Heel Cups for Kids – How to Stop Heel Pain
Has your child been complaining about heel pain and been diagnosed with Sever’s disease or plantar fasciitis? These are two of the most frequent causes of heel pain in children. If your medical professional recommends a pair of supportive shoes and heel cups but didn’t specify which models to get, then you came to the right place.
The Importance of Being Proactive
I want to start by clarifying that foot and leg pain is never normal, and I always recommend parents to be proactive when it comes to treating their kids’ foot conditions to prevent the issue from getting worse. Stop ignoring your child’s heel pain – it is not normal and there are steps to take to reduce and eliminate the pain.
The most effective method in treating and reducing your kids’ heel pain is by wearing supportive shoes and heel cups. I have fitted several heel cups for children with heel pain, but there is one that has proven to be the most effective one.
What Makes the Heel Cups I Recommend Effective for Kids with Heel Pain?
1️⃣ The heel cup I recommend offers superior shock absorption, protects the heel, and prevents foot fatigue.
2️⃣ The heel cup acts as a shock absorber for your child’s feet as it provides multi-layers of cushion as shown in the image below:
This is one of the most advanced shock-absorbing heel cups available today and will significantly reduce or fully eliminate your child’s heel pain.
What Is Causing Your Child’s Heel Pain? – Let’s Find Out!
Most children’s heel pain is caused by the repeated minor trauma that occurs when they are performing high-impact activities, such as running and jumping. Soccer, basketball, and gymnastics are some of the sports where children put a lot of stress on their feet and legs. This repeated trauma caused by your children’s feet impacting the floor, can be significantly reduced by wearing a pair of heel cups along with supportive shoes.
Children are always running and jumping, and some of them are involved in sports that require high-impact movements. Did you know that without treatment, heel pain associated with Sever’s Disease may last several years? Some parents tend to confuse the term plantar fasciitis and Sever’s disease. Let me explain the difference so parents can understand it better and figure out which one of the two their child might be experiencing.
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is another common cause of heel pain in children, but the main difference with Sever’s disease is that children with plantar fasciitis generally experience the most pain at the beginning of an activity. The pain then starts dissipating and eventually will go away after 10-15 minutes. However, in Sever’s disease, the pain tends to increase with activity.
What is Sever’s Disease?
Sever’s disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis, is by far the most common cause of heel pain in children. Sever’s disease is caused by muscle strain and repetitive stress on the foot, which can be reduced by wearing heel cups along with supportive shoes. It can be defined as an inflammation in the heel’s growth plate, an injury to a child’s foot that is still developing.
Young athletes and children who have problems with pronation such as flat feet are at the highest risk. Sever’s Disease usually occurs in children between the ages of 8 and 14, which is still the stage during which children’s bones are still growing and the growth plates have not ossified. Although it can affect both heels, it normally affects just one.
Sever’s disease tends to cause pain and tenderness along the heel when walking or standing, and the heel becomes painful when touched.
The Best Heel Cups for Kids
Tuli’s Heel Cups are the #1 Podiatrist recommended heel cups in the world. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
- Ideal to treat and prevent general heel pain, plantar fasciitis, Sever’s disease, excessive pronation, Achilles tendonitis
- Innovative multi-cell, multi-layer waffle pattern design, helps to absorb impact pressure (shock) and return impact energy back to the feet
- The extra cushion this heel cup includes reduces and prevents sore heels and shin splints
- Small Size – Fits from a little kid shoe size 10.5 to a big kid shoe size 6. Best for children under 80 lbs.
- Regular Size – Fits big kid shoe size 6 and above. Weight up to 175 lbs.
This heel cup acts as a shock absorber for your children’s feet. I have fitted this heel cup in several different children’s shoes, and in most cases, the pain was significantly reduced or eliminated. I have tested several different heel cups, and nothing works better or lasts longer than Tuli’s Heel Cups. They are perfect for children who are involved in high-impact activities and sports.
Tuli’s Double-Ribbed Heavy Duty Heel Cups provide the following features:
- Absorbs shock
- Returns energy
- Reduces pain
- Enhances performance
In addition, if fitted in a good pair of supportive shoes, this heel cup will instantly relieve pain from:
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Heel spurs
- Shin splints
- Achilles tendonitis
What Are Other Parents Saying About These Heel Cups?
