This summer, I set out to find the best sandals for my growing child as they head off to experience camp, conquer playgrounds, and splash in every pool, beach, and splash pad in our area. Three products kept coming up: Crocs, Ten Little, and Native.
- Crocs - Kids Clog: Crocs were the first sandals that came to mind with their distinctive rounded shape and iconic charms. They’re made from Croslite™, a soft, cushioned resin, with chunky, heeled soles.
- Ten Little - Splash Sandals: These sandals are designed with children’s foot health in mind, from a soft, molded EVA, prioritizing comfort, protection, and security. Your kid’s feet won’t be slipping around in these!
- Native - Jefferson: These EVA sandals lean towards a simple aesthetic, designed with perforations for breathability. They have a grippy tread so your child can explore as they please.
Each of them is popular with kids and parents alike, but I wanted to find out which brand was actually the best for my child’s feet. So I put them all to the test. Here’s how they stacked up.
The kid’s sandals that keep their feet comfy all day
As all three of these sandals are water-friendly, they share some common features. They are all lightweight with ventilation holes for breathability. They are easy to clean and quick to dry, making them solid choices for summer activities.
But Crocs and Ten Little take comfort a bit more seriously. Both sandals are made with a soft, flexible EVA material for the upper, insole, and outsole. They both have closed toe boxes that are wide and foot-shaped, which allow toes to splay naturally.
Natives, unfortunately, gave my kid some painful blisters on their ankles and toes with their stiffer material and narrow toe box.
Tied: Crocs & Ten Little
The kids’ sandals that you can count on for safety & stability
The Native Jefferson and Crocs Sandal can’t really hold a candle to Ten Little’s Splash Sandals. In fact, my daughter’s teacher asked where we got her sandals so she could recommend them to fellow parents! What I love about these sandals is that they ensure my daughter isn’t tripping left and right because they fit securely thanks to the adjustable velcro straps and the closed heel. The footbed is also textured and the outsoles have good traction so I feel good about any kind of water play.
I also learned that most summer programs and preschools require that all shoes have closed toes and heels. Crocs might be great for the latest shoe trend, but because of their open back and slipper-style fit, many schools ban them outright due to safety concerns. Additionally, a growing number of podiatrists and pediatricians have warned against wearing these types of sandals long-term, due to chronic pain and unnecessary slips.
Winner: Ten Little
The kids’ sandals that are actually good for their feet
There isn’t much of a competition here - Ten Little is the clear winner. Notably, unlike Crocs and Native sandals, Ten Little’s Splash Sandals are APMA-approved, meaning the American Podiatric Medical Association deemed that their shoes promote healthy foot development.
Toes need room to wiggle! Unlike the Native’s Jefferson shoe (and honestly, many popular shoe brands), which has a narrow toe box, Splash Sandals offer a wide, foot-shaped toe box that mimics the natural asymmetrical shape of a child’s foot.
Crocs also have thick, raised soles with no heel coverage or adjustability, which I noticed led to my kid walking funny and tripping way more often. Ten Little's barefoot-friendly design means that these sandals have flat and flexible soles, which encourage a more natural stride and help to strengthen the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in a child’s foot and ankle.
Winner: Ten Little
The kid’s sandals your kid can show off to all their friends
Honestly, all three shoes offer an opportunity for kids to show off their personality, so for style, all of these get a win.
Crocs are trendy with lots of colors and patterns ranging from camo to neons. Plus, the Jibbets charms are always a fun way for kids to get creative.
Ten Little’s Splash Sandals are available in five fun colors, with the option to add charms that slide on and off of the velcro strap easily, making personalizing their sandals super simple.
Native’s Jefferson shoe has a simple, classic design with a lot of jazzy colors, ranging from rainbow to glitter to bright pink. Unlike Crocs and Ten Little’s sandals, they don’t offer any type of charms for decorating though.
Tied: Native & Ten Little & Crocs
The only sandals my kid will be wearing this summer
While the Crocs Clog and the Native Jefferson have their roles, I’m officially a Ten Little Splash Sandals convert.
Ten Little’s Splash Sandals have totally changed how we do summer. If you’re looking for durable, water-friendly sandals to protect and nurture your child’s feet (without turning into a daily struggle), these are them. They’re cute, comfy, and podiatrist-approved — which means peace of mind for you, and total freedom for them.
Overall Winner: Ten Little
