Best Sandals for Kids with Knock Knees – Supportive Outsoles to Improve Foot Posture
Do you have a child with knock knees who is already wearing supportive everyday sneakers but you are unsure which types of sandals you should buy for the summer? Persistent knock knees might result in uneven stress distribution across the knees, leading to discomfort or pain. Supportive sandals can help distribute weight evenly, reduce stress on the knees, and encourage proper posture and gait.
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. This condition is quite common in young children and usually resolves on its own by age 7.
While most children naturally outgrow knock knees, for those who don’t, the consequences can extend into adolescence and adulthood.
Why Supportive Sandals Matter
Supportive sandals are essential for children with knock knees because they provide a stable base and proper alignment, which can help reduce stress on the knees and improve walking patterns. Proper support can prevent overpronation, a common issue in children with knock knees, further aiding in correcting alignment.
Helping Kids with Knock Knees Find the Correct Types of Shoes
For over a decade, I have worked at a specialized shoe store with physical and occupational therapists closely when it comes to helping families find the correct types of shoes for their children. This experience has also allowed me to became familiar with the best sandals for kids with knock knees.
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.
Key Features of Supportive Sandals for Knock Knees
When selecting sandals for children with knock knees, it’s essential to consider certain features that will provide the best support and comfort.
Feature One: Stable Base of Support
A stable base of support is vital in a supportive sandal. It ensures that the foot remains stable and aligned, which is crucial for children with knock knees. Look for sandals with a broad and firm sole that provides stability and helps in maintaining balance.
The following image illustrates the difference between supportive versus unsupportive sandals.
Feature Two: Firm Heel Counters
This feature helps promote proper alignment of the foot and leg and can significantly enhance the corrective potential of the sandals. A firm heel counter acts as a guide, ensuring the foot doesn’t deviate from its intended path, which is vital for maintaining proper knee alignment.
The Importance of Ordering the Correct Shoe Size
One of the most common mistakes parents make is choosing the wrong shoe size, which can negate the benefits of even the most supportive sandals. Properly sized shoes ensure that the supportive features of the sandals function as intended, providing the necessary alignment and stability.
Moreover, wearing the wrong shoe size can lead to a host of issues, from blisters to improper gait, which can exacerbate conditions like knock knees. If you want to be certain about what shoe size to order online, I suggest that you take advantage of a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.
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
Among these shoe brands, certain styles are a lot more effective than others when it comes to helping treat knock knees.
The sandals below are capable of accommodating not only standard foot shapes, but wide and extra wide feet as well. 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 Kids with Knock Knees to Improve Foot Posture
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.
1. Psyclone by Teva
These are good sandals for kids with knock knees as they are designed with a cushioned footbed and adjustable straps to help improve your child’s foot posture and stability.
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 sandals for kids with knock knees as they offer orthopedic support with their anatomically shaped footbed and firm heel counters that aid in maintaining the foot’s correct position.
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 with knock knees, 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 superior arch 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. Newport by Keen
These sandals provide excellent arch support and a secure fit with their bungee lace system. They’re also water-friendly, making them perfect for summer adventures.
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. 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.
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
7. Lucky Brand
Lucky Brand’s sandals combine style and functionality, offering supportive features that cater to children with knock knees.
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 with knock knees.
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
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 Children with Knock Knees Be Allowed to Wear Sandals?
While supportive sandals can be beneficial, it’s important to balance their use with other types of footwear. I suggest that your child wear these sandals for a maximum of four hours a day. Sandals are great for casual, low-impact activities, but for more active play, sneakers or closed-toe shoes are often more suitable due to their superior support and protection.
Bonus Resource: Supportive Sneakers for Kids with Knock Knees
For more comprehensive support, especially during active play, consider supportive sneakers. These offer additional benefits such as greater cushioning and support for the ankles. Sneakers can be particularly beneficial for activities that involve a lot of running or jumping, providing extra protection and stability.
Conclusion and Last Remarks
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! By focusing on key features like a stable base, firm heel counters, and good arch support, you can help your child walk more comfortably and confidently.
Contact Me for Specific Sandal Recommendations
If you need help finding the perfect pair of supportive sandals for your child, I’m here to assist. With years of hands-on experience, I can recommend options that suit your child’s unique needs and foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide). Please reach out via email or through the comments section below for personalized advice.
