Best Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet Who Wear Orthotics – Supportive and Extra Deep!

Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes for your child with narrow feet who wears orthotics? Do you feel like all of the shoes capable of accommodating your child’s orthotics are too wide for your child’s feet? I have put together a selection of the best shoes for kids with narrow feet who wear orthotics, and I will show you these shoes shortly.

My Experience Helping Kids with Narrow Feet Who Wear Orthotics

I have been contacted by several families and physical therapists who want to know which shoes are capable of fitting a child’s narrow feet and capable of accommodating an orthotic at the same time. I know exactly which are the best shoes for kids with narrow feet who wear orthotics from having fitted them before. I have been fitting children’s shoes and orthotics for several years.

The Challenges of Finding Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet

Most children who wear orthotics require a wider shoe, as orthotics take up extra space inside the shoes. However, if you provide your child with narrow feet with a pair of shoes that are too wide, your child’s feet are going to end up moving too much inside the shoes. That constant movement and friction might lead to your child developing blisters, calluses, and corns.

We also want to prevent your child’s heels from slipping out of the shoes. Remember that the orthotics are going to raise your kids’ feet, so we need a shoe that allows the orthotic to sit deeply inside.

The key is to find a pair of shoes that are supportive to hold the orthotic in place and that provide extra depth as well, to allow the orthotic to fit deeply inside the shoes. There is a very small selection of shoes that meet the requirements mentioned above, but the good news is that I will help you find them.

What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Kids with Narrow Feet?

There are certain shoe brands such as Asics and Saucony that fit narrower than others, but among these two shoe brands, there are specific kids’ shoe styles that have proven to be more effective when fitting the shape of a narrow foot.

Key Features of Shoes for Kids Who Wear Orthotics

1️⃣ Extra Depth: Let me show you an example of a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t. For better visualization purposes, there is an orthotic fitted inside the shoes. Do you notice how the orthotic is fitting much deeper in the shoe on the right compared to the shoe on the left? Both of the shoes are the same length and width, the only difference is that one shoe is much deeper than the other one.

2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: The shoes need to be supportive to minimize the impact that your child’s feet take when they become in contact with the ground. Shoes with a substantial sole also help keep the orthotic in place. Below you can see the difference between a shoe with a substantial sole versus a shoe with a sole that is too thin and doesn’t provide the correct amount of support:

3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: The heel counter is the back part of the shoes that provides ankle and heel support. The firmer the heel counter is, the better. Always make sure that before buying your kids’ shoes you press on the heel counter to make sure that it feels firm.  Please take a look at the image below to visualize where the heel counter of the shoe is located:

4️⃣ Narrow Toe-Boxes and Narrow Heel Counters: Below you can find the difference between one of the narrow shoes I recommend and a different style:

5️⃣ Narrower Platforms: This feature helps accommodate the overall shape of your child’s narrow feet:

6️⃣ Shoelaces vs Velcro Closure: Shoes that have laces make a world of difference in fitting the shape of your child’s narrow feet and it also helps make the orthotic fit better inside the shoes.

I always recommend parents to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their children’s foot conditions, as this might only lead to your child’s condition getting worse.

Best Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet Who Wear Orthotics

Below you can find the best shoes for kids with narrow feet who wear orthotics. Don’t forget to remove the original insoles of the shoes before placing the orthotic. 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.

Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)

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• Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• 100% leather made

• Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip

• Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• 100% leather made

• Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip

• Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Velcro closure

• Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability

• APMA Certified

• Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip

• EVA midsole for lightweight feel

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Velcro closure

• Leather and mesh upper

• Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability

• APMA approved

• Toe cap for extra durability

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Amantea by Falcotto on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Natural leathers

• Padded collar and tongue for superior comfort

• Dual hook-and-loop strap for a snug fit

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Adam VI by Falcotto on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Natural leathers

• Double velcro closure

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style 39476 by Primigi on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Natural leathers

• Padded collars

• Double velcro straps

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Falcotto Klip 2 by Naturino on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Natural leathers

• Padded collars

• Double velcro straps

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Falcotto Adam VL by Falcotto on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Natural leathers

• Double velcro straps

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Gazer by Falcotto on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lightweight and flexible

• Padded collar and tongue for added comfort to child’s feet

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)

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• Order the shoe style GT-1000 by Asics on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Velcro closure

• Padded collar and tongue for added comfort

• GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption

• Removable insoles  

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style GT-1000 by Asics on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Velcro closure

• Padded collar and tongue for added comfort

• GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption

• Removable insoles  

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Contend 8 PS by Asics on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Velcro closure

• Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability

• Removable insoles

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style GT-1000 11 PS by Asics on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Velcro closure

• Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability

• Removable insoles

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Contend 8 by Asics on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• Removable Insoles

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Contend 8 by Asics on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• Firm heel counter with supportive outsole

• Removable insoles

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Novablast 2 GS by Asics on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• Removable insoles

• Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system

• Breathable

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style GEL-Noosa Tri 15 GS by New Balance on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• Removable Insoles

• Infused gel for extra cushion and support

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Gel-Noosa TRI by Asics on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• Removable Insoles

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style GEL-Cumulus 25 GS by Asics on Zappos

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• Removable Insoles

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Contend 8 by Asics on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• Removable Insoles

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style JOLT 4 Grade by Asics on Amazon

• Fits narrow and medium feet

• Lace-up closure

• Removable Insoles

• Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL® Technology Cushioning System lessens the amount of shock during impact

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

Is Your Child Ready for Shoes with Laces?

Shoelaces are going to provide your child with better support and stability and are also going to be capable of accommodating your child’s narrow feet more effectively. Some parents are skeptical of providing their children with shoes that come with shoelaces instead of Velcro closure. This might be because the child is too young or hasn’t mastered the skills of tying the shoes.

I am not asking you to provide your child with a pair of shoes that come with shoelaces to make your life harder. I want your child to get the full benefits that the orthotics have to offer and feel more stable when walking or running around.

How to Tie Your Kids’ Shoes with Orthotics

My co-worker who has been fitting children’s shoes for over 20 years came up with a particular shoe-tying technique that is effective for children with narrow feet who wear orthotics. I call this shoe-tying technique the “reverse the shoelaces technique”. Let me show you how simple it is and what a tremendous difference it makes.

1️⃣ Start with leaving the two eyelets (shoe holes) of the shoe open:

2️⃣ Go through the top hole first:

3️⃣ Go through the holes that you left open:

Are the Shoes Still Too Wide for Your Child’s Feet?

If after trying any of these shoe styles they still look too wide for your child’s feet don’t jump the gun and return them just yet. I suggest that you try fitting a tongue pad inside your kids’ shoes to make them fit snugger around your child’s feet.

How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online

I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.

I understand that finding a pair of shoes for a child with narrow feet who also needs to wear orthotics is frustrating for many families. It’s important for parents to take the time to find the correct pair of shoes for their children with narrow feet as shoes that are too wide can lead to a myriad of foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

Do not hesitate to contact me directly if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe style for your child’s narrow feet. Whether you are looking for a pair of summer, winter, sport, or dress shoes, I will be able to help you find it:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well in accommodating your child’s narrow feet and orthotics? Please share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.