Why Native Shoes Have Become Our Family's Go-To Shoes for Every Season
Whether we're heading out for a weekend camping trip, spending the afternoon at the playground, exploring a new city, or simply running errands around town, there's one brand you'll almost always find on our feet: Native Shoes.
Over the past few years, our family has tested several different Native Shoes styles across every season, and they've quickly become one of the few footwear brands that every member of our family genuinely enjoys wearing.
Here's why they've earned a permanent spot in our gear closet.
Why We Keep Coming Back to Native Shoes
When you have young kids, shoes have a pretty tough job.
They need to be comfortable enough for little feet, durable enough for climbing, running and jumping, easy enough that kids can put them on themselves, and versatile enough to handle everything from playgrounds to beach days.
As parents, we want those same qualities, but we also appreciate shoes that look good and don't require a break-in period before they're comfortable.
Native Shoes checks every one of those boxes. What we love most is that we never really have to think about them. They're the shoes we instinctively grab when we're heading out the door.
Lightweight Enough for Every Adventure
One of the first things we noticed about Native Shoes was how incredibly lightweight they are.
Whether Aspen is climbing playground equipment or River is toddling around the campground, the shoes never seem bulky or restrictive.
That lightweight feel also makes them fantastic travel shoes.
When every kilogram matters while packing for family adventures, it's nice having shoes that don't add unnecessary weight to everyone's luggage.
Comfortable Right Out of the Box
We've all bought shoes that needed a week—or two—before they finally felt comfortable.
That hasn't been our experience with Native Shoes.
The Wanderfoam™ and Sugarlite™ EVA blend is soft from the very first wear, making them ideal when you're heading out on vacation or have kids who simply won't tolerate uncomfortable shoes.
No blisters. No complaints. Just shoes they actually want to wear.
Built for Real Family Life
Our family isn't exactly gentle on footwear.
Our shoes have been through:
Playgrounds
Campgrounds
Beach days
Splash parks
Coffee shop outings
Farmers' markets
Road trips
Summer vacations
Backyard adventures
Despite all of that, they've held up incredibly well. One of the biggest bonuses? They're incredibly easy to clean.
After muddy adventures or dusty playground sessions, a quick rinse is usually all they need before they're ready for the next outing.
Our Favourite Native Shoes for Every Season
Jefferson Arc — My Everyday Favourite
Perfect for moms on the go.
Whether I'm grabbing coffee, running errands, spending the day at the playground, or travelling with the kids, the Jefferson Arc has become my most-worn summer shoe.
I love that they're incredibly lightweight while still looking polished enough to pair with shorts, dresses, or casual outfits. They're easy to slip on before heading out the door, and because they don't require a break-in period, they're perfect for travel days when you're spending hours on your feet.
Perfect for:
Everyday wear
Coffee dates
Travel
Running errands
Playground days
Summer vacations
Miles Child — Our Everyday Kids Shoe
If I had to recommend one Native Shoes style for kids, it would probably be the Miles Child. Both Aspen and River wear them almost every single day. We also love the Jefferson Child but these somehow feel a bit more stylish.
They're comfortable enough for all-day play while being lightweight and breathable for warmer weather.
From climbing playground equipment to exploring campgrounds, they've become the shoes we instinctively pack for every adventure.
Perfect for:
Everyday wear
Parks
School & daycare
Family outings
Camping
Travelling
Robbie Dash Child — For Cooler Spring & Fall Days
As the temperatures start to cool down, we swap over to the Robbie Dash Child.
They offer a little more coverage while still keeping the lightweight comfort we love from Native Shoes.
These have become our favourite transitional shoe between summer sandals and winter boots.
Perfect for:
Spring
Fall
School
Walking around town
Everyday adventures
Kensington Chelsea Child — Our Fall & Winter Favourite
Living in British Columbia means lots of wet days.
The Kensington Chelsea Child has been our favourite boot for rainy playgrounds, fall adventures, and mild winter weather.
They're easy for little ones to pull on themselves and look just as good with everyday clothes as they do with rain gear.
We especially love them for those in-between seasons when full winter boots aren't necessary.
Perfect for:
Rainy days
Fall
Winter
School
Family walks
Chase Kids — Made for Summer Fun
Beach days. Splash parks. Campgrounds. Backyard water fights. The Chase Kids are made for exactly these kinds of adventures.
They're easy to rinse off after sandy beach days, dry quickly, and are comfortable enough for kids to wear all day.
If we're heading anywhere near water, these are usually the first shoes packed.
Perfect for:
Beaches
Lakes
Splash parks
Camping
Summer vacations
Why Native Shoes Are Perfect for Travel
One of the biggest reasons we continue choosing Native Shoes is how well they travel.
They're lightweight enough that packing multiple pairs doesn't take up much space, and each style is versatile enough to handle everything from sightseeing to spontaneous playground stops.
Whether we're exploring Switzerland, road-tripping through the Rockies, or simply spending the afternoon in our hometown, Native Shoes are almost always in our suitcase.
Sustainability Matters Too
Another reason we love supporting Native Shoes is their commitment to creating footwear using more sustainable materials.
Many of their current styles incorporate their Sugarlite™ material—a sugarcane-derived EVA blend—as well as Wanderfoam™, helping create shoes that are lightweight, comfortable and designed with sustainability in mind.
It's encouraging to see brands continuing to innovate while reducing their environmental footprint.
Are Native Shoes Worth It?
For our family, absolutely.
They're comfortable.
They're durable.
They're incredibly lightweight.
They're easy for kids to wear independently.
They're simple to clean.
And they work just as well for everyday life as they do for travel.
Most importantly, they're shoes our entire family actually enjoys wearing.
When a product becomes the first thing you reach for before heading out the door, that's usually the best review you can give.
After trying several styles over the years, Native Shoes have become one of those rare brands we confidently recommend to friends and family.
If you're looking for comfortable, versatile shoes for kids or adults that can keep up with everyday adventures, Native Shoes are well worth adding to your collection.
Over the years we've tried several different Native Shoes styles, and each one has found its own place in our family's routine.
Shop Native Shoes
Ready to find your next everyday adventure shoe?
Explore the full collection of adult and kids' styles at nativeshoes.com/ca and discover why Native Shoes have become our family's go-to footwear for every season.
