Nike Kids Running Shoes for Good Results

Although referenced for Nike kids running shoes, the page on Nike's site that comes up talks about basketball - even though it's April as I write, meaning the basketball season is over and kids should be outside running for track teams.

Nike Kids Running Shoes

I don't quite understand their age groups. Infants and Toddlers is given as 0-3 on the first page, but 0-4 on its own page. Pre-schoolers are 4-8. Shouldn't eight year olds be in school already?

Nike Kids Running Shoes for Boys

First up is the Nike Shox Agent, which does look a lot like a standard running shoe, only much shorter. It provides traction and cushioning. How much mileage do infants and pre-schoolers put in every week before they can finish their first marathon? Oh, and they're suitable for everyplace from park to "play date." Are parents sending their toddlers out on play dates now? Nike evidently thinks so.

Nike T-Run 3 Alt is the next running shoe displayed. (I'm leaving out the pictures of generic athletic shoes, or ones with the name Jordan which I'm assuming is for basketball (how high do infants jump when they do a layup?). Description says it's designed to "keep his foot locked in," but doesn't say locked in to what?

Nike Free Run+ 2 -- around 2001 Nike discovered that one of the track teams it sponsored preferred to run barefoot than to wear their Nike shoes. After some study, they developed the Nike Free shoe to imitate the feel of running barefoot while still protecting the bottoms of your feet. This is the version for very small boys.

Nike Sensory Motion System Roadrunner Leather -- this model is also made without all the extras of an ordinary running shoe, so they allow the child's foot to move naturally. There are two good testimonials from parents of little boys who really like wearing these shoes.

Nike SMS Roadrunner -- this is described as a "training" shoe, which seems rather extreme for infant and toddler boys. However, there are good testimonials for this one as well. They're also praised for how cute and stylish they are. Since when did that become a criteria for shoes for boys?

If I had a boy of this age, I'd go with either the Nike Free Run+ 2 or Nike Sensory Motion System Roadrunner, because I'd want his feet to develop as freely and naturally as possible.

On the actual page for Pre-schoolers, that's defined as age 4+.

Nike Glide 2 -- this is the first running shoe listed. It has a Phylon midsole to provide cushioning.

Nike Shox Agent -- has four Nike Shox columns in the heel for cushioning and support.

Nike T-Run 3 Alt -- same as above.

Nike Free Run+ 2 -- for barefoot running with shoes on.

Three out of four of these are included in the shoes available for infant and toddler boys, only larger of course.

The Glide 2 is new, but is relatively at a lower price.

On the page for youth, that is defined as age 5+.

Some of the names of the styles listed there are familiar: Nike Shox Agent, Nike Free Run+ 2, and Nike T-Run 3 Alt, but some are new:

Nike Air Max 2011 -- much like other Air Max styles, but made with Fuse technology.

Nike LunarGlide 2 -- includes LunarLon Cushioning and Dynamic Support. Nike says it fits better than the original.

Nike Air Max Command -- a lot of cushioning, in a classic profile.

Nike Air Max -- a lot of cushioning. An Air-Sole unit in heel and one in forefoot.

Nike Air Max 2009 -- include Max Air technology, which helps with support and cushioning.

Nike Kids Running Shoes for Girls

Most of the shoe styles are the same as for boys:

Air Max, SMS Roadrunner, LunarGlide 2, SMS Roadrunner Leather, Air Max 2011, T-Run 3 Alt, Air Max 2009, and Free Run+ 2.

However, they are many styles not included in the boys section:

Shox Turbo+ VI iD -- apparently you can use this in connection with a nano or iPod sports band.

Shox NZ 2.0 -- contains Nike Shox for lots of cushioning.

Air Pegasus 27+ -- girls version of Nike's premium running shoe.

Dart 9 -- lots of cushioning, yet flexible and durable.

Shox Turbo+ 10 iD -- The iD just means you can customize the style to make it look as you want, so it's unique.

Nike Free Run 2 iD -- this would be my choice for my daughter. With or without the unique styling, I'd want her foot allowed the freedom to move naturally, while still protecting her foot from broken glass.

Air Max 95 LE -- full-length Phylon midsole

Endurance Trainer -- comfortable and durable. Comes in sizes as low as toddlers and infants, who do lots of endurance training these days, apparently.

Of course, the main difference between the boys and girls shoes is in the styling and coloring. The girls shoes are more likely to have some pink in the shoes. Boys will be more white, gray and black. Feet are feet, but these days even the toddlers have to look stylish or they'll be social outcasts.

So there is a wide selection available of Nike kids running shoes.