The Worst Shoes for Kids – Stop Buying Under Armour, Nike, and Adidas!
Have you noticed that there is a growing trend of children leaning towards more fashion-oriented shoe brands such as Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas? You will notice how the older your kids get, the more they will start asking you to get shoes from these brands. These 3 brands are some of the most popular not just in terms of footwear, but in active clothing in general. However, when it comes to manufacturing shoes for children, they make some of the worst shoes for kids in terms of support and comfort, especially if your child has wide feet.
The Worst Shoes for Kids – Lack of Support and Narrow Platforms
Wait… What? How is that possible? Nike’s designs, while trendy, lack the necessary support and often feature narrow fits that are unsuitable for wider feet. Under Armour, despite its focus on cushioning, sometimes neglects the structural support required for young, developing feet and can also present fit issues for various foot shapes (especially wide feet). Adidas, known for its sleek aesthetics, often focuses on a more streamlined design, which can result in inadequate support for active children and insufficient room for broader feet.
For some reason Under Armour, Nike, and Adidas invest in making quality footwear for adults, but when it comes to children I believe they think that their logo is enough for kids to want to wear their shoes, and they can cut down in investing in good quality footwear for children.
Do Your Kids’ Feet or Legs Hurt?
When your children start complaining about foot or leg pain, the first step before taking them to the doctor is to check if the shoes they are wearing are supportive and that they are wearing the correct shoe size. Shoes that don’t provide the correct amount of support are the leading reason why children develop foot issues and complain about foot and leg pain. You can check if your kids’ current shoes provide the correct amount of support by pressing on the middle part of the outsole. If it bends, that means the shoe is too flimsy and unsupportive:
Now let’s take a look at a different picture that shows how little ankle and heel support Nike shoes provide. The heel counter of the shoe is the part that provides ankle support and prevents heel pain. The firmer the heel counter, the better:
I will say that 90% of Under Armour, Nike, and Adidas shoes have the same features as the shoes in the image described above.
I know kids’ can be quite persistent when it comes to getting the shoes that they want, and most parents try to make their kids happy. It’s hard sometimes to say “no” to your kids since it’s not just about the shoes, but also about allowing them to make the right decision and wear something they are happy about!
Under Armour – ONLY for Kids with Narrow Feet
Did you know that Under Armour shoes only fit children with narrow feet? Most parents are fitting their kids’ feet in Under Armour shoes not knowing just how narrow they fit. Every time a child comes to the shoe store that I work for wearing a pair of Under Armour shoes and complains about foot pain, I immediately check the width of the shoes first, and every single time… the shoes are too narrow!
If your child has wide or extra wide feet, you should stay away from this brand! If your child has a medium width foot, you can try them and see if they are wide enough, but I have even seen children with medium width feet not being able to fit in Under Armour shoes.
Maybe your child has narrow feet and you wanted a pair of narrow fitting shoes, but that is not the only issue with Under Armour. This shoe brand manufactures shoes that don’t provide any support whatsoever. Their shoes are flimsy, shallow, and they always end up wearing out faster than expected. Plus, if your child has very narrow feet, there are several other kids’ shoe brands that will fit the shape of your kids’ feet and also provide them with good support such as Asics for example.
Just keep in mind that Under Armour shoes for kids are poorly made, and they won’t provide the everyday support your child needs to run around all day.
Even though we carry all of these three shoe brands at the children’s shoe store that I work for, I always try to explain to parents and kids that if the child is active and likes to run around, other types of shoes will be better for their feet.
What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Kids?
Don’t assume that just because the shoe brand name is Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour that automatically means that their shoes are the best choice for your kids’ feet. Trust me, this is not the case! Here you learn about which are the best shoe brands for children.
There are several other shoes for your child that provide better support and that will be a better fit for their feet. To make things a little easier for you, I have put together a selection of the most durable, better fitting, and most supportive shoes for children. These shoes are all available in different widths such as medium, wide, and extra wide.
