Understanding the Different Fastening Types in Children's Shoes

When you think about buying childrens shoes, it is easy to focus on colour, brand and style. But the way a shoe fastens is just as important. The right fastening can make everyday routines easier, support growing feet properly and even help your child build confidence and independence.

At a good childrens shoe shop like Little Brogues, you will see Velcro straps, laces, buckles, zips and elastic all on the same shelf. So how do you know which is best for your child’s age and stage? This guide walks through the main fastening types and their suitability from first walkers through to older children.

Velcro (hook-and-loop): the everyday hero

Velcro – often called rip-tape or hook-and-loop – is the most common fastening you will see on modern childrens shoes, especially for toddlers and primary-age children.

Advantages:

• Easy for little hands to manage
• Quick on and off at nursery, school and home
• Adjustable across the top of the foot for comfort
• Great for children who struggle with fine motor skills

Because children can open and close Velcro straps themselves, it is ideal from around first-walker stage (late 1s to age 5–6). It makes mornings faster and helps them feel independent. For school, two good quality straps on a leather shoe can give a secure fit without the teacher having to tie dozens of laces every PE lesson.

Things to watch:

• Velcro wears over time, especially if it is full of fluff or mud. A quick clean with a brush can restore some grip.
• Very active children may pull at the straps and undo them mid-play, so check they stay firmly fastened.
• Cheaper styles sometimes use short, narrow straps that do not hold as well as better-made shoes.

Best for:

• First walkers and toddlers
• Nursery and reception age
• Children who like to do things for themselves
• Busy families who need quick on/off shoes

Buckles: classic, secure and smart

Buckled shoes – often T-bar or Mary Jane styles – are a traditional choice in many childrens shoe shops, especially for school and dress shoes.

Advantages:

• Very secure once fastened
• Good for slim ankles and narrow feet, as you can pull the strap snug
• Less likely to be fiddled with than Velcro
• Classic look that works with school uniforms and smarter outfits

Buckles are usually managed by adults for younger children, but many children can learn to fasten them around 5–6 years old. They are particularly useful if your child has a narrow heel and tends to slip out of looser shoes.

Things to watch:

• Younger children may find buckles tricky and slow to manage at school.
• Metal buckles can dig in if the strap is overtightened or if the shoe does not fit properly.
• Not ideal for PE or sports where very rapid changing is needed.

Best for:

• Pre-schoolers and school-age children who are happy for an adult to help
• Children with slim feet or ankles
• Smart school shoes and special occasion styles

Laces: the most adjustable and supportive

Laces remain the gold standard for a secure, adjustable fit, especially in trainers, boots and older children’s school shoes.

Advantages:

• Excellent hold across the whole foot, particularly for higher insteps or narrow feet
• Easily adjustable – you can tighten or loosen different sections of the lacing
• Ideal for active sports and running, where a firm fit reduces slipping and rubbing
• Often required by some schools for older pupils

Laces are usually introduced from around age 6–7, depending on your child’s coordination and patience. Many families use Velcro for everyday shoes and begin with laced trainers at weekends, using them as a chance to practise tying in a low-pressure setting.

Things to watch:

• Young children can trip on undone laces, so they need reminding to re-tie them.
• Badly tied laces can loosen quickly, leading to a sloppy fit and blisters.
• Some children find lace-tying stressful; it is worth practising at home on a spare shoe rather than five minutes before school.

Best for:

• Older primary children and teenagers
• Sports and PE shoes
• Children with tricky fits (very narrow/wide) who need maximum adjustability

Other fastenings you might see

While Velcro, buckles and laces are the main types, you will also come across other fastening systems in childrens shoes:

• Zips: Common in boots. Easy to get on and off, especially when combined with elastic panels or laces that do not need re-tying each time. Great for children who refuse to sit still.
• Elastic laces: Fixed, stretchy “laces” that you do not tie, sometimes used with a single strap. These mimic the look of laces with the convenience of slip-ons.
• Pull-on styles: For example, wellies and some barefoot shoes with stretchy openings. Very quick to put on, but they must fit well around the ankle so they do not fall off.

These can work well alongside more traditional fastenings, but for everyday school and fitted casual shoes, you will usually be choosing between Velcro, buckles and laces.

Matching fastening to age and stage

Every child is different, but these general guidelines can help when you visit a childrens shoe shop.

First walkers (around 9–18 months)

• Look for soft, supportive shoes with a secure but gentle fastening.
• Velcro straps are ideal; buckles can also work if the shoe fits well and you are happy to fasten them.
• Avoid complicated laces at this stage – you will spend your life re-tying them.

Toddlers and pre-schoolers (18 months–4 years)

• Velcro is usually the easiest and most practical choice.
• Buckled shoes are lovely for smarter outfits and can work well for narrow feet.
• Focus on fastenings that allow the shoe to open wide for easy on/off but close snugly around the foot.

Early school years (4–7 years)

• Many parents stick with Velcro for school shoes at this age; teachers generally appreciate it.
• This is a good time to introduce buckles and start practising simple laces at home.
• For sports, consider trainers with a combination of elastic “laces” and a Velcro strap to provide a secure fit without constant tying.

Older children (7+ years)

• Laces become more realistic as children’s hand skills and patience improve.
• Many schools expect laced shoes or allow them as a smart option in upper primary and secondary.
• Buckles remain a good choice for those who dislike laces, and Velcro is still fine if it gives a good fit and the school allows it.

Practical tips when choosing fastenings

Wherever you shop for childrens shoes, keep these points in mind:

• Always check the fit first: a good fastening can only do so much if the shoe is the wrong shape or length.
• Ask your child to walk, run and jump in the shoes to see whether the fastening holds.
• Think about your daily routine – school, nursery, clubs – and pick something you can all manage easily morning after morning.
• If your child has particular needs (for example, reduced hand strength, sensory sensitivities or orthotics), talk to the fitter at your childrens shoe shop. They will have seen many different situations and can suggest the most suitable combinations.

The fastening on a shoe might seem like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference to comfort, safety and independence. By matching Velcro, buckles and laces to your child’s age, personality and activities, you can take a lot of stress out of getting out of the door – and help your child feel proud every time they put on their own shoes and head off on their next adventure.