Many of us have fond memories of wearing plimsolls during school sports and PE lessons, but in recent years, concerns have emerged about how supportive these lightweight shoes really are for children’s feet. It’s only natural for you to want the best footwear for your little one, which is why we’re covering the benefits of plimsolls below - so you can make an informed decision about what shoes your child should wear when active. Keep reading to learn more.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple black-and-white answer to this question, because the answer is that it depends on several factors, including the type and duration of activity performed in plimsolls. In short, plimsolls are supportive for your child’s feet, if worn for short, indoor durations such as PE lessons inside. For outdoor activities or longer sessions, cushioned trainers may be a better choice. Below, we outline these factors in more detail.
As mentioned, plimsolls are generally best kept for short-term use rather than being worn all day long or as an everyday shoe. This is because plimsolls aren’t built to support the foot for long periods of time the way other shoes are. Instead, they’re designed for their flexibility and breathability that allows children to stay comfortable while doing indoor activities during PE.
Moderation is important in many areas, and the same is true of plimsolls. While we’d recommend a sturdier, more supportive shoe for everyday wear, plimsolls are a great choice for short bursts of activity like PE classes or afterschool clubs.
Compared to many brands of trainers often used for PE, plimsolls have thin, flat and flexible soles that are the same thickness across the whole base of the foot. This means that they allow children to flex their feet against the floor with minimal effort compared to trainers that have thicker soles around the heels.
Many trainers have cushioned insoles, and this is one reason why parents may opt for trainers over plimsolls. However our Skip plimsolls have cushioned insoles perfect for supporting children’s feet during play, whether they’re doing indoor gymnastics or playing tag in the school gymnasium. This helps to protect your child’s feet from heavy impacts when jumping, running or skipping.
Breathability is key for any shoe your child will be getting active in, and plimsolls are no exception. Designed to be lightweight and airy, the canvas uppers on plimsolls flex and shift with your child’s foot, allowing ample ventilation without restricting movement.
Younger children may still need help getting ready for school, especially if their school shoes have laces that need to be tied securely. But when it comes to PE class, it’s good for them to have a pair of shoes they can put on and take off themselves without grown-up help. That way, they can have a little bit of independence and get ready for PE that much quicker, meaning they have more time to learn and play.
There’s a misconception that, since plimsolls are designed for indoor use only, they’re not very protective of children’s feet. While we don’t recommend wearing plimsolls outdoors, as this will wear them down far more quickly than intended, our plimsolls are still designed to protect your child’s feet against the rough and tumble of indoor play.
Our plimsoll design incorporates rubber toe bumpers and heel protection, helping to cushion impacts against these two key areas during play. The grooved, flexible soles also help your children to get a good grip on indoor flooring like vinyl or wood, which reduces the risk of slips and falls when moving quickly.
Many schools - often primary schools - require plimsolls as part of their PE kits to ensure that children are ready and prepared for indoor sports sessions. You may need another shoe like a trainer for outdoor PE - and this can be frustrating for parents trying to spend less, when it feels like one type of shoe should be enough for both.
However, there is a logic behind this decision, and it’s that having an indoors-only shoe helps to keep the floors of gymnasiums cleaner. When schools can avoid tracking in mud from outdoors trainers, it helps to keep indoor areas hygienic - especially areas where tumbles may be more likely, such as venues for sports and physical activities.
Lastly, many parents worry that plimsolls aren’t available in the right size for their children, as some shops don’t offer them in half sizes. However, our plimsolls are available in all sizes from a child size 7 through to an adult 4.5, including the half sizes in between.
Top tip! It can be easy to forget about plimsolls and PE trainers when buying new shoes for your children. Remember: if they’ve grown out of their old school shoes, they probably need to go up a size for PE shoes as well.
Using our measuring tools, you should be able to find the perfect plimsoll size for your child ready for their next PE class.