The Best Shoes for Children by New Balance, Saucony, See Kai Run, and Tsukihoshi
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Original Jazz Lite 2.0 by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Removable insoles
- Lightweight and flexible
- Extra wide toe box allows natural splaying of toes for better balance, comfort, and foot health
- Long heel counter provides stability
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Heel stabilizer provides lateral stability
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Sr Thompson by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Recycled material linings to help reduce odor
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Winslow by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Toe cap reinforcement and bumptoe protection against stumbles
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Step-stabilizing design with comfy Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Mesh and suede upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Mesh and suede upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Stitched-on toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Nitrel v5 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Stitched-on toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Russell by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Double velcro straps
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyn by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Double velcro straps
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Velocity by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Heel stabilizer provides stability
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style 3584 Rainbow by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Arishi v4 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style RaveRun on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Available in laces
- No-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style RaveRun on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Available in laces
- Leather and mesh upper
- No-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 880v12 by Amazon
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 480 V1 by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Leather and mesh upper for durability & breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 327 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- FuelCell foam delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style FuelCell Propel v5 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Mesh upper is lightweight and breathable
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
- Firm heel counter
- Supportive heel for active kids
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
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Get a Personalized Suggestion
Do not hesitate to contact me directly by 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 like to wear shoe brands such as Under Armour, Nike, or Adidas? Do you feel like their shoes tend to fall apart faster than expected? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so we can all benefit from them!
It’s funny. I never wear Nike or Adidas (except shell toe), so I didn’t think about the fact that I don’t wear them because they’re too narrow for my foot and that my kids will probably have the same problem. I have to admit in kids shoes they look super cool, but that explains why we thought our oldest was a size 5 in big kids versus his actual size 3 when we had him measured – that’s how big he had to go in order to have enough room in the shoe! But it’s hard to find the shoes nearby, so I’ll be buying online direct from the brands from now on. Saucony has a new cool blue shoe that might work for us!
Hello Mandy,
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Nike and Adidas manufacture really cool shoes for kids, it’s a shame they don’t make their shoes available for children with wide or extra wide feet.
Thank you for this! I have always bought NeW Balance and Stride Rite for my sons. My older son, with wide feet, asked for a pair of Under Armour. This popped up in my search to decide whether to buy him some. After this I will stick with New balance!
Hi Melissa,
Unfortunately Under Armour shoes are not made for children with wide feet. Maybe in the future they start realizing that children’s feet come in different shapes and sizes.
I appreciate that your article is available just as we are sneaker shopping for our 4 & 2 year old boys. We have been buying UA sneakers assuming they were ‘best.’ Back to the shoe store we go to select the sneaker brand(s) you have suggested.
Thanks for your knowledge and recommendations, they have certainly helped in our desire for the best sneakers for little developing feet.
Hello Barbara,
I am glad that you found the article informative. Shoes play a key role in keeping your children’s feet healthy, so you must choose them wisely.
Up to now we have always bought Nike shoes for my son. However, he has very wide feet so after reading your article I have started to doubt if this is good choice for him. We have had width issues before with Nike – as few styles didn’t fit my son but we managed to find styles fitting him. Nikes we bought were long-lasting – they actually didn’t wear out quickly taking into account that my son wore them daily. So the quality of the shoes is OK. Yet – the fit is an issue, especially as he has extra wide feet. So I think we will try new balance as the next style. Do you have a post about new balance shoes?
Arta,If your child has extra wide feet and you are fitting him into Nike shoes, you are probably squeezing his toes. My advise is that you stay away from Nike shoes, at least for now, since his feet might stretch out as he grows and become more narrower. Here you can find a post about the best shoes for children with extra wide feet:
Extra Wide Shoes for Children
What an interesting article!
Having brought up four boys I understand the importance of having correctly fitting shoes.
