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

Has your child been diagnosed with a foot condition and your medical professional recommends that your child wears supportive shoes at all times? Have you found a pair of good supportive sneakers but can’t seem to find a good pair of summer shoes? I am here to tell you that there is a small selection of kids’ sandals with ankle support that are ideal for children who are dealing with a specific foot condition, and I will show you these sandals shortly.

The sandals I recommend are ideal for children with weak ankles that are dealing with a foot condition such as low muscle tone (hypotonia), hypermobility, pigeon toes, rolled ankles, flat feet, knock-knees, etc. The closed higher back helps support and stabilize the child’s feet, improving the child’s walking gait and overall posture.

The selection of kids’ sandals that provide good ankle support is very limited, but the good news is that I will help you find them!

Do Sandals Provide Good Ankle Support?

The problem is that most sandals don’t provide any ankle support whatsoever. For example, if you grab your kids’ sandals and press on the heel counter (see image below), you will notice how it feels soft and doesn’t provide any support whatsoever.

What Sandals Provide Good Ankle Support?

Just so you know, some of the sandals I recommend are orthopedic while some others are regular sandals that simply provide better support than others. You will notice how the sandals I recommend provide a closed higher back that makes them a lot more supportive.

Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

The sandals I recommend are lightweight and flexible to support natural foot movement with a stable base of support.

I have put together a list of the best kids’ sandals with ankle support but before I show you this list I want to make sure that you know your child’s exact shape (length and width). Your child will get the most support out of the sandals as long as they are fitted in the correct size.

How Important It Is to Order the Correct Sandal Size?

Most specialized children’s shoe stores have been closing down (even before the pandemic), and most families don’t know where to take their children to be properly fitted for shoes. 

Parents across the country are increasingly ordering their children’s shoes online—unfortunately, without the benefit of proper shoe fittings—because most specialty children’s shoe stores nationally are closing their doors.

If you are unsure of your child’s foot size and whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet I created a free resource that will help you determine all this. I will also be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep.

Can These Sandals Correct Your Child’s Foot Condition?

Depends on what specific foot condition your child has. For example, I have noticed throughout the years how supportive shoes won’t mold your child an arch, but they can help strengthen the heel bone.

One analogy I like to make is how supportive shoes are like glasses for the child’s feet. When you have bad eyes you wear glasses, does it cure your eyes? No, but it makes you see better and you can function normally. Supportive shoes are like glasses for your feet.

What a Difference the Correct Pair of Sandals Can Make!

Let’s take a look at an image of a flat-footed child with heel eversion standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards?

Before Image

Now let’s take a look at an image of the same child standing on a pair of the sandals I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? The substantial outsole of the sandals and the firm heel counter are improving the child’s foot posture by preventing the feet from collapsing.

After Image

Wow! What a difference the correct type of sandals can make! Let’s take a look at a front image of the child wearing the sandals:

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.

The sandals below can fit children with medium or wide feet and the straps can be adjusted if you need a little more room. Make sure that you pull the velcro straps of the sandals tightly so your child can get better stability and support from the sandals.

Best Kids Sandals with Ankle Support

You will notice a big price difference between the orthopedic sandals and the regular ones. 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.

Half Size or Whole Size Bigger of Growing Room?

Since most sandals are not available in half sizes, it can be challenging for some parents to determine what final sandal size they need to order. For example, if your child’s foot size measures a size 10, I suggest that you order the sandal in a size 11. If your child’s foot size measures a size 10 1/2, I also suggest that you order the sandals in a size 11.

Providing your child with the correct amount of growing room should allow your child to wear the sandals for the whole summer season.

Are There Any Other Sandal Choices Available?

Yes, there are. If you don’t seem to find any sandal that you or your child likes do not hesitate to contact me and I will be able to provide you with different sandal recommendations. Please let me know your child’s exact foot shape so I can recommend sandals that will fit the shape of your child’s feet:

[email protected]

What Are the Best Sneakers for Children that Need Extra Ankle Support?

I created a different resource that showcases the best everyday sneakers for children who need extra ankle support.

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.

Let us know in the comment section below if you have found a specific sandal that has worked well for your son’s feet.