It's never to early to start living an active lifestyle, so why not make sure your kids have everything they need to get moving? Girls and boys with boundless energy need good trainers that will be able to withstand the pressure of intense play, and look cool enough that they'll actually want to wear them.
Like trainers for adults, the best trainers for sport and play seamlessly combine style and substance. That's why we've compared top footwear brands including Nike, adidas and Asics to help you make an informed decision regarding which shoes are worth spending your money on. We even raked the top 10 best kids trainers in the UK, and where you can find them on Amazon, Decathlon and more!
Quick List - Top Trainers for Kids
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When buying trainers for kids, quite a lot will depend on the age of your little ones (or perhaps not-so-little ones) as to what exactly they'll need. Younger children will require shoes that are versatile and easy to put on, whereas older kids might have more specific preferences. To help you find the right pair, here's a guide on how to choose kids trainers for different ages.
As you grow, your needs change when it comes to trainers. Some children will want a more casual trainer that they can wear in the playground, whereas others might be getting into certain sports that require them to have a specific type of sports shoe.
For young kids in particular, physical activity is more about getting up and having a good time. This means running around, jumping here and there and maybe even some gymnastics in the playground. While you should still pick a sturdy shoe, it's needn't be anything as involved as adults' sports trainers.
At this stage, looks, comfort and ease of wear are the most important factors. Bright colours, sparkly panels and fancy extras like flashing lights are all going to appeal to young kids' easily-stimulated minds. When this is matched with fastenings that make parents' lives simpler, this is sure to put a smile on everyone's face.
As an adult, you might well have different trainers for a whole host of varying activities. If you like jogging, you'll have your running trainers, or if tennis is your sport, then you'll want a pair that are suitable for the court. The same is true for older children.
Older kids who are involved in specific sports will require appropriate shoes for club activities and training. This is the stage where you should consider buying trainers that will support their feet correctly. For example, if your child takes part in a high impact sport like running, they'll need to have trainers that support their joints to prevent injuries.
The type of fastening you should pick will depend on your child's age, ability and dexterity. Their trainers need to stay on their feet! However, some children won't be able to deal with anything too complicated when it comes to putting them on and taking them off.
For young children wanting to be able to put on and take off their own shoes, look no further than velcro. This style of fastening is quick, adjustable and easy to use, keeping both adults and youngsters happy.
The reason velcro isn't used as much on trainers for adults or older children is because it doesn't have quite the same level of security and adaptability that laces have. When activity gets to vigorous and the foot moves too much, velcro will struggle to stay in place.
If your children have already learned, or are learning how to tie them, it is worth getting trainers that use laces as their main fastening. Laces give you more control over how tightly the shoe fits, so you can tailor them to your foot shape.
Once tied correctly, laces should stay in place and are less likely to be knocked or accidentally undone than velcro. Sometimes you can find laces that are pre-tied, or fixed laces that use a toggle to tighten them.
These are a great way of incorporating the positive aspects of laces while avoiding the difficulty that young children might have tying them. You don't get as much control as you do with normal laces, but they are an excellent stepping stone for small feet.
To find the the right fit for your child, you'll need to check the range of sizes to see which ones are available for a particular pair of trainers. Infant sizes range from 1 to 13 ½ and will likely be the most suitable for younger and smaller children.
For older or taller primary school age kids, small adult sizes may be more appropriate. Your best bet will be to look for trainers that come in sizes 1 - 4 if they have outgrown infant size shoes. Remember, shoe size doesn't directly correlate with age, so you'll need to measure their feet to ensure a comfortable fit.
Kids can be very fussy when it comes to colour, but luckily there is a huge range of options to suit everyone's taste. Bright colours appeal to both younger and older kids with a rainbow of shades to choose from.
More muted colours are also available for kids who are less drawn to bright colours and to fit with school uniform requirements. Black trainers may seem a bit boring, but they won't show dirt and stains as easily, and will go with everything.
Over time, kids' trainers will get dirty and it can be difficult to return them to their former glory. This is especially true when bunging them in the washing machine is not an option, as is often the case with kids trainers.
This means you'll have to resort to wiping or sponge cleaning them instead. Some products also advise brush cleaning, which involves getting a specific shoe brush - or alternatively just an old toothbrush - and scrubbing away mud and dirt by hand.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Geox Crush Boy | ![]() | Breathable Shoes for Small Feet | |
2 | Adidas Tensor Run Shoes | ![]() | One Pair of Trainers for Every Activity | |
3 | Kalenji Kiprun Grip Kids' Running & Athletic Shoes | ![]() | Trainers for Exploring the Great Outdoors | |
4 | Torotto Kids Casual Running Shoes | ![]() | Walk on Air in These Lightweight Shoes | |
5 | Nike Revolution 5 | ![]() | Kids Can Walk, Run and Jump in Comfort and Style | |
6 | Asics Children's GT-1000 9 Running Shoes | ![]() | Your Chid's First Jogging Trainers | |
7 | Tu Khaki and Orange Hiker Trainers | ![]() | For Little Legs That Like to Walk | |
8 | Clarks Children's Kuju Run Shoes | ![]() | Be Bold in These Bright Trainers | |
9 | Skechers Children's S Lights Illumi-Brights Light Up Trainers | ![]() | These Flashing Shoes Will Get Kids Moving |
Geox are experts at creating shoes that let feet breathe and don't harbour odours. This means they will be more hygienic and last longer as a result. Despite them being breathable, they are still waterproof, so can be worn in different weather conditions.
