Best Kids’ Shoes for Out-Toeing – Improve Your Child’s Foot Posture and Walking Gait
Have you noticed that your child’s feet point outward when walking or running instead of straight ahead? Did you check the bottom of your child’s shoes and noticed uneven wear in the outsole? Most children who have out-toeing don’t complain of any foot or leg pain, but they are more prone to trip and fall. Keep in mind that your child’s out-toeing condition might get better over time, but progress is slow and can be hard to notice. I will show you a selection of the best kids’ shoes for out-toeing based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.
Most parents are told by their medical professionals that their child’s out-toeing will correct itself over time as the child grows. Children who are 3 years old and their out-toeing keeps getting worse instead of getting better should be evaluated to make sure that their out-toeing condition is not related to a more serious medical condition. Unfortunately, some children might have to end up getting surgery to correct the problems with their feet and legs and straighten the toes.
Can Shoes Help Treat and Prevent Out-Toeing?
I have noticed that providing children with the correct types of shoes can help improve their foot posture and walking gait, as long as the child’s out-toeing is related to a neuromuscular condition. If your child’s out-toeing is related to a neurological condition then the shoes won’t make much of a difference.
Some of the most common causes of out-toeing are:
- Flat feet
- External tibial torsion
- External rotation contracture of the hip
If your child’s out-toeing is caused by having flat feet, then providing your child with the correct pair of shoes can make a world of difference. I am passionate about fitting children’s shoes as I truly believe that the correct type of shoes can be life changing.
.Children’s feet are constantly developing, and what happens to their feet during their childhood will affect their physique as they grow older. If you’re pressed for time here is a list of the most supportive shoes for kids with out-toeing.
Did you know that persistent out-toeing can place extra stress on your child’s knee joint and lead to other foot, leg, and lower back problems in the future?
What Shoes Work Best for Out-Toeing?
I have noticed throughout the years that to help improve foot posture and prevent the child’s feet from pointing outwards the shoes must provide 3 key features:
1️⃣ Straight Lasts: This feature helps prevent the forefoot from pushing out. You need to stay away from shoes that have a curved or semi-curved last as they lack heel stability. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes. I will provide you with a link to the shoe below shortly.
2️⃣ Substantial Outsole: This feature helps realign the child’s feet by preventing them from pointing outwards. Let me show you the difference in support between one of the shoes that I recommend and a different style:
3️⃣ Firm Heel Counter: The heel counter is the back part of the shoe that provides ankle and heel support. Always make sure that the heel counter of your kids’ shoes feels firm and sturdy. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe with a soft heel counter, and one with a firmer one:
Children with Out-Toeing – What a Difference These Shoes Can Make!
Let’s take a look at an image of a child who has out-toeing due to flat feet standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s feet are pointing outwards?
Now let’s see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of the supportive shoes that I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? The straight last of the shoe, substantial outsole, and firm heel counter are improving the child’s foot posture:
Wow! What a difference the correct pair of shoes can make!
Keep in mind that what might work really well for one child might not work as well for another. Shoes can be very effective when it comes to helping treat out-toeing as long as they provide the correct amount of support and they are fitted properly.
The Importance of Providing Your Child with the Correct Shoe Size
If you don’t provide your child with the correct shoe size, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. What’s even worse, you might end up creating several foot issues to your child’s feet such as blisters, calluses, corn, or ingrown toenails.
If you don’t have a specialized children’s shoe store in your area I suggest that you take a look at a resource I created where I help parents determine their child’s exact foot length and shape from home.
Once you have determined your child’s exact foot length and shape —narrow, medium, wide extra wide, high instep— you will be ready to start looking for the correct types of shoes. 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. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world.
What Are the Best Kids’ Shoes for Out-Toeing?
Take a look at the information below each shoe to determine:
- The foot shape the shoe can accommodate (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide)
- The best size to order allowing for growing room
- Other important information such as material
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Stride Rite shoe style Elliot is available for toddlers
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Stride Rite shoe style Emilia is available for toddlers
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Timberland shoe style Tracks is available for toddlers
- Double velcro straps
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Water-friendly
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for toddlers
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Gabi is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Gabi is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion is available for toddlers
- Velcro closure
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Timberland shoe style Bootie fits 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Princessa fits toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion KDZ is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion KDZ is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Polo is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Chicago is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Coco is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Adidas shoe style Own the Game 2.0 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Adidas shoe style Cross Em Up Select is available for little kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Kinvara LTT is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Shadow 6000 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 327 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Are There Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly by e-mail if you are having a hard time finding a different type of shoe to help treat your child’s out-toeing condition. My e-mail address is: [email protected]
Are Shoes with Shoelaces Better than Shoes with Velcro Closure?
Children who have foot conditions can strongly benefit from wearing shoes that come with shoelaces instead of velcro closure. Shoes with shoelaces provide better support and stability, and they are capable of fitting a variety of foot shapes.
Should I Provide My Child with a Pair of Orthotics?
If the cause of your child’s out-toeing is from having flat feet, orthotics and supportive footwear can be used to adjust and improve the foot alignment, and hence the appearance of out-turned feet. There are certain orthotics that may help stabilize your child’s heels and improve alignment.
Treating and Preventing Your Child’s Out-Toeing – Be Proactive!
If you notice that it is difficult for your child to stand and move normally please have your child evaluated by your medical professional.
Walking with the feet turned outwards can lead to short and long-term problems that involve:
- An unbalanced gait.
- Reduced athletic ability.
- Foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, and flat feet.
- General foot and leg pain.
Help me make this resource even better by adding your shoe recommendations as well! I am sure that other families will benefit from reading about your experiences.
