Has your child been complaining about heel pain? Have you noticed your child walking and running differently? As soon as you notice your children walking differently, you must start by checking the shoes that they are wearing. I am going to show you a list of the best shoes with heel support based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
The Importance of Being Proactive and Taking Early Action
Parents to understand that heel pain is common in children, but that doesn’t mean it should be left untreated. If you don’t take early action, heel pain can lead to difficulty in walking which will require complicated therapy. This is the reason why 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.
Common Signs of Children with Heel Pain
These are the most common signs that a child is experiencing heel pain:
1️⃣ Difficulty running, jumping, or participating in sports.
2️⃣ Pain in the back or the bottom of the heel.
3️⃣ Limping.
4️⃣ Tiredness.
5️⃣ Waking on toes.
Most children experience heel pain between the ages of 8 to 14, as the heel bone is not fully developed until at least age 14. This doesn’t mean that children cannot start experiencing heel pain at a younger age.
I have helped several children that were dealing with heel pain find the correct type of shoes, and in some cases orthotics, to significantly reduce and in some cases completely eliminate the pain. Did you know that certain shoes can help significantly reduce or fully eliminate your kids’ heel pain?
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for the last 10 years, where we specialize in children with foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes for kids with heel pain.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Heel Pain?
The shoes I recommend provide targeted support to the heel area by providing extra padding right below your child’s heels. Let me show you the difference between one of the shoes I recommend and a different style:
I also always recommend parents check the heel counter of their kids’ shoes and make sure it feels firm and not soft. If the heel counter feels too soft, start by replacing the shoes with one that has a firm heel counter – I will show you a selection shortly.
Below you can find an example of a shoe with a soft heel counter – notice how it bends as I press on it – versus a shoe with a firm heel counter:
Another important feature that the kids’ shoes I recommend provide is a substantial outsole:
The shoes I recommend below provide these 3 important features but let’s find out which are the most common reasons why kids experience heel pain.
What is Causing Your Child’s Heel Pain? – Let’s Find Out!
Several families want to know what is causing their children’s heel pain. The most common reason why children experience heel pain is the inflammation of the growth plate, due to repetitive stress. This condition goes by the name Sever’s Disease. I have helped several families with children that were experiencing Sever’s disease – which remains the most common cause of heel pain in kids. Most parents don’t know what Sever’s disease is so let me clarify what it is:
Sever’s disease is not a true disease, it is an inflammation of the heel’s growth plate and it normally occurs in children that are very active and are putting constant stress on their feet – that’s why it’s so important to wear supportive shoes).
Shoes that don’t provide the correct amount of heel support are also a contributing cause of heel pain.
Children are always running and jumping, and they tend to put a lot of stress on their feet and legs. If they are not wearing the correct type of shoes, this can lead to foot and leg pain. Providing your child with a pair of shoes that provide good arch and heel support will keep their feet and legs healthy.
I only review shoes that I have fitted before, as that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best shoes with heel support. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Shoes with Heel Support: Fit Medium, Wide, Extra Wide Feet
Little Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 3)
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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 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
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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 and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Supportive outsole with firm heel counter
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Supportive outsole with firm heel counter
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Cushioned tongue and collar
- Perforated mesh upper with synthetic overlays
- Rubber outsole pods to ensure high traction
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Big Kid Shoe Sizes (3.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Supportive outsole with firm heel counter
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- TPU heel clip for stability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- TPU heel clip for stability
- Reflective detail on the upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- FuelCell foam delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Cushioned tongue and collar
- Perforated mesh upper with synthetic overlays
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
- Firm heel counter
- Supportive heel for active kids
- Breathable mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Best Shoes with Heel Support: Fit Narrow Feet
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- 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
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- 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
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Big Kid Sizes (3.5 to 7)
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable insoles
- Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system
- Breathable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Infused gel for extra cushion and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a 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
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
I always recommend parents to provide their children with a pair of shoes that come with shoelaces, as they provide better support and stability to their kids’ feet. They will also push your kids’ heels back, securing them against the back of the shoe and allowing for maximum support.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Let me know if you are having a hard time finding a different type of shoe to help treat your child’s heel pain:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
There is a particular shoe lacing technique that I use that allows children to get the full benefits from the shoes. This shoe lacing technique pushes the child’s heels back, securing and supporting them against the back of the shoes. You can learn about this shoe-tying technique in the article below:
How to Tie Shoes for Heel Pain – The Most Effective Way!
You won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online if you don’t know your child’s exact foot size to begin with. This leads me to this next question:
Are You 100% That Your Child is Wearing the Correct Shoe Size?
I always recommend parents take their children to their local children’s shoe store, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that fit properly. The issue is that most stores have been closing down.
Start by taking a look at a resource I created where I break down the best kids’ fitting shoe stores by state – these are fitting stores not big retailers:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where to go for Proper Fittings!
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to find a store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created explaining the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Wearing the correct type of shoes and stretching often will greatly reduce the pain that your child is experiencing. Don’t forget to make your child stretch!
There will be certain cases where a pair of good supportive shoes might not be enough to reduce your child’s heel pain. In those cases, your child will need extra support inside the shoes. I strongly suggest trying a heel cup inside the shoes, as it’s going to be a more effective and cost-efficient alternative compared to an orthotic.
Heel Cups for Kids – The Best Alternative to Orthotics
I have fitted several heel cups before and they are extremely effective in reducing and eliminating heel pain. They are very easy to fit inside shoes – they fit in most shoes), and they are more affordable than orthotics.
There is a specific heel cup that I have found to be the most effective one as it provides maximum shock-absorbing protection to your child’s heels and I have fitted it several times before. I have seen how this heel cup has significantly reduced or fully eliminated the pain that children were experiencing.
Below you can find the most effective heel cup for children who are dealing with heel pain:
- Ideal to treat and prevent general heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Sever’s disease, excessive pronation, Achilles tendonitis
- Innovative multi-cell, multi-layer waffle pattern design, helps to absorb impact pressure (shock) and return impact energy back to the feet
- The extra cushion this heel cup includes reduces and prevents sore heels and shin splints
Small Size – Fits from a little kid shoe size 10.5 to a big kid shoe size 6.
Regular Size – Fits big kid shoe size 6 and above.
Heel cups don’t fit in any type of shoes. For the heel cups to fit inside your kids’ shoes properly, the shoes must be supportive and provide extra depth. All of the shoe styles I describe above provide these two features. If you want to learn more about how this heel cup works, I explain in more detail the features and how to fit them in your kids’ shoes in another article. Go to the link below:
How to Fit Heel Cups – The Most Effective Way to Fit Heel Cups Inside Your Kids’ Shoes!
If after trying good supportive shoes with heel cups your child is still experiencing heel pain, you should consider providing your child with an orthotic. Now that you know which are the best shoes and heels cups for heel support, you are ready to keep your child’s feet and legs healthy.
Kindly let us know if you have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in your area, that way other parents from the same area can also take their children to be properly fitted for shoes.
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