Keep in mind that once you fit a heel cup in your kids’ shoes, it might raise your kids’ feet, giving them the impression that their feet are coming out of the shoes. To prevent this from happening, you need to provide your child with a pair of shoes that come with extra depth for the heel cup to fit deeply inside the shoes.
Shoes for Heels Cups – Deep and Supportive!
For your children to get the full benefits that this heel cup has to offer you need to provide them with a pair of supportive shoes. The correct type of shoes will help reduce the impact and strain on the developing bone and muscle structure of kids’ feet.
The shoe must provide good cushioning in the footbed, shock absorption around the heel area, and support in the outsole.
Best Shoes to Fit Heel Cups
Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out whether it can fit your child’s foot shape (medium, wide, extra wide).
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Emilia by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Tracks by Timberland on Zappos
- Available for toddlers
- Double velcro straps
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Water-friendly
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance Online Store
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion on Zappos
- Available for toddlers
- Velcro closure
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Bootie by Timberland on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Padded collar for a comfortable fit around the ankle
- Water-friendly
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Mary Jane by Memo on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style New Balance Fresh Foam 650 on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ankle Support by Memo on Amazon
- Available for little and big kids
- Triple velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an orthopedic shoe
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Chicago Corrective by Memo on Amazon
- Available for little and big kids
- Triple velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an orthopedic shoe
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Own the Game 2.0 by Adidas on Amazon
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Non-marking outsole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Oder the shoe style Kinvara LTT by Saucony on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Shadow 6000 by Saucony on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 327 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
If none of these shoes are available in your child’s shoe size or if you need the shoes to be made of a specific color don’t hesitate to email me at:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
I recommend shoes that come with shoelaces since they provide better support and stability than velcro closure. I suggest that you read a different article I wrote that describes the best shoe lacing technique for children who wear orthotics or heel cups inside their shoes
Is your child suffering from heel pain? Have you tried this heel cup before? Please share your experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.
What/which heel cup do you recommend for youth using inside soccer cleats?
Hello Susan,
I recommend Tuli’s Heel Cups.
Make sure that you apply this shoe lacing technique: How to Tie Shoes for Heel Pain – The Most Effective Way!
Juan
Tuli’s went out of business..about 8 months a go.
Hi Ken,
I hope you are well.
Tuli’s is manufactured by Medi-Dyne Healthcare Products and has been for the last 20 years. They are still in business today and plan to continue for many years to come. Some of their distributors do change periodically and thus previous distributors could be relaying incorrect information. For additional information, I recommend contacting Medi-Dyne at 800-810-1740.
Thank you for your article. My daughter is seven, almost eight and has been told she has flexible flat feet. Today we are getting back from a day at the amusement park, and her heel is hurting so much that she does not want to stand. Same complaint on school days. It is not tender to touch. She is not really involved in any sports extensively. Is this something we should address with a heel cup, or are their shoes that you might recommend it? Yeah okay
Hi Samir,
The heel cups and the shoes actually work together in reducing or fully eliminating heel pain. I recommend providing your daughter with a pair of the Tuli’s heel cups and supportive shoes. The shoes that I recommend to wear with heel cups are described in this article. Make sure that your daughter ties her shoes properly in order to get the full benefits of the heel cups.
What shoes do you recommend for a 7 yr old with heel pain and a very narrow foot?
Hello Kathy,
You didn’t specify whether you have a boy or a girl. The shoes need to provide a firm heel counter and fit in the narrower side.Shoelaces will provide better support than Velcro closure.
Please find below my recommendations:
Shoe with Heel Support and Narrow Fit: Option 1
Shoe with Heel Support and Narrow Fit: Option 2
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
What do you recommend for baseball cleats with severs??
Hello Sara,
There is one particular style that comes with a firm heel counter to reduce the impact on the child’s heels. Please refer to the following article:
Wide Width Baseball Cleats – They Do Exist!
Do you have any specific brand of soccer cleats that you have found work best with the Tuli heel cups? Size 10 in US shoe sizing. Thanks!
