As with the previous age group, you should first determine if your child has good or poor alignment. Good alignment gives far greater freedom of shoe choice without too much concern as to support and cost. Most foot specialists agree that a good quality runner provides all the necessary components for proper foot control. Apply the three components mentioned above and you should have a decent shoe. In fitting, make sure there's a thumb's distance between the longest toe and the end of the shoe when your child stands.
Feet swell by the end of the day, so a late afternoon fitting is preferable.
Runners should be changed every 400 miles or with excessive wear, whichever comes first. This can cause a great amount of foot instability and is best avoided. Skateboard shoes for children with good alignment are fine. With the growing popularity of soccer, some parents wonder what to purchase for a child with abnormal alignment - none of the styles are truly suitable. Soccer shoes have a flat plastic sole with soft leather upper.