How to Correct Pronation in Children – Watch Before and After Images and Video!
Have you noticed your child walking or running differently lately? Has your child’s pediatrician, physical or occupational therapist diagnosed your child with overpronation? I always explain to parents that we all have a certain degree of pronation. However, when that pronation becomes excessive (which is referred to as overpronation), that’s when most complications arise and we must take action immediately. Let me show you how to correct pronation in children based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
The main concern with overpronation is the long-term wear and tear it has on the child’s body joints. Something so simple as providing your child with the correct pair of shoes can prevent long-term problems such as knee, hip, and lower back pain.
What Causes Overpronation? – Find Out What is Causing Your Child to Pronate
The 3 more common reasons why children experience overpronation are:
- Rolled ankles
- Flat Feet
- Low Muscle Tone
A common misconception among parents is to believe that having overpronation automatically means that the child has flat feet. Children with regular/healthy arches can experience overpronation, as it can come from the ankles too.
Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach” – Be Proactive!
Once the feet are pronated, the knees and hips also become misaligned. This means the muscles that move those joints no longer work efficiently, and it will take more energy for your child to do the same work as other children who don’t have this condition. This may be why your child is more inclined to sit rather than run and play.
Overpronation can lead to your child developing foot issues such as bunions as well as general foot, leg, and lower back pain.
The good news is that we can fix your child’s overpronation without any invasive treatment such as surgery. Certain shoes have proven to be extremely effective when it comes to helping a child with overpronation and parents are amazed at what a difference the correct pair of shoes can make.
Shoes for Kids with Overpronation – Watch Before and After!
Let’s start by taking a look at an image of a child with flat feet that has overpronation.
Before Image: Standing Barefoot
Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
After Image: Supportive Shoes
Now let’s take a look at an image of the same child wearing a pair of the supportive shoes I recommend. Wow! Do you notice how the feet are a lot straighter? These shoes are going to help the child walk and run straighter, which is going to improve the child’s overall posture as well.
How effective the shoes will be for your child depends on individual foot anatomy and the degree of your child’s overpronation. In some cases, children might require an orthotic to be fitted inside the shoes for additional support. However, I always recommend to start by trying a pair of supportive shoes first and depending on how the child’s walking gait improves or not then we can try a pair of orthotics.
Before and After -Second Example
Now let’s take a look at an older child who is dealing with overpronation.
Before Image: Standing Barefoot
In this particular case, the child’s feet are also collapsing and turning inwards. The right foot specifically is the one that is leaning inwards the most.
I want to be clear that not all shoes are going to be effective in treating your child’s overpronation. For example, let’s see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of unsupportive shoes.
After Image: Unsupportive Shoes
The shoes are not supportive enough to prevent the child’s feet from collapsing inwards.
After Image: Supportive Shoes
Now let’s see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of the supportive shoes I recommend. Pretty amazing, right? What a difference the correct pair of shoes can make! Do you notice how the right foot is a lot straighter?
Can You Fix Pronation?
As I mentioned before, pronation is not bad, it’s actually necessary for shock absorption during the gait cycle.
Pronation cannot be fixed, but as I showed you before, it can be successfully treated by wearing the correct type of shoes. In certain cases, depending on the degree of your child’s pronation we might need an orthotic as well.
My suggestion to parents is for them to be proactive and don’t wait for this condition to resolve on its own. If left untreated, overpronation can lead to foot, knee. hip, and back pain.
How to Fix Pronation – Watch Video of Before and After!
The video below shows a flat footed child with rolled ankles walking barefoot and then walking with a pair of the supportive shoes I recommend.
Before Video
After Video
Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes for children with flat feet, rolled ankles, and low muscle tone.
Best Shoes for Kids with Overpronation
The shoes below can fit children with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet. 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.
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Stride Rite shoe style Elliot is available for toddlers
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Stride Rite shoe style Emilia is available for toddlers
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Timberland shoe style Tracks is available for toddlers
- Double velcro straps
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Water-friendly
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for toddlers
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Gabi is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Gabi is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion is available for toddlers
- Velcro closure
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Timberland shoe style Bootie fits 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Princessa fits toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion KDZ is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion KDZ is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Polo is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Chicago is 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Coco is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Adidas shoe style Own the Game 2.0 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Adidas shoe style Cross Em Up Select is available for little kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole 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 medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Shadow 6000 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 327 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Shoe Size Should You 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 current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Shoes that come with shoelaces are always more effective compared to shoes that come with an alternative closure, as shoelaces provide better support and stability. Lacing your kids’ shoes and sneakers correctly will provide your child with more ankle support and decrease pain.
These shoes provide the correct amount of support and stability and won’t let your child’s foot/ankle to roll inwards excessively. These are not orthopedic shoes so your child’s muscles continue to do all of the work.
Find Other Shoe Options
If your child happens to have narrow feet please contact me directly and I will email you specific shoe recommendations. My email address is:
Are You Confused About What Shoe Size to Order Online?
If you don’t know your child’s specific foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide) or exact foot length, you won’t be able to order the correct pair of shoes online.
It doesn’t matter how supportive the shoes are, if they are not fitted correctly you will be defeating all of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. That is the reason why I created a different article that helps parents identify their child’s exact foot shape and size from home.
What Makes The Shoes I Recommend Effective for Treating Overpronation?
