High Instep VS High Arch – The Best Kids’ Shoes for Either of These Conditions!
Most parents get confused about what is the difference between having a high arch versus having a high instep. While most children with high arches tend to have a high instep, children with high insteps don’t necessarily need to have a high arch. In fact, I have seen flat-footed children with high insteps. It’s important to understand the difference between high instep VS high arch to figure out what shoes will work best for your child’s feet.
The instep is the top part of the foot, and when it’s high, it makes it really complicated to find shoes that fit. Children with high arches or high insteps tend to have the hardest time finding shoes, and they are usually very limited in the type of footwear they can wear.
There are no foot measuring devices out there that can help you figure out if your child has a high instep or a high arch. However, if you take your child to a specialized children’s shoe store, the shoe fitter will be able to tell whether a child has a high instep, high arch, or both just by looking at your child’s feet.
How to Figure Out If Your Child Has a High Instep or a High Arch?
High Arch Example
Let me show you the difference between a high arch and a regular arch. The image on the left shows a child’s foot with a high arch.
High Instep Example
Let me show you the difference between a high instep and a regular instep. The image on the left shows a child’s foot with a high instep:
I have seen several children with normal arches that have high insteps, and I have also even seen flat-footed children with high insteps. This is why you need to be able to tell the difference between having a high arch and having a high instep.
How Can You Tell If Your Child Has a High Instep?
➡️ If you notice that your children always have imprints on the top part of their feet when you remove their shoes, that’s the first sign that your child might have a high instep.
➡️ If you always have a hard time getting your children’s shoes on, that is the second sign that your child might have a high instep.
Remember that the instep is the top part of the foot. Take a look at the image below for clarification purposes:
How Can You Tell If Your Child Has a High Arch?
➡️ If you notice that your child’s feet body weight falls on the outside of the feet (when standing), this might be a sign that your child has high arches.
➡️ If you always have a hard time getting your children’s shoes on, that is the second sign that your child might have a high arch.
The arch is located below the foot and when it’s considerably high, it can cause several issues, since extra pressure is placed on the ball and heel of the foot.
There are three main arch types:
1️⃣ Flat
2️⃣ Medium
3️⃣ High
Let’s take a look at a couple of images that will help us visualize what I mean. Below you can find a picture of a child with a flat arch:
Below you can find a picture of a child with a medium arch:
Below you can find a picture of a child with a high arch:
Do you notice the difference among the 3 main arch types?
High Instep or High Arch? – Find Out Now!
While there is no specific test for how to tell if your child has high arches or high insteps, you can often figure it out by looking at the foot shape. However, there are some specific patterns of a foot with a high arch and a high instep.
I created a specific article that helps parents determine whether their child has a high instep or a high arch. By following the instructions in that article I will also be able to tell you your child’s foot length and exact foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide).
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Why it’s Important to Tell the Difference Between High Arches and High Insteps?
Children with high arches are more likely to develop foot and leg pain since their feet are not able to absorb shock, especially if they are involved in sports or high-impact activities. I usually recommend shoes that provide a substantial outsole (extra cushion), to compensate for their lack of natural shock absorption. Having high arches can make your child more susceptible to developing certain foot conditions such as heel pain, ball of the foot pain, or plantar fasciitis.
What Shoes Should Kids with High Insteps or High Arches Wear?
There is one common feature that your kids’ shoes must provide to accommodate the shape of a high arch or a high instep. Most parents make the common mistake of providing their children with longer and wider shoes to accommodate their child’s high instep or high arch, when in reality they should be looking for shoes with extra depth.
Shoes that provide extra depth are extremely effective in accommodating the shape of a child with a high instep or a high arch. They allow the feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, preventing the top part of the feet (instep), from rubbing against the top part of the shoes.
Let me show you what I mean by shoes that provide extra depth. Let’s compare a pair of shoes that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
There is only a small selection of children’s shoes capable of accommodating the shape of a child with a high instep or a high arch. The good news is that I know exactly which shoe styles there are from having fitted them before.
If your child has a high arch, the right type of shoes can help fill your child’s arch cavity to disperse the shock, and provide the cushioning and alignment needed to prevent injuries and allow your child to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
You should know that I only recommend shoe styles that I have fitted before, since that is the only way for me to tell how supportive, well-made, and durable the shoes are. More importantly, by having fitted the shoes before I can also tell you how the shoes fit.
Most parents of children with high insteps have the hardest time getting their kids’ shoes on. Even with shoes that open nice and wide, they find themselves shoving the shoes on their kids’ feet. It’s time to stop the struggle!
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best shoes for children with high arches and/or high insteps. 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. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world.
