Shoes for Kids with Clubfoot – Give These Life Changing Shoes a Try!

Clubfoot (also called talipes) refers to a condition where a child’s foot or both feet are rotated out of position, pointing down and inward. The cause of clubfoot remains unknown, but it is believed to be hereditary. Children born with clubfoot may struggle with balance issues, weak ankles, stiff heels, as well as general foot and leg pain if untreated. I am going to show you a list of the best shoes for kids with Clubfoot based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

The ​Ponseti method​ is the standard and most effective treatment technique for clubfoot. This technique involves a combination of stretching and a series of foot-casting to guide your child’s feet to the correct position. Clubfoot does not resolve on its own. However, with treatment, most clubfoot can be corrected.

While it is recommended to treat babies shortly after birth so their clubfoot can be corrected before they start walking, it is possible to treat clubfoot in older children.

What Happens After the Casting Phase is Completed?

Once the casting phase is completed, your child will need to wear special boots that attach to each other with a bar to prevent the clubfoot from returning. Take a look at the image below for clarification:

Most children need to wear these until they are 4 or 5 years old. Your child will most likely have to wear the brace all of the time for about 3 months. Afterward, they will only need to wear the brace during naps and at night.

If your child already went through the initial treatment (casting and bracing), it’s important to choose supportive shoes to maintain the corrected position of the feet and provide comfort and stability. Supportive shoes that provide straight lasts to help improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture. I am not talking about orthopedic shoes, just regular sneakers that simply provide better support than others.

Images of a Child with Clubfoot – Find Out the Degree of Your Child’s Clubfoot

Not all clubfeet are the same. There are different degrees to this condition. For example, below there is an image of a child with a mild degree of clubfoot:

Here is another example but in this case the child has a moderate degree of clubfoot.

What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Treating Clubfoot?

The shoes I recommend are regular everyday sneakers that provide 3 key features:

1️⃣ Straight Lasts: This feature is going to help keep your child’s feet in the correct position. It’s important that you avoid shoes with curved lasts as they can aggravate the condition.

2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature is going to help improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture by preventing your child’s feet from turning inwards or outwards. Do you notice how the shoe on the right has a thicker outsole compared to the shoe on the left?

3️⃣ Targeted Ankle Support: This feature is also going to help prevent your child’s ankles from rolling inwards or outwards as well as prevent ankle pain. Always press on the heel counter of the shoes before buying them to make sure it feels firm (like the shoe on the right) and not soft (the left shoe).

The Challenges of Finding Shoes for Children with Clubfoot

One of the biggest challenges is to find shoes that are wide and deep enough for the child’s feet. Clubfoot can result in size differences between the affected foot and the unaffected foot, so this also creates an additional challenge. I can help you determine if there is a considerable size difference between your child’s feet and what shoe size to order online with a virtual shoe fitting resource I created.

These Shoes Can Improve Your Child’s Walking Gait and Balance!

The shoes below can fit children with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet. 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.

Remember that these are not orthopedic shoes, they are regular everyday sneakers that simply provide better support than others.

Most of the shoes that I recommend come with shoelaces instead of a velcro closure, as shoelaces provide better support and stability than any other closure.

Does Your Child’s Age Matter When It Comes to Intervention Techniques?

This is a question that your medical professional should be able to answer, but if the doctor is recommending supportive shoes, then that might be the route to go. In my experience, the earlier the child is, the higher the likelihood that shoes can have a positive impact on the child’s balance and foot posture.

Get in Touch With Us for a Personalized Suggestion

Without a doubt, children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and any specific foot conditions they may have. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are happy to help you find a different pair of shoes for your child so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Are Your Child’s Feet Considerably Different in Size?

I have noticed that a child’s treated clubfoot may be slightly smaller than their other foot. Also, their lower leg muscles may appear smaller due to atrophy. The changes are dependent on the severity of your child’s clubfoot.

Sometimes these changes do not cause any problems, however, in some cases, a child with treated clubfoot will benefit from wearing two different sized shoes.

The most recent child I helped had clubfoot and a 4 shoe size difference between his feet. The left foot measured at a ​shoe size 1​ and was ​extremely wide​ and ​flat​. The right foot measured at a ​shoe size 5​ and had a very ​high arch​.

Though it was challenging to find shoes that fit both feet properly, my fitting experience enabled me to find the best shoes for them.

Clubfoot is more common than you think! The good news is the Ponseti method offers a simple and straightforward method of correcting clubfoot which involves minimal surgical intervention. It is important to keep your child in supportive sneakers that provide good stability for your child to continue being active and prevent any foot or leg pain.

Additional Resources for Children with Clubfoot

I have created many resources over the years that describe the best shoes for babies with clubfoot as well as seasonal footwear such as sandals.

Have you found a specific pair of shoes that have worked well for your child’s feet? Let me know in the comment section below so other families can benefit from your experiences. Do not hesitate to email me if there is a considerable difference between your child’s feet and you are having a hard time finding shoes that fit.

“Clubfoot.” ​Mayo Clinic​, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 28 June 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/clubfoot/symptoms-causes/syc-20350860.

“Clubfoot: Boston Children’s Hospital.” ​Boston Children’s Hospital​, www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/c/clubfoot.