Best Sandals for Kids with High Arches – Prevent Foot Pain
Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter with 10+ Years of Experience — Updated June 2026
Does your child have high arches, and you can’t seem to find a single pair of sandals that actually fits and supports them? You’re not alone — high arches are commonly overlooked in mainstream sandal design, and children with this foot shape are genuinely more prone to developing foot pain, particularly in the heel. The right sandals can make a real difference in preventing that pain and improving overall stability.
This guide explains how to identify high arches, what complications can develop if they go unsupported, what features actually matter in a sandal, and which specific styles I recommend.
How to Tell If Your Child Has High Arches
Have your child stand barefoot and look at their foot from the side — a high arch shows a noticeably exaggerated curve along the inner edge of the foot, more pronounced than a typical arch.
You can also check from behind. Children with high arches often bear more weight on the outer edges of their feet, which is visible as a slight outward lean at the ankle.
If you’re still unsure, this two-step method walks you through a more definitive way to check at home.
What Complications Can High Arches Cause?
A high arch doesn’t distribute body weight evenly across the foot the way a typical arch does — instead, more pressure concentrates on the heel and the ball of the foot, with less surface area absorbing the impact of each step. Left unsupported, this uneven distribution can lead to:
Calluses and corns, caused by the uneven pressure concentrating repeatedly in the same spots. These can become genuinely painful over time and may need medical attention if not managed early.
Instability and a higher risk of ankle sprains. The reduced ground contact and outward weight distribution make it harder for a child to balance, particularly on uneven surfaces.
Hammertoes or claw toes, which can develop from the abnormal mechanics of the foot compensating for the lack of natural shock absorption.
Knee pain and plantar fasciitis, both common secondary effects of the foot’s reduced ability to absorb impact properly.
Supporting the foot properly — through the right footwear — is a simple, low-cost way to meaningfully reduce the risk of all of the above.
What to Look for in a Sandal for High Arches
Three features matter most:
1. Supportive Footbed. A supportive, contoured footbed distributes weight more evenly across the foot, reducing the concentrated pressure on the heel and ball that high arches create. Cushioning also softens the impact of running and play, which matters more for a high-arched foot that doesn’t absorb shock as efficiently on its own.
2. Targeted Heel Support. A sandal with extra cushioning and structure specifically below the heel helps maintain balance and stability — directly addressing the instability that high arches create. Notably, this can vary significantly even within the same brand, so check the specific style rather than assuming the brand name guarantees the feature.
3. Lightweight and Flexible — But Only at the Right Point. A sandal needs to be supportive without being heavy or stiff throughout, or your child’s feet and legs will tire quickly. The sandal should bend at the ball of the foot and nowhere else.
The Best Sandals for Kids with High Arches
Every sandal below has been selected for its supportive footbed, heel support, and appropriate flexibility — the three features that matter most for high arches. Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. Any commission earned comes at no extra cost to you and helps keep this resource free.
1. Psyclone by Teva
Best for: Active kids | Medium, wide, and extra wide feet, high insteps
A cushioned footbed paired with fully adjustable straps that help fine-tune fit and improve foot posture and stability throughout the day.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports the foot
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length
2. Agnes by Memo
Best for: Moderate to significant cases needing orthopedic-level support | Medium and wide feet, high insteps
An orthopedic sandal with an anatomically shaped footbed and a firm heel counter, specifically designed to help maintain correct foot positioning — a strong option when standard supportive sandals aren’t quite enough.