The Best Shoes for High Arches and High Insteps
The shoes below can fit children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet. Choose your child’s foot width accordingly: M=Medium, W=Wide, XW=Extra Wide.
Little Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 3)
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 860v13
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- 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
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- 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
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 860 V13 by New Balance
- Available in medium and 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
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 860 V13 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 860v13 by New Balance
- Available in medium and 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
- Shoe style TR14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
- Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Cohesion TR14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
- Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Big Kid Shoe Sizes (3.5 to 7)
- Shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance
- 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
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
- Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- 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
- Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam X 880v12 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
- Firm heel counter
- Supportive heel for active kids
- Breathable mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style FuelCell Propel v5 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kinvara 14 by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Arishi Fresh Foam by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Lightweight mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- 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
The Best Shoes for High Arches and High Insteps
The shoes below can fit children with narrow feet and high arches or high insteps.
Boys
- Shoe style Gel-Noosa by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Gel-Noosa Tri 13 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Contend 8 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable insoles
- Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system
- Breathable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Fits children with narrow or medium feet
- 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
- Shoe style Novablast 2 GS by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Novablast is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable insoles
- Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system
- Breathable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Kinvara LTT is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with narrow or medium feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Asics shoe style Contend 8 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Girls
- Shoe style Gel-Noosa by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Gel-Noosa Tri 13 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GEL-Cumulus by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Gel-Cumulus 25 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GEL-Excite 10 by Asics
- The Asics shoe style GEL-Noosa Trim 15 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Infused gel for extra cushion and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- The Asics shoe style Contend 8 is available for little and big kids
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wind FST by Saucony
- The Saucony shoe style Wind is available for little and big kids
- 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
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Fits children with narrow or medium feet
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child. My e-mail address is:
Have you found a particular shoe brand or shoe style that has worked well for your child with high insteps or high arches? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
Thank-you so much for this information!
I am happy to help.
I grew up with both a high instep and a high arch long before those terms were anywhere near commonplace. It made shoes a pain. My parents bought longer and wider shoes, as you said, to accommodate. It did me no favors, though the balme is not theirs.
The first time I heard the word “instep” was during my undergrad years. A simple definition and I could tell mine was high.
After much weight loss I did go from wide width to medium, but my instep and arch didn’t change. The arch was obviously high by sight though, without the extra fat.
I leave those foot prints like out of bad pictures that only show heel, ball and toes. I now suffer from stress fractures of the third and fourth metatarsals and a lot of foot pain because of these issues.
I do not know if my years of inappropriate footwear added to that or not, but am thankful that both as an adult and as the years progress I have many more options.
I spent many years in heels or sandals that covered only my toes and heels, leaving my instep and arch exposed as a way of dealing. (I hated the winter as a result.) That did no favours either.
I now have an array of shoes, trainers included, but I will be honest, my arch/instep in high enough that after a number of hours even these high priced trainers have to come off for me to find imprints on the top of my foot. Seems I will be forever looking.
Hello Laura,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I am sorry to hear that you have not been able to find a single pair of sneakers/trainers that work well for your foot shape. Are you writing from the UK? I can try to help you look for the correct types of shoes for your feet, I just need to know the country that you are contacting me from to check what shoes you might be able to try.
Hello! My daughter is 9 and has high arches. She is also a toe walker.
She has been having problems with constant pain in her feet and legs due to those issues. We are working with doctors of course, but I am also wanting to find some better supportive shoes for her as well. At the end of the day she is often limping or trying to walk on the outside of her feet because they hurt so bad.
What info do you need from me to get accurate information?
Hello Sarah,
In order for me to recommend specific shoes for your daughter I first need to know whether her feet are narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide. If you are unsure of your daughter’s exact foot shape I suggest that you follow the instructions here:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Have you been told by your medical professionals whether your daughter’s toe walking is due to a neurological or neuromuscular condition?
I also need to know from which country you are contacting me to check what specific shoes are available in your area.
Our one year old grandson has just begun to walk. No baby shoes seem to fit him. His instep is about 13/4 ” and length 5 inches. Where can I find soft shoes that would fit him?
Hello Karen,
If you need to retrieve your grandson’s exact foot length and shape you need to follow the instructions here:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
As far as soft shoes are concerned, is your grandson learning how to walk or already walking confidently?
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with others. My daughter is nearly impossible to fit for supportive, comfortable and non-sneaker shoes. Do you have a recommendation for a shoe that would work for dressier or a work environment? High instep, size 2.5-3.
Thank you.
Hello June,
I am happy to provide you with specific shoe recommendations but first I need to know whether your daughter’s feet are narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide.