Updated by Brett Dvoretz

The 10 Best Light Up Shoes

This wiki has been updated 36 times since it was first published in December of 2016. Whether you are looking for footwear that will keep you visible to traffic on nighttime dog walking expeditions, or your kids just feel like dazzling their friends with flashing kicks, these light-up shoes will brighten the feet of any wearer. Considering that LED-illuminated sneakers have been on the scene since the early 1990s, it doesn't seem like the trend is going anywhere anytime soon. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. Sketchers Energy

Boasting that cool, urban, high-top design, the Sketchers Energy (around $31) are just the sort of pumped-up kicks your big kid will love. They come in classic white or black, look as good with the illumination off as on, and are easy to pair with most apparel.

Helpful charging indicator light
Color changing button in the tongue
Very comfortable for prolonged wear

2. DoGeek LED

The DoGeek LED (appx. $28) resemble regular sneakers during the day, with their low-cut uppers and traditional form, yet come alive at night. Stick to the classic all-white for a sleek aesthetic or try the skull and crossbones, metallic, or starry print for something edgier.

Hold a charge for six hours
Backed by a one-year warranty
Wallet-friendly price

This item has been flagged for editorial review and is not available.

3. Crocs Kids' Shark

If you have a beach vacation planned with the family, the Crocs Kids' Shark (about $39) will get your youngster excited to play in the sand. A wide opening at the back makes these simple for little ones to slip on, while the strap keeps them in place as a child runs.

Impact-absorbing foam cushion
Side openings provide good airflow
Eyes and teeth illuminate

4. Skechers Twinkle Toes

The Skechers Twinkle Toes (appx. $50) are available in several bright and eccentric patterns, each of which has studded toes, making them perfect for the child in your life with a big personality. Depending on the model you choose, the straps will either be sparkly or shiny.

Hearts or stars on treads
Some styles have a dangling charm
Easy for kids to power on and off

5. Stride Rite Made 2 Play

The Stride Rite Made 2 Play (around $55) pair an adjustable hook and loop closure with memory foam padding for an option that is easy for kids to put on and comfortable to wear through a full day of walking around the city with mom and dad or playing in the park.

Machine washable
Antimicrobial treated
Nearly indestructible uppers

6. Electric Styles Adult Tennis

Using the associated app, you can control everything from the flashing pattern, brightness, and color (of which there are 256 to choose from) on the Electric Styles Adult Tennis (about $89). You can even synchronize the rhythm of the LEDs to your favorite music.

Made of vegan leather
Water-resistant exterior
Well-padded insoles

7. Skechers Kids Erupters II Lava Arc

The Skechers Kids Erupters II Lava Arc (about $38) resemble adult running shoes, making them perfect for the child who likes to imitate mom and dad. Unlike some other models, they light up every time they make contact with the ground. They do run a bit narrow, though.

Come in toddler and little kid sizes
Flexible material in the uppers
Tread wears down quickly

8. Zoogs Rain Boots

Your kids can play in the puddles while remaining visible on overcast days in the Zoogs Rain Boots (about $19). They come in 23 adorable prints, like dinosaurs, fire trucks, and dogs, so your little ones are sure to find a pair that suits their style.

Soles provide good traction
Mid-calf rise helps keeps legs dry
Must stomp hard to start the lights

9. Puma Kids' Speed V PS

The Puma Kids' Speed V PS (about $42) have strips along the side that illuminate when they hit the ground, making children's feet look like lighting bolts as they run. Two adjustable Velcro straps ensure these are easy to put on and take off and eliminate the need for pesky laces.

Nice sporty style
Textured sole rises up the heel
Sizing runs small

10. Mohem ShinyNight

Ready for a '90s music video, the Mohem ShinyNight (around $34) are available in metallic and high-gloss styles, as well as matte varieties if you'd like to tone it down. Conveniently, they have a remote control, so there's no need to kneel to change the color of the LEDs.

Charge fully in just a few hours
Adjustable flash pattern
Power button is hard to access

Grabbing Attention In All The Right Ways

So, what other practical benefits do light up shoes serve to those who wear them?

