Do you have a child with knock knees and are wondering what types of summer shoes your child should wear? Are you looking for a pair of sandals that provide good support and that are lightweight and flexible at the same time? I have put together a list of the best sandals for kids with knock knees based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Let me first start by clarifying what this condition is: Knock knees which is scientifically known as Genu Valcum is a condition where the two knees touch each other while standing straight. It’s important to understand that knock knees are opposite of bowlegs, as in the case of bow legs, the knees are far away from each other.
My Experience Helping Children with Knock Knees Find the Correct Types of Shoes
My name is Juan Valenzuela and I work for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems. I have been fitting children’s shoes for over 10 years, and I handle approximately one hundred shoe fittings/try ons per week.
I have worked closely with physical and occupational therapists when it comes to helping families find the correct types of shoes for their children. Over the years I became familiar with the best sandals for kids with knock knees.
There have been several children with knock knees who walk into the store that need to be fitted for a pair of supportive shoes and, in some cases, orthotics as well.
Children with knock knees are doing something that is biomechanically incorrect when they walk or run, and that will have a lasting effect on your child’s muscle structure. Something so simple such as providing your child with the correct pair of shoes and orthotics (depending on the degree of your child’s knock knees) can have a huge impact on the way your child walks and runs.
Do Shoe Companies Make Sandals for Kids with Knock Knees?
Shoe companies don’t manufacture specific sandals for children with knock knees, but certain sandals provide better support than others. Some of the most popular shoe brands that manufacture sandals for children with knock knees are:
- Memo
- Keen
- Teva
- Apakowa
Among these 4 shoe brands, certain styles are a lot more effective than others when it comes to helping treat knock knees.
What Makes the Sandals that I Recommend Ideal for Children with Knock Knees?
The sandals that I recommend have a supportive outsole that will provide your child with a stable base of support. This can help improve your child’s foot posture and overall walking gait.
Take a look at the image below to better visualize what I mean by fitting your child in sandals that provide substantial outsoles:
Let’s now take a look at two kids’ sandals that provide very different levels of support. Do you notice how the sandal on the right has a more supportive outsole compared to the sandal on the left?
The sandals that I recommend also provide extra cushion and support to targeted areas of the foot, such as below the heels. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
Keep in mind that for your child to get the full support and stability that the sandals have to offer, you need to provide your child with the correct shoe size. For example, do you know whether your child’s feet are wide, or do you suspect that they might be extra wide? Do you know whether your child has a high instep? These are all factors that help determine what final shoe size your child should wear.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape?
Parents across the country are increasingly ordering their children’s shoes online—unfortunately, without the benefit of proper shoe fittings—because most specialty children’s shoe stores nationally are closing their doors.
If you want to be 100% sure about what shoe size to order online, I suggest that you follow the instructions in the article below:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Once you know your child’s exact foot length and shape you will be able to order the correct shoe size online and allow your child to get the full benefits that the sandals have to offer. You will also end up saving a lot of time and money as you won’t have to return the shoes back and forth.
The sandals below are capable of fitting children with medium or wide feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Sandals for Kids with Knock Knees
Many of the sandals featured below come in several color options, so if your child likes a specific model, please make sure to click through and see if they have the desired color. Make sure that you read the description below each sandal to find out further information about that specific model.
Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and support
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Genuine leather lining
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and support
- Genuine leather lining
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Two adjustable velcro straps
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather insole with arch support
- Two points of adjustability
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather insole with arch support
- Two points of adjustability
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all-day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different feet width
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different feet width
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot
- Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot
- Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Sandal Size Should You Order?
In each of the descriptions of the sandals, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Most sandals are not available in half sizes; they are available in whole sizes only. Let’s take a look at a couple of different scenarios that will help you identify which sandal size to order for your child.
- If your child measures a foot size 4, you will order the size 5 and your child will get the correct amount of growing room.
- If your child measures a foot size 4 ½, you will order the size 5 and your child will get the correct amount of growing room.
How Often Should Your Child Wear His/Her Sandals?
I suggest that your child wear these sandals for a maximum of 4 hours a day. Keep in mind that your child should wear his or her everyday sneakers for most of the day, as they are the most supportive type of footwear.
What are the Best Everyday Sneakers for Kids with Knock Knees?
If you are looking for a pair of everyday sneakers to help treat your child’s knock knees I suggest that you take a look at the article below:
The Best Shoes for Knock Knees – Let’s Help Your Child Walk and Run Straighter!
Can Your Child Benefit from Wearing a Pair of Orthotics?
Whether children should wear orthotics inside of their shoes depends on the degree of your child’s knock knees. I created a resource that describes the best orthotics for kids with knock knees:
Orthotics for Kids with Knock Knees – Let’s Improve your Kids’ Posture!
Are Any Other Sandal Choices Available?
If none of these sandals are available in your child’s shoe size or if you need the sandals to be made of a specific color don’t hesitate to email me at:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
The Final Fitting
If your child has been diagnosed with knock knees there are simple steps that you can take to improve the way your child walks and prevent your child from getting foot or leg pain.
Children with knock knees might be more prone to sit rather than play, and they might want to avoid walking long distances and activities because of their knee and ankle pain. Be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating your child’s foot conditions!
Let me know in the comment section below if you have found a specific sandal that has worked well for your child’s knock knees.
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