The Zig technology has been an effective cushioning technology for Reebok, and has worked well for sizes all the way from a toddler 4 to a men’s 15. Both the adults’ and children’s versions feature cushioning and fit, a testament to Reebok’s experience making shoes. The uppers are as close to the same as possible: closed mesh, vented through the saddle with minimal overlays and a smooth interior. The midsole is the same corrugated ribbon of EVA that provides its well-cushioned ride, with small patches of carbon rubber in the high-wear areas of the outersole to keep the weight down where possible.

The Ikonis doesn’t align directly to a Puma shoe for adults that’s sold in the U.S., but it’s strongly connected to the Complete running line. The upper will look familiar to those acquainted with other Puma running shoes, like the Complete Velosis. The upper is open airmesh supported by synthetic overlays at heel, toe, and eyestay, with additional support from the Puma form-stripe. The midsole is a generous slab of EVA cushioning—simple, but effective. The outersole is full-length carbon rubber, proven for its durability. The performance is a consistent blend of reliable durability and cushioning, which is particularly useful for active children.

The overall success of the LunarGlide franchise, both in sales and performance, has made it among Nike’s most broadly available products: from toddler’s 2C to men’s size 15. The adult version features a well-cushioned and stable ride, and the children’s version has been adapted to provide the same. The uppers are the same—closed mesh with synthetic suede overlays and a supportive thermoplastic heel clip that improves the heel fit and support—except where adapted to the smallest sizes. The midsole is the same Dynamic Support throughout the size range: Lunarlon foam in a Phylite foam carrier that’s shaped for stability and lasting cushioning.

The 860 has been one of the best-performing stability shoes in the New Balance running shoe line. The KJ860 for children features the same open mesh upper (for its breathability and comfortable fit), with a few materials substitutions to improve durability. The midsole employs the same shaping and geometry as the adult version for stability and cushioning, but features a two-density midsole without the rubbery N-ERGY inserts, which would be little used by the much lighter child-sized runners. The outersole uses a more durable rubber compound over much of the sole, with fewer flex grooves and some extra stitching in the toe cap to extend the life of the shoe. Overall, the performance has been replicated for younger runners to enjoy.