Nike Air Max 270 vs Court Borough: Which Kids Shoe Is Worth the Extra Money?
A pair of Nike sneakers for a six-year-old can now cost close to what you’d pay for your own runners, which makes the decision feel bigger than it should. Add in the fact that kids’ feet can grow half a size in a school term, and it’s easy to see why so many Australian parents end up staring at the Nike kids’ wall (or the app) not sure whether the puffy-looking Air Max 270 is actually better than the flatter, cheaper Court Borough, or just better marketed.
This guide breaks down what’s actually different between the two, which age and stage each one suits, and where a cheaper Nike still does the job just as well. We’ve also flagged a couple of other real Nike kids’ models worth knowing about, because the 270 and the Borough aren’t the only two shoes in the range that get asked about at pick-up.
What to look for in kids’ Nike shoes
There isn’t a mandatory Australian Standard governing everyday kids’ sneakers the way there is for cots (AS/NZS 2172) or car seats (AS/NZS 1754), so fit and construction come down to what you check yourself in the fitting chair. A few things matter more than the logo on the side.
- Growing room: aim for a thumb’s width of space between the longest toe and the front of the shoe, not a snug fit on day one.
- Closure type: hook-and-loop straps for toddlers and preschoolers who can’t reliably tie laces, proper laces (or Nike’s toggle systems) once they’re in school and want to look like the big kids.
- Sole flexibility: a sole that bends easily at the ball of the foot supports natural movement better than a stiff, chunky one, especially for kids still refining their running gait.
- Weight: a lighter shoe is noticeably easier for little legs at the end of a long school or daycare day, and it shows in how much they complain about \”tired feet\”.
- Breathability: mesh or knit uppers matter more in an Australian summer than they get credit for; a fully synthetic shoe can turn into a small oven by 3pm.
- Washability: kids’ shoes get filthy fast, so an upper that can handle a scrub or a gentle machine wash on a cool cycle saves you a lot of grief.
None of this means Nike is automatically the right call for every family. If your budget for a term’s worth of shoes sits under about $60, or your child has particularly narrow or unusually wide feet that fit other brands better through the heel and midfoot, it’s worth trying a specialist kids’ shoe brand before committing to Nike’s fit and sizing, rather than forcing a shoe that isn’t quite right.
Nike kids sizing explained: TD, PS and GS
Nike splits its kids’ range into three groups, and knowing which one you’re looking at saves a lot of confusion when you’re comparing the Air Max 270 against the Court Borough online.
- TD (Toddler): roughly the first walking stage through to about two years old. Soft, flexible soles and no-lace or single-strap closures dominate here.
- PS (Preschool): broadly two to six years old. Still velcro-first, but soles firm up slightly for more confident running and climbing.
- GS (Grade School): roughly six through to twelve, sized closer to adult shoes and often the first point where kids get a proper lace-up or toggle closure.
The Air Max 270 is sold mainly in PS and GS sizing rather than true toddler sizes, while the Court Borough Low 2 spans TD, PS and GS, which is one practical reason families with a toddler and a primary-schooler often end up with both in the same household without really planning it that way.
One more practical thing before you order online: Nike’s junior size charts are usually published in US kids’ sizing, not the AU/UK sizing most Australian shoe shops and school shoe fitters use. A US size 1 isn’t the same number as a UK or AU size 1, so it’s worth ignoring the printed size on the box and instead using the foot-length-in-centimetres column that Nike lists on every product page, matched against your child’s actual measured foot length. A quick trace-and-measure at home takes two minutes and avoids an exchange later.
Nike 270 kids vs Court Borough: the real difference
Where the Air Max 270 wins
The Air Max 270 kids’ shoe carries a large, visible Air unit through the heel, which does a solid job of absorbing impact if your child is on their feet all day at school, scooting home, then straight into after-school sport. The upper has a sock-like inner sleeve that hugs the foot, and the GS version in particular has a roomier toe box than older Air Max models, which suits kids with wider feet or an orthotic insert.
Where the Court Borough Low 2 wins
The Court Borough Low 2 sits much flatter and closer to the ground. Mechanically, a lower, less cushioned sole gives more direct feedback from the ground than a thick Air unit does, which can suit younger kids who are still building balance and a natural running pattern. It’s also lighter in the lower sizes, comes in breathable canvas-style options, and costs noticeably less, which matters when you know it’ll be outgrown within six months.