When thinking about footwear, I'm comically reminded of a quote from the fictional Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding from the Shawshank Redemption. As he recounts his good friend Andy Dufresne's clever escape from prison, Red comments on Andy's theft of the warden's freshly-buffed shoes. "I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a man's shoes?" In 1966, Andy may have gotten away with strolling by a prison guard without a second look. Were he to attempt this today after swiping a pair of the warden's snazzy light up sneakers, he'd probably get the attention of nearly every guard at Shawshank. Red obviously didn't assume that a shoe could be equipped with LEDs when asking such a question. Fictional situations notwithstanding, the good news is that we aren't living in a Stephen King novel. This means that a pair of light-up shoes allows you to stand out in a crowd to get the attention you want. But I wouldn't recommend trying to sneak out of prison in a pair of these.

Light up shoes are worn in very much the same way as conventional sneakers, but with the addition of rechargeable LED technology housed within their midsoles. The illuminated variety of footwear comes to life in a way that a traditional pair of sneakers does not. For example, LED shoes not only display a variety of bright colors, but they can do so with flashing, strobe, and even random color modes. Another feature common to many light up shoes is their use of integrated motion sensors to activate their LEDs with every step or movement of a user's foot.

Besides looking really cool, aren't light up shoes just for kids? They are actually designed for both kids and adults alike, but the perception of the product changes with age. Bright lights and variations in color encourage excitement, curiosity, and the imagination for little ones. Light up shoes offer kids a break from wearing an ordinary set of running shoes, but the same is true for an adult. Color perceptions also change over time as a person grows.

So, what other practical benefits do light up shoes serve to those who wear them? One value is visibility. Similar to an LED vest, light up shoes get the attention of motorists and pedestrians long before a potential accident or injury occurs. The shoes will serve the same purpose whether you're running, hiking, or cycling on the street. Because many of these shoes flash with each step or leg motion, they become an even stronger roadside ally, as every movement illuminates the area around you. Nobody is telling you to turn yourself into a walking Christmas tree to stay safe, but the undeniable fact is that the product offers plenty of nighttime awareness to you and those around you. Light up shoes are also used as a fashion statement. Young Tommy might flaunt his new pair of LED shoes to his friends, making them jealous enough to want a similar product. In that sense, Tommy's shoes just turned him into a mobile advertisement for a particular brand. For the older generation, these shoes are excellent companions for both clubbing and dancing.

Being Careful Without Sacrificing Style

Power considerations are important to consider when investing in a pair of light up shoes, especially for kids. Many pairs provide up to 10 hours of illumination before needing a charge. When it does come time to power them up, going with a brand that includes a reliable USB charging cable is beneficial. Additionally, the power switch for the shoe lights should be easy to access for little fingers.

Like any other shoe, one should also consider the materials from which the shoes have been constructed. If you plan to wear them on different types of terrain and in varying weather conditions, the soles should be made from sturdy thermoplastic rubber for durability. PVC vinyl material also helps to ensure the shoes withstand heavy rainfall or puddles.

If you plan to use your light up shoes for dancing and performing, consider a pair that offers the greatest degree of shock absorbency possible in the soles.

A Brief History Of Light Up Shoes

Aside from a fashion legacy that transcends color, form, style, and generations, the history of footwear goes as far back in time as our early ancestors nearly 40,000 years ago during the Middle Paleolithic period. Shoes at this time were made from wraparound leather and resembled sandals or moccasins.

While shoes for both men and women very much resembled one another, different materials were used depending on a person's social status.

The emergence of modern-looking shoes didn't take occur until sometime during Europe's Baroque period. While shoes for both men and women very much resembled one another, different materials were used depending on a person's social status. It wasn't until the 1800s that shoe style, color, and overall shape differed between the sexes. Up until the 1850s, there were no shoes fashioned specifically for the left or right foot.

The first rubber-soled shoes appeared as early as 1917 and became known as sneakers due to their quiet nature when compared to earlier forms of footwear. Though designed specifically for athletic activity, their flexible soles made them so comfortable that consumers preferred to wear them on a daily basis.

Founded by Robert Greenburg in 1979 as a high-quality women's apparel company, LA Gear was first on the scene with its LA Lights brand to begin the light up shoe craze. The LA Lights found their way into Foot Locker stores by 1992 and were available in bright colors with illuminated heels.

Today's LED shoes are equipped with more lights, dedicated flashing modes, and USB-rechargeable batteries for extended use, all of which will captivate a public audience. So, how often would one really look at another man's shoes? With a pair of light up shoes, chances are you wouldn't be sneaking past anyone at night without at least a few second looks.

Last updated by Brett Dvoretz

A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.

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