Best Kids’ Sandals with Ankle Support – Closed Backs and Firm Heel Counters!

April 15, 2025 Shoes with Ankle Support Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Looking for the best supportive sandals with ankle support for your child? If your child has been diagnosed with a foot condition—such as flat feet, hypotonia (low muscle tone), hypermobility, pigeon toes, weak ankles, or knock-knees—your medical professional may recommend sandals that offer extra stability and structure. In this guide, I’ll share a curated list of sandals that feature firm heel counters and higher backs to support the ankles and improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture.

Do Regular Sandals Provide Good Ankle Support?

Most regular sandals are made for casual use and fall short when it comes to supporting kids with foot conditions. They usually lack critical features like firm heel counters and closed backs—both of which play a key role in keeping the feet stable and properly aligned. Without this structure, children are more likely to experience poor posture, misalignment, and even injuries over time.

Child with flat feet wearing a pair of unsupportive sandals.
An image of a child with flat feet and a moderate degree of pronation wearing regular sandals.

Try pressing on the heel counter of your child’s sandals, like in the image below—chances are it feels soft and collapses easily, offering little to no support. This lack of structure can lead to poor foot alignment and instability.

This image shows a pair of everyday sandals that lack both heel and ankle support—notice the open back and flimsy structure.

What Sandals Provide Good Ankle Support?

Orthopedic sandals are thoughtfully designed with medical-grade support in mind. Notice how the recommended pair features a closed, higher back—offering superior stability and ankle support to promote healthier foot alignment.

Orthopedic sandal with firm heel counters.
Take a look at this pair of Memo orthopedic sandals—specifically designed with built-in ankle and heel support to promote stability and improve alignment.

Supportive orthopedic sandals also provide a stable base of support that helps distribute pressure evenly across the foot, minimizing strain and discomfort. Furthermore, they enhance stability, which is particularly important for children who are dealing with foot conditions.

Orthopedic sandal with a stable base of support.
An image of a pair of Memo orthopedic sandals that provides a stable base of support.

Rest assured, the sandals I recommend strike the perfect balance—supportive yet lightweight and flexible, allowing your child’s feet to move naturally while still providing the stability they need.

Before and After Images: The Impact of Supportive Sandals

Seeing the difference supportive sandals can make is often the best way to understand their impact. Before and after images of children standing barefoot versus wearing supportive sandals highlight the improvements in foot alignment and stability.

child-with-flat-feet
Take a look at this image of a flat-footed child with heel eversion standing barefoot. Notice how the arches are collapsing and the heels are rolling inward.
Here’s a back view of the same child wearing the supportive sandals I recommend. See how much straighter the feet appear?
Front view of the same child wearing supportive sandals.

Below you can find my top recommendations for 2025, focusing on sandals that offer excellent ankle support. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through them.

Best Kids’ Sandals with Ankle Support for Foot Support and Stability

How effective the sandals will be in treating your child’s foot condition directly depends on your child’s foot anatomy and the degree of your child’s condition.

Betti and Pedro by Memo

These orthopedic sandals are the best kids’ sandals with ankle support as they are equipped with a robust support system, including a firm heel counter and arch support. These features work together to guide the foot towards a healthier walking pattern, making them an excellent choice for children with foot conditions who need corrective footwear.

Supportive orthopedic sandal for kids with foot issues.
Supportive orthopedic sandals for kids.

Key Features

  • Order the sandal Betti and Pedro by Memo on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper foot protection and support
  • Genuine leather lining
  • I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

Orthopedic Sandals by Princepard

With features like firm heel counters, cushioned insoles, and adjustable straps, these orthopedic sandals with ankle support are ideal for treating and preventing several foot conditions.

Pink orthopedic sandals for kids.
Orthopedic sandals for kids with foot problems.

Key Features

  • Order the sandal style Sandals Summer Open Toe by Princepard on Amazon
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • 3 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
  • Long and firm heel counter helps improve stability and maintain correct foot posture.
  • I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

Agnes and Michael by Memo

These Memo orthopedic sandals for kids offer orthopedic support with their anatomically shaped footbed and firm heel counters that aid in maintaining the foot’s correct position.

Orthopedic sandal with firm heel counters.
Orthopedic sandal with a stable base of support.

Key Features

  • Order the sandal Michael Corrective Orthopedic by Memo on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • 100% leather made
  • Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different foot width
  • I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

For optimal support and stability, be sure to pull the Velcro straps snugly—this helps the sandals stay secure and provide the structure your child’s feet need.

Half or Whole Size Up for Growing Room?

Most sandals don’t come in half sizes, which can make sizing tricky. If your child measures a size 10 or 10.5, I recommend ordering a size 11. This extra room ensures a comfortable fit and helps the sandals last through the entire summer season.

How Important Is to Order the Correct Sandal Size?

Ensuring your child wears the correct shoe size is crucial for obtaining the full support and stability that their sandals have to offer. Shoes that are too big or too small can lead to discomfort and potentially exacerbate existing foot problems.

With many children’s shoe stores closing—even before the pandemic—finding a proper shoe fitting has become a challenge. That’s why I created a virtual shoe fitting service to help you measure your child’s feet from home. You’ll learn their exact size, width (narrow to extra wide), and whether they have a high instep.

Children wearing supportive sandals for their AFOs.
Children wearing supportive orthopedic sandals.

Can These Sandals Help Correct Your Child’s Foot Condition?

It depends on your child’s specific foot condition. While supportive sandals won’t magically mold arches or “cure” flat feet, they can play a big role in improving alignment and strengthening the heel bone over time. Think of them like glasses—but for your child’s feet. Glasses don’t fix your eyesight, but they help you see clearly and function comfortably. Similarly, supportive sandals won’t reshape the feet, but they provide the structure needed to move confidently and prevent further issues.

Contact Me for Personalized Recommendations

Each child’s feet are unique, and finding the perfect pair of sandals can sometimes be challenging. I offer personalized recommendations tailored to your child’s specific foot shape and degree of condition. Feel free to contact me via email for more information and guidance.

Bonus Resource: Best Sneakers with Ankle Support

While supportive sandals are perfect for the warmer months, everyday sneakers with ankle support are a better year-round solution. They usually provide better stability and structure and they’re often more effective in treating and managing existing foot conditions—offering consistent support.

Orthopedic sandals for girls.
An image of a girl wearing a pair of orthopedic Memo sandals for better posture and alignment.

Can Supportive Sandals Make Your Child’s Feet Weaker?

Sandals with ankle support don’t make the muscles “lazy” or “weaker”. They will simply provide your child with structural support which is not going to take away from the musculature. This means that the sandals will allow your child’s foot and leg muscles to develop on their own while supporting them.

Long-Term Benefits of Supportive Sandals

Supportive sandals do more than just prevent immediate foot problems; they contribute to long-term foot health. Properly aligned feet can enhance overall mobility and reduce the risk of injury. In addition, children wearing supportive sandals are likely to experience improved balance and coordination.

If you’re unsure about which sandals to choose, don’t hesitate to contact me for a consultation either via email or through the comments section below. Whether you have specific concerns or simply need advice, I’m here to help you navigate the world of children’s footwear and find the best options for your child.