Running Shoes with Ankle Support
Children enjoy running, but they need to do so with the proper support. When children run, their strides jar the ankles, which move the jarring along the spine and also affect the back and shoulders. Running shoes that protect the ankles diminish this impact, which makes them excellent choices for growing bones.
A good example is the Merrell Overdrive Z-Rap shoe. They offer ventilation, and this makes them useful for summer as well as winter running. An air cushion within the midsole protects the arches and places them properly within the shoe. This in turn provides superior ankle support. Since these shoes are closed with Velcro, even younger children may put them on easily and with a minimum of adult help. The shoes start at $45.
Running Sandals
Running shoes for kids do not always have to have closed toes. Consider that children sometimes spontaneously decide to run, but they do not usually return home to change shoes. This is where sandals---kids' favored footwear during the warm summer months---that are designed also for running come in.
Check out Keen Newport H2 sandals, which start at $45. These running sandals feature the same rubber outsole you would expect from a proper running shoe. The interior provides proper ankle and arch support with the help of an EVA foot bed that keeps the child's foot in place while running, eliminating the accidents caused by a slippery sandal interior. The high back of these sandals further facilitates stability.
Beach Running Shoes
The best trail running shoes for kids will fail to perform to your satisfaction if they cannot handle the wetness of an ocean or the beach at the lake. Children enjoy running on the beach as much as they like the challenges of a trail, but because of the difference in terrain, a special running shoe is a must.
Examples of this type of footwear are Keen Roatan slip-ons, which start at $13. Turn the shoe over, and you find a rubber outsole that grips the terrain securely, making it safe for the dry portion of the beach as well as the wetter areas. The top is made of stretchy neoprene material that allows the feet to stay warm, even when the water is cool. Since these shoes slip on easily, your child can put them on without much help, although you want to check the top strap for younger wearers to ensure the shoe is snugly secured. They are a good choice for the even the youngest runners, such as young toddlers and preschoolers.
