In this article
A bootie stays on when it closes around the ankle, not just over the top of the foot. That's the whole trick. Socks and slip-on booties rely on the elastic at the opening, and a baby who kicks will win that fight. The Jan & Jul Stay-Put Winter Booties use an adjustable elastic ankle and a hook-and-loop opening, so you can snug them up above the heel where kicking can't push them off.
What makes a bootie stay on
- An ankle closure. A strap, toggle or adjustable elastic that sits above the heel holds the bootie in place. A wide elastic opening alone usually doesn't.
- A wide opening. If you can open it fully, you can get the heel all the way in. A bootie that's only half on comes off fast.
- The right size. Too big is the most common reason booties fall off. Too small and your baby will pull at them.
- A little height. A bootie that comes up over the ankle bone has more to hold on to than one that stops below it.
Jan & Jul Stay-Put Winter Booties at a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Closure | Adjustable elastic ankle plus hook-and-loop opening |
| Lining | Faux fur |
| Sole | Flexible, non-slip polyurethane, with reinforced toes and heels |
| Best for | Indoors, the stroller and the carrier |
| Sizes in the current prints | M (12 to 18 months) and L (18 to 24 months) |
| Care | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low |
| Price | $39.95 |
Price is in CAD and was current when we wrote this. Jan & Jul also makes a size S for 3 to 12 months in some colours.
Where they work best
Indoors at home. The soles grip smooth floors, they're light enough for early walkers, and the faux fur lining keeps toes warm on cold floors. Being machine washable helps when they come home sticky. If you're shopping for daycare, where centres often have their own rules about indoor shoes, see our guide to daycare indoor shoes.
In the stroller and carrier. This is where stay-put booties earn their price. A baby in a carrier or stroller isn't walking, so they don't need a boot, but they will kick. A closed ankle means you get home with both booties.
For first walkers. Babies learn to walk most easily barefoot, and paediatric advice generally says to save shoes for when feet need protection or warmth. When they do need something, flexible, light, non-slip soles like these are the type to look for.
When your child needs boots instead
These are booties, not snow boots. Once your child is walking outside in snow, slush or puddles, they need a waterproof winter boot with a proper sole. The Stay-Put booties are a good pair to keep in the diaper bag for the stroller and for indoors once you arrive.
For more on choosing between soft booties and boots, see our guide to booties or structured boots.
Getting the size right
- Measure both feet from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe, with your baby standing if they can. Use the larger foot.
- Compare that with the size chart on the product page, not just the age range. Babies' feet vary a lot at the same age.
- Think about what goes underneath. If your baby will wear thick socks or a footed sleeper inside them, allow a little room.
- Once they're on, tighten the ankle elastic and close the hook-and-loop so the bootie is snug around the ankle but not tight.
If your baby is between sizes, the larger one usually works for longer. Just make sure the ankle closure can tighten enough to hold it on.
Two quick habits
- Take them off indoors if your baby's feet get sweaty, especially over a footed sleeper.
- Take booties off for sleep. A bootie that comes off in the night is a loose item in the crib, and safe sleep guidance says to keep the crib clear.
See the Jan & Jul Stay-Put Winter Booties. Want to try them on? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know which sizes and colours we have on hand.
