The Best Kids Running Shoes in 2022 – Keep Your Kids’ Feet and Legs Healthy!
Have you been looking for a pair of supportive running shoes for your child? It’s important to provide children with running shoes that provide good shock absorption, as when children are running they are imposing an enormous amount of stress on their feet and legs. I have put together a list of the best kids running shoes in 2022 based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.
Certain running shoes provide better support than others, but if they don’t fit the shape of your children’s feet perfectly, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. The good news is that the running shoes that I recommend are available in different widths such as narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide.
I have fitted certain kids running shoes that provide targeted support and minimize the impact that the feet take when they come in contact with the ground.
I am sure you have heard of the shoe company named Asics before. This shoe company is mostly known for manufacturing excellent running shoes that provide infused gel for extra support. The image below shows you where the gel is located in the sole of the shoe and how there is an extra heel stabilizer for extra ankle and heel support. These features minimize the impact that the feet and legs take when they come in contact with the ground.
Do You Usually Buy Your Kids’ Shoes Online?
If you are going to be buying your kids’ shoes online, you must know their exact foot size to begin with, or you will end up returning the shoes and wasting time and money. If you already know your child’s exact foot size, you can skip this part and read the shoe recommendations below. If you are not 100% sure of your child’s exact foot size I will provide you with the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home.
I always recommend parents take their children to their local children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most stores have been closing down and parents need to end up buying their kids’ shoes online. There is nothing wrong with this, but you must know your child’s exact foot size to know what shoe size to order.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I created a resource that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s shoe 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.
The running shoes I will recommend shortly provide the following 4 important features.
Running Shoes for Kids – The 4 Most Important Features
Below is a list of the 4 most important features that the kids running shoes I recommend provide:
1️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This is the part of the shoe that helps reduce the impact that your kids’ feet and legs take every time they come in contact with the ground.
2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This feature helps strengthen and straighten your kids’ ankles. If the running shoe that you provide for your child has a heel counter that is too flimsy or soft, your child might start experiencing heel pain. Please take a look at the picture below for clarification on where the heel counter of the shoe is located:
3️⃣ Good Traction: This feature minimizes the likelihood of your child slipping and falling, especially when running on wet and slippery surfaces.
4️⃣ Breathable: The running shoes must be breathable to allow your child’s feet to breathe properly and prevent the buildup of bacteria inside the shoe.
Do More Expensive Running Shoes Automatically Translate Into Better Shoes?
When it comes to kids running shoes, a higher-priced shoe doesn’t automatically translate into a better shoe. You can find reasonably priced shoes that will provide the same features as a shoe that is higher priced.
Your kids running shoes must be supportive, lightweight, flexible, and breathable. The shoe styles that I describe below are meant for running, but your children can wear them as their everyday pair of sneakers as well.
Now that you know what features the kids running shoes I recommend provide and how to figure out your child’s exact foot size from home, you are ready to take a look at a selection of the best kids running shoes in 2022. 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 Kids Running Shoes in 2022: Narrow or Medium Feet
Boys
- Shoe style Gel-Noosa by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Gel-Noosa Tri 13 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Contend 8 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable insoles
- Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system
- Breathable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Fits children with narrow or medium feet
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Novablast 2 GS by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Novablast is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable insoles
- Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system
- Breathable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Kinvara LTT is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with narrow or medium feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Asics shoe style Contend 8 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Girls
- Shoe style Gel-Noosa by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Gel-Noosa Tri 13 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GEL-Cumulus by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Gel-Cumulus 25 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GEL-Excite 10 by Asics
- The Asics shoe style GEL-Noosa Trim 15 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Infused gel for extra cushion and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Contend 8 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wind FST by Saucony
- The Saucony shoe style Wind is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Breathable mesh and synthetic upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning in the heel
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Fits children with narrow or medium feet
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
The Best Kids Running Shoes for Medium, Wide, Extra Wide Feet
Little Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 3)
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 860v13
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 860 V13 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 860 V13 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 860v13 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style TR14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
- Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Cohesion TR14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
- Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Big Kid Shoe Sizes (3.5 to 7)
- Shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
- Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 880v12 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
- Firm heel counter
- Supportive heel for active kids
- Breathable mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style FuelCell Propel v5 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara 14 by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Arishi Fresh Foam by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Lightweight mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
You probably noticed how all the running shoes that I recommended come with shoelaces instead of velcro closure. The main reason for this is that shoelaces provide better support and stability than velcro closure, as they hug the kids’ feet better and push the kid’s heels against the back of the shoes, securing, and supporting them against the back of the shoes.
