Are you Concerned About your Kids’ Feet? – What a Difference a Shoe Makes!
Have you noticed your child walking and running differently? Has your child been complaining about foot or leg pain? Are you concerned about your kids’ feet? Children with foot and leg pain are usually diagnosed by their pediatricians. The issue is that when it comes to children dealing with foot and leg pain some pediatricians advise parents to leave the condition alone, under the assumption that the child will eventually “outgrow the condition”. If you are concerned about your kids’ feet, you came to the right place.
The Importance of Being Proactive
I always recommend parents to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their children’s foot conditions. Leaving your children’s foot conditions untreated can only lead to the condition getting worse.
I believe that foot or leg pain in children is never normal. Do you have a child at home that has been complaining about any of these issues?
- Pain the in the bottom of the foot.
- Heel Pain.
- Knee pain.
- Hip Pain.
- Pain in the top of the foot (instep).
- Toe pain.
Do you know what all of these issues have in common? They are related to the shoes that your child wears and how they fit.
The 3 most common reasons why children complain of foot pain are:
➡️ Flat feet
➡️ Overpronation
➡️ Rolled ankles
The most effective way to treat these 3 foot conditions is through supportive footwear.
When children are flat footed and overpronate their feet turn inwards, which throws the whole body out of alignment. When foot posture is not in alignment then your child’s body has to recruit more muscles for each movement, which leads to an increase in muscle fatigue, tightness and strain.
The good news is that certain shoes provide better arch and ankle support, which help prevent your children’s feet from collapsing, straighten their feet, and improve their posture by helping them walk and run straighter. Let me prove it to you!
What a Difference the Correct Pair of Shoes Can Make!
Below there is an image of a flat-footed child standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
The next picture shows the same child wearing a pair of unsupportive shoes. Do you notice how the child’s feet are still collapsing and turning inwards?
The last picture shows the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes. Do you notice how the feet look a lot straighter? This is going to help improve the child’s overall posture.
I am going to show you a selection of the most effective children’s shoes that will help improve your child’s walking gait and posture, but before we move any forward, I want to make sure that you are 100% of your child’s foot size.
Foot Problems from Wearing the Wrong Shoe Size – Get it Right!
The second most common reason why children experience foot pain is from not wearing the correct shoe size, which involves providing your child with the correct shoe length as well as the correct shoe width.
Wearing shoes that are too short or too narrow usually leads to your children’s toes getting cramped inside the shoes, and that constant rubbing between the toes and the side of the shoes can lead to blisters, calluses, ingrown toenails, or corns. Wearing shoes that are too long or too wide allows for too much foot movement inside the shoes, and that constant movement and friction between the foot and the shoes also leads to foot issues.
I always recommend parents take their kids to their local children’s shoe store that they trust, so start by taking a look at a resource I created where I describe the best fitting shoe stores by state.
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
If there are no shoe stores in your area, take a look at an article where I describe the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home.
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot length and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
I only review shoe styles that I have fitted before, since that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit.
The Best Shoes for Kids with Foot Pain
The shoes below are for children who need extra support from their shoes, and they are all available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW). Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Emilia by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Tracks by Timberland on Zappos
- Available for toddlers
- Double velcro straps
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Water-friendly
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance Online Store
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion on Zappos
- Available for toddlers
- Velcro closure
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Bootie by Timberland on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Padded collar for a comfortable fit around the ankle
- Water-friendly
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Mary Jane by Memo on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style New Balance Fresh Foam 650 on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ankle Support by Memo on Amazon
- Available for little and big kids
- Triple velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an orthopedic shoe
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Chicago Corrective by Memo on Amazon
- Available for little and big kids
- Triple velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an orthopedic shoe
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Own the Game 2.0 by Adidas on Amazon
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Non-marking outsole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Oder the shoe style Kinvara LTT by Saucony on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Shadow 6000 by Saucony on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 327 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
There are 2 very important additional features that these shoes provide:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet from fitting deeply inside the shoes, which helps prevent the child’s feet from rubbing against the top of the shoes. This feature also helps prevent blisters and corns.
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Box: This feature helps prevent your child’s toes from overlapping and rubbing against each other. This feature also helps prevent blisters, calluses, and corns.
Shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep” or with “rounder toe-boxes”, but I know exactly which shoes provide these two features from having fitted them before.
Before you leave, I also want to make that your child wears the correct type of socks.
The Best Socks for Children – Seamless and Breathable!
Socks act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, and they prevent the formation and buildup of bacteria inside the shoes. The correct type of socks also help prevent your child from getting a foot infection.
The socks that I recommend are going to cushion your children’s feet and toes, and prevent them from rubbing against the shoes, as that constant friction can lead to blisters.
The issue is that most children refuse to wear socks with their shoes as they feel every bump and lump as soon as they put the socks on.
The good news is that the socks that I recommend are 100% seamless, and children love the way they feel. I have fitted them before at the shoe store and parents are so relieved since now they don’t have to deal with those morning battles anymore. In addition to being seamless, these socks are also durable and breathable. Below you can find a selection of the best seamless and breathable socks for children:
- Order these socks made by Jefferies on Amazon
- Smooth toe seam provides less irritation and bulk for sensitive toes and feet
- Made with premium ultra soft cotton
- Quarter ribbed stay-up top is extra comfortable around ankles
- Order these socks made by SeriSimple on Amazon
- This baby socks are made of 82% Bamboo and 18% Elastane
- Premium breathable, super soft and comfortable fabric, medium thickness suitable for all seasons
- The elastic around ankle area is not tight which causes less pressure on kid’s sensitive ankle and gives more room for feet to breathe
- Order these socks made by Jefferies on Amazon
- Smooth toe seam provides less irritation and bulk for sensitive toes and feet
- Made with premium ultra soft cotton
- Quarter ribbed stay-up top is extra comfortable around ankles
- Order these socks made by SmartKnit on Amazon
- Completely free of seams
- “No heel” design allows young children to put on their socks with confidence
- Quarter ribbed stay-up top is extra comfortable around ankles
- Made in the USA from high-tech fibers designed to remove perspiration
- Order these socks made by Jefferies on Amazon
- Smooth toe seam provides less irritation and bulk for sensitive toes and feet
- Made with premium ultra soft cotton
- Quarter ribbed stay-up top is extra comfortable around ankles
- Order these socks made by Rambutan on Amazon
- Odor Resistant Bamboo (Rayon)
- Comfortable Comfort Seam Toe – Sensitive Toes Friendly (Hand Linked Toe)
- Machine washable
- Order these socks made by Jefferies on Amazon
- Smooth toe seam provides less irritation and bulk for sensitive toes and feet
- Made with premium ultra soft cotton
- Quarter ribbed stay-up top is extra comfortable around ankles
- Order these socks made by SmartKnit on Amazon
- Completely free of seams
- “No heel” design allows young children to put on their socks with confidence
- Quarter ribbed stay-up top is extra comfortable around ankles
- Made in the USA from high-tech fibers designed to remove perspiration
One thing you need to keep in mind is that if you don’t provide your children with the correct sock size, they won’t get any of the benefits that the socks have to offer. Finding the correct socks size for children is more complicated than it sounds. Let me help you figure this out.
Always ignore the label that reads “sock size” or “age guidelines”. To provide your children with the correct sock size, you must always look under the label “shoe size” in the socks’ tags. This is the most effective way to figure out your child’s correct sock size. Take a look at the image below for clarification:
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions. My e-mail address is: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
