I want to start by telling parents that pronation in children is normal. We all have a certain degree of pronation, the issue arises when that pronation becomes excessive, which is usually referred to as overpronation. Usually, when children experience overpronation their foot muscles are shifted in an inefficient position and that’s when we would get concerned about it. I am going to show you how to find out the degree of pronation of your child by following two simple steps.
Have you noticed your child’s feet turning inwards when walking or standing? Do your child’s feet appear to be flat when standing? Are your child’s knees too far apart — or too close? Keep in mind that there are 3 different degrees of pronation:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Strong
The degree of each child’s pronation determines whether parents need to seek early intervention or not. By intervention, I mean providing their child with a pair of supportive shoes, orthotics, or both.
Be Proactive and Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach”
Moderate and strong pronation can shift your child’s body out of alignment and affect your child’s walking gait and overall posture. Once the feet are pronated, your child’s knees and hips also become misaligned. This means that the muscles that move those joints no longer work efficiently, and it will take more energy for your child to do the same work as other children who don’t have this condition.
What I mean by this is that pronation can leave your child exhausted. Your child’s muscles have to work harder due to the body’s poor positioning. This may be why your child is more inclined to sit rather than run and play.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have helped hundreds of children with moderate and strong pronation find the correct pair of shoes, and in some cases, orthotics as well. The correct types of shoes can help improve foot posture and walking gait. I work for a specialized children’s shoe store that helps children with “complicated” foot shapes and foot conditions, such as overpronation. Over the years I have become familiar with the best shoes for children with overpronation.
What is Pronation?
Pronation is the natural movement of your child’s foot as it rolls inward. This movement absorbs shock by distributing the impact forces generated from the ground. It’s important to clarify that pronation is not bad, we all have a certain degree of pronation and it’s necessary for shock absorption when we walk and run.
When pronation becomes excessive, it is usually referred to as overpronation which can lead to gross motor skills delays, exhaustion, and poor knee, hip, and back alignment. If left untreated, overpronation will lead to future foot, leg, and back pain.
Pronation is believed to be hereditary, so it’s highly likely that the parents or grandparents of the child are flat-footed or have rolled ankles.
Do All Children with Pronation Have Flat Feet?
I have seen how most parents assume that flat feet is what causes their child’s feet to pronate. It is true that most children with pronation have flat feet, but pronation can come from the ankles too.
Your child doesn’t have to be flat-footed to experience overpronation.
Most specialized children’s shoe stores are now closed, and we don’t know if they will reopen anytime soon. It took me a long time and a lot of work behind the scenes but I prepared a set of images that will help parents identify the degree of their child’s pronation.
Mild Pronation Examples — Before and After Images
Let’s start by taking a look at an image of a child with mild pronation standing barefoot. In this particular case, we can see that the child’s feet are tilting inwards.
Mild pronation is very common and parents should not worry too much as long as the child doesn’t complain about foot or leg pain. It is quite normal for a toddler or young child (ages 1-6) to stand and walk with pronated feet. However, if you notice that your child’s walking gait is abnormal and your child takes clumsy steps, you can provide your child with a pair of supportive shoes to allow your child to walk and run straighter.
Before Image
This is an image of a child with mild pronation standing barefoot:
After Image
Let’s see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of supportive shoes. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? These are not orthopedic shoes, just everyday sneakers that provide targeted support to key areas of the foot. Your child’s muscles continue to do all the work even when wearing supportive shoes.
Moderate Pronation Examples — Before and After Images
Let’s take a look at a child with moderate pronation standing barefoot. In this case, we can see how the child is flat-footed and there is clear ankle rolling on the left foot. Children who experience moderate pronation show clear signs of poor walking habits as the feet turn inwards at a considerable level.
Before Image
This is an image of a child with moderate pronation standing barefoot:
After Image
For cases of moderate pronation supportive shoes are recommended. The shoes in the image below are everyday sneakers that simply provide better support than others. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? Notice how the left foot which was collapsing the most is a lot straighter now.
