Best Shoes for Kids with Strong Pronation – Improve Foot Posture and Prevent Foot Pain
Has your medical professional diagnosed your child with severe flat feet and strong pronation? Children with flat feet or other foot conditions can experience different levels of pronation (mild, moderate, and strong). In children, strong pronation can be particularly concerning as their bones and muscles are still developing. The first seven years of a child’s life are crucial—the golden years where permanent structural changes can be achieved with the right interventions. The best shoes for kids with strong pronation can improve foot posture, walking gait, and prevent pain foot or leg pain.
Do All Children with Flat Feet Have Strong Pronation?
Not all children with flat feet have strong pronation. Most children have a certain degree of pronation, and you have nothing to worry about unless that pronation becomes excessive. For example, pronation can be categorized into three different categories:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Strong
My Experience Fitting Shoes for Children with Strong Pronation
I have seen hundreds of children with flat feet at the specialized children’s shoe store where I work, as we get a lot of families who are referred by their physical/occupational therapist to be fitted for supportive shoes and orthotics.
If your child is under two years old and has flat feet, you have nothing to worry about. It’s common for toddlers to have flat feet and most children don’t develop their arches until they reach the age of five.
Why Shoes with Good Support Matter
For children with strong pronation, shoes with built-in arch support or a firm midsole can improve foot posture, provide stability, and alleviate discomfort.
Arch support and firm midsoles help maintain the natural alignment of the foot, preventing the inward roll that characterizes pronation.
What To Do When Children Have Strong Pronation?
The goal is to allow your child to be able to perform daily activities without any discomfort or pain. I usually suggest to start by trying a pair of supportive shoes, and then, we can always try a pair of orthotics down the road if there is no improvement.
Supportive Shoes Before and After Images
To truly appreciate the impact of the right footwear, before and after images can be enlightening. These images often showcase the alignment improvements and comfort enhancements that a well-fitted, supportive shoe can provide.
Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? Wow! What a difference the correct types of shoes can make! I am going to show you that specific shoe and a list of other styles that will help improve your child’s foot posture and walking gait.
Features to Look for in Supportive Shoes
1. Straight Lasts: Shoes with straight lasts help improve the child’s foot posture. If your child has strong pronation you need to stay away from shoes that have excessively curved lasts. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
2. Supportive Midsoles: A good midsole will help distribute weight evenly and reduce the strain on the foot’s arch, which is particularly important for children with pronation issues.
3. Firm Heel Counters: A firm heel counter is crucial for providing stability and preventing excessive heel movement. It helps in keeping the heel in place, reducing the tendency of the foot to roll inward. Ensure that the heel counter is sturdy enough to resist pressure when squeezed.
Based on these features, here are some top shoe recommendations for kids with strong pronation. 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 Strong Pronation
My list of supportive shoes for kids with strong pronation focuses on options that combine structure, support, and style, encouraging children to wear them consistently. By the way, these shoes for excessive pronation can accommodate different foot shapes such as narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet (check the description).
1. Shoe Style 990v6 by New Balance
This is the absolute best shoe if your child has flat feet and strong pronation. The robust outsole helps distribute weight evenly across the foot and reduces strain on the muscles and joints. The downside that many parents complain about is the high price tag.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids.
- You can order the 990v6 with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos.
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths.
- Also available in pink and navy blue.
- There is also a Velcro version of these shoes available in navy blue and pink.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size.
2. Shoe Style Gabi by Memo (Orthopedic Shoe)
These orthopedic shoes are specifically designed to improve foot posture and comfort. The higher price point is a common complaint parents have but the investment in orthopedic shoes is often justified by their specialized design and effectiveness in addressing flat feet.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids.
- You can order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon.
- Fits medium and wide feet.
- Also available in a Mary Jane style and a version for older kids called Memo Polo.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size.
3. Shoe Style Elliott by Stride Rite
These high-top booties by Stride Rite offer excellent support and a comfortable fit, making them a top choice for kids with flat feet and strong pronation. This shoe is affordable and despite the limited color choices, the Elliott shoes are celebrated for their supportive qualities and comfortable fit.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers.
- You can order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon or Zappos.
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.
