Running Shoes for Kids -- Pick Out the Best

Running Shoes for Kids come in all sizes, types, styles and prices

Remember that running shoes for kids are sized in two "waves."

The first begins with size 1 for tots and goes on to size 13.5. (7 3/4 inches from heel to toe.) The second "wave" also starts with size 1 (just under 8 inches from heel to toe) and continues until reaching adult sizes.

Brooks Running Shoes for Kids

Kids' Defyance -- sizes 10.5-13.5, 1-7. It starts in the first size wave for about 3 years old, and continues into the second wave.

Kids' Adrenaline™ GTS -- sizes 1-7 for the second wave. For children aged six years and older.

Asics Running Shoes for Kids

Asics sizes for children's shoes run one and a half sizes behind a women's shoe size. Therefore, a woman's size five is a child size three and a half.

GEL-Kayano® 15 GS

GEL-Nimbus® 11 GS

GEL-Kushon® 2 GS

GEL-Kushon® GS

GT-2140™ GS

GEL-Trabuco® 12 GS

GEL-Harumi™ GS

GEL-1140™ GS

GEL-Galaxy™ 3 GS

GEL-Enduro® 5 GS

GEL-Philosophy™ GS

GEL-150 TR™ GS

Shihan™ GS

Sakura Diva™ GS

Cael® V4.0 GS

Matflex® 2 GS

GEL-Blackheath™ GS

Cheer® 5 GS

New Balance Running Shoes for Kids

New Balance has nearly thirty types of kids running shoes, but their names are just a string of letters and numbers -- such as KJ993BKG -- so it's impossible to distinguish between them except by appearance and price.

Their boys sizes are a smaller version of men's sizes, so boys go from a size 6 to men's size 7. Girls go to a woman's size. Since a woman's size is one and a half behind a man's, so a girl wearing a girl's size 7 could wear a woman's size 8 1/2.

Nike Running Shoes for Kids

Nike's kids size 7 is equal to a men's size 7.

Nike Air Pegasus -- Neutral-Cushioned Sizes: 1-5 and 6-7, including half sizes

Nike Air Turbulence+ 11 -- Neutral Sizes: 1-5 and 6-7, including half sizes

Adidas Running Shoes for Kids

Sizes for Adidas's kids' shoes go to men's sizes. Therefore, a kids' size 3.5 is equal to a men's size 3.5 or a women's size 4.5 or 5.

Marathon Heel

Youth Kahona Microbounce

Response Cushion USA -- Neutral-cushioned

Kanadia Trail

Megabounce 09J

Manitoo

Supernova Glide

Big Kids Supernova

Allegra

ZXZ ADV

You can see that they come in a wide range of styles, function and prices. All the major name brands come out with quality shoes. It's a good idea to go to a local store, especially one that specializes in serving runners, to get expert opinions on the best shoes for your young runner. And that way they can try the shoes on before you buy, so you'll be satisfied that it's not only a good shoe, but fits your child.

I once bought some shoes off eBay, and though they were good shoes and in my size, they didn't fit me so I wound up sending them back. I got my money back -- but it was minus a 25% restocking fee, plus I had to pay the shipping cost to return them, so I paid $20 for nothing. And then I got smart and went to a local running store to get shoes for my feet. I knew they were the right ones when I walked out with them. And it took less time than if I'd browsed through eBay. They did cost more, but I had the confidence I was getting the shoes my feet needed for my running.

One thing with buying running shoes for kids -- they may want what's most fashionable or cool looking rather than the model that's best for their feet. You have to point out that the sports stars didn't become great athletes by caring how their shoes looked -- they worked their butts off. And they had to reduce and recover from any injuries. There's no doubt that many young, potentially great athletes have had their careers shortened by injuries that kept them from competing.

Running Shoes for Kids

Some of the types of running shoes for kids from name-brand manufacturers

Running Shoes for Kids come in all sizes, types, styles and prices