Tim
Hello Tim,
There is a specific soccer shoe brand for kids that I have found works best to fit heel cups and it’s called Zephz. The main reason for this is that they make very deep cleats, allowing the heel cups to sit deeply inside the shoes and don’t raise the child’s feet up (giving him or her the impression that the shoe are coming off the heels).
The main problem is that this shoe brand doesn’t make cleats as small as a size 10, since they start their selection from a size US12 and up.
Another deep soccer cleat I have fitted for kids that comes in your son’s shoe size is the Nike Bravata. You can find an example here:
Deep Soccer Cleats for Boys
I hope this helps!
You know, I developed some bad heel pain from a new pair of shoes that I bought and wore just a few times. It took a LONG time to heal too. I imagine that would be very bad for a child. And the way children are growing so fast, it make perfect sense that you would need to pay special attention to their shoes and feet. I was happy to learn that your heel cup comes in adult sizes, since I am going to use it for extra support. Thank you!
Jim,
I have tested this product in children, not adults. They do come for adults, so I will be curios to see how it works out for your feet. As far as children concern, it has taken care of their heel and feet pain they were experiencing. Remember that you must wear the heel cup with a good supportive pair of shoes, in order for the heel cup to provide you with the support needed.
Awesome article!
As a podiatrist, I can vouch that yes…Sever’s IS the MOST COMMON CAUSE OF HEEL PAIN in active kiddos!!!
Do you also recommend frequent icing, stretches and rest from physical activity for those that you treat with Sever’s!
Thanks again for this awesome article educating the public! You will help MANY people! ((:
Misty,
I definitely recommend stretching before and after physical exercise. Most of the time children might be experiencing leg or foot pain from not stretching enough/properly.
Wow!
Thank you for putting this post out there.
I had never heard of this before and as my son is approaching 8 years old it is definitely something I am glad I came across. He has complained in the past of aching heels and the arch in his foot and I have assumed it was growing pains, so its nice to be aware of other possibilities.
These heel cups look interesting and I think they would be very handy for active growing little feet. I got a pair for him!
Nae,
You will definitely see a difference in your child feet and leg pain after wearing this heel cup. Please remember, he MUST be wearing a good supportive shoe, or he won’t get the full benefit of the heel cup. Good luck!
Wow!
Thank you for putting this post out there.
I had never heard of this before and as my son is approaching 8 years old it is definitely something I am glad I came across. He has complained in the past of aching heels and the arch in his foot and I have assumed it was growing pains, so its nice to be aware of other possibilities.
These heel cups look interesting and I think they would be very handy for active growing little feet. I got a pair for him!
Nae,
You will definitely see a difference in your child feet and leg pain after wearing this heel cup. Please remember, he MUST be wearing a good supportive shoe, or he won’t get the full benefit of the heel cup. Good luck!
As a podiatrist I can definitely vouch that yes…Sever’s IS the MOST COMMON cause of heel pain in active kiddos!
Great article educating the public on a quick remedy that often provides relief!
Do you also recommend icing, stretches and a “break” from physical activity when you are treating Sever’s?
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge! ((:
Dr. Baker,
You can answer these questions better than me! Stretching probably is key when treating foot or leg pain. Sometimes proper stretching is all they need in order to reduce and eliminate the pain.
My daughter is only 2 years old. I see that your article mentions kids between 8 and 14 years old are mostly the ones that complain about heel pain. I was wondering if you had any articles that relate to toddlers and any problems they may have with shoes, socks, or feet! Thanks in advanced!
Yes, I suggest that you take a look at this specific resource:
Toddler with Flat Feet – The Best Shoes for Toddlers with Flat Feet
Hi Juan, thank you for your post, it’s amazing how problems can be solved if you know how!
My children have never had heel problems but I had when I was a little girl, and I steel do. I didn’t know about this heel protector.
I think my main problem is the shock when I walk, and if the heel cup absorbs the shock it may be a solution for my problem. And you say that there is available for adults.
Can you please tell me where can I buy the heel cup?
Thanks
Alex
Alex,
Amazon offers the best price! You can click in this link to order from Amazon: Best Heel Cup for Heel Pain
Remember that you must be wearing a good supportive shoe for this heel cup to work! Let me know how it works out!