Why Kids Outlast Your Sneakers (and How Groov Insoles Help)

Parenting is basically a marathon disguised as a playdate. You chase toddlers, carry groceries and children at the same time, and somehow manage to walk the equivalent of 10,000 steps before noon. Meanwhile, your sneakers are worn out, and your feet are waving the white flag.

The hidden stress of parenting feet:
From newborn days spent pacing during sleepless nights to toddler years of playground marathons, parents are constantly on their feet. Add in awkward carrying postures, long grocery trips, or standing at sports practices, and foot fatigue becomes part of the job description.

The kicker? Parents often wear old, convenient shoes: slip-ons, flats, or worn sneakers because function beats fashion when time is short. But these shoes rarely have the arch support needed for long days of activity.

The science bit:
Carrying a child can add 20–40 pounds of extra load on your feet and joints. Research shows that prolonged carrying and walking increase plantar fascia strain and forefoot pressure by up to 60% (Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 2022). Over time, this accelerates arch collapse, heel pain, and knee misalignment.

A 2021 survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association found that parents reported higher rates of foot pain than non-parents, with plantar fasciitis and ankle strain among the most common complaints. Daily parenting tasks, especially when combined with lack of rest magnify the problem.

The Groov effect IRL:

One Groov customer told us their playground trips went from “hobbling home” to “still chasing the kids at sunset” after adding Groovs to their everyday sneakers. It wasn’t just their feet that felt the difference, knees and back pain also eased up.

Pro tip:

Slip Groovs into casual sneakers or slip-ons to keep comfort consistent.

Stretch calves and arches while your kids are on the swings, it counts as multitasking.