Best Kids Asics Australia 2026: Which Model Suits Your Child’s Sport
It’s usually a Sunday night when this hits: cross country notice in the school bag, tennis lessons starting Tuesday, and the runners your child wore last term are suddenly a size too small. Asics keeps coming up because it’s the brand PE teachers and coaches mention by name, but the model names alone (GS, PS, TS, Contend, Noosa, Resolution) read like a different language when you’re trying to make one decision before bedtime.
This guide sorts the actual kids Asics range sold in Australia into what matters for a specific sport and a specific age, not just “best kids runners” in general. We’ve grounded every pick in real specs, real sizing categories and the trade-offs owners consistently report, so you can shortlist in minutes rather than opening forty tabs.
Where to buy and live pricing are handled by the comparison links throughout this guide. Here, we’re focused purely on which model actually suits your child.
What to look for in kids Asics
Kids’ feet grow fast and unevenly, and a shoe that’s perfect for the sandpit is often wrong for the sports field. Here’s what actually matters when you’re choosing between kids runners and kids tennis shoes.
- Growth room, not swim room: aim for a thumb’s width (roughly 1cm) between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Too loose and it affects stability on court; too tight and it’s binned in six weeks.
- Outsole built for the surface: a tennis or netball court needs a non-marking, herringbone-pattern sole for grip and quick stops. Bitumen and oval cross-country courses wear differently and reward a durable running outsole.
- Closure your child can actually manage: hook-and-loop (velcro) straps suit kids who can’t yet reliably tie laces; most brands keep straps standard until around age 7 to 8.
- Breathable mesh upper: Australian summers and PE ovals mean sweaty feet. A mesh panel upper beats a solid synthetic one for all-day comfort.
- Toe bumper and heel counter: a reinforced toe cap and firm heel cup protect against stubbed toes and keep the foot stable during sprinting or lateral court movement.
- Weight of the shoe: lighter is generally better for running events, but tennis and court shoes trade a little weight for extra lateral support.
Best kids Asics runners for school sport and cross country
These are the models parents search for most when a note comes home about athletics carnivals, cross country, or just an everyday school shoe replacement that can double as a runner.
1. Asics Contend 8 GS
The Contend 8 GS is Asics’ mainstream kids runner and the one most Australian PE teachers will recognise. It sits in the Grade School (GS) size range, roughly suited to school-age kids from about 6 to 10 years old, and uses a phylon-blown midsole that’s softer underfoot than the budget Jolt without tipping into premium pricing (approx. RRP $70 to $90).
It’s a genuine all-rounder rather than a specialist, which is exactly why it’s the default pick: it copes reasonably well with athletics carnival day, weekend park runs and everyday wear without a parent needing to buy a second pair for “sport shoes” and a third for “school shoes”.
- Reliable mesh upper that breathes well through a hot term
- Reinforced heel clip adds stability for kids still developing their running gait
- Available in both lace-up and hook-and-loop closures depending on age
- Not a specialist trail or court shoe, so avoid it for serious tennis or netball training
Asics Contend 8 GS
2. Asics Jolt 4 GS
The Jolt 4 is Asics’ entry-level kids runner, and it’s an honest budget pick rather than a compromised one. The midsole is firmer and less cushioned than the Contend 8, which is the trade-off for landing at a genuinely accessible approx. RRP of $50 to $70, but the outsole rubber and stitching quality are still solidly Asics rather than a discount knockoff.
It suits kids who go through shoes quickly (thanks to a growth spurt or a habit of scuffing toes on the monkey bars) where paying for a premium model doesn’t make financial sense every few months.
- Genuinely one of the cheapest ways into the Asics kids range
- Simple, durable construction that copes with rough everyday wear
- Less cushioned ride than the Contend 8, noticeable on longer runs
- A sensible pick for a child’s first “real” running shoe, not for a competitive junior athlete
Asics Jolt 4 GS
3. Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 15 GS
The Noosa Tri is the shoe kids actually ask for by name, thanks to its loud, distinctive colourways, but underneath the graphics it’s a legitimately more capable running shoe than the Contend 8. It carries a rearfoot GEL cushioning unit (the same tech language Asics uses in its adult performance line) for extra shock absorption, which matters if your child is doing regular cross country training rather than occasional sport lessons.
It sits at the premium end of the kids range at approx. RRP $90 to $110, and the trade-off is mostly cosmetic risk: the bright design is either a hit or an instant “I’m not wearing that to school” depending on your child’s taste.
- GEL cushioning gives noticeably more shock absorption for regular runners
- Seamless overlay construction reduces hot-spot rubbing on longer distances
- Non-marking outsole works fine for indoor school sport as well as outdoor
- Priced above the Contend 8 for a cushioning upgrade that light or casual users may not need
Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 15 GS
Best kids Asics tennis shoes
Tennis and netball put very different demands on a shoe compared with running: lateral stability, quick stop-start grip, and a tougher upper that survives being dragged sideways on a hard court. Asics’ tennis-specific junior range is built for exactly that.
4. Asics Gel-Resolution 9 GS
The Gel-Resolution line is Asics’ flagship tennis shoe for adults, and the junior GS version brings across the same herringbone outsole pattern designed to grip hard and synthetic grass courts without excessive wear. It’s the shoe most tennis coaches will point a genuinely keen young player towards, and the PU-coated upper is noticeably tougher than a standard running shoe’s mesh, which matters when a child is dragging their foot through a serve or sliding into a shot.
At approx. RRP $90 to $110, it costs more than a general runner, and that’s the honest trade-off: you’re paying for court-specific durability your child won’t need if tennis is a once-a-term casual activity rather than a weekly lesson.
