Clarks
First Walking Shoes
8/10 overallFrom £34.00
The best-known UK first-shoe brand, with in-store fittings across a wide range of width fittings.
Clarks has been the default UK first-shoe brand for generations, largely because of its in-store fitting service — a proper measure of length and width before you buy, across a genuinely wide range of width fittings (from narrow F to extra-wide H in many styles), which matters a lot for a foot shape that changes month to month at this age.
Compared to barefoot-style brands like Bobux or Term, Clarks' first walking shoes tend to have a slightly firmer sole and more structure, which some parents and podiatrists prefer for outdoor first steps on pavements, while others argue a more flexible, barefoot-style sole better supports natural foot development.
Price sits in the middle of this category, and the in-store fitting (rather than ordering blind online) is arguably the strongest reason to choose Clarks over a barefoot-brand equivalent, especially for a genuinely first pair where getting the size right matters more than for any shoe that follows.
What we liked
- Proper in-store fitting service across a wide range of widths
- Most widely available brand for trying on before buying
- Durable enough to last through a growth spurt
Where it falls short
- Firmer sole than barefoot-style alternatives
- Mid-to-higher price point for a shoe worn for a few months
Specs
- Sole
- Flexible but more structured than barefoot-style brands
- Closure
- Riptape or T-bar buckle
- Fitting
- In-store measuring service available at Clarks stores
- Width fittings
- F (narrow) to H (extra wide), varies by style
How we scored it
Foot Development
Sole flexibility and room for natural toe splay, per UK podiatry guidance for first walkers.
Flexible for a structured shoe, but firmer than barefoot-style alternatives.
Fit & Sizing
Range of width fittings and how securely the shoe stays on a new walker's foot.
Wide range of width fittings plus an in-store measuring service.
Durability & Value
How well the shoe holds up against how fast feet grow at this age, including hand-me-down life.
Holds up well; mid-to-higher price for the wear you get.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
The alternative
Start-rite
Baby Bubble Pre-Walker Shoes
A soft-leather barefoot-style pre-walker from Start-rite, designed for cruising and early independent steps.