1️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This feature helps prevent your child’s ankles from rolling inwards. The heel counter is the back part of the shoes and the firmer it is, the better. Let me show you the difference between a shoe with a firm heel counter versus a shoe with a softer one:
2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature helps prevent your child’s feet from collapsing and turning inwards or outwards. A large number of children who overpronate tend to be flat footed, which means the arch collapses when standing and the feet are shifted out of place. Let me show you the difference between a shoe with a substantial outsole versus one with an unsupportive outsole:
3️⃣ Straight Lasts: This feature helps prevent the forefoot from pushing out.
Orthotics for Kids with Overpronation – Extra Ankle and Arch Support!
There will be cases in which the support from the shoes might not be enough to prevent overpronation and improve your child’s walking gait. If you have already tried a pair of supportive shoes and your child’s foot position and walking gait doesn’t improve, then I suggest trying an orthotic inside of the shoes.
Orthotics are basically a supportive insole that provides targeted support to key areas of the foot such as below the arch and the heel. If fitted correctly inside the shoes orthotics can improve your child’s overall posture and decrease pain. While I can’t get into too much detail about the best orthotics for kids with pronation in this article I suggest that you take a look at the article on the best orthotics for pronation.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps – Keeping Children’s Feet Healthy!
Realigning your child’s foot with the correct pair of shoes has many benefits:
- Securing a stronger foundation for your child’s body.
- Improving balance and coordination.
- Preventing present and future foot, knee, and lower back pain.
What I have learned after many years of helping children find the correct pair of shoes for their specific foot condition is that each situation needs to be carefully considered on a case by case basis.
The shoes recommended in this article are the most effective ones for children with overpronation, flat feet, rolled ankles, or low muscle tone. How effective these shoes will be for your child depends on each child’s specific foot anatomy and how severe the child’s foot conditions are.
Hi…my 8yo has a strong over pronation. We have heard so many different things to do. My husband wants him to have surgery. His left ankle turns in and his ties are going out. He runs and plays no complaints. His shoes all look like his foot. I don’t know what to do
Hello Maria,
What have you tried so far? Surgery might be the way to go if that is what your medical professional recommends and nothing else works, but it should be your last resort.
Is your son already wearing supportive shoes and orthotics?
What about ASICS designed for overpronators and Merrell? Do you have any opinion regarding these brands ? Thanks.
Hello Irina,
If your child has narrow to medium width feet Asics will work great, as they provide supportive outsoles and firm heel counters. I don’t usually choose Merrell for children who overpronate, but the Jungle Moc style can be used casually (3 to 4 hours a day).
Thank you Juan Pablo. My son does have wide feet at 3″ so I appreciate you realizing the first link is a narrow shoe. He’s only 3 and very tall with a long big toe and big feet like his Dad lol Thank you!
Hello Jami,
I am happy to help. Make sure that you select the wide width option (W) when choosing the size.
I’m confused. On this page, you recommend Adidas mid shoes for overpronation, but then on this page over here https://fittingchildrenshoes.com/the-worst-shoes-for-kids-stop-buying-under-armour-nike-and-adidas, you say to stop buying Adidas because they make the worst shoes for kids. What advice to trust?
Hello Jami,
Thank you for pointing this out.
Adidas came up with a version of a high top shoe that is supportive and available in wide widths (capable of accommodating different foot shapes). The shoe also provides a supportive outsole and firm heel counter, that’s the reason why that specific model by Adidas is recommended for children who have overpronation. Other styles by Adidas, Under Armour, and New balance didn’t make the list because they don’t provide the correct amount of support. I hope this clarifies.
It does clarify and thank you so much for doing it quickly. My son experiences overpronation. He is 3. A PT said it will go away when he was just before 2, but he falls a lot so I want to correct it myself as soon as possible. The mid shoes you posted don’t come in his size. He wears as size 12 in little kids for Adidas. Could you take a look at these two shoes and tell me which are a better support for that? I’m worried about trying the other shoes you recommend for overpronation because I want something that comes up over his ankle. I worry the other ones won’t be supportive enough?
https://www.adidas.com/us/mickey-mid-hoops-shoes/GY6634.html and https://amzn.to/3EKgk1Y
Hello Jami,
Please note that high top shoes don’t necessarily provide better support than regular sneakers. The goal is to find a shoe with a firm heel counter (high top or not).
As far as the two options you sent me, I recommend the first link as long as it’s a lace-up closure shoe and not a slip-on shoe. Shoes with laces will help provide your son with better support and stability compared to shoes with velcro closure or an alternative closure. In addition, that shoe that you sent me will work as long as your son has narrow to medium feet.
An alternative that is available in your son’s shoe size is this shoe: High Top Shoe Adidas
Make sure that your son’s shoes are properly tied at all times so he can get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer.
This is very helpful. I will need some shows for my 11year old daughter
Hello Berna,
I am happy to help. I first need to know your daughter’s foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), as well as what country you are contacting me to check what shoes are available in your area.
Hi,
Thank you for providing souch useful information.
I am in the UK and need to find some shoes for my son who is 3 years old. I was wondering if you may be able to help with this? He currently wears a UK 9.5 in a medium width. Thanks.
Hello Bella,
I am happy to help, but I have limited access to all of the shoe brands and styles available in the UK. I suggest that you email me for specific shoe recommendations: [email protected]