4. Shoe style 574 by New Balance
This New Balance shoe combines style with functionality. It offers solid support and cushioning, making it suitable for kids with flat feet and strong pronation. The shoe is offered at a lower price point.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids.
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website.
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths.
- Also available with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, and Zappos.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size.
5. Shoe Style Tracks by Timberland
The sturdy construction and supportive features make it a great choice for strong pronation, providing the necessary stability and alignment, but this style is slightly heavier than my other shoe recommendations.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids.
- Order the shoe style Tracks by Timberland on Zappos or Amazon.
- Fits medium and wide feet.
- Water-friendly
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.
6. Shoe Style Cohesion by Saucony
These shoes are ideal for kids with strong pronation, as they offer excellent cushioning and stability. The affordable pricing also makes them accessible to a wide range of families.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids.
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos or Amazon.
- Available in medium and wide widths.
- Also available with laces on Zappos and Amazon.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.
7. Shoe Style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance
This is a versatile shoe that provides a soft and comfortable fit while supporting your child’s strong pronation. Families appreciate how this shoe is offered at a very reasonable price.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids.
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website or Amazon.
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths.
- Also available with laces on Zappos and Amazon.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.
8. Shoe Style 2002 by New Balance
The 2002 model by New Balance is another great option for kids with flat feet and strong pronation at a more affordable price point than the 990v6.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids.
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website.
- Available in medium and wide widths.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.
9. Shoe Style Cross Em Up by Adidas
The Cross Em Up by Adidas is a basketball-inspired shoe that offers great support for kids with flat feet and strong pronation. With a supportive midsole and durable outsole, these shoes provide stability and control, ideal for children with strong pronation who are active in sports.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids.
- Order the shoe style Cross Em Up Select by Adidas on Zappos or Amazon.
- Available in medium and wide widths.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.
10. Shoe Style GT-1000 by Asics
The GT-1000 by Asics is a popular choice for kids who require extra stability and support. This specific shoe is capable of fitting children with narrow feet.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style GT-1000 by Asics on Zappos or Amazon
- Available for little and big kids.
- Fits narrow or medium feet.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.
If you choose a shoe with laces, make sure that your child’s shoes are properly tied at all times, as that is the only way that your child will get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer.
Get a Personalized Shoe Recommendation
As a shoe fitter, I understand that every child’s foot is unique. Different foot shapes and conditions require tailored solutions to ensure optimal comfort and support. I can provide you with personalized shoe recommendations based on your child’s unique foot shape and condition so if you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact me via email.
Read This Before Buying Your Kids’ Shoes Online
Correct shoe sizing is essential in ensuring that children’s shoes offer the support they need. An ill-fitting shoe can exacerbate foot problems rather than alleviate them, leading to discomfort and potential developmental issues.
Shoes that are too short can cause foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns, while shoes that are too long allow for too much foot movement inside of the shoes, which can lead to those issues as well. I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource you will find out whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also be able to determine whether your child has a high instep or not.
Does My Child Need to Wear Orthotics As Well?
Children with strong pronation might also need to wear orthotics to help improve their foot posture and walking gait. However, I usually suggest that you start by trying a pair of supportive shoes and monitor your child’s progress. Moreover, if your child is experiencing severe foot or leg pain and you want to try an orthotic right away then that’s okay, but I strongly recommend you wait a couple of months before investing in an orthotic.
How Often Should Your Child Wear Shoes?
As often as possible. This doesn’t mean that your child cannot walk around barefoot at home for a couple of hours, but the more that your child wears shoes, the better.
Can Children with Strong Pronation Wear Seasonal Footwear?
Yes, but they should wear their everyday sneakers for most of the day. Sandals and boots should be worn for a maximum of 4 hours a day. If you are looking for a pair of summer shoes for your child I suggest staying away from Crocs or flip flops and trying a pair of supportive sandals instead. Keen and Teva make sturdy and supportive sandals. As far as winter shoes are concerned, there are certain boots that provide good support and are lightweight and flexible at the same time.
How to Figure Out Your Child’s Degree of Pronation
Mild Pronation
In this specific case, you might notice your child’s feet collapsing and turning inwards slightly. Your child’s feet might not even be completely flat, your child might just have a low arch:
Moderate Pronation
Children with moderate pronation usually have their feet completely flat. You will notice the child’s feet collapsing and turning inwards as shown in the image below:
Strong Pronation
Children with strong pronation have their feet completely flat and have visible signs of their heels and ankles collapsing inwards.
