Comments on: Kid’s Sneaker Recommendations: Altra Instinct Jr. and Merrell Mix Master Jam

By: Beatrice

Beatrice — Mon, 02 May 2016 15:56:23 +0000

I’m getting concern that all the minimalist kids’ running shoes have been discontinued. Merrell doesn’t seem to make the kids’ line of “Glove” shoes anymore, Vivobarefoot doesn’t have kids’ runners anymore, New Balance stopped making the kids’ Minimus Trail, and now it looks as though Merrell has discontinue the Mixmaster.

I’m going to look at the Altra Instinct, Jr. (although I feel as though it’s a lot of shoe) and also the Keen Chanlder CNX. I really appreciate your blog, it’s the only one that lists kids’ minimalist shoes that haven’t been discontinued yet.

Do you happen to know if the Merrell Hydro Run shoe is a minimalist shoe?

Again, many thanks!

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 22:21:55 +0000

In reply to Laura.

Try the Keen Chandler CNX: http://www.zappos.com/keen-chandler-cnx

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 22:20:13 +0000

In reply to Laura.

My five year old is wearing the Keen Chandler CNX – love them. They have a velcro closure option: http://www.zappos.com/keen-chandler-cnx

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:34:56 +0000

Do you have any recommendations for a 4.5 year old wearing a size 12.5-13 with Velcro closure? I noticed the Merrell Mix Master Jam is being discontinued now too.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:31:30 +0000

Hello, do you have any new recommendations since the Merrell Mix Master Jam Strap appears to be discontinued as well? Looking for a durable, roomy shoe for my 4.5 year old who wears a size 12.5-13. He complains of shoes being too tight. Trying to find the right shoe before school starts! Like your kids, he lives in in Crocs during the warm months and school doesn’t allow open shoes due to potential injury on the playground.

By: Miri

Miri — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 13:38:04 +0000

In reply to Peter Larson. actually I was asking about the old version (is still around for sale here and there on the net)

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 18:48:35 +0000

In reply to Miri. Not sure on that one, they've come out with a new version since this review was written and don't know if the sizing has changed. Sorry I can't help :)

By: Miri

Miri — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 08:43:02 +0000

I know this has been quite a while (and I hope you remember!), but what can you tell me about the Altra Instinct Jr.’s sizing?

(why: there are some reviews that it’s very large, and I’m not sure if to size down. especially since some people mistake toe room for a large size)

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 15:47:42 +0000

In reply to Daniel Gerber @glasgowosteo. Some of the Converse we get for the little ones are elasticized. I'm sure we do have plimsoles over here, we just don't have a cool name like that for them :)

By: Daniel Gerber @glasgowosteo

Daniel Gerber @glasgowosteo — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 22:35:18 +0000

In reply to Peter Larson. another name is sandshoe, they differ from the converse in that they have an elasticated top. If you want I'll send you a pair over to review ;-)

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 21:29:10 +0000

In reply to Daniel Gerber @glasgowosteo. I've heard of a lot of people choosing plimsoles for kids, particularly in the UK and Australia. Interestingly, the term plimsole is kind of a foreign thing in the US, I think the equivalent might be something like a Converse All Star. My littlest son had a few pairs when he was younger.

By: Daniel Gerber @glasgowosteo

Daniel Gerber @glasgowosteo — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:07:20 +0000

Hi Peter.

I’ve been puzzling over the choice of shoes for my kids to run in recently. Given the high price of shoes, and the speed at which their feet seem to grow has made be hesitate in buying a trainer/running shoe.

The choice at the moment seems to be old style low tech…A plimsole/sandshoe “generation” of runners started in these and as they progressed through their careers the only change seemed to be spikes..(a more trendy version could be a converse type shoe)

Going to try them for a little while and see how it goes. Any thoughts?