The Geox sole stops feet from overheating, making them comfortable for children to wear for longer periods of time. Available in black and white, they'll go with most outfits, including P.E. kit, and are accessible to an enormous age range thanks to the variety of sizes and the velcro fastening.
Lightweight, breathable and - most importantly - very fashionable! These trainers are sure to appeal to trend-setting kids and those who want a versatile shoe to help to facilitate a range of sports and activities.
The laces mean that they can be adjusted for the perfect fit, even if they're not quite right at first. Their bouncy soles also work to absorb impact, making them suitable for for indoor and outdoor sports. Exactly what you need if you have a child who just can't sit still.
For older kids who are wanting to explore different athletic disciplines and fitness pursuits, these trainers are an excellent choice. The thick tread makes them especially adapted to off-road activities like cross-country and orienteering.
The fit of the mid-sole is designed to keep your foot in place, which stops any rubbing and potential blisters. Another aspect which makes these shoes the best trainers for hitting the great outdoors, is the fact they are water-repellent. So you don't need to worry about them running over wet ground.
Everything about these shoes has been designed to keep them lightweight, which is just what you want if they are taking part in a fast-paced sport and need to be able to move around quickly. The sole is cushioned so they can run and jump without worrying about any injuries.
They have the advantage of both laces and velcro fastenings, so your child's foot won't move about inside the shoe - an essential feature for running and quick footwork. The outer material has just the right amount of flexibility, without feeling flimsy, and will adapt to your kid's growing feet.
Sleek and stylish, these black trainers will go with absolutely anything. Having been made by such a respected sportswear brand as Nike, they are the ideal footwear for a whole range of active pursuits.
With trainers being such a popular fashion item, you could just as easily wear these shoes on a football pitch, as you could to a party. The rubber sole is thick and durable, but flexible enough to not restrict movement. They also come in a medium width, so should be suitable for the vast majority of children.
There are plenty of features that make these trainers the perfect pair for their first experience of pounding the pavements. Asics have scaled-down a lot of the technology that makes their adult ranges so popular, and expertly applied it to these trainers for kids.
The highlights include the breathable material and cushioned soles. They also offer extra protection around the toes, helping to stop any discomfort and prevent black nails.
It's never to early to teach your kids about the benefits of walking, and in these shoes, they're going to want to take as many steps as they can. The easy toggle fastening brings all the security of laces, but without the issues that young kids can have when trying to tie them.
The dark colour means that mud won't be as obvious, but it does also mean they're not as eye-catching as other designs. Although they are designed for hiking, be aware that little legs will only be able to walk so far. therefore the uses of these shoes could be somewhat limited.
With their bright colours and fun style, these trainers have a retro feel, but in a way that will definitely appeal to kids. While they are designed for running, they're stylish enough to not look out of place in non-sporting settings too.
We particularly like the little toggle on the back that makes it easier for children to slip these shoes on, so they can be ready to go in no time. It's just a shame that they don't come in many different sizes.
Flashing soles and a futuristic feel will mean your child won't want to wait to put these on and start moving. Even when they're not flashing, the bright blue gel soles make a serous statement! Best of all, the laces are already fastened in place for extra support, so you won't need to worry about these shoes coming loose.
Designed for young kids, both in sizing and in style, flashing soles might appeal to younger wearers, but are unlikely to be as coveted by older children. You'll also want to avoid buying these for sports as high impact activity could affect the electrics.
Now that you've got your kids' shoes sorted for any sporting activity they might want to pursue, why not prepare them for the other aspects of their life? Check out some more of our helpful guides to kit out the kids with these top ranking school essentials!
Being happy and comfortable is the best way of encouraging kids to get fit, and stay active. That's why it's crucial that they have well-fitting trainers. Whether your child is hoping for something fashionable, practical, or ideally somewhere in between, you'll now be able find a pair of trainers that's perfect for them, their interests and style!
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Geox|Crush Boy
No. 2: Adidas|Tensor Run Shoes
No. 3: Kalenji|Kiprun Grip Kids' Running & Athletic Shoes
No. 4: Torotto|Kids Casual Running Shoes
No. 5: Nike|Revolution 5
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