters of sandals

Compare the shapes of the soles with the shape of the foot. They differ in overall length and width, of course, but also in the space in the toe area, the degree of bevel to the little toe, the width in the heel. It is ideal if the shoe follows the shape of the foot as closely as possible.

On the foot

We photographed the sandals from various angles on an average-width foot with a slightly higher instep, and an average ankle and heel.

Reima

• sporty sandals with a closed toe made of breathable material
• sand doesn't get into the shoe as easily
• rubber toe cap for increased durability
• machine washable on a gentle cycle and in a laundry bag — great for maintenance
• the upper material is elastic, making the shoes extra comfortable
• the toe is anatomically shaped, suitable even for a dominant big toe
• they are fairly wide in the heel but can be tightened well at the ankle, even on a narrow foot
• recommended for low to average instep — chubby feet won’t fit into the shoes
• sole approx. 3 mm + 1 mm pattern, nicely flexible
• removable foam insole of approx. 4 mm thick, can be used or removed as needed
• completely soft behind the heel, with no reinforcement at all

Froddo open-toed

• extremely breathable, fully minimalist sandals
• open, anatomically shaped toe
• the strap across the front of the instep is height-adjustable and suitable for low to average instep
• the inner space within the strap is not very wide — the sandal is better suited for narrower feet
• the heel strap is padded and soft, the instep strap has a hook-and-loop fastener that can be adjusted for a slimmer foot
• 5 mm flexible Vibram sole with 1 mm pattern, topped with approx. 2 mm layer of leather
• a small extra space is recommended
• zero drop
• insole is not removable

Froddo leather slighhtly enclosed

• leather, more enclosed sandals
• sportier, offering more toe protection
• anatomically shaped in the toe area, suitable for a dominant big toe
• narrower at the heel — ideal for fin-shaped feet and slimmer ankles
• for average to low instep
• elastic across the instep is mostly decorative, not functional for tightening
• hook-and-loop strap across the instep
• leather interior
• removable 2 mm foam insole
• zero drop
• 3 mm sole + 2 mm pattern, flexible
• slightly reinforced around the heel
• padded around the ankles, fits well, doesn't rub

Froddo vibram more enclosed

• leather, more enclosed sandals
• suitable for smaller children, less sporty style
• anatomically shaped in the toe area, suitable for a dominant big toe
• narrower at the heel — ideal for fin-shaped feet and slimmer ankles
• for average instep, easily adjustable thanks to two hook-and-loop straps
• leather interior
• insole is not removable
• zero drop
• 4 mm Vibram sole + 1 mm pattern, flexible
• slightly reinforced around the heel
• padded around the ankles, fits well, doesn't rub

Protetika

• leather, more enclosed sandals with toe protection
• anatomically shaped toe, but slightly curves at the big toe — not ideal for a dominant big toe
• fairly spacious in the heel, around the ankle, and at the instep — suitable for overall average to slightly chubbier feet
• instep height can be well adjusted thanks to two hook-and-loop straps
• sole is approx. 4 mm + 1 mm pattern, nicely flexible
• removable 2 mm leather insole, leather lining inside the shoe as well
• padded around the ankles, soft and comfortable
• slightly firmer at the heel

Jonap Zula

• breathable minimalist sandals made of microfiber and synthetic fabric on the inside
• anatomically shaped toe, suitable for a dominant big toe
• narrower at the heel — ideal for fin-shaped feet
• airy design, yet the big toe is still protected
• insole is lightly cushioned for maximum comfort
• sole similar to that of slippers, flexible, approx. 2 mm + 2 mm pattern
• for average instep
• padded around the heel for maximum comfort
• with a heel counter

Jonap more enclosed

• fuller, sportier sandals made of comfortable microfiber
• lining made of soft synthetic material and neoprene — doesn’t rub
• spacious in the toe area, slightly curved at the big toe — suitable for wider feet, but not for fan-shaped toes
• for average instep, fits average to wider heels
• cannot be tightened around slim ankles — better suited for slightly thicker feet overall
• directly behind the heel there are multiple layers of material and they are firmer, but completely soft around the ankles
• sole approx. 4 mm + 1 mm pattern, slightly stiffer
• removable 2 mm foam insole
• zero drop

Ef

• breathable minimalist sandals made of leather with synthetic fabric lining
• anatomically shaped toe, suitable for a dominant big toe
• narrower at the heel — ideal for fin-shaped feet
• can be tightened around a slimmer ankle
• airy design, yet the big toe is still protected
• leather insole, non-removable, without cushioning
• sole approx. 4 mm, highly flexible
• for average instep
• padded around the heel for maximum comfort
• no heel counter, completely soft under the ankles and behind the heel
• made of smooth or suede leather

Keen Seacamp

• popular sporty outdoor sandals
• high durability and longevity, can handle contact with water
• made from a combination of synthetic fabric, microfiber, and neoprene — comfortable even on bare feet, no rubbing
• the toe area is fairly spacious but slightly curves at the big toe
• toes are protected and the toe area is reinforced with an extended rubber cap for added durability
• these are not barefoot shoes — the sole is more substantial and slightly shaped, with a raised heel and slight lift under the toes
• approx. 7 mm + 3 mm pattern
• sole is flexible in the direction of walking, but stiff under the heel
• suitable for average instep and heel
• can be tightened well even on slim ankles
• no heel counter, soft behind the heel

Be Lenka

• sandals for wider and overall chubbier feet
• narrower at the heel — suitable for fin-shaped feet, but cannot be tightened around slim ankles
• sole approx. 3 mm + 1 mm pattern, cushioned non-removable insole
• good flexibility
• no heel counter, completely loose at the heel
• Be Lenka also offers a more enclosed sandal style
• zero drop

