Best Shoes for Kids in Gait Trainers – Durable and Supportive!

Did your physical or occupational therapist recommend that your child wears a gait trainer to improve stability and mobility? Are your child’s shoes falling apart faster than you expected them? It’s common for children in gait trainers to push with their toes when trying to walk, and this can lead to the shoes falling apart quickly. Some families shared with me how they go through a pair of shoes every two weeks and how some shoes fell apart in one day! Certainly, the search for a pair of durable shoes can be exhausting, so I have put together a list of the best shoes for kids in gait trainers.

I know which shoes work best for children in gait trainers from having fitted them before. At the shoe store that I work for, we specialize in helping families of children with foot and leg problems. I have helped several families of children with gait trainers find the correct pair of shoes for their feet, and I believe I will be able to help your child as well.

Most Common Areas Where Children with Gait Trainers Destroy Their Shoes

Several families of children in gait trainers are frustrated about having to constantly replace their kids’ shoes. I want you to always remember that children should always outgrow their shoes before they are ready to be replaced. Here are a few examples of where children in gait trainers tend to destroy their shoes. Do these images look familiar at all?

Durable Shoes for Kids in Gait Trainers – What Features Should They Provide?

Below you can learn about the two key features that the shoes I recommend provide that make them ideal for children in gait trainers:

1️⃣ Protective Toe Bumper

This is an awesome feature if your child tends to destroy the front part of the shoes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes. I will provide you with a link to this robust sneaker shortly.

2️⃣ Supportive and Durable Rubber Outsole

The sturdy sneakers that I recommend provide a supportive and durable rubber outsole for maximum durability and comfort.

Where Can You Find Shoes that Provide These Two Key Features?

You can visit your local children’s shoe store and check whether they have durable shoes in stock. The advantage of visiting your local shoe store is that you will have the peace of mind that your kids’ feet are properly sized and the shoes properly fitted. You will also be supporting local businesses!

If you don’t have a local shoe store that you trust you can use a virtual shoe fitting service I created that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.

Allowing children to walk around in shoes that don’t fit properly can lead to the shoes falling apart a lot faster.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best shoes for kids in gait trainers. 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.

Durable Shoes for Kids in Gait Trainers – Reinforced Toe-Boxes

It’s important that you take a look at the information below each shoe to determine:

• The foot shape the shoe can accommodate (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide)
• The best size to order allowing for growing room
• Other important information such as material

Read This Before Ordering Any of the Shoes Above

Did you know that shoes that come with shoelaces provide better support and stability compared to shoes with velcro closure? The reason why I mention this is that if your child is in a gait trainer he/she can probably benefit from getting as much stability as possible. If this is the case with your child, I strongly suggest that you get a pair of shoes with shoelaces instead of velcro closure.

When Should You Choose Shoes with Shoelaces Over Alternative Closure?

I usually suggest that parents provide their children with shoes that have shoelaces instead of velcro closure in the following scenarios:

• Children who wear orthotic devices
• Children who have stability issues and need better support and stability from their shoes
• Children who refuse to keep their shoes on

If you decide to try a pair of shoes that come with shoelaces instead of velcro closure I strongly suggest that you apply this shoe lacing technique.

Are Any Other Durable Shoe Choices Available?

Do not hesitate to contact me directly via e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of durable shoes for your child. You can ask your question in the comment section below or email me at:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

Have you found a specific durable shoe that worked well for your child? Let us know in the comment section below so other families can benefit from your experiences!