Feet and walking habits are determined during the formative years of a child’s growth and development – so it’s crucial to support their every step with the best footwear.
Like adults, it’s important to make sure children wear appropriate footwear that doesn’t only support them during sports and physical activity, but also all throughout the day.
Ensure your child's foot development occurs in the healthiest way possible by focusing on the key elements of a supportive shoe:
Here we take a look at some of these important features, and advise what to look for in kids footwear to provide the best support for your kids.
There are a couple of things to look for in kids shoes, to ensure little feet are well protected and they’re getting the right cushioning and support.
At ASICS the same design innovation and technology that goes into adult shoes is customised for the kid shoe range – ensuring optimal support for the nature of children’s active day-to-day lifestyles.
Midfoot support
Shoes should always mimic the shape of the human foot to allow support and flexibility where it’s needed. Essentially, when you pick up a shoe, it should only bend where the foot bends – the front of the shoe or boot.
ASICS kids performance shoes have a TRUSSTIC™ system providing stability and preventing twisting through the midfoot.
Cushioning
Growing feet have vital growth plates in the heel bones. Adequate cushioning, especially through the heel, is a necessity to care for their healthy development. It’s also integral for protection against hard or unnatural surfaces that put stress on kid’s feet.
The ASICS kids shoe range includes a firm heel cushioning system, to protect growing feet from impact.
Heel cup and upper stability
Heel cups are an essential element providing stability. Having good heel support behind them will keep their foot secure in the shoe and prevent too much movement.
ASICS kids shoes are all specifically designed to contain strong heel counters that give optimal support and prevent too much movement.
Knowing what to look for will ensure feet are well protected and shoes last through the constant demands of active kids.
Dual Olympic marathon runner and physiotherapist Jessica Stenson explains why ASICS kids shoes are designed for protection, support and durability to protect growing feet.
It’s important to be aware of when shoes have had their time and need replacing. After all the effort in finding the shoe with the best support, you’ll want to make sure it’s always doing the job right!
With high quality and durable shoes, it’s more likely kids will grow out of them before they get to the point of wearing out. But it’s still important to be checking for wear – especially if your child is very active in those particular shoes.
Check your kids shoes regularly, and look out for:
There comes a time in every kid’s life to make the move from velcro, to learning to tie their laces.
But when should they be making the move? For most kids it’s a personal preference, however, there are some things to take note of:
Ensuring your kids have supportive shoes for their day-to-day lives is the best way you can give them a strong start to healthy feet development. Now that you know what to look for, learn how to find the proper fit in our Kids Shoe Fitting guide. Or if you have a little athlete, find out what goes into good Kids Sports Shoes and choosing the best for your child.