Although there are many factors to take into consideration when buying running shoes for boys, one of the most important is breathability. Kids are active, they sweat a ton, and the effects of sweaty feet without ventilation is the same as adults: unpleasant. A great rule of thumb is to choose shoes that are made of breathable and lightweight material. Canvas, cloth, and leather are always better than rubber or plastic, and they last longer too. However, rubber shoes with proper ventilation can make a great water shoe for summertime.

Like adult running shoes, children’s shoes should have decent water resistance. Since kids have weaker immune systems, they are more vulnerable to catching colds or the flu. Having shoes that aren’t water resistance can increase the risk of kids having soaked socks, and cold feet increases the odds of flu in those exposed to a virus. Bottom line, wet shoes are never great, especially for kids. Getting a proper water-resistant or even waterproof shoes can go a long way in keeping your child healthy during cooler weather.

Some kids sweat more than others, and this trait can be hereditary. There are ways, however, to keep your child’s shoes from being thrown out every so often due to foul smell. Having sweaty feet is no joke either, as kids can also develop common symptoms as adults, such as foot odor, itchy feet, and toenail fungus. The results are not pleasant, so it is imperative that a child’s shoe be breathable. This can be done by providing the right type of shoes and socks!

Not only does buying a breathable shoe help, there are other methods to treat sweaty feet. One is to always have an alternate pair of shoes. Although not all of us can afford two pairs of nice shoes, having two pairs of shoes and alternating between them can keep your child’s feet stay dry and breathe better. It’s also important that your child dries their feet completely after showering. Having moisture retaining to the foot can cause odor and keeping your feet dry and clean is always good feet hygiene.

It is always great if a shoe company incorporates mesh material for footbeds or soles to enhance breathability. There are also certain shoe styles that are better than others if breathability is a priority, like sandals or open-toed shoes. These shoes, however, may not have the same reliable structure as closed-toed shoes, and might make certain outdoor activities off limits. A child’s feet should always be protected, which is why open-toed shoes can be dangerous.

Washing your boys’ shoes often can also help kill bacteria such as fungus and viruses. This makes machine washable shoes a great choice, as they can be washed often and easily. Clean shoes for children prevents many dangers of infection, so you should always make sure your boys’ shoes are clean and washed, ready for their outdoor activities.

Many parents may fail to realize the importance of fit for their child’s shoes. It is important for parents to pay extra attention to the shoe’s length, width, and depth when fitting their child’s shoe. This is imperative because often children will not know whether or not their shoes are ill-fitted, and this can result in their feet molding into an unhealthy shape.

It’s also valuable to know that a child’s foot can grow in spurts, especially in the age where boys are developing, meaning they must have new shoes nearly every three to four months. Toddlers can grow almost one-foot size every two months, and young children between the ages 2-3 can increase half a foot size every four to six months.

You should always examine and test the width and depth of the shoes before purchasing. It is imperative that the top of the shoe doesn’t press on the toes or the toenail, as this part of the foot is developing most in kids. Try to find shoes that have a large, rounded toe box, giving room for development.

A shoe’s construction can be broken down into several key factors. There’s the upper part, the insole, the outsole, and the heel. The upper part of a child’s shoe should be made of a quality material such as leather or canvas, or even mesh for more comfort. Since children’s feet sweat heavily, the upper part should always be made of breathable, comfortable material. The insole of the shoe should be made of absorbent material, and it is advised for parents to get padded insoles for their children. Most children aren’t in need of arch support since toddlers generally have flat feet and only fully develop from the ages of 6 to 10.

The outsole of the shoe is the part that provides traction, cushion, and flexibility. Although children fall often, it shouldn’t be because of their shoes and it’s important that parents pay attention to the durability and stickiness of the outsole. Some thick or very sticky outsoles can make walking tough for children, causing many accidents. Finally, the heel is not a necessity in children’s shoes as their feet are fairly flat, which makes having flat soles easier for them. Older boys can wear shoes with light heels, but they should never be too high as they can cramp the toes against the inside of the shoe.