Bobux

• sandals for overall long/slim feet in both the toes and heel
• the toe is anatomically shaped but narrow, not suitable for fan-shaped toes
• narrow at the heel, average around the ankle
• 3 mm flexible sole with 1 mm pattern
• have a sporty look but are more casual sandals; not recommended for wet conditions or sports
• toes are protected by leather, less breathable
• no heel counter, but behind the heel and under the ankles there are multiple layers of leather making them slightly firmer
• soft microfiber lining inside, comfortable
• padded around the ankles, fits well, doesn’t rub

D.D.Step

• sportier cut sandals for chubbier feet
• toe area is spacious but not ideally shaped for a dominant big toe
• rubber extends over the toe, protecting the front part of the shoe
• made from synthetic leather, microfiber lining inside
• not suitable for contact with water
• recommended for higher instep and wider heel and ankles
• sole is thicker but still flexible
• approx. 1–1.3 cm with 2 mm pattern, slightly raised heel
• insole is non-removable and cushioned
• soft at the heel, no heel counter

Affenzahn

• Affenzahn shoes are suitable for narrower feet and are ideally shaped even for a dominant big toe
• instep height is easily adjustable thanks to two hook-and-loop straps, yet they fit better on narrower to average feet
• recommended for feet with average ankles and heels
• zero drop
• sole approx. 4 mm + 2 mm pattern, good flexibility
• insole is non-removable but cushioned for maximum comfort
• inner material is pleasant to the touch and suitable even for sweaty feet

Ricosta

• Ricosta shoes are suitable for narrower feet, well shaped even for a dominant big toe, but not for fan-shaped toes
• instep height is easily adjustable thanks to two hook-and-loop straps, yet they fit better on narrower to average feet
• recommended for feet with average ankles and heels
• zero drop
• very lightweight sole approx. 4 mm + 1 mm pattern, good flexibility
• insole is non-removable, made of microfiber that is pleasant to the touch and suitable even for sweaty feet
• straps are neoprene where they contact the foot, soft and non-rubbing

Koel Deen

• fuller leather sandals
• leather lining
• spacious in the toes, ideally shaped, suitable even for a dominant big toe
• extra flexible sole approx. 3 mm + 1 mm pattern
• with a softer heel counter, just firmer due to multiple layers of material
• removable insole
• good fit thanks to two hook-and-loop straps, also fits lower insteps
• good tightening around slimmer ankles, average at the heel
• zero drop

Koel Abriana

• very open sandals based on the flip-flop principle, with a thong between the toes, but also secured to the sole at the heel and instep, so they fit well
• instep strap is adjustable with a buckle, heel strap has a hook-and-loop closure, adapts excellently to the foot and is easy to slip on
• the toe is anatomically shaped and very spacious, among the widest sandals on the market
• we recommend minimizing extra length with such a very open shoe
• sole is 4 mm Vibram with 1 mm pattern + cork, very comfortable 3 mm layer for the foot
• zero drop
• straps are leather on both outer and inner sides

Koel has other models of sandals too:

• more closed leather sandals on a Bernardino sole — suitable for slightly narrower feet than Deen
• more open Ova — suitable for overall chubbier feet, especially wider ankles
• more closed on a Vibram sole — especially suitable for smaller children, providing firmer foot support thanks to a full heel and toe area

Bundgaard

• Bundgaard sandals are spacious and ideally anatomically shaped even for a dominant big toe
• breathable open sandals for wide feet
• rather wide around the heel and higher in the instep, suitable for overall thicker feet
• both instep straps are hook-and-loop, yet we recommend these sandals mainly for higher insteps and wider ankles — not ideal for tightening on slim feet
• the strap behind the heel is padded for maximum comfort
• sole approx. 5 mm + 1 mm pattern
• sole has zero drop but is slightly higher and stiffer
• leather insole is non-removable and cushioned for added comfort

Beda BFN

• BFN cut sandals fit average feet
• compared to classic Beda models, they are slightly narrower at the heel and can be tightened better on slim ankles
• the toe is anatomically shaped, suitable even for a dominant big toe
• average instep height
• standardly without a heel counter, only partially reinforced with multiple layers of material, but models with a heel counter exist, indicated by “OP” in the name
• padded collar around the ankle
• synthetic fabric inside
• covered toes, yet fairly heavily perforated shoe
• zero drop, good sole flexibility
• 3 mm sole + 1 mm pattern
• removable 2 mm foam insole made of microfiber

Igor

• rubber sandals suitable for land and water
• pleasant rubber that doesn’t chafe, has a scent
• very flexible sole approx. 4 mm
• no insole, except for the hook-and-loop strap they are fully rubber
• toe is spacious but not ideally shaped in the toes, slightly curls at the big toe and is not suitable for a dominant big toe
• not narrow at the heel but can be tightened around slim ankles
• zero drop

Muris

• very open sandals
• suitable for slim feet in the toes
• ideal shape, also suitable for a dominant big toe
• cannot be tightened on narrow ankles
• instep height is well adjustable, but generally fits better on a low instep, then the hook-and-loop straps are shorter
• cushioned insole, non-removable
• sole approx. 3 mm, almost without pattern
• very flexible
• zero drop
• the upper material is very pleasant and supple

Hopfrög

• more closed sandals/sneakers – made from breathable material
• good for athletes and active children, the shoes are closed yet breathable
• suitable for average and slightly wider feet
• spacious also around the ankles, instep, and heel, good for overall slightly chubbier feet
• good flexibility
• zero drop
• without heel counter
• insole is not removable

A successful purchase starts with the right measurements. We are also here for you by email and phone; contact us if you are still hesitating.

Kids' sandals