Plae shoes are comfortable from the first minute a kid slips them on, something most kids can do with ease thanks to the Velcro tabs.
If you are looking for a go-to shoe for your kid, you're looking in the right place with Plae. Their shoes are casual, comfortable, easy to get on and off, durable, and they come in styles ranging from sporty to more trendy. I should know, because my son is currently on his sixth pair of Plaes. And we already have two pairs in the next size waiting. (Seriously. We do)
The only negative thing I can say about this brand, in fact, is that other companies make better shoes for a few niche uses. Plae kids' shoes are not the best footwear option when it comes to use in the great outdoors. For hiking, camping, or general woodland fun, you can do better. Also, none of their shoes are quite dressy enough for formal occasions, so for a wedding or a coat-and-tie school uniform, you will probably have to look elsewhere.
But for general everyday wear, Plae shoes are exemplary. Each pair we get for my kid are comfortable from minute one. He has been able to get his Plaes on and off by himself since about the time he turned 4 thanks to the dual-tab Velcro system that holds them in place. This helps build his independence and saves us time when we're trying to get his less-cooperative toddler sister ready as well.
Perhaps the best testament I can give to these shoes is that 9 out of 10 times, if we're headed out for an errand, a casual meal, to a relative's house, or any of our dozen everyday destinations, my kid always chooses his Plae shoes.
The shoes come in high tops and low tops (and in water shoes and other varieties, but that's a story for another day — we're talking about their core offerings) and in all sorts of colorways, from muted to flashy and colorful. And prices are very fair, from $34.95 to $74.95.
One of the coolest things about Plae shoes is that the dual Velcro tabs are removable and interchangeable, so you can customize the shoe. If you want to take that to the next level, Plae even offers a service where they will print a photo or design you upload to their site onto tabs they'll send you. So for $20, your kid could be walking around with a photo of the family dog or even one of their own illustrations right there on their feet.
I wish Plae shoes were water-resistant, which they're not, and that they didn't look dirty so quickly when worn in certain conditions. But they go through the washer and dryer just fine, and we have yet to discard a pair due to wear and tear before they're outgrown.
Pros: Reliable comfort without break-in period, interchangeable and custom tabs, multiple styles available
Cons: Soak through quickly in rain or puddles, clearly show dirt