I remember having to wear the least fashionable shoes when I was young and watching the ‘black patent brigade’ walk past me on a daily basis at school. Believe me, I didn’t like those shoes one little bit but looking back they were the best I could have possibly worn for my little feet!
Listening to the problems my friends have with their feet now it can be blamed on the choice of shoes they had when their feet were growing.
Thank goodness my mom knew what was best for me (I still have a hankering for black patent though!!)
Which are the best shoe brands for children?
Jackie
Hello Jackie,
Taking care of our kids feet from an early stage pays off in their future years. Parents don’t realize that they will end up saving a lot of money by providing their kids with the correct shoe size and the correct shoe style.I actually wrote a post where I describe the best shoe brands for children. You can find that post here:
The Best Shoe Brands for Kids – The 5 Most Durable Aad Affordable Brands
Hi there,
This is a great article on this particular, very important subject and I can see that you are very knowledgeable on this topic. Well done for highlighting these issues and I guess what happens is the kids see the brand names and nothing else, as all of their friends wear them and they must get a pair as well.
Fit is the most important thing, but young parents seem to prioritize fashion over fit. Little they know about the damage they are doing to their kids feet.
I can see you are passionate about this situation and I know that people will sit up and listen, but it may take time.
Cheers….Phil Browne
Hello Phil,
Thanks for stopping by. I agree with you that young parents seem to prioritize fashion over fit, without realizing the damage they are causing to their kids feet. Wearing shoes that don’t offer the appropriate support or that don’t fit well will lead to several foot issues including foot and leg pain, calluses, blisters, and corns, among others.
Parents will also end up saving a lot of money in the future by providing their kids with the correct pair of shoes!
I am always telling my kids to be aware of what type of shoes they are buying for my grandchildren. While they may be what is in style the other end of it is painful feet and horrible posture. I have had many problems with my own feet as a young kid and I can tell you now, I wish I knew then what I know now. I have noticed how when they wear Under Armour shoes the shoes cave in and always fall apart in no more than two months! Horrible shoes that offer no support!
Under Armour makes some of the worst shoes for children. They are non supportive, flimsy, and they tend to fall apart before the child outgrows the shoes! This is crazy considering how fast children feet grow. I always recommend parents to stay away from this brand, no matter how much the child asks for it!
Juan.
I bought my child some shoes from Under Armour and they were the worst purchase I have ever made. He insisted he wanted that shoe brand, because his friends also wear them. The shoes gave him blisters and fell apart a month after purchasing them! You are right about Under Armour kids shoes, they SUCK!
Hello Nico,
Like I stated in my post, Under Armour shoes for kids’ are terrible. I have never seen shoes that fall apart so quickly. They are also really flimsy and won’t fit a child with a wide or an extra wide foot. Sometimes even children with medium width can’t fit inside them!
I once bought new balance shoes for myself. They just sucked completely and nobody, not even me, thought they were cool. Then I bought Under Armour and EVERYONE liked them. I spent more money on the new balance and it was worse. In the under Armours, they have lasted for half a year, look sick, and I don’t have any discomfort. I would recommend my Under Armour shoes (UA Team Drive 4) for anyone, even a 6 year old. I had a similar experience with nikes and Asiacs and don’t want to ever buy Asiacs ore NB for anything again.
Hello Dan,
I don’t know if you are referring to adult or kids’ shoes, but in my article, I specifically talk about children’s shoes.
Sometimes when a particular shoe style doesn’t work it doesn’t mean that the whole shoe brand is bad. It might be a manufacturer’s defect with that particular shoe and if that is the case most companies will replace the shoe.
I do agree that children and some adults find Under Armour shoes “cooler” than New Balance, but I always emphasize to parents to not choose shoes motivated by fashion and rather choose their kids’ shoes by what their kids’ feet really need. I have found Under Armour shoes for children to be flimsy and non-supportive, but they are fine if you don’t have any foot issues or if you are not involved in any type of intense physical activity.
Thank you for sharing!