Buying your kids new shoes can be overwhelming. With the amount of options on the market, it can be difficult to know if you’re buying the right ones.
Keep reading this guide to find out more on choosing the right trainers for your kids.
What different types of trainers are there?
When you’re looking for the right pair of trainers for your kids, you may be overwhelmed by the choice on the market. If this is the case, it may be easier to look at the different types of trainers instead.
Popular types of trainers include:
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Sports trainers
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Walking trainers
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Fashion trainers
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Leather trainers
Are trainers good for children?
Trainers are generally fine for children to wear so long as they are measured correctly and aren’t too tight or too big for their feet.
Ideally, you should look for trainers which provide sole support since they may be your kids most worn shoes.
To find the right size trainers for your kids feet, you can read our guide to measuring toddler and kids feet, or alternatively, check out our guide to understanding children’s foot and shoe width if you are struggling to find the right width shoes.
When should children wear trainers?
In terms of thinking about first shoes, you don’t need to rush out and buy trainers until your toddler is walking on their own.
At this stage, going barefoot is the best option as it allows kids to get used to taking steps naturally. Trainers may get in the way here, hindering development.
When your kids begin to grow and they start to walk independently, you may start looking for shoes to wear. As long as they fit correctly and provide comfort and support, your kids will be fine wearing their trainers on a regular basis.
Since your kids' feet will still be growing, no matter how old they are, it’s worth keeping an eye on how quickly they grow in order to ensure they always have trainers that fit.
How to choose the right trainers for kids
There are a few different factors to consider when choosing the right trainers for your kids:
The fit
Pay attention to the shoe’s length, width and depth when fitting your kids shoe. Poorly fitting shoes can cause foot and toe problems such as blisters, calluses and bunions.
If you know your child has wider or narrower feet than normal, look for shoes which have adjustable fastenings so they can adjust them where they see fit.
We recommend trainers like our Colorissima Metallic Bronzo Interchangeable Trainers, which have double strap fastenings suitable for any foot width and easy on/off removal.
The material
Depending on where your kids will be wearing their trainers, you may want to look for specific materials and fabrics.
For example, if you know your kids are likely to wear their trainers as much as they can, you might want to look for leather which tends to be sturdier against a range of weather conditions.
The Sarah Argento Metallic Adjustable Trainer Shoes come in a leather outer fabric, with a sturdy skate sole unit which will keep your kids feet protected, whilst also durable and fashionable.
The occasion
The trainers you choose may also depend on where your kids will be wearing them.
If you’d prefer to have a comfortable pair of trainers which they can wear to occasions such as birthday parties or family events, you may want to look for a smarter pair.
For example, the Helene Bianco/Argento Trainers are the perfect mixture between comfy and stylish trainers. The elasticated laces and velcro strap make them ideal for a variety of different foot widths, and the glitter snow globe toe adds a touch of style.
Your kids preference
At the end of the day, your kids opinion may be one of the biggest deciding factors when choosing a pair of trainers. Do they prefer plain shoes or sparkles? Do they have a favourite colour?
If this is the case, you could choose a trainer like the Mille Stelle White/Fuxia Interchangeable Tutu Trainer which features 3 interchangeable tutus for your kids to choose from. They also feature easy on/off thanks to the elasticated laces and hook and loop fastening.