Best Sandals for Children with Bunions – Extra Deep and Round Toe-Boxes
Is your child developing or has developed bunions? Did you take your child to your foot specialist but were told that there is nothing you could do about the bunions except wait until getting surgery? I work for a specialized children’s shoe store, and you will be surprised about the number of children who visit the shoe store and have already developed bunions. My passion for fitting children’s shoes stems from the belief that the right footwear can be life-changing, especially for children with foot conditions like bunions.
Are Bunions Hereditary?
The exact cause of bunions is unknown, but it is believed to be hereditary. People who have bunions in the family, especially with particular foot shapes, are more likely to get bunions themselves. Just the other day, I was contacted by a mother of 3 daughters (ages 7, 9, and 11) who were all developing bunions. The father of the girls had surgery for bunions when he was 15, and the grandmother had 4 surgery’s already and is still having problems with the pain.
Bunions can begin to form from the earlier stages in kids when the bone tissues are still soft. I have seen many cases of bunions in kids due to ill-fitted shoes, especially in girls. Did you know that teenage girls are three times more likely than boys to get bunions?
Most children I have seen develop bunions also had the following foot conditions:
- Flat Feet
- High Arches
- Overpronation
How to Help Prevent Your Child from Developing Bunions
These factors might increase the risk of your child developing bunions:
- Wearing shoes that are too short or too narrow. This is something that you can prevent by making sure that your child wears shoes in the correct size. I will expand on this shortly.
- An inherited problem with the structure or anatomy of your child’s foot. This is something that is out of your control, but you can be extra careful and proactive and make sure that your child wears proper shoes from an early stage.
- Wearing high heels forces your child’s toes into the front of the shoes, often crowding the toes. It is common for parents to buy their girls’ high heel shoes that are pointed at the top and tight-fitted at the edges. This will tend to push the toes inward as the joint in the toe deviate to form bunions.
Key Features of Sandals for Children with Bunions
Choosing sandals with the right features can make a significant difference in managing bunions. Here are the essential features to look for:
1. Multiple Points of Adjustability
I usually go with open toe sandals that have multiple points of adjustability, that way children can better control how much pressure they want to put around the bunion. It’s important that the sandals are adjusted properly to prevent your child’s feet from moving excessively inside the sandals, as that can lead to the sandals rubbing against the bunions.
2. Round Toe-Boxes
Rounded toe-boxes provide ample space for the toes to spread naturally, reducing pressure on the bunion. This design helps prevent further irritation and allows the foot to move comfortably.
3. Stable Base of Support
A stable base of support helps distribute weight evenly across the foot, reducing pressure on the bunion area. Look for sandals with a firm sole that provides stability and prevents excessive foot movement. Stability is crucial as it minimizes the risk of further misalignment of the toes, which can exacerbate bunion pain.
4. Extra Depth
Sandals with extra depth offer more room for the foot, accommodating the bunion without causing pressure or discomfort. This feature is particularly important for children with pronounced bunions or those with high insteps.
Below you can find a list of the best sandals available for children with bunions, incorporating the key features mentioned above. 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 Sandals for Children with Bunions
If you prefer closed toe-sandals over open toe-sandals, I suggest that you try the ones with mesh around the bunion area to limit irritation to that part of the foot.
1. Psyclone by Teva
These sandals are ideal for bunions, featuring a cushioned, rounded footbed and two adjustable straps that help control the pressure on your child’s bunion.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Psyclone XLT1 by Teva on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
2. Agnes by Memo
These are some of the best orthopedic sandals for bunions as they offer orthopedic support with their anatomically shaped footbed and firm heel counters that aid in maintaining the foot’s correct position. The three Velcro straps allow you to adjust the pressure applied to your child’s bunion.
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
3. Seaturtle by Kamik
These open-toe sandals provide a cushioned footbed and adjustable straps. Their lightweight and flexible design makes it ideal for active children, while the durable outsole ensures long-lasting wear.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Wander by Kamik on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
- Quick drying moisture wicking lining
- Vegan-friendly
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
4. Mogami by Birkenstock
Known for its contoured footbed and good support, Birkenstock offers a range of styles that are both fashionable and functional. The sandal boasts a deep heel cup and a supportive arch footbed that helps maintain proper foot alignment.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Adventurous Light-Weight by Dream Pairs on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Triple hook-and-loop closure system for easy on and off
- Excellent grip
- Contoured PU footbed
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
5. Hurricane by Teva
The Hurricane by Teva offers a lightweight, water-friendly design with an adjustable fit. Its contoured footbed provides excellent support and the stable base of support helps distribute weight evenly. The triple Velcro straps allows for easy adjustability.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
6. Lucky Brand
Lucky Brand’s sandals blend style and practicality, featuring supportive elements and three adjustable Velcro straps to help avoid putting additional pressure on your child’s bunion.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Lucky Brand on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Supportive footbed
- Adjustable buckles at the front and velcro strap at the back for easy on and off
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
7. Betti and Pedro by Memo
Memo’s Betti and Pedro are some of the best orthopedic sandals for bunions. The triple Velcro straps and supportive features make them ideal for children who developed bunions.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Betti and Pedro by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- 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
Keep in mind that providing your child with the correct types of sandals and shoes can help treat the symptoms and prevent pain, but won’t correct the joint deformity. It’s important to note that while these sandals are the most effective ones in helping treat and prevent bunions, what might work really well for some children with bunions might not work as well for others.
Personalized Shoe Recommendations via Email
As a dedicated shoe fitter, I understand that each child’s feet are unique, and finding the perfect pair of sandals can be challenging. To assist you further, I offer personalized shoe recommendations via email. Simply provide details about your child’s foot shape, size, and any specific concerns, and I’ll help you find the best sandals for their needs.
The Importance of Providing Your Child with the Correct Shoe Size
When children are wearing the wrong shoe size they are more likely to develop bunions. Your child should wear their well-fitting shoes all the time as poorly fitting shoes that squeeze the toes will be painful and could increase the risk that your child’s bunions will become larger and more painful.
If you are unsure about what shoe size your child should wear I suggest that you take a look at a different resource I created where I help families retrieves their child’s exact foot length and shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide, high insteps). This virtual shoe fitting service will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.
Bunions Can Affect Your Child’s Performance and Overall Health
Just recently I got an email from a mother of a 7-year-old child who was diagnosed with high arches and overpronation and as a result, developed bunions on both feet. The child will complain about foot pain all the time and refuse to participate in high-intensity activities (she used to be extremely active).
Don’t let your child’s bunions get in the way of your child living a healthy lifestyle. Consult with your medical professional and make sure that your child wears the correct types of shoes.
Can My Child’s Bunion Go Away On Its Own?
Unfortunately, no. Bunions do not go away on their own and can often get bigger over time and become more painful.
It’s important to be proactive and don’t leave this condition untreated, as wearing the correct type of shoes will prevent bunions from forming, and at the same time reduce or fully eliminate the pain that your child might be experiencing. This simple, non-surgical method will treat the symptoms. However, when nothing else works, surgery can be a good option.
If you have an older girl who developed bunions and she is already wearing women’s shoe sizes I suggest that you take a look at this resource.
Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite sandals for Hallux Valgus that have helped you or your child or any other feedback that you can provide that may be helpful to other families.