Some children can develop foot problems in their early years of growth, and, although these problems are never too severe, wearing shoes with flat or high arches may worsen it. If a child has specific foot problems, it is always best to contact a physician for an examination or diagnosis. These issues, if not fixed early, can last a lifetime.

To conclude, it’s best to look for ventilated shoes that allow plenty of room for proper growth. It’s also important to know when your child has a growth spurt and how often you must consider buying new shoes, as cramp shoes can lead to many underlying problems. A leather or canvas upper is recommended for its breathability but modern mesh uppers can also be a choice.

Some tips for fitting include: measuring their feet every three to four months, ensuring there is a half inch between their toe and the end of their shoe, fit the widest part of the foot to the widest part of the shoe, and to always fit to the larger foot if one is larger than the other.

To recap, there are seven steps in ensuring a good fit: first, the shoe should be comfortable and loose without falling off, especially in backless shoes like sandals or slippers. The shoes shouldn’t fall off while the child is walking. Second, try to plan shoe fitting in the afternoon when feet are often most swollen. The size of someone’s foot varies throughout the day and the last thing you want to do is buy your child’s shoes in the morning only to find him cramped in the afternoon. Third, when standing up, their weight should be evenly distributed on both feet with a natural spread. Fourth, there should always around an inch of space between the toe and the end of the shoe. Fifth, squeeze the material on the sides of the shoe to indicate the shoe’s exact width. Sixth, the back of the shoe should fit snug when inserting a finger between the heel and the back of the shoe. And, lastly, when taking off the shoe, there should never be any markings left on the child’s foot.

Unlike adult shoes, children’s shoes rarely need “breaking in”, so make sure the shoes are comfortable on the first try.

Just like how there are countless different types of adult shoes, children shoes can also be separated into many different subgroups. For one example, there are the lace-up, buckle, and velcro type shoes. Each one has their own attributes. The lace-up helps keep the foot back in the heel of the shoe but can be a hassle for kids to constantly tie and endanger them of tripping over laces. The buckle can be easier to use but is often heavier than the lace-up and velcro, making them often uncomfortable for children. The velcro is an easier answer to both worlds, as it is light yet easy for kids to use, which is why it is so popular in children shoes. The velcro lace also has no hot spots or uneven pressure points, making shoes versatile and comfortable.

Other than laces, there is also the question of what shoe style you should get. The two most popular trends in shoes for boys are sneakers and boots. Both of these choices are protective and offer grip on surfaces. Sneakers are better because they have breathability and flexibility to ensure comfortable walking, but boots can protect your child’s feet from wet conditions and are often better for younger children since they are more durable.

The best type of kids’ shoes are ones that are durable, supportive, and affordable while providing maximum stability and comfort. Children’s feet are known to withstand three times more stress than adult feet, which makes it important to find shoes that are supportive and sturdy.

So, as you might notice many of the different criteria that we used to evaluate are really based on the physical design and construction of good shoes for boys. However, there are other ways that we can assess a product and learn whether or not it’s worth our money. This is where utilizing and understanding the relationship between the cost and the value come into play. Now, most consumers often look at the price tag but don’t really use it to their advantage.

You might be wondering, how can you use a price tag to benefit you? Well, it’s quite simple – but takes some extra effort. Here’s how it works:

Prior to even picking the first product for our list, we actually looked at what companies were charging for this product. We created a rough estimate or average by finding the highest and lowest priced items on the market.

With this average number, we evaluated each product and measured where it stood in comparison to this. If it was higher than the market, we wanted to know if it was because of value, brand reputation, or if the product simply was overpriced.
With each product, we asked ourselves one question: What value does this product offer consumers?

Through taking the time to answer these questions and really research the market, consumers can really get the best deals out there – which is what we precisely did for you!