Corrective Shoes for Toddlers – The Most Effective Way to Treat and Prevent Common Foot Conditions!

June 27, 2025 Shoes that Improve Posture Juan Valenzuela 2 - Comments

Is your toddler struggling with a foot condition that’s affecting their walking and posture? Foot issues like flat feet, low muscle tone, and overpronation are common in toddlers and often require supportive footwear to help improve foot posture and gait. In this guide, I’ll share the best corrective shoes for toddlers, based on my years of experience as a shoe fitter. These specially designed shoes can help manage and prevent conditions like flat feet, pigeon toes, and overpronation—keeping your toddler comfortable and helping them move with confidence.

Is It Normal for Toddlers to Have Flat Feet?

Many parents wonder whether it’s normal for toddlers to have flat feet. The good news is—yes, it’s perfectly normal! Most toddlers have flat feet because their arches are still forming. However, some kids have flatter feet than others and may need extra support sooner rather than later. That’s where corrective shoes come in, offering the right support to encourage arch development and keep little feet properly aligned.

A toddler stands barefoot, showing visibly flat feet and poor foot posture.

Corrective shoes can greatly improve a toddler’s posture and help them walk and run more steadily. Foot conditions like overpronation, weak ankles, low muscle tone, or knock knees can throw the whole body out of alignment, causing unnecessary strain.

The Impact of Corrective Shoes: Before and After

The transformation in a toddler’s foot posture and health before and after wearing corrective shoes can be remarkable.

toddler-with-flat-feet
A before image showing a toddler standing barefoot with visibly flat feet, highlighting the lack of arch support and inward rolling ankles.
toddler-wearing-supportive-shoes
An after image of the same toddler now wearing supportive shoes. Notice how the shoes keep the feet properly aligned, preventing them from collapsing inward and helping improve the toddler’s overall posture and stability.

Corrective shoes can work wonders in helping toddlers walk and run with better alignment and stability. However, the options for toddlers are quite limited. Many parents picture orthopedic shoes as bulky and unattractive—but the styles I’m about to share prove that corrective footwear can be both supportive and stylish!

Key Features of Corrective Shoes for Toddlers

When choosing corrective shoes for your toddler, it’s essential to focus on specific features that provide the best support and comfort. Here are three key features to consider:

New Balance shoe with a firm heel counter for kids with heel pain vs a Nike shoe with a soft heel counter.
Feature One: Firm Heel Counters. A firm heel counter is crucial in a corrective shoe. It provides stability and keeps the foot aligned, which is essential for preventing overpronation and supporting proper gait.
Supportive New Balance kids' shoe vs an unsupportive Nike shoe.
Feature Two: Stable Base of Support. A stable base of support ensures that your child’s foot is well-positioned, reducing the risk of falls and promoting balance. A stable base helps distribute weight evenly and supports the foot during various activities.
New Balance kids' shoe with the correct amount of flexibility vs Nike kids' shoe that is too flexible and unsupportive.
Feature Three: Lightweight and Flexible. While support is crucial, it’s equally important that corrective shoes are lightweight and flexible. This allows for natural foot movement and prevents restrictions that could hinder development.

As we look ahead to 2025, several brands and models stand out in the realm of corrective shoes for toddlers. Below are my top recommendations. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Best Corrective Shoes for Toddlers to Improve Posture and Stability

Many of the shoes featured below are crafted from natural materials like 100% leather, which gently molds to your toddler’s feet for a comfortable fit without causing irritation or discomfort.

1. Shoe Style Gabi by Memo

These corrective shoes for toddlers offer a high, supportive heel and a firm outsole that help stabilize the foot.

Orthopedic shoe for kids made by Memo in grey and yellow with double velcro straps.
Orthopedic shoe for kids made by Memo in grey and pink with double velcro straps.

Key Features

  • You can order the shoe Gabi by Memo on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

2. Shoe Style 990v6 by New Balance

These New Balance corrective shoes for toddlers help 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.

990v6 New Balance shoe with laces in black for kids.
New Balance 990 for kids with laces in purple color.
990v6 New Balance shoe with laces in black for kids.

Key Features

  • 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 getting this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size

3. Polo by Memo

These high-quality corrective shoes for toddlers are designed to support children who struggle with foot conditions such as flat feet, knock knees, or toe walking.

Memo orthopedic shoe for kids with foot problems.
Memo orthopedic shoes for girls.

Key Features

  • You can order the shoe Polo by Memo on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper foot protection and stabilization
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

4. Shoe Style Elliott by Stride Rite

These corrective high-top booties for toddlers offer excellent support and a comfortable fit, making them a top choice for toddlers with foot conditions.

Supportive brown Stride Rite bootie for toddlers with flat feet.
Supportive Stride Rite white bootie for toddlers with flat feet.

Key Features

  • You can order the shoe SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon or Zappos
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • I suggest getting this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size

5. Princessa by Memo

These orthopedic Mary Jane shoes for toddlers are stylish and comfortable. They offer the perfect combination of support and flexibility to help children develop a more balanced and healthy gait.

Orthopedic black dress shoe for girls.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe Princessa Corrective by Memo on Amazon
  • Fits medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Extra depth and width for orthotics
  • Rigid heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

6. Princepard

These high-top corrective toddler shoes are designed to help treat foot conditions such as toe walking, flat feet, or knock knees. Their high-top design offers additional ankle support, while the firm heel and structured sole stabilize the foot and prevent excessive pronation.

Orthopedic shoe for kids with foot problems.
Pink orthopedic shoes for toddlers.

Key Features

  • Order this orthopedic shoe by Princepard on Amazon
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Triple Velcro straps for better support and stability
  • Rigid heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Get in Touch for a Personalized Shoe Suggestion

Every child’s foot shape and condition are unique. If you’re unsure about which corrective shoes to choose, consider reaching out for a personalized shoe suggestion tailored to your toddler’s specific needs. Personalized recommendations can make a world of difference in ensuring your child receives the best possible support.

Find Out Your Toddler’s Foot Size

Finding the perfect fit is paramount when it comes to corrective shoes. Ill-fitting shoes can cause discomfort and exacerbate foot issues.

Determining your child’s foot size can be challenging, especially if you’re ordering shoes online. To assist you, I’ve created a free guide that walks you through the process of measuring your toddler’s foot size accurately. This guide ensures you can confidently order the correct size, reducing the hassle of returns and exchanges.

If you’ve tried the recommended shoe styles for two to three months and haven’t seen improvement in your toddler’s foot condition, it might be time to consider adding an orthotic for extra support inside their shoes.

Can Orthotics Help Treat and Prevent Your Toddler’s Foot Conditions?

Let’s start with the basics: orthotics are specialized shoe inserts that provide cushioning, support, and relieve pressure on your toddler’s feet.

When paired with the right shoes, orthotics can help straighten and strengthen your child’s feet and legs, promoting steadier walking and running. They also significantly reduce foot and leg pain. I’ve created a separate guide to help you choose the best orthotics for toddlers.

Together, orthotics and supportive shoes tackle common issues like overpronation, weak ankles, low muscle tone, knock knees, and toe walking—helping your toddler move more comfortably and confidently.