High Top Shoes for Kids with Leg Length Discrepancy – Finding Stability and Equal Footing

March 24, 2025 High Top Shoes Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Has your child been diagnosed with leg length discrepancy (LLD), and your doctor recommended high-top shoes with a heel lift for added support? High-top shoes are an excellent choice for children with LLD due to their ability to provide superior support, stability, and space to accommodate lifts. As an experienced shoe fitter, I’ve worked closely with physical and occupational therapists and seen firsthand how the right footwear can significantly improve a child’s comfort and well-being.

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Heel Lifts

At the specialized shoe store where I work, I’ve helped numerous children with leg length discrepancies find the right shoes and heel lifts. Leg length discrepancy (LLD) in kids is more common than you might think, and while the exact cause often remains unknown, it can lead to significant issues. The greater the difference in leg length, the more impact it can have on your child’s overall comfort, posture, and movement.

How Can High Top Shoes Help Your Child LLD?

Certain high top shoes can help align the feet and legs more naturally, reducing the strain on the shorter leg and minimizing discomfort. The snug protection of high top shoes can certainly make your kid’s feet feel more stable.

Supportive Adidas high-top shoe for kids.
An image of a pair of Adidas high-top shoes that provide a stable base of support and firm heel counters.

Shoe Lifts, Heel Lifts, or Surgery to Help Treat LLD?

A shoe lift can even out small differences and might be all that some kids need. Some other children might simply need a heel lift inside the shoes to even out the difference. The heel lift option is the most convenient and economical one, and it is not nearly as invasive. However, it’s important to note that if the difference in leg length is more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) or gets worse as the child grows, surgery can help.

Why High-Top Shoes Are Essential: 3 Key Features

High top shoes, characterized by their extended upper portion that covers the ankle, offer unique advantages for kids with leg length discrepancy:

1. Enhanced Ankle Support: The extended upper section of high top shoes provides superior ankle support. This is crucial for children with LLD as it helps stabilize the foot and ankle, reducing the risk of injuries.

Shoe fitter holding a black high-top shoe for kids.
An image of a high-top shoe designed to deliver exceptional ankle support, ensuring stability and comfort.

2. Improved Balance and Stability: High tops can improve a child’s balance and stability, which is essential for kids with LLD. By providing better control over foot movement, these shoes can help children walk more confidently and comfortably.

Supportive high-top shoe for kids to prevent toe walking.
An image of a pair of high-top shoes offering a stable base of support, designed to enhance stability and protect your child’s feet during movement.

3. Lightweight and Flexible: The high-top shoes I recommend offer the perfect balance of support, flexibility, and lightweight comfort, ensuring your child gets the stability they need without sacrificing movement.

Below you can find my top recommendations for 2025, based on my experience in fitting children’s shoes. Take a look at the description below each shoe to check if that specific shoe can fit your child’s foot shape. Disclosure: We may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click our affiliate links and make a purchase.

Best High Top Shoes for Kids with Leg Length Discrepancy

High top shoes can be life-changing for children with LLD. They provide the support, stability, and comfort necessary for managing this condition effectively. As a dedicated shoe fitter, I am committed to helping families find the perfect pair of shoes for their children.

1. Lockdown 6 Basketball Shoe by Under Armour

These high-top shoes for kids provide enhanced ankle support to help distribute weight more evenly across the foot. This distribution can alleviate pressure points that may arise due to the uneven gait associated with LLD.

Red Under Armour basketball shoes for kids.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe style Lockdown by Under Armour on Zappos or Amazon
  • Fits children with narrow and medium feet
  • Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
  • Firm heel counter
  • Lace-up closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

2. Cross Em Up by Adidas

These supportive high-top shoes for big kids provide a stable base of support for greater stability, which can help improve your child’s posture and balance. This is essential for children with LLD, as they may struggle with maintaining proper posture due to the difference in leg length.