- Herringbone outsole specifically patterned for hard and synthetic court grip
- Reinforced toe and side panels cope with the sideways drag of real match play
- Firmer, more supportive fit for lateral movement than a standard runner
- Heavier and less flexible than a running shoe, so it’s not the shoe to wear all day at school
Asics Gel-Resolution 9 GS
5. Asics Gel-Game 9 GS
For a child just starting tennis lessons, the full Gel-Resolution price tag is often overkill. The Gel-Game 9 GS is Asics’ more accessible court shoe, built with a similar non-marking, court-appropriate outsole but a lighter, less reinforced upper, landing at approx. RRP $70 to $90.
It’s a sensible middle ground between a general kids runner and the full Gel-Resolution: enough court-specific grip and stability for weekly lessons, without paying for durability features a beginner won’t stress-test.
- Non-marking outsole suitable for indoor and outdoor hard courts
- Noticeably lighter than the Gel-Resolution 9, good for younger beginners
- Less reinforced upper means it won’t last as long under serious, frequent match play
- A smart pick for once or twice weekly lessons rather than competitive junior tennis
GS, PS and TS: what the letters actually mean
The three-letter codes on every Asics kids box aren’t marketing fluff, they’re genuine size and age categories, and getting the wrong one is the most common mistake parents make buying kids Asics online.
- TS (Toddler): roughly toddlers up to about age 3, usually a simple slip-on or single-strap closure since laces aren’t realistic yet.
- PS (Preschool): roughly ages 3 to 6, typically hook-and-loop straps, slightly narrower last than the GS range.
- GS (Grade School): roughly ages 6 to 10, the range most school-sport shoes sit in, available in both hook-and-loop and lace-up depending on the model.
- Youth/junior “unisex” sizing: once a child moves out of GS sizing (roughly a US kids size 7 and above), they typically transition into adult unisex sizing, which runs slightly differently again.
Asics Gel-Game 9 GS
A quick note on sizing across models
Asics kids shoes are typically sold in US kids sizing on Australian sites and in-store, which does not line up one-to-one with the AU children’s shoe sizing you might know from other brands. Always check the brand’s own foot-length-in-centimetres chart rather than assuming a size that fit in one model will fit identically in another, particularly moving between the PS and GS ranges.
How the picks compare
| Product | Brand | Approx RRP | Key features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asics Contend 8 GS #1 | Asics | $70 to $90 | Phylon midsole, reinforced heel, mesh upper | Everyday school sport and running |
| Asics Jolt 4 GS Budget | Asics | $50 to $70 | Durable firmer midsole, simple construction | Growing feet on a tighter budget |
| Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 15 GS Premium | Asics | $90 to $110 | GEL cushioning, seamless overlays | Regular cross country or distance running |
| Asics Gel-Resolution 9 GS | Asics | $90 to $110 | Herringbone court outsole, reinforced PU upper | Keen, regular junior tennis players |
| Asics Gel-Game 9 GS | Asics | $70 to $90 | Non-marking court sole, lighter upper | Beginner tennis lessons |
Not sure yet? Put all 47 kids shoes we rate next to each other.
mum. Approved: our top 3 for 2026
The safest one-shoe answer for school sport, running and everyday wear.
Real Asics durability at the most accessible price point in the range.
Worth it for a kid running regularly enough to notice extra cushioning.
Frequently asked questions
What age do kids move from PS to GS Asics sizing?
Most kids transition from the PS (Preschool) range into GS (Grade School) sizing around age 6, roughly when they start primary school, though it depends more on actual foot length than birthday. Always check the foot-length-in-centimetres chart rather than assuming by age alone.
Are Asics kids runners good enough for school cross country?
Yes, a general kids runner like the Contend 8 GS or the more cushioned Gel-Noosa Tri 15 GS is well suited to school cross country and athletics carnivals. Neither is a specialist trail shoe, but for the grass and oval courses most Australian primary and high schools use, they’re a sensible fit.
Can my child wear tennis shoes for netball instead?
A tennis-specific shoe like the Gel-Resolution 9 GS or Gel-Game 9 GS will generally cope with netball’s stop-start court movement reasonably well, since both sports demand similar lateral stability and non-marking soles. If your child plays netball more seriously or more often than tennis, it’s worth checking a dedicated netball shoe range as well, since ankle support requirements can differ slightly.
How much should I actually spend on kids Asics?
For a child who plays casual, occasional sport, the Jolt 4 GS at approx. $50 to $70 is genuinely good value and not a compromise. Reserve the premium models like the Gel-Noosa Tri 15 GS or Gel-Resolution 9 GS for kids training regularly enough that the extra cushioning or court-specific grip will actually get used.
Why do Asics kids sizes feel different to other brands?
Asics typically sizes its kids range in US kids sizing rather than a universal AU children’s scale, and the fit can vary again between the PS and GS categories. It’s worth measuring your child’s foot length in centimetres and checking it against Asics’ own size chart each time you buy, rather than assuming last term’s size will carry across models.
If we had to choose one all-rounder for the average Australian school kid, the Asics Contend 8 GS is our 2026 pick, comfortable enough for everyday wear and capable enough for sport day without needing a second pair. On a tighter budget, the Asics Jolt 4 GS won’t let you down, and if your child is playing regular tennis lessons rather than casual sport, the Asics Gel-Resolution 9 GS is the one worth the extra spend.
Where to buy these picks
✓ Verified prices are checked live at the retailer. Otherwise we show the approximate RRP (an indicative recommended price, not a live retailer price), or “price pending” where we don’t have one.
Asics Contend 8 GS
★ Best everyday school sport
Asics Jolt 4 GS
Best budget growing feet
Asics Gel-Game 9 GS
Best for beginner tennis
Asics Gel-Noosa Tri 15 GS
Best for distance running
Asics Gel-Resolution 9 GS
Best for regular tennis players
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