Evaluating Feedback: Is Reddit and Quora a Reliable Source?
When researching shoe options online, many turn to forums like Reddit and Quora for feedback. While these platforms can provide valuable insights, it’s important to approach the information with a critical eye. Personal experiences vary widely, and what works for one child may not work for another. Therefore, it is essential to consider multiple sources of information and not rely solely on anecdotal evidence.
Consider consulting with a professional shoe fitter for personalized advice. Professional opinions can provide a more comprehensive understanding of what to look for in children’s footwear. Additionally, peer-reviewed studies and recommendations from healthcare professionals can offer evidence-based guidance when selecting supportive shoes for kids with strong pronation.
Don’t “wait and see” whether your child’s pronation gets better with time. In most cases, parents wished they would have acted sooner. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to manage your child’s foot condition. If your medical professional told you to wait, I suggest that you ask for a second opinion.
My daughter has I think a mild pronation. She always get painful legs when she walks long distances. So I bought her a Skechers d’luxe pro walker 2.0 that has a higher heel but actually soft upper heel side. She said that it helped but not as much. She also got her customized orthotics.
I want her to have a more supported pair of shoes because her gait is not great and she falls whenever she runs. Are the shoes above for strong pronation good for mild ones too? Can she still use these shoes even with the customized insoles?
Thank you for your response.
Hello Anne,
1- Do you know if your daughter has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet? Her foot shape determines what specific shoes she might be able to wear.
2- Are the customized orthotics full length or 3/4 length orthotics?
3- What shoe size does she wear?
Feel free to contact me at fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com for specific shoe recommendations.
I have flat feet, but what I’ve noticed is that a lot of black children have a disposition for flat feet.
I’m not sure if this is an ethnic thing or not. I checked on Google and did not see anything about this topic specifically. Flat feet in children are mentioned but not black children.
My son was born with a left foot that turns inwards but he was given climbing exercises to help him develop and grow out of that. I tried the New Balance shoe you recommend here and his gait and posture have improved considerably. Thank you!
Hello Stella,
I am not sure if it’s an ethnic factor as I get contacted by many families daily and I have not seen a trend there. I am glad the New Balance shoes worked well for your son!
Are all of the shoes that you recommend designed to improve foot posture and prevent foot pain? Which specific shoe would you recommend for my son who has extra wide feet? I want a shoe that provides all of those important features that you mention (supportive outsoles, firm heel counters, straight lasts) but that can also fit a very wide foot (extra extra wide). Thank you!!!
Hello Kiersti,
Yes, all of the shoes that I recommend are specifically designed to improve foot posture and significantly reduce, or in some cases, fully eliminate the pain.
If your son has extra wide feet, I strongly suggest that you look into the New Balance models that I recommend and select the extra wide width.
Thank you for this article! My son (age 2.5) has moderate pronation. He won’t tolerate higher top shoes that would make Patti Bob orthotics supportive enough, so we are going to move him to Chipmunk orthotics and keep him in a lower profile shoe. He’s been in Ten Littles, which are too flexible it seems. Do either of the shoes below seem ok? He goes to daycare and needs to be able to get the shoes on and off by himself.
https://amzn.to/3VpRnjO
https://amzn.to/44kpnln
Hello Elle,
Those shoes that you sent me are definitely more supportive than Ten Littles, but I am not 100% sure they will be capable of accommodating the Chipmunks orthotics. If you decide to try any of those models, I suggest that you order the wide widths and remove the original insoles before you place the Chipmunks orthotics.
The options below might work better for your son’s orthotics:
Option 1 Available in wide and extra wide widths
Option 2 Available in extra wide widths
Option 3 Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
What do you mean when you say order half a size larger than toddlers current size? Don’t we measure the feet and then use the size charts for the manufacturer based on that size or do you recommend we add a half to the measurement we took?
Hello Jasmine,
For example, if your toddler’s foot size measures a size 10, you would order the size 10 1/2 and that will provide your child with the correct amount of growing room. To answer your question you do need to add a half size to the measurement that you take.