Best Orthotics for Kids with Heel Pain – Deep Heel Cups with Extra Heel Support

February 16, 2025 Heel Pain Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Heel pain in children can stem from various causes, including Sever’s disease, plantar fasciitis, or simply from wearing ill-fitting shoes. I strongly suggest that you don’t take the “wait and see” approach when it comes to treating your child’s heel pain, as waiting for your child’s heel pain to resolve on its own might only lead to the condition getting worse. There are two orthotics that can provide relief by redistributing pressure and offering the necessary support to the feet, promoting healing and reducing pain.

Be Proactive and Prevent Future Problems

Children should never perform sports or their daily activities through pain in their feet. Left untreated, heel pain can lead to difficulty in walking which will require complicated therapy. If your child has been complaining about heel pain, there is no need to panic, but you should be proactive and don’t wait for your child’s condition to magically disappear.

A child with heel pain.
An image of a child complaining of heel pain.

My Assistance to Kids with Heel Pain

For over a decade, I have dedicated my time to fitting children’s shoes and learning from the different experiences. When children walk to the shoe store complaining about heel pain, I usually like to start by trying a pair of supportive shoes and then monitor whether the heel pain is significantly reduced or completely eliminated. If supportive shoes are not enough to treat the child’s heel pain, I proceed by trying an orthotic.

Can Orthotics Reduce or Eliminate Your Child’s Heel Pain?

The correct type of orthotics can make a tremendous difference when it comes to reducing or completely eliminating your child’s heel pain.

The orthotics that I recommend provide a deep heel cup that helps control the alignment of the heel and provides a supportive layer design that helps absorb shock and returns impact energy.

An image of littleSTEPS orthotics that provide deep heel cups.

My Experience as a Passionate Shoe Fitter

In my years of experience working in a specialized children’s shoe store, I have witnessed firsthand how the right orthotics can transform a child’s life. Many parents come in worried about their child’s heel pain, and leave relieved when they find a solution that works. The impact of seeing a child regain their ability to move without pain is incredibly rewarding.

Before and After: The Impact of Supportive Orthotics

To illustrate the effectiveness of orthotics, consider the difference between a child standing barefoot and standing on supportive orthotics.

An image of a child with flat feet standing barefoot with a mild to moderate degree of pronation.
An image of the same child with flat feet wearing a pair of littleSTEPS orthotics.

Can Orthotics Make Your Child’s Feet Weaker?

A common concern among parents is whether orthotics can make their child’s feet weaker. The answer is no. Properly fitted orthotics provide the support and alignment necessary for healthy foot development. They do not weaken the feet but rather enhance comfort and function by correcting imbalances.

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

Key Features of the Orthotics I Recommend

1. Deep Heel Cups: Both of the orthotics that I recommend provide deep heel cups with targeted support right below the heels. This feature will help cushion and protect your child’s heels. Take a look at the images below for better visualization purposes:

An image of Footlogics insoles with deep heel cups.
An image of littleSTEPS orthotics with deep heel cups.

2. Arch Support: Orthotics with arch support can help reduce heel pain by distributing pressure evenly across the foot. This support not only alleviates pain but also promotes proper foot alignment.

An image of Footlogics insoles with arch support.
An image of littleSTEPS orthotics with medial and lateral flanges.

How to Select the Best Orthotics for Your Child

Assess the Severity of Heel Pain: Determine whether your child’s heel pain is mild, moderate, or severe. This will help you decide between options like Footlogics and LittleSTEPS. Accurately gauging the level of discomfort can guide you in selecting the most appropriate orthotic solution.

When it comes to selecting orthotics, two brands stand out: Footlogics and LittleSteps. Both offer excellent support and comfort, but they cater to slightly different needs. 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.

Best Orthotics for Kids with Mild Cases of Heel Pain

For milder cases of heel pain, Footlogics insoles provide adequate support and relief. These orthotic insoles for heel pain are crafted to offer a balanced combination of cushioning and structural support, ideal for children who may not require the intensive correction provided by other orthotics.

