In this article I will describe the best shoes for boys with Achilles heel pain, since I have been contacted by several parents that want to know how to stop their children’s Achilles heel pain.
Below you can find the conversation between myself and a parent of a boy that was experiencing Achilles heel pain, and we were able to fully eliminate the pain by finding a pair of shoes that were supportive and provided extra support around the ankle area. The pain was also affecting the child’s posture.
I have been fitting children’s shoes and orthotics for ten years at a premier specialty children’s shoe store. We specialize in fitting children with foot and leg problems, but we also provide regular shoe fittings for all children, whatever their needs are.
Here is the exchange between myself and a parent that was trying to find answers on how to relieve or fully eliminate his child’s heel pain.
In this article you will find out which are the best everyday shoes and sandals for boys that are experiencing Achilles heel pain.
Dear Juan,
I chanced upon your website and would like to seek your advice on what type of shoes and sandals would help my child. He is 9 years old and always experience pain in his Achilles heels and inner calves. As a result, this is also affecting his posture.
We have tried orthotic insoles that were recommended by his physical therapist, but the pain persists. What can we do to help him as he still suffers from pain in his feet and legs?
Appreciate your help very much in this!
Best regards,
Hyun
Hello Hyun,
I need to see a picture of the shoes and the orthotics that your child is currently wearing (that way I can tell if they are supportive enough).
When it comes to sandals, there is a particular brand called Keen sandals that provide the best support. Those sandals are the most supportive ones that you can provide for your child, they provide excellent support and structure and will minimize the impact that your kids’ feet take every time they come in contact with the ground. You can find them in an article I wrote called:
Keen Sandals For Boys – The Most Supportive Summer Sandal
Hi Juan
Here is a picture of his shoes and orthotics. What are your thoughts?
Have you ever heard of the shoe brand Vivobarefoot? Apparently, they are supposed to be really good for kids especially for my boy that is experiencing foot pain.
Here is the description I found:
“All Vivobarefoot children’s shoes are wide, thin and flexible with a super-thin puncture resistant sole. Quality leather school shoes, thermally protective Winter boots, lightweight synthetic shoes for playtime and adventures. Kids feet aren’t fully formed into the teenage years. Stiff, padded footwear gets in the way of natural foot development. Our shoes let kid’s feet thrive as nature intended. They’re built to protect feet from the sharp objects and from the cold, whilst still allowing them to grow and function as they should. 90% of feet are born healthy”.
Thank you!
Hello Hyun,
Thank you for clarifying. The orthotic and the shoes look supportive. I am not familiar with that shoe brand and t’s hard to go by the description since all shoe brands have a nice description but then you really have to test and try the shoes on to make sure they are good.
If the pain persists is because either the shoes or the orthotics are not being supportive enough.
Possible causes for why the pain persists:
1- Did you remove the original sole of the shoe before putting the orthotic inside the shoes? While this might sound like a very simple step it does make a big difference in how the shoes fit and feel.
2- When you press in the heel counter of the shoe (back part of the shoe that provides ankle support) does it feel firm or it feels soft?
Here you can find a picture that shows where the heel counter of the shoe is:
My recommendation will be to keep the same orthotic and then try a different shoe style. There is a particular one that I have fitted before and it’s the most effective one with orthotics.
You can find that shoe style here:
Please order the “W” wide, or the “XW” extra wide in order to accommodate the orthotic.
I hope this helps!
Dear Juan,
Our appreciation and God bless.
We have since brought my boy to a podiatrist to have a check. He was given proper insoles, massages and exercise instructions to ease the problem.
The shoes you recommended fit him perfectly, the Achilles heel pain has fully disappeared, and he has been walking and running much straighter.
Thank you so much for your help.
Best regards,
Hyun
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