Finding the right athletic shoes for kids isn’t so different from shopping for shoes for adults. However, because kids are still growing—sometimes spurting—it’s important to buy a shoe with ample toe room for the unpredictable road ahead.
“You don’t know if the foot is going to grow a size and a half in three months, a year, whatever,” says Ken Sung, co-owner of Gazelle Sports, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “The biggest thing is making sure they fit properly for the season that they’re going to be running.” Sung recommends allowing a thumb’s width for toe room. “If it gets too big, it’s going to affect how the person’s going to run, and that’s not what we want to compromise.”
When choosing shoes for children, be prepared to discuss what your child is using the shoe for. “It’s a dialogue on what they’re doing, how much running they’re planning on doing, the evaluation of the foot, if they’ve had injury,” says Sung. “We’re just trying to figure out the best solution based on the individual.”
More From Runner's World
A common mistake with kids’ shoes is trying to make them last a year. The child’s foot may or may not grow, but it’s important to get it measured before every sports season. Forcing feet to fit into a size too small can result in a range of ailments, from toe cramps to loss of toe nails. Their stride may change too, as they will try to avoid hitting their toes against the shoe. Keep in mind that adult shoes are also an alternative.
How We Choose
Adidas puts out a variety of kids’ shoes that is basically a miniature copy of its adult line. For instance, Adidas’s signature Boost midsole and Continental Rubber outsole are also constructed into the kids’ models. Here are 10 Adidas shoes that come in several colors and designs for children (ages 4 to 8) and youth (8 to 14), which we’ve chosen through research and culled from our knowledge of the adult counterparts.
Running
UltraBoost
The right shoe for: An almost-every-sport trainer
Price: $160
Age range: Youth
Just like its adult counterpart, the kids’ UltraBoost is a neutral shoe designed with a comfy, snug interior ideal for after-school practice. The trainer delivers a responsive and springy ride thanks to Adidas’s Boost midsole, which is composed of small TPU capsules that are fused together. A Primeknit upper ups the comfort, and a Continental Rubber outsole provides traction over wet and dry roads.
UltraBoost Parley LTD
The right shoe for: The eco-minded youth
Price: $160
Age range: Youth
The Parley contains all of the traits of an UltraBoost, from its responsive Boost midsole to its flexible Stretchweb outsole; however, the knit upper is part of a larger story. Made with yarn spun from Parley Ocean Plastic, the upper adapts to the foot’s shape and is created from recycled waste that was collected from beaches and coastal communities.
RapidaRun Laceless
The right shoe for: Those who are just too busy to tie their laces
Price: $70
Age range: Children and youth
The snug Rapidarun is a slip-on running shoe for kids who have no time to lace up. A ribbed hem collar provides a secure, comfy fit around the ankle, and a heel pull makes putting on the Rapidarun easy. The Cloudfoam midsole and Memory Foam sock liner ensure a cushy ride.
Narrow Fit
Edge Lux 3
The right shoe for: Girls who need a narrower fit
Price: $70
Age range: Youth
Like the women-specific Edge Lux, the kids’ version is designed just for girls. Supportive sidewall overlays lock in the foot and provide support. Other features for these neutral running shoes include ribbon-like lacing, springy cushioning, and a rubber outsole.
More Support
Alphabounce Instinct
The right shoe for: Midfoot support
Price: $100
Age range: Children and youth
adidas Kids’ Alphabounce Instinct
The Alphabounce Instinct has a seamless, adaptable mesh upper that has areas of support that expand and contract upon footstrike. A Torsion Bridge wraps around the midfoot for stability. The Alphabounce Instinct is meant for multidirectional movements, lending support where your child will need it.
Pureboost Go
The right shoe for: Slick sidewalks
Price: $100
Age range: Children and youth
Maybe your child is on the go and she needs a neutral, wide shoe with reliable grip. The Pureboost Go is just the trainer for the kid that has no time to keep still, with a snug knit upper, supportive higher heel, and a sticky outsole for wet roads.
Purebounce+
The right shoe for: A roomier, wider fit
Price: $80
Age range: Youth
A high heel collar makes this shoe fit like a sock. It has a wider forefoot platform and high heel for support. Like the adult Purebounce+, the shoe is prepped for the pavement; the Bounce+ cushioning is flexible, plush, and springy. The Stretchweb outsole also has dependable traction.
Casual
Duramo 9
The right shoe for: Playground dates
Price: $50
Age range: Children
The adult version of the Duramo is deemed worthy of hitting both the treadmill and trail. The children’s version is just as versatile, with a pillowy Cloudfoam midsole and a durable Adiwear outsole—perfect for jumping off money bars and out of swings. The shoe also comes in a Velcro infant size—which is adorable.
Cloudfoam Racer TR
The right shoe for: Playground adventures
Price: $55
Age range: Children
With plush Cloudfoam cushioning in the midsole, a two-tone upper, and rubber inserts on the outsole for enhanced durability, the Cloudfoam is for young explorers. Slide tower climbers, masters of the monkey bars, and playground prancers will feel comfy in the Cloudfoam Racer TR, which was inspired by Adidas’s trail running shoe models.
Crazychaos
The right shoe for: Throwback style
Price: $65
Age range: Youth
The chunky, retro-looking Crazychaos isn’t just a fashion statement—it’s a functional running shoe with a comfortable ride. The shoe has a Cloudfoam midsole for soft landings, and a leather upper with suede overlays.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
