A question for the moms out there

I'm pretty sure New Balance makes some kids sizes for significantly less than adults shoes.  I'm not sure though.  I'm in the same position with my son but haven't looked into options yet.

New Balance, Brooks, and I believe Asics all make kid-sized versions of their regular running shoes. Just like adults, kids have different pronations (although it is important to note that kids pronations and therefore their support levels are likely to change as they develop). You can probably get a fitting (similar to what adults get) at your local running shop. Yeah, the money is steep, but I think the investment is worth it if she's going to be running with any sort of regularity. No need to develop runner's injuries at a young age. You can maybe (maybe) get away with going a tiny bit bigger if you want to extend the life of the shoe, especially if your kids grow like weeds, just by wearing a thicker sock. I think the investment would be worth it to keep the shoes just for running, and then as they wear down, retire them to "play shoes". My mom always kept our old gym shoes for camp, where we'd wear them in the creek!

(Not a mom, just an ex-running shoe person)

Edited by phoenixazul 2009-08-04 10:18 PM

We live in Boston area and New Balance has an outlet near the HQs. We buy our girls shoes there for school and to run in as they are better than kid shoes.

Maybe look for an outlet near you for other brands. My local running store carries kid size running type shoes. We go look at their sale shoes as lines and models swap out often and we get them cheaper than say at Dicks. New Balance works better as two of my three daughters have no normal feet...one very narrow and high arches and other very low arches and flat fee.

I just think it's great that your daughter is running with you.  I'm dragging my boys with me to my next triathlon this month in hopes of inspiring them to a fit and healthy lifestyle and they are 21 and 26. Of course, they just think they are coming to cheer me on.

I am looking and getting some New Balance for my son, but there also appears to be a lot of Asics for kids.


Link

We have been buying nothing but New Balance for our 2 boys since they started walking.  They are 4 & 3, and we have been very happy with them.  They both have wide feet, and these were some of the only shoes we could get that were wide enough for kids.  We plan on getting them running with us within the next year, so we haven't specifically set out for that mission yet.

Thanks everyone, I am taking her to the store after I get up Saturday.  Shoes shorts and maybe a Ice Cream afterwards.