Converse Shoes for Kids – Are You Hurting Their Feet?
Are Converse shoes for kids the right choice for your child’s growing feet? Converse has become a timeless staple in children’s fashion, loved for its classic style and casual appeal. From the playground to the classroom, these iconic sneakers are everywhere, making them a go-to for parents and kids alike. But while Converse shoes for kids certainly score high on style, the real question is whether they provide the support and comfort growing feet need. It’s important to understand the difference between casual, fashion-forward footwear and shoes designed for everyday wear to keep your child’s feet healthy and pain-free.
Are Converse Shoes Supportive?
While Converse shoes are not typically designed with good support in mind, they can still be a comfortable option for children with healthy feet. With that said, even if your child’s feet are healthy, Converse shoes shouldn’t replace your child’s everyday sneakers. For those needing additional support, consider using orthotic inserts or choosing a style with extra padding.
Tips for Enhancing Support
Certain low profile supportive insoles can easily be slipped into your child’s shoes These sports insoles add extra cushion and support, helping keep your child’s feet healthy and supported.
Can Converse Flatten Your Child’s Feet?
Converse shoes won’t actually flatten your child’s feet—but they can cause discomfort over time. Since these shoes lack proper arch and heel support, your child may start experiencing leg or foot pain, especially with frequent wear. Unlike supportive kids’ shoes that feature cushioned, shock-absorbing outsoles to reduce impact, Converse provide minimal protection, which can take a toll on growing feet.
Despite these concerns, some Converse styles are better suited for children than others. If you’re set on purchasing Converse for your child, consider the following recommendations. These options balance style with a bit more functionality, making them a more suitable choice for young feet.
Top Converse Shoes for Kids in 2025 – Classic and Most Popular Styles
It’s important to note that Converse shouldn’t be your child’s go-to everyday sneakers. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
- Order this Converse shoe style on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- High-top
- Lace-up closure
- I recommend ordering this shoe in your child’s exact foot size, since the style runs long and already provides extra room to grow
- Order this Converse shoe style on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- Lightweight
- Lace-up closure
- I recommend ordering this shoe in your child’s exact foot size, since the style runs long and already provides extra room to grow
- Order this Converse shoe style on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- Lightweight
- Lace-up closure
- I recommend ordering this shoe in your child’s exact foot size, since the style runs long and already provides extra room to grow
- Order this Converse shoe style on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- Lightweight
- Velcro closure
- I recommend ordering this shoe in your child’s exact foot size, since the style runs long and already provides extra room to grow
Understanding Converse Shoe Sizes
Converse shoes are known for running long, which means you’ll often need to size down—usually the same size or even half a size smaller than what your child measures on the foot scale. Don’t worry, this still leaves enough growing room.
Many parents hesitate to buy a smaller size, fearing their child will outgrow the shoes too quickly. But because Converse naturally fit long, sticking to their true measurement often results in shoes that are far too big. If you’ve ever worn Converse yourself, you’ve probably noticed this sizing quirk firsthand.
Is It Okay to Provide Toddlers with Converse Shoes?
While toddlers may look adorable in mini versions of adult-style shoes, it’s essential to consider function over fashion. Toddlers are in a critical phase of development, and their footwear should cater to this. Converse shoes lack sensory pods and the extra cushion and padding around the heels that help prevent blisters and other foot issues.
The early years are crucial for setting the foundation for lifelong foot health, and choosing the right shoes plays a significant role. I share the best shoes for babies who are just learning to walk—and explain why popular brands like Nike, Adidas, and Converse should be avoided during this critical stage of development.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Suggestion
Selecting the right shoe involves more than just picking a brand or style. Each child has a unique foot shape and size, and their footwear should reflect that individuality. If you’re uncertain about which shoes are best for your child, consider reaching out for personalized shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), and walking stage.
Why Is It Important for Kids to Wear Good Shoes?
Wearing properly fitted, supportive shoes is essential for kids, as it helps them stay comfortable and protected during all their daily activities. Without the right support, children are far more likely to develop foot and leg issues that can affect their balance, posture, and overall health. For instance, Converse may look stylish, but they should never be used for activities like running or physical education, since they don’t provide the structure growing feet need. Over the years, I’ve created several resources to guide parents, and one of the most valuable is my detailed guide on the best supportive everyday sneakers for kids.
I think it’s amazing how even though there have been several innovations and changes in the shoe industry, Chuck Taylor athletic shoes continue to be so popular. It seems like they will never lose their popularity since they are being purchased by people of every age all around the world. However, I have never doubted their popularity, only the comfort and support of the shoe.
I think your conclusions are wrong.
