How to Choose the Right Kids Shoes

Choosing the right kids sports shoes is a bit more involved than grabbing the nearest pair off the shelf, but once you know what each occasion actually needs, it gets a lot more straightforward. Kids go through shoes the way they go through growth spurts: fast, and usually at the worst possible time.

Start With the Week, Not the Sport

Before you get to which shoe, it helps to think about what a typical week looks like. School five days, sport on the weekend, everything else in between. Most kids, especially younger ones, are moving across so many different surfaces and activities that a well-fitted all-purpose sports shoe does the heavy lifting better than a specialist option ever could.

Young feet are still developing well into the teenage years. Bones are softening into their final shape and arches are forming, so the priority is a shoe that supports natural movement rather than one that tries to engineer it. That doesn't mean all-purpose forever. It means being honest about when a specialist shoe is earning its place. A 6-year-old in football boots on grass makes complete sense; the grip is about the surface, not the developmental stage. A 6-year-old in a dedicated running shoe for everything else probably doesn't need one yet.

As kids get older and more committed to a specific sport, that's when the right footwear starts to pull ahead, because the demands of training begin to outpace what a good general trainer can comfortably offer.

School Shoes Deserve More Credit

Kids spend more hours in their school shoes than any other shoes they own, which makes it one of the more consequential purchases in the rotation. A well-made pair that fits correctly and holds up through a full term is worth considerably more than a cheaper option that gives out halfway through. 

Look for a secure heel counter that keeps the foot from rolling, enough toe room to accommodate a little growth without the shoe becoming a trip hazard, and a sole that can handle concrete playgrounds day after day. Breathable materials help too, because kids' feet work hard and a shoe that can't manage moisture gets uncomfortable fast. If your child has a wide foot or a higher arch, that's worth knowing before you buy.

Most schools specify a colour, so if you're after something that ticks the uniform box too, browse black school shoes and white school shoes across the ASICS kids range.

Sport-Specific, When It Counts

For kids whose training is getting more consistent, the right shoe for the activity starts to matter more. Running shoes for kids logging regular kilometres. Football boots built for grip and lateral support on the field. Netball shoes for a sport that's genuinely tough on ankles. Track and field for those competing at club or school level. Training and gym for structured gym work where a running shoe's flexibility works against you.

For the days that don't fit neatly into any of those categories, our Kids SportStyle™ sneakers range covers everyday comfort with enough structure to support growing feet and enough personality that kids actually want to wear them.

On Fit

The best shoe in any category doesn't do much if it doesn't fit. Kids' feet change quickly, often faster than most shoe-buying schedules account for, and an incorrect fit can affect how a child moves and how their feet develop over time. Most parents are confident they know their child's size, but feet at this age can jump half a size in a season, and a shoe that felt roomy in January can be doing real damage by June.

Worth measuring every few months for younger kids, every six months from around age six. When in doubt, get it checked properly rather than guessing. That's exactly what the ASICS FOOT-ID™ service is for. Book a complimentary in-store appointment and our fitting specialists will take care of it.

The ASICS range covers different cushioning and support profiles to suit where a child is at developmentally and how active they are. If you'd like a more detailed picture of how your child moves and what their foot actually needs, our fitting specialists can walk you through it. Find your local store and the team would love to help sort it out.

FAQs

Can kids wear sports shoes as school shoes?

It depends on the school's uniform policy, but for schools that allow it, a well-made kids sports shoe is actually a solid option. The caveat is that running shoes are built for straight-line movement and will wear out quickly on playgrounds where kids are stopping, starting and changing direction constantly. A cross-trainer or general athletic shoe handles that multi-directional load a lot better and tends to last longer through a full term.

Does ASICS sell black velcro school shoes?

Yes. ASICS sells black velcro school shoes for younger kids. For some kids, laces can get in the way of play and learning so a velcro lace type is preferable. 

How do I know when my child needs new school shoes?

The obvious sign is visible wear, like a sole that's breaking down or a heel counter that's lost its shape. But the more common issue is kids outgrowing shoes before they look worn out. Podiatrists recommend around 10 to 15mm of space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. That’s enough room for natural movement and a little growth, but not so much that the foot slides around. For younger kids especially, that gap can close faster than most parents expect, so building a quick check into the routine every few months is worth doing.

Do kids really need different shoes for different sports?

Not always, and not at every age. For younger kids playing a mix of sports, one good all-purpose trainer covers most of what they need. Where a sport-specific shoe genuinely earns its place is when the surface demands it — football boots on grass being the obvious example, or when training gets more consistent and the activity's physical demands start to outpace what a general shoe can offer. That's usually when kids are older and committing more seriously to a particular sport.