Supportive and comfortable basketball shoes for girls.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe style Cross Em Up by Adidas on Amazon or Zappos
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
  • Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

3. Postmove Mid by Adidas

These kids’ high-top shoes combine style and functionality, making them a popular choice for children with LLD.

Adidas basketball shoes with Velcro closure.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe style Postmove Mid by Adidas on Amazon
  • Fits children with narrow and medium feet
  • Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
  • Firm heel counter
  • Lace-up closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

4. TWO WXY v5 by New Balance

These New Balance high-top shoes for kids with leg length discrepancy provide a stable base of support that not only facilitates improved posture but also enhances a child’s ability to engage in various activities without discomfort or risk of injury.

New Balance basketball shoes for kids.
New Balance basketball shoes for kids.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe style Coco Unity by New Balance on the New Balance website
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

5. Jet ’21 by Under Armour

These Under Armour kids high-top shoes provide a stable base of support and firm heel counters, while being lightweight and flexible at the same time.

Royal Blue Under Armour basketball shoes for kids.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe style Jet ’21 by Under Armour on Amazon
  • Fits children with narrow and medium feet
  • Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
  • Firm heel counter
  • Lace-up closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

6. AND1 Basketball Shoes Kids

These high-top shoes for kids with leg length discrepancy will help keep your child’s feet and legs supported. This distribution can alleviate pressure points that may arise due to the uneven gait associated with LLD.

Basketball shoes for kids with wide feet.
  • Order the shoe style AND1 on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide feet
  • The full-length rubber outsole and multi-directional herringbone tread maximize skid resistance
  • Lace closure offers a secure fit 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size 

7. Lockdown 6 by Under Armour

These kids’ Under Armour high-top shoes provide extra cushion and padding below the heels to help stabilize your child’s feet and ankles.

Blue Under Armour basketball shoes for boys.

Key Features

  • Order the shoe style Lockdown 6 by Under Armour on Amazon or Zappos
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

All of the high-top shoes I recommended have enough space to accommodate orthotics or heel lifts, which are often recommended for children with LLD.

The Importance of the Correct Shoe Size

Properly fitting shoes are essential for your child’s well-being, and I’ve heard firsthand from medical professionals who are frustrated by the number of kids wearing ill-fitting footwear. Many doctors have shared their concerns about children, especially those with physical disabilities, struggling with shoes that don’t fit correctly. This not only makes their conditions harder to manage but also impacts their overall health and comfort. Ensuring the right fit is crucial for your child’s development and mobility.

Find Out What Shoe Size You Should Order Online

I know how difficult it can be to find the perfect shoes for your child, especially if they have a unique foot shape or a specific foot condition. That’s why I created a convenient virtual shoe fitting service to help you determine your child’s exact shoe size from the comfort of your home. With this service, you’ll discover if your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra-wide feet and whether they have a high instep, ensuring you choose the best shoes for their comfort and support.

Have You Already Found a Pair of Heel Lifts for Your Child’s LLD?

If you’re unsure which heel lifts are best for your child, I’ve highlighted a highly recommended option that has worked wonders for many kids with leg length discrepancy (LLD). Paired with the right high-top shoes, these heel lifts can significantly improve your child’s comfort while walking or running.

Heel lifts for kids.
  • Order the Dr.Foot Heel Lifts on Amazon
  • Choose the smaller size and select a half-inch or one-inch increase

Also, I strongly encourage you to consult your child’s healthcare provider for personalized advice on heel lifts, as they can offer expert recommendations tailored to your child’s unique needs.

Contact Me for Personalized Shoe Recommendations

I am here to help families find the perfect pair of shoes for their children. If you have any questions or need specific shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape, feel free to contact me.

Please don’t hesitate to share this post within your community as well as your personal experiences in the comment section to help other parents gain valuable insights. Additionally, consulting with a pediatrician or a podiatrist can provide further guidance specific to your child’s specific needs.