Has your child been diagnosed with flat feet and overpronation and your medical professional recommends fitting your child in a pair of supportive shoes? Are you unsure about which specific models might work best for your child’s flat feet and overpronation? I am going to show you how to improve your child’s overpronation by fitting your child in shoes that provide supportive outsoles, firm heel counters, and straight lasts.
Sometimes parents notice a significant change in their children’s walking gait, such as their feet and legs turning inwards. Other times children start complaining about foot or leg pain and that’s when parents realize that they need to take immediate action. Be that as it may, I will show you what an amazing difference the correct pair of shoes can make when it comes to treating and preventing your child’s overpronation.
The image below shows how the feet of a child with overpronation impact the ground when walking. Do you notice how the child’s feet are striking at the outside of the heel first?
Before and After Images of Children with Overpronation
The image below shows a toddler with flat feet and overpronation standing barefoot. Bear in mind that it’s normal for toddlers to have flat feet, as children can develop arches until they reach the age of five. However, not all flat feet are the same. The toddler in the image below has flat feet and is dealing with moderate to strong pronation.
Before Image
Let’s see what happens when we fit that same toddler in a pair of supportive shoes that I recommend. The shoes below provide firm heel counters, supportive outsoles, and straight lasts. Do you notice how the toddler’s feet are a lot straighter?
After Image
Now let’s take a look at a different example of an older child with flat feet and overpronation.
Before Image
Let’s see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of shoes that I recommend. The shoes below also provide firm heel counters, supportive outsoles, and straight lasts. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter?
After Image
Wow! What a difference the correct pair of shoes can make!
Before and After Videos of Children with Overpronation
I also created a video to help you better visualize the amazing difference that the correct pair of shoes can make in a child who has flat feet and overpronation. In the video below you will find examples of children walking barefoot and then walking with supportive shoes.
What Makes the Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Kids with Overpronation?
1️⃣ 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:
2️⃣ Supportive Outsoles: Shoes with supportive outsoles help improve foot posture and provide shock absorption which helps attenuate the impact that your child’s feet take when they come in contact with the ground. This feature is ideal if your child is dealing with foot or leg pain.
3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: When children have flat feet you don’t only support the arch, you mechanically support all of the pieces that cause the foot to be flat, such as the heels. Make sure that you always press on the heel counter of your kids’ shoes to make sure that it feels firm as shown in the image below:
The Correct Shoe Size Can Help Prevent Foot Conditions in Children
Keep in mind that none of the bells and whistles will matter if the shoe doesn’t fit your child’s foot shape correctly. Did you know that the proper fit of the shoes is just as important (if not more important) than the support or the material that the shoes are made of?
To order the correct shoe size online, you must know what your child’s foot size is to begin with. Do you know whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet? Do you know whether your child has a high instep? These are all factors that help determine what shoes might work best for your child’s feet.
If you are unsure of your child’s foot length and shape, I recommend taking a look at another resource I have created. In just two simple steps, I will be able to determine what shoe size your child should wear:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
How Do I Know Which Kids’ Shoes Provide Better Support than Others?
I have been working at a specialized children’s shoe store for over a decade, where we focus on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes, foot conditions, and leg conditions. As a shoe fitter, I handle approximately 100 shoe fittings/try-ons per week. Through my experience, I have become familiar with the best shoes for children with overpronation.
What Shoe Brands Work Best for Children with Overpronation?
I don’t like to recommend specific shoe brands as there are specific models among each brand that work a lot better than others. The problem with recommending specific shoe brands is that some parents assume that all shoes from those brands will work well for their child’s overpronation.
When is the Right Time to Take Action?
Parents need to understand that they only have a small window of opportunity to make a significant change in their child’s foot structure and gait mechanics. I have noticed how some pediatricians recommend waiting until the child reaches the age of 6 or 7 to intervene. If you notice something is wrong with your child’s walking gait or if your child is complaining about foot or leg pain you need to intervene as soon as possible.
Can Supportive Shoes Make Your Child’s Feet Weaker?
This is a common question that I get asked at the shoe store that I work for. Supportive shoes won’t make your child’s feet weaker, they will simply provide your child with the structural support that is not going to take away from the musculature. We are not making the muscles weak. As a matter of fact supportive shoes promote the feet’s health. Why wait until the child is five years or older when the condition might be a lot harder to manage?
Let’s now take a look at the best shoes for children with overpronation. Disclosure: Bear in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Shoes for Children with Overpronation
Make sure that you take a look at the description below each shoe to find out if it can accommodate your child’s foot shape. The fit of shoes varies from one shoe company to another, so make sure that you read the last bullet point below each shoe recommendation to find out what size you should order to provide your child with the correct amount of growing room.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Constructed with a breathable textile lining and an OrthoLite® comfort foam insoles provide moisture transport, antimicrobial function, and long-term cushioning
- Water-friendly
- Double hook-and-loop closure for easy on and off
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth and width for orthotics
- Rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Triple velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Triple velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Durable leather upper
- Stability Web outsole technology provides added arch support
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide or extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Lace-Up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Breathable mesh and synthetic upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning in the heel
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- No-sew tip for durability where kids need it most
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Are Shoes with Laces Better than Shoes with Velcro for Kids with Overpronation?
I prefer to fit children in shoes with laces as I feel like the laces can “hug” the child’s feet more effectively, which helps provide the child with better support and stability.
Should Your Child Wear Shoes Inside the House as Well?
Your child should wear the 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 his/her shoes, the better.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
If you are looking for a pair of seasonal shoes such as boots or sandals to help treat your child’s overpronation I suggest that you take a look at the articles below:
Sandals for Kids with Overpronation – Let’s Prevent Foot and Leg Pain During the Summer!
Kids’ Winter Boots with Arch Support – The Best Boots for Kids with Flat Feet!
If there is a different type of shoe that you are looking for you can ask your question in the comments section below or contact me via email:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Should I Provide My Child with a Pair of Orthotics?
I usually suggest to start by trying a pair of supportive shoes first, and if the child’s foot posture or walking gait doesn’t improve or if the child continues to complain about foot or leg pain, then I suggest trying an orthotic.
If you believe that your child can benefit from wearing an orthotic right away, you should take a look at the resource below:
The Best Orthotics for Kids – The Most Effective Way to Correct Your Child’s Overpronation
How to Preserve the Support of Your Child’s Shoes
You should emphasize to your child the importance to undo the laces or the velcro straps of the shoes when taking them on and off, as this will preserve the support of the shoes.
Some parents don’t understand the importance and the positive impact that shoes can have on their children’s lives. Please remember this: “Any structure built on a weak foundation will collapse”. Our feet are the foundation for our entire body, and we must take good care of them!
Help me make this resource even better by adding shoe recommendations that have worked well for your child’s overpronation.
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Why order this a whole size larger than my child’s foot size? The size charts for NB has my son at size 11.5 because his biggest foot is 7″. If I go to size 12.5, that’s 7.2″ foot. Is your recommendation because it’s best to get at least a quarter inch bigger than current foot size?
This one I mean https://new-balance-athletics-inc.sjv.io/mgQM0q
Hello Jami,
I recommend going a whole size bigger in that specific model because in my experience it fits on the shorter side. You can of course follow the New Balance chart and order a half size bigger, but in my experience that specific model fits short, so to allow for the correct amount of growing room I suggest going a whole size bigger.