Kids Shoes Guide

Kids Sports Shoes

Your Guide to Athletic Shoes for Kids

Give your active kids a kick start to sport with the right shoes

As a parent it’s great supporting your kids in their sports from the sidelines. Another way to give them a kick start in their athletic journey is by keeping them in the right footwear.

Proper footwear plays a key role in protecting children's feet throughout their growth and development. Wearing a comfortable, well-fitted pair is also essential when they’re out on the field, track, or court.

Read on to learn how to best equip your little athlete in the right shoe for the sport they love, with tips for the selection process from Monique Ujdur of Big Foot Podiatry.

Features to focus on 

Similar to buying shoes for your kids day-to-day activities, sports shoes need to provide the fundamental elements of support, protection, and durability.

All good kids sports shoes should provide enough protection for your active kids to exercise confidently.

Our kids sports shoes range at ASICS include these important features:

  • Solid midsole (not hollow): that will maintain support.
  • Durable rubber outsole: which can stand up to tough surfaces and offer protection and durability.
  • Stitching around the toe bumper: working to increase durability and ensuring shoes last longer.
  • Strong reinforced upper: holds the foot in place and secure to the plate of the shoe.
  • Removable sock liner: improves fit, makes it easier to wash kids sports shoes, and allows for orthotics to be used more easily if required.


Features of Kids Sports Shoes
Key Features of Kids Sports Shoes

Key features for every sport

While every good pair of kids sport shoes is focused on providing protection, durability and support, each sport places a unique demand on children's feet that calls for looking after.

“All ASICS shoes are engineered to guide the foot in the way the sport and foot intend, so picking a pair of kids sports shoes that suits the activity is key. Ensure you know your child’s footwear needs prior to going to the retail store,” Monique says.

ASICS shoes for kids are specifically designed with the same technology as adult's shoes, with elements made to address your children’s needs throughout their sports.

Running

Running is a great way for your active kids to be introduced to sport and activity. Help them find their feet with these crucial features:

  • A proper running midsole: A proper running midsole isn’t going to be too hard and stiff, but will provide the necessary stability to your kids running shoes. ASICS shoes utilise a light-weight midsole providing a protective layer of cushioning and durability.

  • Extra cushioning for runners: One of the most important features of kids running shoes is good cushioning to reduce the impact on kids feet. The GEL used in ASICS kids running shoes adds an additional layer of cushioning to ensure high protection.

  • The right flexibility: Kids running shoes need good flexibility that supports natural foot movement and growth. Solid rubber outsoles in ASICS shoes have strategically placed flex points, that work to increase shoe flexibility for young runners.

For your kid’s first pair of running shoes, Monique recommends:  the GT-1000, GT-2000, Kayano or Trabuco for off-road running or a variety of sports.

“ASICS cater to serious young runners. As well as entry-level running shoes, their high-performance models offer cushioning features as well as pronation guidance components to reduce stretch/strain load on running muscles.”

Shopping for Kids Football Shoes

Football

Rugby and soccer are dynamic sports that require fast movements, a lot of side stepping, and agility. Getting your kids into football means you’ll need to invest in some kids football boots with:

Grip for the ground

Football boots need the necessary grip to keep your kids on their feet whether playing on grass or turf. With a range of football boots depending on your little players needs, the stud configurations act to spread the load and provide stability.

Focus on a snug fit

Kids football boots are all about the tightness. Be sure their football boots have no more than a thumbs width space at the end, so no sliding, friction or blisters occur.

Cushioning and heel raise for footballers

As important as it is for every young athlete, cushioning plays a vital part in supporting footballers.

A firm heel counter across ASICS athletic shoes cups the foot and prevents unwanted movement. In our kids football boots an HG10mm pitch places your child into the preferred take-off positioning and decreases strain on the lower limbs.

For your kids first pair of football boots, Monique recommends: DS Light and Lethal Flash

“ASICS kids football boots are unique in that they contain a midsole with integrated heel pitch. The HG10mm cushions the heel on impact and mimics the same heel pitch angle that a child is accustomed to from their school and sport shoes.”

Netball

With netball’s high-impact nature and unforgiving, slippery courts, it's essential to outfit your child in a sport specific shoe.

Here are some factors you’ll need to be aware of:

Ample cushioning

With sudden movements, sideways motions and constant direction changes, your kids need versatile cushioning in their sports shoes that absorb shock.

ASICS kids netball shoes use ASICS GEL technology for optimum cushioning and high density midsole materials.

Multi directional tread

Netball shoe tread is designed specifically to assist pivoting and fast change of direction.

Kids Netball Shoes
Features to Look for in Kids Netball Shoes

Firm, strong grip

Given the surface of the sport and the rapid movements, little netball players need extra grip on their shoes.

Our ASICS kids netball shoes contain extra upper and outsole grip, built from strong materials that are durable and ensure better hold on slippery netball courts.

For your kid's first pair of netball shoes, Monique recommends: the ASICS GEL-Netburner range.

“ASICS invest heavily in young Netballers. They offer 3 key models to suit specific playing style, weight and intensity of play. The Netburner range for young players provides durability and protection for rudimentary court playing surface and style,” Monique says.

Did you find this helpful? Take a look at our tips on kids shoe fitting.

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