Best Sandals for Kids with Intoeing – Prevent Foot Pain and Improve Foot Posture!
While intoeing typically improves with age, supportive footwear during the early years can play a crucial role in aiding this natural progression. Wearing the right sandals can help guide the feet into a more aligned position, reducing the likelihood of tripping and enhancing overall comfort. If you’re investing in supportive sneakers and possibly orthotics for your child’s everyday use, make sure they continue to wear supportive sandals in the summer so that you don’t waste that investment.
My Experience Fitting Shoes for Kids with Intoeing
Having worked in a specialized children’s shoe store for over a decade, I’ve had the opportunity to assist numerous families in finding the perfect footwear for their children. My experiences have taught me that every child’s foot is unique, and what works for one might not work for another.
What is Intoeing and What is the Most Common Cause?
Intoeing is when the feet turn inwards when walking and is due to the thigh bone being turned in at the hip, which tends to throw the child’s body out of alignment. This condition is fairly common and in most cases usually outgrown. However, bear in mind that with intoeing children might be prone to tripping, or look different when walking or running. Some children might also experience foot or leg pain.
In respect to the most common cause of intoeing, it is believed to be hereditary and may be associated with other orthopedic problems. As a parent, there is nothing that you could have done to prevent it.
While intoeing typically improves with age, supportive footwear during the early years can play a crucial role in aiding this natural progression. Wearing the right sandals can help guide the feet into a more aligned position, reducing the likelihood of tripping and enhancing overall comfort.
What is the Treatment for Kids with Intoeing?
Many physical or occupational therapists might recommend casts, orthopedic shoes, and even surgery to correct intoeing. These three approaches can be very effective, but fitting your child in supportive shoes is a less invasive and more affordable alternative that will help treat and prevent your kid’s intoeing.
Can Supportive Sandals Help Improve Your Child’s Foot Posture?
Absolutely. By providing the right support, these sandals encourage proper foot alignment and help improve stability by providing a stable base of support. Parents often report seeing a marked improvement in their child’s walking pattern after switching to supportive sandals. This is not just anecdotal; studies have shown that proper footwear can play a substantial role in correcting minor foot alignment issues, making supportive sandals a practical choice for managing intoeing.
Before and After: The Impact of Supportive Sandals
The difference supportive sandals can make is often remarkable. Proper footwear can lead to significant changes in a child’s walking pattern, improving both posture and confidence. Many parents have shared before and after images showing significant improvements in their child’s foot posture and walking pattern.
What Makes the Sandals that I Recommend Ideal for Kids with Intoeing?
1. Stable Base of Support: Sandals with firm, yet flexible outsoles provide the necessary stability without restricting natural movement. These outsoles help maintain balance and prevent excessive inward rolling of the foot, which is crucial for children with intoeing.
2. Targeted Cushion and Support Below the Heels: This feature absorbs shock and reduces stress on the feet, promoting better posture and comfort.
3. Adjustable Straps: Sandals with adjustable straps or closures help ensure a secure fit and accommodate different foot widths. This allows for customization and prevents the foot from sliding around in the sandal.
My Go-To Shoe Brands That Make Supportive Sandals for Kids
Over the years, I’ve come to trust certain brands that consistently deliver quality and functionality. These brands understand the importance of supportive footwear for children’s development. Some of my favorites include:
1. Keen
2. Teva
3. Birkenstock
4. Memo
It’s important to highlight that not all sandals manufactured by these shoe brands provide the same levels of support.
Best Sandals for Kids with Intoeing to Improve Foot Posture
Refer to each description below to find out whether the sandal is available in your kid’s foot shape (medium, wide, extra wide). 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.
1. Psyclone by Teva
These supportive sandals by Teva are designed with a cushioned footbed and adjustable straps to help improve your child’s foot posture and stability.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style 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 orthopedic sandals for kids offer orthopedic support with their anatomically shaped footbed, and they are ideal for kids with intoeing as they help prevent the feet from pointing inwards.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style 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 with pigeon toes, while the durable outsole ensures long-lasting wear.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style 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
Birkenstock is known for its exceptional arch support, and the Mogami sandal is no exception. It features a contoured cork footbed that provides natural arch support, making it ideal for children who require additional support and stability.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style 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. Newport by Keen
Newport by Keen is a versatile sandal with a supportive footbed and adjustable straps. This is one of my go-to sandals for kids with need extra support and stability.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style 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. 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 improve stability.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style 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
7. Lucky Brand
Lucky Brand’s sandals combine style and functionality, offering supportive features that cater to children with intoeing.
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
8. Betti and Pedro by Memo
Memo’s Betti and Pedro sandals are equipped with a robust support system, including a firm heel counter and arch support. These features work together to guide the foot towards a healthier walking pattern, making them an excellent choice for children who need corrective footwear.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style Betti by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and support
- Genuine leather lining
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Do consider that most of the supportive sandals that I recommend are your regular everyday sandals that simply provide better support and structure than others. However, you will notice that some of the sandals that I recommend are orthopedic. Whether you should provide your child with a pair of orthopedic sandals or not depends on the degree of your child’s foot condition and whether your child is experiencing foot or leg pain.
Contact Me for Specific Shoe Recommendations
Each child’s feet are unique, and finding the right pair of sandals or shoes requires careful consideration. If you have specific questions or need assistance choosing the best footwear for your child with intoeing, don’t hesitate to reach out via email or through the comments section below. As a dedicated shoe fitter, I am here to provide guidance and support tailored to your child’s needs.
Fitting Orthotics in Sandals: Is It Possible?
While traditional orthotics are often used with closed shoes, some orthopedic sandals are designed to accommodate them.
I don’t suggest fitting a pair of orthotics/insoles inside your kids’ regular sandals as they will end up moving too much inside the sandals, which can defeat the whole purpose of investing in a pair of orthotics. In addition, some orthotics might get ruined if they get wet.
If you believe your child might benefit from wearing an orthotic inside the sandals I suggest that you read a different resource I created that will help explain this better.
Bonus Resources: Sneakers and Orthotics
While sandals are ideal for warmer months, everyday sneakers can provide year-round support for children with intoeing. Sneakers offer a closed environment that can provide consistent support throughout the day.
How to Get Your Kid’s Shoe Size Right and Improve Your Online Shopping Experience
More often than not, parents report that they have to order multiple shoes online before finding one that fits their kid’s feet with intoeing. I understand that it can be challenging to find sandals for a kid with intoeing, especially if they also have uncommon size or shape. Nonetheless, It’s critical to make sure that your child’s shoes fit properly, as shoes that are too wide or too narrow can create blisters, calluses, and ingrown toenails.
To this end, I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource, you will find out whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to determine whether your child has a high instep or not.
Medical professionals concur that shoes that are too small hinder the proper growth of the foot, diminishing blood circulation, causing painful blisters, ingrown toenails, calluses, corns, and many other foot problems. Shoes that are too large might prevent your child from maintaining grip on the ground properly, compromising your child’s stability.
