Do you have a child who is complaining about heel pain? Has your child been diagnosed with Sever’s disease or Plantar fasciitis? Pay close attention if your child starts limping or walking on his/her toes because those might be signs that your child has Sever’s disease, which is an inflammation of the heel growth plate. The good news is that there are certain heel cups for shoes that might help reduce, or fully eliminate your child’s heel pain.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Heel Cups
I have been fitting children’s shoes, orthotics, and heel cups for the last 10 years at a children’s shoe store that specializes in fitting children with foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. We carry some of the most supportive children’s shoes and orthotics, and I am familiar with the shoe brands and styles that are ideal for use with these orthotics or heel cups.
Why Do Kids Experience Heel Pain? – The 4 Most Common Reasons!
These are the 4 most common reasons why children experience heel pain:
1️⃣ Sever’s Disease: This is the most common cause of heel pain in children. It’s an overuse injury caused by repetitive micro trauma during sports or running activities.
2️⃣ Plantar Fasciitis: This condition is an overuse injury that involves irritation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of connective tissue that runs along the arch from the heel to the front of the foot.
3️⃣ Rolled Ankles: This is usually a hereditary condition that can be fully corrected by wearing the correct type of shoes and heel cups.
4️⃣ Wearing the Wrong Type of Shoes: Your kids’ shoes must come with a firm heel counter, which is the back part of the shoes that provides ankle and heel support. Always make sure that you press on the heel counter and make sure it feels firm. If you are not sure where the heel counter is located please take a look at the picture below for clarification:
Shoes with poor shock absorbency or minimal arch support are also a contributing cause of heel pain.
Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach” – Be Proactive!
I have been contacted by several parents who have children who are experiencing ankle or heel pain, and they don’t know what to do about it. I always recommend parents to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their child’s foot conditions. Without treatment, heel pain may last several years.
Children are always running and jumping, and some of them are involved in sports or activities that require high-impact movements.
I have found a particular heel cup that has proven to be the most effective one in significantly reducing or completely eliminating heel pain, as it provides shock-absorbing protection to your child’s heels.
What Makes the Heel Cup I Recommend Effective for Heel Pain?
1️⃣ The heel cup I recommend offers superior shock absorption, protects the heel, and prevents foot fatigue. 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.
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.
I have fitted this heel cup in several different children’s shoes before, and in most cases, the pain fully disappeared or was significantly reduced.
I only write reviews of shoes and heel cups that I have fitted before, so I can personally assess how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how well they fit. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Heel Cups for Shoes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tuli’s Heel Cups are the #1 podiatrist recommended heel cup in the world.
- 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
Getting the Correct Heel Cup Size for Your Child – Get It Right!
Small Size – Fits from a little kid shoe size 10.5 to a big kid shoe size 6.
Regular Size – Fits big kid shoe size 6 and above.
What Are Families Saying About These Heel Cups?
I am always emphasizing to parents that if the heel cups are not fitted in the correct pair of shoes, their children won’t get any of the benefits that the heel cups have to offer.
To help treat and prevent Sever’s disease we must fit the heel cup in a pair of shoes that come with a firm heel counter, provides good shock absorption in the heel and support in the outsole. The shoes must also provide extra depth for the heel cup to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent your children from getting the impression that their feet are coming out of the shoes.
Let me help you visualize the difference in depth between two shoes that are the same length and width. Do you notice how the heel cup is fitting deeply in the left shoe (New Balance) compared to the shoe on the right?
I wrote another article where you will be able to see a selection of the most supportive and deepest shoes for children who need to wear heel cups in their shoes. Click on the link below to see a full selection of the best kids’ shoes to fit heel cups.
Best Shoes for Kids Who Wear Heel Cups – Supportive and Extra Deep!
Fitting Tuli’s Heel Cups in Your Kid’s Sport Shoes!
If your children are playing soccer, baseball, football, basketball, or lacrosse, you can fit this heel cup inside their sport shoes – as long as they are substantial and supportive, and you will help minimize the impact that their feet take every time they are running around on the field. When children are playing sports they tend to stress their feet and legs at a whole different level.
All of the cleats described below come in wide widths and provide extra depth, so you can fit a heel cup inside them.
The Best Soccer Cleats ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure for a secure fit
- Comfortable lining to improve the first foot feel
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Comfortable cushioned footbed
- Lightweight TPU plate with TPU stud tips for an optimum performance on firm ground pitches
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
- Lace-Up closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- Extra padding around the ankles
- Lace-Up closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
- Firm heel counter
- Lace-Up closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Extra padding around the ankles
- Lace-Up closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
The Best Baseball Cleats ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Available in medium and wide widths
- REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning
- Lace closure offers a secure fit
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning
- Lace closure offers a secure fit
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive outsole with firm heel counter
- Lacing system provides a snug fit
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning
- Lace closure offers a secure fit
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Turf outsole provides superior traction on artificial fields
- DynaSoft midsole couples ultra-responsive performance with plush comfort
- Burrito tongue helps wrap the foot and lock it down for a secure feel
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning
- Lace closure offers a secure fit
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning
- Lace closure offers a secure fit
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
The Best Basketball Shoes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 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 (fits high insteps)
- Mid cut
- Lace-Up closure
- Cushioned midsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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 and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Extra padding around the ankles
- Lace-Up closure
- Rubber outsole provides excellent grip
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
- Firm heel counter
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Mid cut
- Lace-up closure
- Cushioned midsole
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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
The Best Football Cleats ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
- Cushioned midsole
- Lace-Up closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Pull tabs at the heel and tongue for easy on-and-off
- Full-length Phylon midsole delivers lightweight cushioning underfoot
- Triple velcro closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Lightweight
- Mid cut for added ankle support
- Lace closure for a secure fit
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Lightweight
- Mid cut for added ankle support
- Lace closure for a secure fit
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
The Best Tennis Shoes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Outsole material designed specifically for hard court play
- Outsole features ultra-durable non-marking NDurance rubber compound
- Lace-Up closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Outsole material designed specifically for hard-court play
- Full-length Ndurance outsole provides superior traction and durability to help get more wear out of the shoe
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- DYNAWALL technology adds midfoot stability during lateral movements
- Ortholite insoles offer long-term cushioning, breathability, and moisture management
- Lace-Up closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Outsole material designed specifically for hard court play
- Outsole features ultra-durable non-marking NDurance rubber compound
- Lace-Up closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
The Best Lacrosse Cleats ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 50% Synthetic, 50% Mesh
- QUIX outsole technology helps provide traction during quick, cutting movements
- Padded tongue
- Lightweight synthetic/mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole 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 foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
If you need to know how heel cups are supposed to be fitted inside shoes, please take a look at an article I wrote along with a video where I explain how to fit heel cups in shoes in more detail. Go to the link below:
How to Fit Heel Cups – The Most Effective Way to Fit Heel Cups Inside Your Kids’ Shoes!
Heel Cups for Kids Made Easy – Watch Video!
You can also watch a video I made where I explain the benefits of wearing a heel cup if your child is experiencing heel pain.
Are You Experiencing Heel Pain Yourself?
If you are a woman who is experiencing heel pain, you should take a look at an article I wrote where I explain the most effective way to reduce or fully eliminate your heel pain:
The Best Shoes for Women with Plantar Fasciitis – Alleviate Your Pain
Have you tried this heel cup before? Is there another heel cup that has worked well for your child’s heel pain? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.
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