Key Features
- Order 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
Best for: Active kids on varied terrain | Medium and wide feet, high insteps
An open-toe sandal with a cushioned footbed and adjustable straps. Lightweight and flexible where it should be, with a durable outsole built to hold up to active outdoor play.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple Velcro straps for easy on and off
- Quick-drying, moisture-wicking lining Vegan-friendly
- Fitting tip: size a full size up from your child’s current foot length
4. Mogami by Birkenstock
Best for: Everyday wear and water activities | Regular (medium) and narrow widths
Known for its anatomically shaped, contoured footbed, the Mogami offers genuine arch and heel support in a sandal built to handle everyday rough-and-tumble play. The waterproof Birko-Flor upper and PU footbed make it both durable and easy to clean, while the adjustable straps allow you to fine-tune the fit around the foot.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Contoured cork footbed for natural arch support
- Hook-and-loop closure for easy on and off
- Fitting tip: size a full size up from your child’s current foot length
5. Newport by Keen
Best for: Water and outdoor activities | Medium and wide feet
A genuinely supportive water-friendly sandal with a bungee lace system for a secure, adjustable fit and an anatomically engineered footbed that provides real arch support — ideal for summer days near water.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Anatomically engineered internal support for excellent arch support
- Multi-directional lugs with quick water channeling help provide superior grip on slippery and wet terrain
- Washable polyester webbing featuring quick dry lining
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length
6. Hurricane by Teva
Best for: Everyday and water-friendly wear | Medium and wide feet
A lightweight, water-friendly sandal with a fully adjustable fit and a contoured footbed that distributes weight evenly across the foot.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Easy hook-and-loop closure comes on and off quickly and gets the fit just right
- Rubber outsole for durability and traction
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length, since the strap pattern runs slightly snug
7. Lucky Brand
Best for: Easy on-and-off | Medium and wide feet, high insteps
A practical option combining style with genuine support — a supportive footbed plus a rear Velcro strap for fast, fuss-free dressing.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive footbed
- Adjustable front buckles with a rear Velcro strap for easy on and off
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length
8. Betti and Pedro by Memo
Best for: Children needing corrective, orthopedic-level support | Medium and wide feet
A robust orthopedic sandal built around a firm, asymmetric thermoplastic heel counter and genuine arch support — designed to actively guide the foot toward a healthier walking pattern rather than simply cushioning it. The strongest corrective option on this list.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Orthopedic sandal
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper foot protection and support
- Genuine leather lining
- Fitting tip: size a full size up from your child’s current foot length
A Quick Fitting Tip
Pull the Velcro straps comfortably tight on any sandal you choose — a loose strap undoes much of the support these styles are designed to provide. The sandal should feel secure without pinching.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Suggestion
If you’d like a more personalized recommendation, my contact page is the best way to reach me directly.
Getting the Right Size
Sandals that are too big allow excess movement inside the shoe, which means the foot is no longer properly supported even in an otherwise excellent sandal. Sandals that are too small can cramp the toes and lead to blisters, calluses, and corns.
Use this guide to measure your child’s foot length and width at home, which will also tell you whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet, and whether they have a high instep to account for.
What About Everyday Sneakers?
Sandals are excellent for warm weather, but your child needs equally supportive footwear the rest of the year. See Best Shoes for Kids with High Arches for sneaker recommendations built around the same supportive features — extra cushioning and extra depth — suited for school, sports, and daily wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike flat feet, which often improve naturally with development, high arches tend to be a more fixed structural characteristic of a child’s foot shape, often with a genetic component. Rather than waiting for it to change, the more productive approach is supporting the foot properly through footwear to prevent the complications high arches can cause over time.
Yes. High arches can be asymptomatic for years before complications like calluses, plantar fasciitis, or knee pain develop. Supporting the foot proactively, before pain starts, is both easier and more effective than addressing problems after they’ve developed.
It’s possible, but it’s not as reliable as choosing a sandal with the right support already built in. Inserts can shift inside an open sandal more easily than inside a closed shoe, and many sandals don’t have enough depth to accommodate an insert without crowding the foot. Starting with one of the styles above is the more dependable approach.
Yes. Supportive sandals — like the Teva and Keen styles on this list — provide good cushioning, a contoured footbed, and a stable base, which is sufficient for many children with mild to moderate high arches. Orthopedic sandals — like the Memo styles — go further, with a firm, shaped heel counter specifically designed to actively guide foot position. If your child has more pronounced high arches or has been having ongoing pain, the orthopedic options are worth prioritizing.
Juan Valenzuela is a certified children’s shoe fitter with over 10 years of experience specializing in fitting shoes for children with high arches and related foot conditions.
