Gait Plates for Kids – Improve Your Child’s Foot Posture and Walking Gait
Last updated: September 22, 2026 · Written by Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter
Have you noticed that your child’s feet point inward instead of straight ahead? Maybe they trip more often than other kids, or their walking pattern just doesn’t look quite right. Many parents are told that in-toeing will “fix itself” as their child grows — and often it does, but not always. As a specialized children’s shoe fitter, I work hands-on with shoes and orthotics every day, and I’ve seen firsthand what helps kids who walk pigeon-toed. One of the most effective options I’ve found is a type of orthotic called a gait plate. Gait plates gently guide the feet to point straighter, improving alignment and creating a more stable, confident walking gait.
What Are Gait Plates?
Gait plates are orthotic inserts made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic shell that fit inside your child’s shoes. They have a deep heel cup and a firm base shaped to change how the front of the foot bends as your child walks. That change encourages the foot to turn outward during each step, so it points straighter instead of inward.
One of the things I like most about gait plates is how much they can change a child’s walking pattern while being far less bulky and restrictive than braces such as AFOs or SMOs.
Which Kids Can Benefit from Gait Plates?
Gait plates are designed for kids whose feet turn inward when they walk (in-toeing or pigeon toes). They’re especially helpful for kids who:
- Trip or fall more often than other kids their age
- Get tired quickly when walking or running
- Wear out the outside edges of their shoes unusually fast
- Have in-toeing that hasn’t improved as they’ve grown
If your child’s main concern is flat feet rather than in-toeing, a gait plate isn’t the right tool. See orthotics for kids with flat feet instead.
What Causes In-Toeing?
In-toeing can start in the foot, the shin, or the thigh, and the cause often depends on your child’s age:
- Babies: a curved foot (metatarsus adductus), where the front of the foot bends inward
- Toddlers: an inward twist of the shin bone (internal tibial torsion)
- Preschool and school-age kids: an inward twist of the thigh bone (femoral anteversion), which often shows up as kids sitting in a “W” position
A podiatrist, pediatrician, or pediatric orthopedist can tell you where your child’s in-toeing is coming from, which helps decide whether gait plates are a good fit.
What Results Can You Expect?
Here’s what the change can look like for kids wearing gait plates inside supportive shoes.
Results vary depending on the cause and severity of the in-toeing and your child’s overall development, so it’s important to have realistic expectations.
Are Gait Plates a Cosmetic Fix or a Functional Change?
I believe gait plates provide a functional change. Your child’s feet might still point inward when they’re barefoot, but wearing gait plates inside supportive shoes puts the feet in a straighter position while they walk — which can mean fewer trips and falls and less strain on the feet and legs.
I like to compare gait plates to glasses. Glasses don’t cure your eyesight, but they help you see clearly and function normally while you wear them. Gait plates work the same way for your child’s feet.
Best Gait Plates for Kids: littleSTEPS
The gait plates I recommend are littleSTEPS gait plates. They’re an affordable alternative to custom orthotics, and I’ve seen them work well for many of the kids I fit. Make sure you order the toe-in version, which is designed for in-toeing (littleSTEPS also makes a toe-out version for kids whose feet point outward).
Order littleSTEPS toe-in gait plates from their official website.
To place an order, enter referral code JVFCS100121 during checkout.
What Gait Plate Size Should You Order?
Use the size chart below to find the right gait plate size based on your child’s shoe size:
Shoes That Work Well with Gait Plates
Gait plates and shoes work together. The shoe needs enough depth to fit the gait plate comfortably, a firm heel counter to hold the foot in place, and a straight shape rather than one that curves inward. When gait plates are fitted inside the right shoes for in-toeing, they can noticeably improve your child’s foot posture and walking pattern.
If your child’s heel slips once the gait plates are inside their shoes, this lacing technique for orthotics can help. For warmer months, see sandals for kids with in-toeing.
Watch Gait Plates in Action
In this video, I share real before-and-after examples and show how gait plates improve foot alignment, posture, and stability.
Should You “Wait and See”?
Many families are told that in-toeing is a normal variation and that their child will grow out of it. That’s often true — much in-toeing improves on its own as kids grow. But it doesn’t mean you should ignore it, and it’s worth having your child evaluated, especially if:
- Your child trips or falls often
- Your child complains of foot, knee, or leg pain
- The in-toeing is much worse on one side
- The in-toeing is getting worse instead of better
- Your child is older and the in-toeing hasn’t improved
If you’re told there’s nothing to do but wait and you still have concerns, getting a second opinion is completely reasonable. As in every field, some professionals have more experience with gait concerns or take different approaches than others. A podiatrist or pediatric orthopedist can determine whether gait plates are right for your child, and physical therapy with gentle stretching and strengthening is often part of the plan too.
Personalized Recommendations
Every child’s walking pattern is different. If you have questions about gait plates or need help choosing shoes to wear with them, contact me via email.
