Best Orthotics for Pigeon Toed Children – Let’s Improve Your Child’s Walking Gait

Have you noticed your child walking with his or her feet pointing inwards instead of straight ahead? Pigeon toe (in-toeing) is a common condition that causes children’s toes to point inwards. It can involve one or both feet. Children will often grow out of this condition on their own, but some may need orthotic inserts in their shoes to improve their gait and stability. Let’s take a look at the best orthotics for pigeon toed children.

I have helped several children with pigeon toe straighten out their gait by fitting them in the correct type of shoes and orthotics. Through this article, I hope to guide any family looking for the best orthotics to help correct pigeon toe. While I am not a doctor, I know which shoes and orthotics work best for pigeon toed children as I work for a specialized children’s shoe store.

Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time here is a list of the most effective orthotics for children who are dealing with pigeon toes.

Please trust your parental intuition if you notice something off about your child’s feet and/or walking gait. You know when there is something wrong with your child, you are living with the child, not your doctor.

I have noticed that there is a lot of confusion and difference of opinion on both the necessity for treatment and its effectiveness. There is actually one specific orthotic that has proven to be the most effective one in significantly reducing pigeon toes and the frequency of tripping, and I will show you this orthotic shortly.

Keep in mind that it’s highly likely that if left untreated, pigeon toes might produce a problem sometime later in your child’s life. It might not be on the foot, it might be on the knee, the hip, the back, all of the structures and joints above the feet depend on the feet!

What is Causing Your Child to Walk Pigeon Toed?

• Metatarsus adductus (the foot bones turn inward)

• Tibial torsion (the shinbone turns inward)

• Femoral anteversion (the thigh bone turns inward)

The gait plate orthotic I recommend will help treat your child’s in-toeing no matter where it stems from (foot, shinbone, or thigh bone).

What Are the Risk Factors of Being Pigeon Toed?

Pigeon-toe may lead to excessive pronation issues such as:

• Difficulty running and jumping

• An unbalanced gait, causing your child to fall more often

• Foot deformities including bunions, hammertoes, and flat feet

Will Your Child Outgrow Pigeon-Toes? – The Importance of Taking Early Action!

While many children grow out of a pigeon-toed stance, some do not.

Children between the ages of 1 and 5 are undergoing rapid neuromuscular development. Pigeon toes during these years can often be managed with proper foot orthotics and footwear. Unresolved pigeon toes after age 5, although still manageable, can become a bit more difficult to control.

Furthermore, surgery may be required if a child’s in-toeing does not resolve by the age of 9 or 10.

What Are the Best Orthotics for Pigeon Toed Children?

I recommend littleSTEPS® Gait Plates for children with pigeon toe. These semi-rigid, prefabricated gait plates can greatly improve the foot posture and step of a child with pigeon toe.

There are two key features this orthotic provides:

1️⃣ Deep Heel Cups: Provides foot support and helps to control heel and lower leg alignment

2️⃣ Medial Rearfoot Posting: Helps control foot pronation (inward rolling of the foot)

Best Orthotics for Pigeon Toed Children

1️⃣ Deep Heel Cups provide foot support and helps to control heel and lower leg alignment

2️⃣ Medial Rearfoot Posting helps control foot pronation (inward rolling of the foot)

Check Price

You Must Enter a Referral Code to Order this Orthotic

To place an order for littleSTEPS® Orthotics, you must submit a Referral Code during the ordering process in the Discount Window: JVFCS100121

Do You Need to Remove the Original Insoles of Your Kids’ Shoes?

You will not need to remove the original insoles of your child’s shoes before placing these orthotics inside.

What Orthotic Size Should You Order?

The size chart below shows what gait plate size to order based on your child’s shoe size:

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions regarding what gait plate size to order: [email protected]

What a Difference These Orthotics Can Make!

Before Image

Let’s take a look at an image from the front of a child with pigeon toes standing barefoot:

After Image

The image below shows the same child wearing a pair of the gait plate orthotics I recommend with supportive shoes. What a difference the correct type of orthotics and shoes can make!

Now let’s take a look at another example of a different child with pigeon toes standing barefoot:

Let’s see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of supportive shoes and orthotics I recommend. Wow! What a difference the correct type of shoes and orthotics can make!

What Are the Best Shoes for Pigeon Toed Children?

Below is a selection of shoes that provide these three important features, making them ideal for children who wear orthotics. All of these shoes are available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW), so please choose the shoe width accordingly.

• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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

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• 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 method I use to tie shoes for children who wear orthotics is the one I learned from a co-worker who has over 20 years of experience fitting children’s shoes.

What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Ideal for Pigeon Toed Children?

1️⃣ Straight Lasts: The “last” of a shoe (either curved or straight) determines the shoe’s overall shape. Shoes with a straight last are ideal as they keep feet in the proper position, which is especially important for correcting in-toeing.

2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: Provides a stable and supportive base for the medial arch and forefoot

3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This is the part of the shoe that provides ankle and heel support. Take a look at the difference between a shoe with a soft heel counter versus a shoe with a firmer one. Always press on the heel counter of your kids’ shoes and make sure it feels firm instead of soft:

Taking Early Action Might Prevent Surgery

It’s important to take early action because if in-toeing doesn’t resolve before the child reaches 9 to 10 years of age, internal tibial torsion may require surgery.