First time purchasing these for my very active, soccer-playing 6 year old son!  He loves them and wear them all the time, and I feel confident he can run easily in them and yet be comfortable wearing them all day at school. He hesitated at first, being used to his slip-on Vans sneakers, but we tied the laces and he just slips these on as easily!  They seem like they will outlast the Vans, as those have been wearing out more quickly as he gets more and more active.