What are parents saying about these shoe styles?
- “Great shoes! New Balance makes shoes for my child’s wide feet! They hold up and they are pretty much the only brand we buy for our kids! Highly recommend them”
- “The Asics style fits the shape of my boy with narrow feet perfectly.”
- “Excellent choice specially if your child needs a wide shoe. My boy has extra wide feet and we always go for New Balance shoes”
- “New Balance makes some of the most supportive shoes and we were even able to fit an orthotic inside the shoe. We chose the XW.”
- “My son loves these sneakers! He was always complaining about his shoes feeling too roomy and wide. He now says they feel light and comfy on his feet. The colors are a lot better in person than they were online too.”
- “My child always complained about his shoes feeling too wide until we decided to start providing him with Asics”. They are also durable by little guy standards, the tread holds up as an everyday shoe that is pounded on at the playground, gym and on the trails. Of course, it is not infinite and after 4 months to a semester, wear and tear appears but again as a shoe worn 7 days a week, we are so satisfied that we line up a new pair.”
The Best Running Socks – Keep Your Children’s Feet Healthy!
Before you leave, I wanted to emphasize that the socks that you choose to provide for your child play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet healthy. Socks act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, and they prevent blisters and the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes.
Socks also provide an extra layer of protection between your kids’ feet and the shoes. Certain socks provide extra cushion to targeted areas of the feet, and these are the kind of socks I will describe below.
The issue is that there is a certain number of children who refuse to wear socks with their shoes. This might be because they feel every bump and lump. If your children are having a hard time wearing socks with their shoes, you should provide them with a pair of seamless socks. They have proven to be the most effective ones for children who have a hard time wearing socks. You can find a selection of the best running socks for children below:
- Socks made by New Balance
- 97% Polyester, 3% Spandex
- Extra cushion and padding provides shock absorbing protection in high impact areas
- Light compression to reduce foot fatigue
- Zone mesh design coupled with a lightweight polyester blend increases ventilation to control moisture and keep feet cool and dry
- Smooth toe seam
- Machine washable
- Socks made by Adidas
- 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex
- Cushioned heel and toe for comfort
- Reinforced heel and toe for durability
- Mesh top of foot for breathability
- Moisture-wicking yarn keeps feet dry from sweat
- Socks made by Adidas
- 93% Polyester, 3% Natural Latex Rubber, 2% Spandex, 2% Nylon
- Cushioned heel and toe for comfort
- Size callout added to bottom of foot
- Moisture-wicking yarn keeps feet dry from sweat
- Moisture-wicking yarn keeps feet dry from sweat
- Socks made by Balega
- Hand-linked seamless toe eliminates abrasion across the top of the foot
- Reinforced microfiber heel and toe
- Soft plush cushioning for comfort and protection
- Heel tab helps prevent the sock from slipping into your running shoe
- Socks made by Adidas
- 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex
- Cushioned heel and toe for comfort
- Reinforced heel and toe for durability
- Mesh top of foot for breathability
- Moisture-wicking yarn keeps feet dry from sweat
- Socks made by Puma
- 98% Polyester, 2% Cotton
- Soft cushioned comfort
- Reinforced heel and toe for durability
- Mesh top of foot for breathability
- Machine washable
Now that you know which are the best kids running shoes in 2022, you are ready to make the most informed decision.
Get a Personalized Suggestion
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:
Is there a specific running shoe that has worked well for your child’s feet? Please let us know in the comment section below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