- Choose Air Max 270 if your child needs extra cushioning for a lot of standing or high-impact play, or has wider feet that need the roomier GS toe box.
- Choose Court Borough Low 2 if you want an everyday, knockabout shoe you’re not precious about, especially for a fast-growing preschooler.
- Watch for: the 270’s inner sleeve can feel snug over a high instep, so try before you buy, or size up half a size if you’re buying online without a fitting.
- Watch for: the Borough’s flatter sole means less shock absorption on hard concrete play areas, which some kids feel after a big day.
Our picks for Australian feet
A quick note on the prices below: they’re approximate RRP ranges based on typical Nike kids’ pricing tiers in Australia, not a live quote, so treat them as a ballpark for comparing models rather than a fixed figure, and check current pricing via the comparison links before you commit.
1. Nike Air Max 270 (GS)
The Air Max 270 GS carries over the same visible heel Air unit as the adult version, just scaled down, which is part of why it’s one of Nike’s most recognisable kids’ silhouettes on any school pick-up line. Functionally, that heel unit does a solid job of cushioning impact, and the GS sizing (roughly ages six to twelve) gives a bit more room through the toe box than Nike’s older Air Max models, which is handy for kids whose feet are still widening as much as lengthening.
It sits at the higher end of the Nike kids’ range, with an approximate RRP of around $150 to $190 depending on colourway, so it’s an investment shoe rather than a rotate-through-three-pairs one. The weight is the main trade-off: it’s noticeably heavier underfoot than the Court Borough, and very active kids sometimes notice it during sport.
- Large visible Air heel unit gives real cushioning for all-day wear
- Roomier GS toe box suits wider feet and orthotic inserts
- Sock-like sleeve can run snug over a high instep, consider sizing up
- Heavier than most other Nike kids’ models, less ideal for competitive sport
- Sits at the premium end of Nike’s kids’ pricing
Nike Air Max 270 (GS)
2. Nike Court Borough Low 2 (PS/GS)
The Court Borough Low 2 is the shoe to reach for when you need something durable, affordable and unremarkable in the best way, an everyday sneaker that can handle monkey bars, mud and a wash cycle without you worrying about the cost. It comes in TD, PS and GS sizing, so it spans toddler through primary school in the same family of styles.
Approximate RRP sits around $60 to $90, which is roughly half the Air Max 270 in most sizes. The trade-off is a flatter, firmer sole with less cushioning, so it can feel harder underfoot on long days of hard-surface play, and the synthetic leather panels on some colourways are less breathable than the mesh options.
- Spans toddler through grade school sizing in one consistent style
- Noticeably lighter and cheaper than the Air Max 270
- Flatter sole gives more direct ground feedback for younger, still-developing gaits
- Less cushioning for high-impact or all-day wear
- Some colourways use synthetic leather that breathes less well in summer
Nike Court Borough Low 2 (PS/GS)
3. Nike Air Force 1 LE (PS/GS)
The Air Force 1 is the one Nike kids’ shoe that barely changes year to year, and that’s precisely the point. The full-grain leather upper on the LE version is noticeably more durable than the mesh and synthetic builds used elsewhere in the range, which makes it a strong hand-me-down candidate and a shoe that still looks presentable after a term of school wear.
Approximate RRP runs around $100 to $140. It’s a flatter, firmer shoe than the Air Max 270, closer in feel to the Court Borough, so treat it as a premium pick for build quality and longevity rather than for extra cushioning.
- Full-grain leather upper holds up well to daily school wear
- Classic silhouette works for both play and slightly dressier occasions
- Flat sole means less cushioning than the Air Max 270
- Leather uppers need more care than mesh if they get wet or muddy
- Runs true to size but narrow through the midfoot on some feet
Nike Air Force 1 LE (PS/GS)
4. Nike Flex Runner 2 (TD/PS)
Worth knowing about if the child in question is still a toddler rather than school-aged. The Flex Runner 2 uses a stretchy, sock-like entry with a simple strap rather than laces, and a soft, flexible sole designed for a foot that’s still learning to walk and run confidently.
