Abstract: There is disclosed footwear, such as a bootlet, for children in which the entire bootlet, rearwardly of the instep is separable from the forward portion, with a continuous strip fastener that extends vertically along the sides and beneath the arch to removably join the front and rear portions. Preferably, the two portions are permanently secured together on one side, at their top edges with a welting which extends about the top edges of the bootlet. The forward portion of the sole of the bootlet has foam padding on its outside surface and this is covered with an outer sole, thereby providing a very soft cushion beneath the ball of the child's foot.