Footlogics orthotic inserts for kids with flat feet.
  • Order the full-length Footlogics orthotic inserts on Amazon
  • Fits toddler shoe size 5 up to big kid shoe size 3. For shoe sizes 3 1/2 or larger, I recommend this Footlogics model, available on Amazon
  • They can be trimmed to the perfect size using scissors if necessary
  • You must remove the original insoles from your child’s shoes before placing the orthotic inside

Best Orthotics for Kids with Moderate or Strong Cases of Heel Pain

For children experiencing moderate to strong heel pain, LittleSTEPS orthotics provide robust support and correction. These orthotics for heel pain cater to the needs of children who require significant intervention to correct foot posture and relieve pain.

littleSTEPS orthotics for kids with flat feet and overpronation.
  • Order littleSTEPS® Orthotics from their official website. You must submit a Referral Code to complete your order: JVFCS100121
  • It’s not necessary to remove the original insoles of the shoes when fitting this orthotic.
  • The 3/4 length design makes it easier to fit into various shoe styles.
  • Take a look at this chart to figure out what size to order based on your child’s shoe size.

Contact Me for Specific Shoe and Orthotic Recommendations

For parents who are unsure about which orthotics to choose, don’t hesitate to contact me for personalized advice. As a dedicated shoe fitter, I’m here to help you navigate the options and find the best solution for your child’s needs. 

What Are The Best Shoes for Children with Heel Pain?

While orthotics play a critical role in managing heel pain, choosing the right shoes is equally important. I suggest fitting children in shoes that provide firm heel counters and targeted support right below their heels. The heel counter is the back part of the shoe, and the firmer it is, the better heel support that it provides.

children's-shoes-with-heel-support
Always press on the heel counter of your child’s shoes and make sure that it feels firm and sturdy. Do you notice how the heel counter of the right shoe is a lot firmer compared to the heel counter of the shoe on the left?

The image below shows a shoe that provides targeted support right below the heels to cushion and support your child’s heels.

kids'-shoes-with-targeted-heel-support
Do you notice how the shoe on the right has more padding and cushion right below the heel area?

Bonus Resource: What Are the Best Shoes for Children with Heel Pain?

Alongside orthotics, choosing the right shoes is crucial for managing heel pain in children. Supportive shoes with firm heel counters, cushioning, and a snug fit can significantly enhance the effectiveness of orthotics. Look for shoes that offer stability and flexibility, as these features help distribute pressure evenly and reduce strain on the heel. I created a different resource that has a list of supportive shoes that provide substantial outsoles, firm heel counters, and targeted support right below the heels.

How to Tie Shoes for Kids with Heel Pain

If you happen to choose a shoe with laces, I strongly suggest that you apply this shoe lacing technique, as it will help secure your child’s feet against the back of the shoes, allowing your child to get the full support out of the shoes. That specific shoe lacing technique will also help keep the orthotic in the correct place.

Should Your Child Play Sports with Heel Pain?

Parents often wonder if their child should continue playing sports while experiencing heel pain. The answer depends on the severity of the pain and the underlying cause. Generally, when children experience heel pain it is recommended that they rest the heel as much as possible. However, for some children, this is simply not an option.

Comfortable athletic shoes for kids.
Children running around wearing supportive shoes.

Children can continue to play sports like soccer or basketball as long as they are wearing soccer cleats or basketball shoes that protect and support their heels. It is also recommended that they wear their orthotics inside their sports shoes.

Final Thoughts – Orthotics for Kids with Heel Pain

Heel pain is a warning sign that your child might have a condition that deserves attention. Remember that active children who put too much stress on the growth plate are more prone to develop heel pain.

Heel pain can make your child become sedentary and have an inactive lifestyle, which might lead to weight gain. Children between the ages of 8 and 15 are especially susceptible to heel pain. The source of the pain is usually the growth plate of the heel bone.

Allowing your child to rest and stretching exercises can be extremely effective in helping treat heel pain. Something so simple such as providing your child with the correct types of orthotic insoles for heel pain and supportive shoes can make a tremendous difference when it comes to treating your child’s heel pain.