Approximate RRP is around $50 to $70, making it one of the more affordable entries in the whole Nike kids’ line-up, and the easy on-off design is a small daily win for anyone doing multiple daycare drop-offs a week.
- Easy strap-and-stretch entry, no laces to fight with at drop-off
- Flexible sole suits early walkers and toddlers still building coordination
- Lightweight and machine washable in most colourways
- Not built for heavy-duty running or sport once kids are older
- Sizes out fairly quickly as toddlers grow into preschool age
Nike Flex Runner 2 (TD/PS)
How they compare at a glance
| Product | Brand | Approx RRP | Key features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Max 270 (GS) #1 | Nike | approx. $150 to $190 | Large heel Air unit, roomy GS toe box, sock-like sleeve | All-day cushioning, wider feet |
| Court Borough Low 2 (PS/GS) Budget | Nike | approx. $60 to $90 | Flat sole, TD to GS sizing, canvas or synthetic uppers | Everyday knockabout wear, fast growers |
| Air Force 1 LE (PS/GS) Premium | Nike | approx. $100 to $140 | Full-grain leather upper, classic silhouette | Durability and hand-me-down value |
| Flex Runner 2 (TD/PS) | Nike | approx. $50 to $70 | Strap entry, flexible sole, machine washable | Toddlers and early walkers |
Want to see how these stack up? We’ve reviewed 54 kids shoes in total.
The three we’d actually buy
The quick verdict at the top of this guide gives you the instant shortlist. Here’s that same trio again, with the one honest line each that explains the call, for anyone who scrolled straight down before reading the detail above.
Worth the extra spend for kids doing sport, PE or long active days most of the week.
A durable, everyday shoe at roughly half the price of the 270, without feeling like a compromise.
Leather build quality that reliably outlasts a school term, and looks smart doing it.
Questions Australian parents ask about Nike kids shoes
Is the Nike Air Max 270 worth it for kids compared to the Court Borough?
As a rough rule, if your child has PE, sport or an active after-school activity most days of the week, the extra cushioning of the 270 tends to earn its keep by home time. If activity is more occasional, say once or twice a week, the saving on a Court Borough is hard to argue against, particularly since most kids under about eight outgrow a shoe within a term or two regardless of which model you buy, so you’re rarely getting years of use out of either one.
Do Nike kids shoes run true to size in Australia?
Broadly yes, though the Air Max 270’s sock-like inner sleeve can feel snug over a high instep. If you’re buying online without a fitting, consider sizing up half a size for the 270 specifically; the Court Borough and Air Force 1 tend to run closer to true to size and shouldn’t need the same adjustment.
What age is the Nike Court Borough suitable for?
The Court Borough Low 2 spans TD (toddler), PS (preschool) and GS (grade school) sizing, covering roughly the first walking stage through to about twelve years old. As a rough guide to how the labels line up with shoe sizes, TD typically runs from about US 2C up to 10C, PS picks up from about 10.5C through to 3Y, and GS covers roughly 3.5Y to 7Y, though Nike’s own centimetre-based size chart is the more reliable check than the age band alone.
How often should I replace my child’s Nike shoes?
Growth outpaces wear for most kids under about eight, so check fit every couple of months rather than waiting for the shoe to look worn out. Once feet stop growing as quickly, visible sole wear or a flattened Air unit are the better signals it’s time to replace them.
Are Nike kids shoes machine washable?
Many mesh and canvas uppers, including most Court Borough and Flex Runner colourways, can handle a gentle, cool machine wash with the laces removed and left to air dry. Leather uppers like the Air Force 1 are better spot-cleaned by hand to protect the finish.
For most Australian families, the Nike Air Max 270 (GS) is the pick if your budget allows it: the cushioning and roomier fit make it a better all-day shoe for a child on their feet a lot, not just a style pick trading on the logo. If the price tag gives you pause, especially with a foot that’ll be a size bigger by next term, the Nike Court Borough Low 2 is not a lesser shoe, it’s simply a different trade-off, and one that makes a lot of sense for fast-growing feet.
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.
Nike Air Max 270 (GS)
★ Best for wide, cushioned feet
Nike Flex Runner 2 (TD/PS)
Best for early walkers
Nike Court Borough Low 2 (PS/GS)
Best for fast growing feet
Nike Air Force 1 LE (PS/GS)
Best for hand-me-downs
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