Best Soccer Insoles for Kids with Heel Pain – Extra Cushion and Support
Children who play sports are at higher risk for heel pain, often caused by conditions like Sever’s disease or plantar fasciitis. Ignoring this pain can lead to worse issues, affecting their performance and enjoyment. As an experienced shoe fitter, I’ve seen how the right soccer cleats and orthotic insoles can relieve pain and improve comfort, helping your child stay active and pain-free on the field. I’ve discovered two highly effective sport insoles that can provide significant relief for children suffering from heel pain.
What is Causing Your Child’s Heel Pain?
Heel pain in children is more common than one might think, especially in young soccer enthusiasts. The physical demands of the sport, including running, jumping, and making quick directional changes, put considerable stress on young feet. This stress is particularly intense on the heel, a critical part of the foot that absorbs much of the impact during play. This repeated trauma can be significantly reduced by wearing the correct type of soccer cleats, but sometimes children need extra support, and that’s when a supportive insole comes into play.
Is Your Child Diagnosed with Sever’s Disease or Plantar Fasciitis?
Sever’s disease is one of the most frequent causes of heel pain in children and is often linked to physical activities that involve running and jumping. This condition occurs when the growth plate in the heel becomes inflamed, usually due to repetitive stress or tension.
Plantar fasciitis, while more common in adults, can also affect children, causing significant heel discomfort. This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue running across the bottom of the foot, and connecting the heel bone to the toes.
It’s important to understand the difference between these two. Children with plantar fasciitis generally experience most pain at the beginning of an activity and it goes away after 10-15 minutes while with Sever’s disease the pain tends to increase with activity.
Whichever of these two conditions your child has, they can be treated by wearing the correct types of shoes and orthotics. I strongly suggest that you consult your medical professional to make sure that your child’s heel pain is not caused by an underlying condition.
My Role Helping Kids Find the Right Soccer Insoles
Thanks to a decade of experience in the shoe fitting field, I have become well acquainted with the best soccer insoles for kids with heel pain. When I speak to parents at the shoe store I always emphasize the importance of being proactive and not waiting for their kids’ heel pain to “magically disappear”. Taking the “wait and see approach” might only lead to your child’s heel pain getting worse, and once heel pain becomes chronic it can be very difficult to get rid of it.
Key Features of Sports Insoles for Kids with Heel Pain
I highly recommend two fantastic insoles for children with heel pain, and you can’t go wrong with either! Both offer exceptional support and comfort, all while being budget-friendly—perfect for helping your child stay active without breaking the bank.
Key Feature One: Deep Heel Cups. Deep and supportive heel cups help cushion and position the child’s heels to naturally absorb and soften the impact from the ground.
Key Feature Two: Cushioning Gel Pads. Cushioning gel pads absorb shock and reduce impact on the heel, making them a vital component of the best soccer insoles for kids. These gel pads provide a soft landing for each step, helping to prevent further irritation of the heel.
Read This Before Investing in a Pair of Sport Insoles!
Before investing in soccer insoles for your child, it’s important to ensure their soccer cleats offer solid heel support. A simple test is to press on the heel counter of the shoe—if it feels firm and supportive, you’re on the right track! This step will also help maximize the effectiveness of any insoles you choose.
Best Soccer Insoles for Kids with Heel Pain
Both of the sports insoles featured below are designed to be slim and low-volume, making them the perfect fit for tight, low-profile soccer or football cleats without compromising comfort or support. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through them.
Sport Insole by Superfeet
Superfeet is a trusted brand offering sport insoles designed to support children with foot pain, providing the essential comfort and stability for various foot conditions.
- Order the blue insoles made by Superfeet on Amazon
- Deep heel cups help position the heel to naturally absorb and soften impact from the ground
- Stabilizer cap acts as the base of the insole that supports the rearfoot
- These insoles can be trimmed to perfectly fit inside your kid’s shoes
Sport Insole by KidSole
KidSole is a top choice for affordable, high-quality children’s sport insoles. Designed for active kids, these insoles provide excellent support and comfort for various sports, ensuring your child can play their best without foot pain.
- Order the red sport insoles made by KidSole on Amazon
- Medical-grade lightweight PU foam for active kids with heel and arch issues
- Blue Poron grip pads to prevent slipping inside shoes
- Trim-to-fit design for easy, customizable sizing
Both of these insoles have proven to be a game-changer for many kids with heel pain, providing significant relief in some cases and even completely eliminating the discomfort in others. What I love most about them is their versatility— you can easily move them from your child’s soccer cleats to running shoes, dress shoes, or even boots, making them a practical solution for all types of footwear.
Contact Me with Any Questions
If you have any questions or need personalized recommendations, feel free to contact me via email. Your child’s comfort and well-being are my top priorities, and I’m here to assist you every step of the way.
How to Fit Your Kids’ Soccer Insoles Inside Shoes
Correctly fitting the insoles inside your child’s soccer cleats is just as important as selecting the right insoles. Proper fitting ensures that the insoles can provide the support and comfort they are designed to offer. Here’s how you can ensure a proper fit:
1. Remove Original Insoles: Start by taking out the original insoles from the cleats. This creates space for the new insoles and ensures they sit correctly within the shoe.
2. Insert the New Insoles: Slide the new insoles into the cleats. Make sure they lay flat and are not bunched up or crooked. Slide your hand inside your child’s soccer cleats and make sure that the insole is fitting correctly inside without any creases.
The Importance of Supportive Soccer Cleats
Children are also especially vulnerable to heel pain due to wearing cleats that are thin and lacking in any protection and support. If your child is experiencing heel pain, supportive cleats are a must. Certain soccer cleats provide extra padding around the heels and ankles to maximize comfort.
To effectively reduce your child’s heel pain, it’s crucial that the right soccer shoes work in harmony with the insoles. Choosing the right cleats is key to maximizing the benefits of the insoles. Keep in mind, higher-priced cleats don’t always guarantee better support for your child. To help, I’ve put together a resource listing the best supportive soccer cleats specifically designed for kids with heel pain.
Try This Shoe Lacing Technique
After inserting the new insole into your child’s soccer cleats, I highly recommend using this shoe lacing technique. It’s designed to keep the insole securely in place while providing extra support to your child’s heels, preventing any heel slippage during play. This simple adjustment can make a big difference in comfort and performance!
Is Heel Pain Common in Soccer? – Be Proactive!
Children who play soccer are at a higher risk than children in many other sports for experiencing heel pain. Soccer is a sport in which children put a lot of stress on their feet and legs, and that repeated trauma caused by your children’s feet impacting the ground usually leads to heel pain. Heel pain is a warning sign that your child might have a condition that deserves attention.
Please do not hesitate to contact me through the comments section or via email for any other questions or if you are having a hard time finding a specific pair of shoes for your child’s heel pain.