Strong Pronation Examples — Before and After Images
Let’s take a look at a child with strong pronation standing barefoot. In this specific case, we can see how the right ankle is rolling inwards excessively. That inward ankle roll can cause knees, hips, and back to shift out of alignment. If left untreated, expect pain in all three areas.
Before Image
This is an image of a child with strong pronation standing barefoot:
After Image
Let’s take a look at an image of the same child wearing a pair of the supportive shoes I recommend. The shoes are making a tremendous difference in preventing the child’s right ankle from collapsing and turning inwards. Keep in mind that the child is not wearing an orthotic inside the shoes, but in most cases of strong pronation the child might need an orthotic to help prevent the feet from collapsing and rolling inwards.
For cases of strong pronation the shoes and the orthotics need to provide stability and prevent the foot/ankle to slide into that excessive position.
It’s important to clarify that in all of the examples above the child is wearing supportive shoes that still allow the muscles to continue to do all the work.
Now let me show you how to find out the degree of your child’s pronation.
Find Out the Degree of Your Child’s Pronation
I will need three images of your child’s feet as shown below. Make sure that the images are taken on a flat surface. It’s hard to tell whether a child is flat-footed or not when the images are taken on the carpet. Below you can find a sample of how the images should look like:
This image helps determine whether your child is flat footed and whether your child has a high instep or not.
This image helps determine whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet.
This image helps determine whether your child has rolled ankles or not.
Where Should You Send the Images?
Once you have the images ready you will need to email them at:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
How to Effectively Treat Your Child’s Pronation
Some parents tell me they have their children walk barefooted to “strengthen” their feet and ankles. In my experience, prolonged barefoot walking on an overpronated foot may at times exaggerate the deformity.
It’s clear that the correct type of shoes can make a world of difference when it comes to treating your child’s pronation. The correct type of shoes can prevent your child’s feet from collapsing and allow your child to walk and run straighter.
As we have seen in the images it will depend on the degree of your child’s pronation to determine the need to fit your child in a pair of supportive shoes and/or orthotics as well.
If you scroll down, you will see a selection of the most effective shoes for kids with pronation.
I have put together a selection of the most effective shoes for children with pronation. These shoes work best for children with moderate and strong pronation, but can be worn by children with mild pronation as well. It’s important to note that these shoes provide excellent support but your child’s muscles continue to do all the work.
Best Shoes for Kids with Pronation – Realign Your Child’s Feet
These shoes are the most effective ones in helping treat children with mild, moderate, or strong pronation.
Keep in mind that these shoes are available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW), so make sure that you choose your child’s foot width accordingly. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
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
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 current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Most pediatricians and physical therapists advise parents that their child’s foot condition will resolve on its own. However, taking the “wait and see approach” can only lead to your child’s condition getting worse. The earlier you intervene, the better. Remember that by intervention I am just advising parents to provide their children with the correct type of shoes and depending on whether the child is experiencing foot or leg pain, orthotics as well.
The shoes I recommended will help realign your child’s feet, which will help secure a stronger foundation for your child’s body, facilitating better muscle functioning and strength, improving balance and coordination, and preventing present and future pathology.
Should I Provide My Child with a Pair of Orthotics?
If you believe that your child can benefit from wearing an orthotic as well, I suggest that you take a look at the article below:
The Best Orthotics for Pronation – STOP Your Kids’ Foot and Leg Pain!
Parents are usually pretty good at noticing when something is wrong with their children. I get contacted by parents from all over the world who are worried about their child’s foot posture and walking gait. Whichever approach you decide to take, remember that the correct type of shoes can make the world of difference when it comes to treating your child’s pronation.
If you need any further guidance or clarification you can leave me a message in the comments section below.
0
Hello Juan,
This is an EXCELLENT website. I have a question: do you offer recommendations on “house shoes” for children; something easy to slip on and off, while offering some support. We purchased a pair of recommended NB shoes for my son (shoe size 5, moderate pronation), however I need something to keep him from being barefoot in the house. What would you recommend? Many thanks!
Hello Alexa,
I am glad you find the website informative.
To recommend specific house shoes for your son I first need to know his foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), whether he wears a toddler or a big kid shoe size 5, and the country that you are contacting me from to check what specific shoes you might be able to order.