Today we’re talking all about the best pairs of toddler boots. This post may contain affiliate links.

Best Boots for Toddlers

Our first five years of raising kids was split between North West Ohio and Boston so we have had our fair share of winters with toddlers. Boots are a non-negotiable and good boots make all the difference.

What boots does your toddler need?

It depends on where you live and what your lifestyle is, but, I’d say your toddler needs at least one pair of rain boots. A good pair of rainboots can double as snow boots if you aren’t too serious about winter, can last through multiple kids, and are really easy to take on and off.

1. A good pair of rain boots
2. A good pair of duck boots (if he’s walking on snowy ground regularly)
3. A good pair of snow boots (if she’s playing in the snow regularly)

What are the best socks to wear with boots?

When it comes to socks for your toddler to wear with their boots, it is best to avoid low cut socks because they’ll often end up slipping down. It isn’t the end of the world if they wear them (and my kids have plenty of times) but if you’re looking for the best boot socks, look for something with more material above the ankle. Here are three great options:

1. For cold weather: These smart wool socks keep your feet toasty. We love with with Hunter Boots for easy winter days.
2. For shorter boots: These socks are great for duck boots or any boot where you don’t need to add a ton of warmth.
3. Fashion socks: If you want a cute little ruffle to stick up above the boot, it doesn’t get much cuter than this.

3 Best Pairs of Toddler Boots

Favorite Toddler Rain Boots: Hunter Boots

Hands down my favorite rain boots for toddlers are Hunter Boots. At this point we have a pair in most sizes between 6 and 12. Here is what I LOVE about them.

What I love about Kid’s Hunter Boots

1. Very light-weight: We have tried a couple of other pairs of toddler rain boots over the years and the Hunter boots are the lightest of the bunch. This means they’ll add less bulk and be easier for your child to walk in / they’ll get tired less quickly while wearing them.
2. They last: The quality of these boots is really good. We were gifted a pair of red hunter boots back when my oldest was 1 and all three kids have worn them and they’re still in great condition (saving them for one last kid before we hand them down to someone else).
3. They clean well: The solid matte colors wipe off well even after they get super dirty so they always look decent.
4. Easy to put on: Each of my kids has gone through a phase where they only want to wear hunter boots because it is the one shoe they can put on and take off all by themselves. Win.
5. Double duty: With winters in Boston, my kids did have serious snow boots and duck boots but the Hunter rain boots can play double duty as needed. Layer up some smart-wool socks for really cold days and you’re set for half an hour of playing in the snow. The boots don’t keep you warm but if you get great socks, the boots do a good job of keeping you dry and aren’t as bulky as snow boots. If you’re walking through flurries or just going from the house to the car, hunter boots are SO much easier to put on and take off than snow boots so we stuck with those unless we were actually snow-suiting up to go play in the snow for a few hours (and even for that, our first year we just had hunter boots and my kids never complained).

You might be tempted by cheaper pairs and if you’re buying them just for a photo-op or occasional rainy day in Southern California, go for it. But I really think this is a place where paying a bit more gets you a lot more in terms of quality.

Where to Buy Kid’s Hunter Boots:

1. Amazon
2. Nordstrom: They have TONS of color options. I recommend the “first classic waterproof rainboot” style and personally have only bought the matte finish so I can vouch for that holding up super well through multiple kids. They also offer women’s sizing if you want to buy a matching pair!
3. Janie and Jack: This is where I got my first pair of Hunter Boots and they also have the cutest, high quality kids clothes. They carry the Hunter brand cable socks which turn the rain boots into cold weather must-haves (plus, how cute is the cable lining sticking out at the top?).

Favorite Toddler Snow Boots: Kamik

So for days when the sky is dumping down snow we love our Kamik footwear. Our kids attended a preschool in Boston where they were outside every day that it was over 20 degrees. This meant for a few months we were sending them with snow boots, snow pants, coats, hats, and gloves each day.

SPLURGE: If your child is going to be spending a lot of time outside in the snow, then I recommend Kamik snowboots. We have a few pairs of them and love them for warmth and quality.

SAVE: If you are looking for a pair of boots for your five days of vacation in Denver and are looking to save a few dollars, I recommend this classic black snow boot from Amazon. I love the cinch at the top which will keep snow from getting down into the boot.

Favorite Toddler Duck Boots: Sperry Saltwater Duck Boots

Duck boots have been a rainy (snowy) day favorite for us for years. They offer all the warmth, water protection, and grippy traction of a terrific boot, plus a more comfortable calf and over-the-ankle fit that’s easier to move around in than a typical heavy and stiff snow boot.

Does your toddler have to have a pair of duck boots? No.

But, if you live in a snowy or rainy climate and like to be outside, they are a great daily alternative to snow boots. Plus, how cute is a toddler in a little pair of duck boots?

If you have a little kid with a shoe size of 2 or more then the best of the best is going to be a bean boot from L.L. Bean. These will last forever and the quality can’t be beat.

But, if you need something smaller (L.L. Bean makes fantastic quality snow boots + rain boots for toddlers but they don’t have a smaller bean boot), then we have, love, and recommend the duck boot from Sperry.

What I love about Sperry Duck Boots:

1. Side zipper: You have the cute lacing on the front but the boots have a convenient side zipper for more easy on and off
2. Good bottom grip: The rubber soles have great grip so my kids fall less when running and playing in the slippery rain and snow (in comparison to the hunter boots, these duck boots have much better grip).
3. Water resistant: These aren’t technically fully water proof but my kids have doused them in puddles and played with them in the snow and they’ve held up just fine.

P.S. The sperry duck boot also comes in a crib boot which doesn’t give you quite the same quality + grip but all of the cuteness and is a great winter shoe if you have a new walker who is going to insist on walking by themselves outside.

Where to Buy Sperry Saltwater Duck Boots

1. Amazon
2. Sperry
3. Nordstrom
4. Zappos

Favorite Toddler Girl Boots

Not part of the three all-weather boots you need for your toddler but there are also so many cute boots for little girls that I had to include some of these!

• Leopard Ankle Boots from Cat and Jack
• Little UGG boots (can’t beat these for warmth)
• Pediped naomi riding boots: We LOVE pediped for comfortable + high quality kids shoes and I think the tall black riding boot is so sweet