Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Hook and loop for children's shoes is most often chosen in a width of 20–25 mm, with the soft loop side on the shoe and the stiff hook side on the strap, so the hooks do not touch the skin. For children's clothing, narrower tapes of 16–20 mm with a softer base are suitable. Hook and loop lets children put on their shoes and clothes by themselves and has no laces or small parts that could come off.
Why hook and loop is standard in children's products
- Independence – small children can fasten hook and loop much earlier than laces or buttons.
- Speed – shoes on and off in seconds, convenient at nursery.
- Adjustment – the strap is tightened to the width of the foot or the circumference.
- Safety – no laces that come undone and trip the child.
- No small parts – unlike buttons, the tape cannot come off as a small piece if it is sewn on correctly.
Hook and loop for children's shoes
Width
| Type of shoe | Recommended width | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Baby booties and first shoes | 16–20 mm | Soft, flexible tape |
| Children's trainers | 20–25 mm | One to three straps |
| Sandals | 16–25 mm | Resistance to moisture and sand |
| Orthopaedic and therapeutic shoes | 25–38 mm | Greater strength and area |
| Children's boots | 20–38 mm | Wide strap for tightening |
Placement and length
The soft part is sewn on the upper of the shoe and is longer, while the stiff part is shorter and sits at the end of the strap. This way the strap can be fastened in different positions depending on the foot. The end of the strap should have a small free tab or a folded end that the child can grip to open it easily.
Sewing on
Children's shoes are opened and closed many times every day, so the tape is sewn around the perimeter and reinforced with a cross or transverse stitching. Use strong thread and a needle for leather or technical materials depending on the upper. You will find more materials and accessories for footwear in the footwear and leather category.
Hook and loop for children's clothing
In clothing, hook and loop is used on bibs, jacket cuffs, pocket flaps, rain capes, fancy-dress costumes, adaptive clothing and sports kits. Requirements:
- a softer, thinner tape that does not make the garment stiff;
- the hook side facing outwards or covered so it does not irritate the skin;
- rounded corners on all pieces;
- stitching around the entire perimeter, with no loose ends.
On baby bodysuits and pyjamas, snap buttons are more suitable, because they are flatter and do not catch on nappies and knitwear.
Safety
In the EU, safety requirements apply to cords and drawstrings on children's clothing – the EN 14682 standard restricts drawstrings and cords in the head and neck area for young children. Hook and loop is one of the solutions manufacturers use to replace such drawstrings on hoods and collars. It is important, however, to check the product as a whole – responsibility for compliance lies with the manufacturer of the garment or shoe.
Practical safety rules:
- sew the tape on firmly so that it cannot come off as a small piece;
- avoid self-adhesive hook and loop on children's clothing – it peels off;
- do not leave sharp corners that scratch;
- check the tape during quality control – every batch.
Washing and wear
Children's products are washed more often than anything else. Add "Close the hook and loop before washing" to the care instructions. This way the tape does not collect lint and keeps its grip, and other clothes do not get damaged. Choose a tape whose colour does not fade, especially for light-coloured shoes.
How many straps and where
The number of straps depends on the type of shoe and the child's age. Baby shoes usually have one wide strap across the top of the foot that holds the foot without pressing on it. Trainers for older children have two or three straps distributed along the length of the opening for even tightening. Sandals often have a strap around the ankle and one across the toes.
When there are more straps, each one can be narrower. This makes the shoe more flexible and easier to fasten, because the child closes them one at a time. If there is only one strap, it must be wide enough and have a long overlap to take the entire load.
Testing with real users
Before the series, give samples to children of the target age and watch whether they can open and close the strap by themselves. This is the quickest way to discover a grip that is too strong, an awkward tab or a strap that is too short.
Colour and design
Hook and loop tape can be in the colour of the shoe or in a contrasting colour as an accent. On children's models, bright tapes are part of the design, while on classic shoes the tape is tone-on-tone. The colour can be matched to Pantone or to a sample so it matches the leather or textile of the model.
Common mistakes
- Too wide and stiff a tape on baby shoes.
- The hook side on the inside, next to the skin.
- A missing grip tab – the child cannot open the strap alone.
- Self-adhesive tape instead of sewn-on.
- Insufficient strap reinforcement.
Browse widths and colours in the hook and loop category.
Hook and loop from Polkom
Polkom is a Sofia-based manufacturer and wholesale supplier of accessories for clothing and footwear with over 30 years of experience. We supply hook and loop tape in widths from 5 to 100 mm, the two parts separately or as a set, in standard colours and to a sample. Send the product type, width, colour and quantity via our inquiry form and we will prepare samples.
