text: If you want a shoe that the kid will wear all year or until they grow out, buy Keens or Merrills or something well made.  These have thin soles that you can bend easily.  They don't provide much shock absorption and little support.  The thin soles wore away on both pairs we had (two for my 5 year old and one for my 8 year old) to where you could see through to their socks - in about 3 months.  OK for a season so they have a pair that can get beat.