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Why These Are the Only Travel Shoes I Pack for My Kids

July 02, 2019
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4 min read
C Volcanos
Why These Are the Only Travel Shoes I Pack for My Kids
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Dedicating an entire travel story to a pair of kids shoes may seem excessive. But, if you have ever traveled in the wrong shoes — or worse — had your kids travel in the wrong shoes, it won't seem excessive at all. Nothing stops the fun of exploration faster than a poorly placed blister on a little foot.

Usually a story about the best travel product in a particular category includes a round-up of top options, but in this case I have one clear all-around favorite. (And no, this is not sponsored in any way, I just love these shoes and want to shout the good news to other parents.)

Our favorite kids shoes for travel, once kids are in the toddling stage and above, are Native Jefferson shoes. (For the pre-toddle crew, I like Freshly Picked Mocs.) Native's vegan-friendly shoes are extremely lightweight, comfortable, can be worn without socks, work in and out of water, are easy to clean, dry quickly and (knock on wood) have never caused a problem on my girls' feet. Perhaps it's because of the rubbery material and ample airflow in, but they generally don't stink, either, even after being worn wet.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Family Travel

As you can probably see from the assortment of pictures, my kids have worn Native shoes from toddlerhood to the tween years, and from Hawaii to New York City to Disney World and back again. Unless we are heading to somewhere snowy, we almost never pack a second pair of kid shoes when we travel because there's no need.

Photo by Kim Ebert / The Points Guy

There are colors to fit all personalities ranging from Flamingo Pink, to Ultra Blue to Stars and Stripes and dozens more -- including sparkles, if that's your thing. Sizes range from a Toddler 4 to Junior 6, though not every single color combo comes in every size. There are other Native styles beyond the Jefferson that I can't speak to from personal experience.

(Photo by Summer Hull / The Points Guy)

Every pair we've owned has held up well enough to be passed down to the next kid. However, if that doesn't happen for you, there's a way to recycle your Natives shoes.

While some colors do occasionally go on sale, prices typically hover in the $35 to $40 price range. You can find Native Jefferson shoes on a number of sites including Nordstrom, Zappos and Amazon. (Be sure and make your purchase through a shopping portal, when possible, to rack up miles.) Half-sizes aren't available, so sometimes it can be tough to get the right fit when your kid is smack between whole sizes. The good news is that even when the shoes have been a touch tight or a touch big, they've still worked just fine for us.

If you want comfy feet, easy-to-clean shoes and a streamlined packing experience, I can't recommend Native Jefferson shoes enough for kids on the go. They are, by far, my favorite kids shoe for travel and virtually the only shoes we pack these days. (And yes, they also come in adult sizes, though I can't vouch for wearing them as a grown-up.)

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I'd love to hear if your family has a favorite shoe for your kids when you hit the road, too, so sound off in the comments below!

Related stories:

All photos by author.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.