You proceed from the premise that children’s growing feet are in need of some form of “support” or “control” ; based on what? All children require is protection against punctures and abrasions, anything more will interfere with the immature human foots natural development.
Hi Shamis –
Thank you for sharing. Babies who are learning how to walk or beginning to learn how to walk do need to wear shoes that imitate barefoot to allow for natural and healthy foot development. However, as children start getting older and putting more pressure on their feet they need to wear shoes that attenuate the impact that their feet take when they come in contact with the ground. Children place an enormous amount of stress on their feet and legs, and their feet endure 3 times more stress than the average adult foot.
Converse shoes are very popular and fashionable, but they don’t provide any amount of support whatsoever.
If a child doesn’t have any foot condition, high insteps, wide, or extra wide feet, then that child can definitely try a pair of Converse shoes. However, if that child starts complaining about pain I recommend switching him/her to a pair of more substantial shoes.
I own almost 5 pairs of converse which they look great on me but they do make my feet tired. Is there a type of insole I can put in these shoes? I want to order more shoes for myself again and for my young boy and plan to do it with amazon but I am afraid they will hurt his feet/
Thanks for the info!
Hello,
Converse tend to be too narrow to put a supportive insert in. I would recommend wearing them as a fashion shoe, which is what Converse shoes really are, and limit the wear to a maximum of 5 to 6 hours a day.
Hi there Juan,
Your article is an eye-opener and although my high school years have passed me by, I clearly remembered my days with my only pair of Converse shoes. I wore it because it fitted the trend at that time, but I was never really comfortable in it.
Once, I even wore it for a hiking trip and my feet were so sore after that. Now I understand why. Will definitely keep this in mind when I have my own kids later on.
Cathy,
People love Converse shoes! They just wish they could wear them for longer periods of time. They are awesome, great looking shoes, but they lack the support and structure to wear them for longer periods of time. Your kids will probably ask you for a pair! Just remember that they are not everyday shoes!
Yes i agree it’s important to have quality supportive footwear I usually take them to a shoe shop to get there feet measured and shoes that properly fit. I find online shopping for shoes really difficult and their feet are growing in size and can never understand the sizes!
But i love the style of converse shoes, i think they look great.
Jenny,
Online shopping is hard! I am glad you have a shoe store that you trust in you area. It s hard to find shoe store where they take the time to fit. I try to help those people who do not have a store they trust by reviewing good quality shoes for their kids.
I have never owned a pair of Converse… After reading this article I am glad I never did wear those shoes! The bad part is that they are such a fashion trend and nobody knows the negative impact these shoes will do to their feet and legs.
How long does it take for someone to start experiencing back leg and neck problems do you think?
Thank you for this article!
Jesse,
It depends on each kid or adult whether they will start experiencing leg or feet pain. Some people will not even experience leg pain when wearing Converse. I can tell you I couldn’t go a whole day wearing those type of shoes. My feet and legs will start hurting. I think they look great, and there is nothing wrong with wearing them to a mall or somewhere fun, but I will certainly think they should NOT be worn as an everyday day sneaker. I hope this clarifies.
Fantastic news! I love the look of Chuck Taylors and have spent waaaay too much money on them over the years, only to have them sitting at the bottom of my closet. My feet are so unhappy in them!! I can’t even stand wearing them for an hour, let alone all day! Now, being a new grandma, I’m excited to know that a new and improved model of the shoe I’ve always loved is available! I can’t wait to see my little grandson wearing his first pair of Chuck’s! Thanks, you made my day.
Barb,
It seems like you appreciate the importance of wearing good supportive shoes. A lot of people have complained about Chuck Taylor not providing enough support. People love the design of the shoe, but wish they could wear them for several hours per day. The new version won’t make your feet and legs feel so tired since it has much more support.
I own about 7 different pairs of converse, and I am in love with them all. In high school, I really didn’t care what they were doing to my feet.
I still have most of the pairs from high school (the worn-out look is even better than brand new right?) But I’m much more health conscious in general these days, and I try not to wear them for long periods of time anymore, which makes me kind of sad.
I wasn’t actually aware that they have made a new version that does offer some support and comfort. I am DEFINITELY going to be checking those out.
Thanks for sharing!
Steph,
I am sure you look really cool in all of your Converse, we all do right? I felt like I had to create a post to make parents more aware of the damage that these shoes can dot their children if they are worn for long periods of time. As long as they are worn for a couple of hours each day, there will be no problem. The issue comes when children wear them as everyday shoes, since they will be stressing their feet and leg in a shoe that does not has the support or structure that they require. Converse must be worn for what they are, fashion shoes.