Best Shoes for Kids with Rolled Ankles – Firm Heel Counters to Straighten Your Kids’ Ankles!
Have you noticed your child’s feet rolling inwards when walking or running around? Has your child been complaining about foot or leg pain or been falling more frequently lately? Children with rolled ankles tend to have stability issues and might experience foot and leg pain. I am going to show you the best shoes for kids with rolled ankles that can accommodate different foot shapes such as narrow, medium, and wide feet.
One common mistake that I see parents make is to assume that their child’s pronation is directly associated with having flat feet. Pronation can come from the ankles too, and treating the ankles is as important as treating the arch. When a child has flat feet you don’t only support the arch. You mechanically control the parts of the foot that causes the foot to be flat, including the heel bone.
Before and After Images
Let’s take a look at an image of a child with pronation standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards? Do you notice how the heel bone is in an everted position?
The image below will help you better visualize what I mean:
Now let me show you what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of supportive shoes. Do you notice how the ankles are not collapsing inwards anymore? The substantial outsole of the shoe and the firm heel counter are preventing the child’s feet from collapsing.
What a difference the correct type of shoes can make! This is exactly the type of supportive shoes that we need for your child!
Can Supportive Shoes Make Your Child’s Feet Weaker?
There is a common misconception when it comes to providing children with supportive shoes.
Supportive shoes don’t make the muscles “lazy” or “weaker”. They simply provide children with structural support which is not going to take away from the musculature. This means that supportive shoes allow the child’s foot and leg muscles to develop on their own while supporting them.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Rolled Ankles?
The shoes I recommend provide three key features that make them ideal for children with rolled ankles:
1️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: The heel counter is the back part of the shoe that provides ankle and heel support. The firmer the heel counter is the better ankle and heel support it will provide.
Always make sure that the heel counter of your kids’ shoes feels firm and sturdy. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe with a soft heel counter, and one with a firm heel counter.
2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: Shoes with substantial and supportive outsoles help support the child’s feet and improve the child’s foot posture.
Below you can see the difference between a shoe with a substantial outsole versus a shoe with an outsole that is too thin and doesn’t provide the correct amount of support:
3️⃣ Straight Lasts: You need to stay away from shoes that have an excessively curved last as they lack heel stability. Most children’s shoes come with a curved or semi-curved last. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
I am going to show you a list of the best shoes for kids with rolled ankles, but keep in mind that if the shoes are not fitted correctly (length and width wise), your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.
I understand that most parents are skeptical of taking their children to be fitted for shoes at their local shoe store. Even before the pandemic started, most specialized children’s shoe stores were already closing down.
Find Out How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I developed the most effective way to determine your child’s exact foot size from your home and will personally assist you with a custom fitting tailored to your child’s individual needs. This easy-to-follow method allows parents to accurately determine their child’s correct foot length and width, as well as instep height.
All of the shoes that I recommend are available in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) widths. 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 Shoes for Kids with Rolled Ankles
These are not orthopedic shoes; they are everyday sneakers that simply provide better support than others.
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Stride Rite shoe style Elliot is available for toddlers
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Stride Rite shoe style Emilia is available for toddlers
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Timberland shoe style Tracks is available for toddlers
- Double velcro straps
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Water-friendly
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for toddlers
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Gabi is available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Gabi is available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion is available for toddlers
- Velcro closure
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Timberland shoe style Bootie fits toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Padded collar for a comfortable fit around the ankle
- Water-friendly
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Princessa fits toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion KDZ is available for little and big kids
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion KDZ is available for little and big kids
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Polo is available for little and big kids
- Triple velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an orthopedic shoe
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Chicago is available for little and big kids
- Triple velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an orthopedic shoe
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Coco is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Adidas shoe style Own the Game 2.0 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Adidas shoe style Cross Em Up Select is available for little kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Kinvara LTT is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Shadow 6000 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 327 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Shoelaces Vs Velcro Closure
You probably noticed how all of the shoes I recommend have shoelaces instead of velcro closure.
I understand how most parents are hesitant of providing children with shoelaces, especially if they are not ready to learn how to tie their shoes just yet. However, shoes that come with shoelaces are a lot more effective as they provide better support and stability.
The shoelaces help “hug” the child’s feet and heels, making the child feel more stable and allowing the child to get the full benefits that the shoes have to offer.
I suggest that you apply the following shoe lacing technique for your child to get the full benefits that the shoes have to offer.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you are looking for a different type of shoe to help treat your child’s rolled ankles or if you are unsure about what shoe size to order for your child: [email protected]
Keep in mind that depending on the degree of your child’s rolled ankles you might have to fit an orthotic inside the shoes for extra support.
Orthotics for Kids with Rolled Ankles
There is one specific orthotic that I recommend for children with weak ankles as it mechanically supports the pieces of the foot that causes the foot to be flat such as the heels.
1️⃣ 30mm Heel Cup Depth: The orthotic I recommend provides a deep heel cup that helps control the alignment of the heel and lower leg.
2️⃣ Medial and Lateral Flanges: The orthotic I recommend provides medial and lateral flanges to help keep the foot aligned over the orthotic.
Best Orthotics for Kids with Rolled Ankles
1️⃣ Deep heel cup that helps control the alignment of the heel and lower leg.
2️⃣ Medial and lateral flanges to help keep the foot aligned over the orthotic.
You Must Enter a Referral Code to Order this Orthotic
To place an order for littleSTEPS® Orthotics, you must submit a Referral Code in the Discount Window during the ordering process: JVFCS100121
You won’t have to remove the original insoles of your child’s shoes before placing this orthotic inside the shoes.
Find Out What Orthotic Size You Should Order
Take a look at the chart below to figure out what size to order based on your child’s shoe size:
Let us know in the comment section below if you have found a specific shoe or orthotic that has worked well in helping treat your child’s rolled ankles.
