Converse Shoes for Kids – Are You Hurting Their Feet?
Have you been wondering whether Converse shoes are supportive enough for your child’s feet? Are you afraid that these shoes might end up hurting your child’s feet? Chuck Taylor All Star —also referred to as Converse— is one of the most legendary and iconic sneakers of all time. With more than a BILLION pairs sold, it makes it one of the best-selling and most popular shoes not just for kids, but adults as well.
People like the shoe as it is and probably don’t want to see it change. However, many parents refuse to buy a pair for their children because of the lack of support that they provide.
As soon as children start getting older, they will ask their parents to get them a pair of Converse shoes. A lot of teenagers and parents have told me how much they love Chuck Taylor’s shoes, and how they wished they could wear them for more than a couple of hours a day.
It is clear that the company has been extremely successful, but we shouldn’t confuse the difference between everyday footwear with casual footwear.
I want to clarify that children should not wear Converse shoes as their everyday sneakers. I will provide you with a selection of the best Converse shoes for kids but please do not let your child wear them for more than 4 hours a day.
Can Converse Shoes Hurt your Child’s Feet? – Learn the Facts!
Experts are starting to warn people on how the current fashion shoes will have a negative impact on children, causing discomfort in the short and medium term, and which can also lead to years of foot, knee and back pain in the future. Young children are particularly vulnerable, since the bones of the foot continue to grow through adolescence, and the bones are in a soft, pliable form that can be forced into an unnatural shape.
My main issue with Chuck Taylor shoes is that they are not supportive footwear, and your children should not wear them as their everyday shoes. They do not offer the support or stability that your child needs to perform his or her everyday activities. Why are the original Chuck Taylor shoes not supportive?
- They lack a heel counter.
- They have a flat sole with no heel height.
- They lack cushion.
Everyday shoes for children should provide the following features:
1️⃣ Substantial outsoles that provide arch support
2️⃣ Firm heel counters that provide ankle support
Can Converse Flatten Your Child’s Feet? – Let’s Find Out!
I want to clarify that this type of shoe won’t flatten your kids’ feet. However, your child might start experiencing some leg and foot pain, since the shoes don’t offer enough support. Most children’s shoes are designed with a supportive outsole to minimize the impact that the feet take when they come in tonic with the ground.
Did you know that wearing the wrong type of shoes can create all sorts of problems with not only your feet but also your legs, back and neck?
Converse shoes are fashion shoes. We sell a lot of them at the shoe store where I work for, and I always emphasize to parents that they should not be used as primary footwear.
The fact that Converse shoes are unisex is a huge plus for the company.
Is It Okay to Provide Toddlers with Converse Shoes?
Some parents love Converse so much that they want their babies to match and wear the same shoe brand as theirs, which might not be the best thing for your baby’s feet.
Besides causing pain and discomfort that can affect their daily activities, wearing a fashion shoe as an everyday shoe can lead to foot problems and cause further injuries down the road. Good supportive shoes are engineered to provide support, motion control, and cushioning that minimizes foot injuries associated with a particular activity.
I wrote a post where I describe the best shoes for babies who are learning how to walk, and why at this age you must avoid brands such as Nike, Adidas, Converse.
Why is it Important for your Kids to Wear Good Shoes?
It is important to provide your kids with good, supportive shoes so they can have the support that they need to perform their everyday activities. If your child is not wearing good, supportive shoes then this can lead to several foot and leg problems. For example, you should never allow your child to perform physical education or run in Converse shoes.
Did you know that the most common children’s foot injuries come from running in the wrong type of shoes?
Providing your child with the correct type of shoes is crucial, since proper foot development requires adequate support, especially if children will be wearing their shoes often.
Parents are always asking me whether they should provide their children with a pair of Converse shoes. The answer is that your child can wear Converse shoes as long as you provide them with another pair of sneakers for their everyday activities.
If your child has been asking you for a pair of Converse shoes for a while now and you didn’t get them because you were worried about them not providing enough support, now you don’t have to worry anymore!
Below you can find a selection of the best Converse shoes for kids that I have fitted before and will fit children with medium or wide feet. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Converse Shoes for Kids
Make sure to click on the specific model that you like to find out if that shoe is available in different colors.
- Order the shoe style Chuck Taylor by Converse on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- Lightweight
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Chuck Taylor by Converse on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- Lightweight
- Velcro closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Chuck Taylor by Converse on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- Lightweight
- Velcro closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Chuck Taylor by Converse on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- Lightweight
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style CT A/S HI Basketball by Converse on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- High-top
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Chuck Taylor by Converse on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas
- High-top
- Smart FOAM sockliner for comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
All of these shoe styles fit “long”, which means that you need to get the same size that your child measured at the standard foot measuring scale (Brannock device) to allow for growing room.
I wish that children and adults could wear their Converse shoes for longer periods of time, without putting any stress on their feet or legs.
I believe that Converse are great looking shoes, but I just can’t stand how uncomfortable they are. I tried wearing them at work, and my feet and leg started hurting. As soon as I switched back to my good supportive running shoes, the pain in my feet and leg disappeared.
What Converse Size Should you Get for your Child? – Get It Right!
Converse shoes tend to fit really long, which is the reason why when you are looking for a pair for yourself or your child, you will have to get the same size or a half size smaller than your child’s foot size measures at the foot measuring scale.
Some parents are hesitant to purchase smaller shoes for their kids because they are afraid that they will outgrow them fast, but if the shoes run “long” then you need to accommodate the size that you get for your child. If you have worn Converse before, you probably know exactly what I am talking about.
I hope that this makes sense to you.
It doesn’t matter what shoe size your child gets as long as it is the right size. If you have read my previous posts you should know by now that I always urge parents to take their children to have their feet properly measured at their local kids’ shoe store.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
Not only each brand varies in size, but each style in a particular brand will require a different size. I created a resource where I describe the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home. In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
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.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Does your child already own a pair of Converse shoes? Is there a particular color or style he/she loves the most? Do you own a pair yourself? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so we can all benefit from them!
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.