I have been contacted by several parents who have children that wear orthotics inside their shoes and are having a hard time getting used to them. Orthotics can work wonders as long as they are fitted properly inside the shoes. Let’s find out how to make your kids’ orthotics fit better inside your kids’ shoes.
One of the biggest challenges of wearing orthotics is how they can make the top part of your child’s feet (instep) rub against the top part of the shoe. This can create discomfort and lead to your child refusing to want to wear the orthotics.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Orthotics
Just so you know, I have been helping children find the correct pair of shoes and orthotics for the last 10 years. I work for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses in helping children with “complicated” foot shapes and foot conditions. Over the years I became familiar with the best orthotics for children and how to properly fit them inside their shoes.
Orthotics Take Extra Space Inside Your Kids’ Shoes
Orthotics are usually a lot thicker compared to the original insoles of your child’s shoes. For example, let’s take a look at the difference in thickness between the insoles that come with the shoes and the orthotics. It’s quite clear that orthotics take up a lot of extra space inside the shoes.
How much thicker the orthotic is going to be compared to your child’s insoles depends on the specific orthotic that your child has, but you can expect that most orthotics raise your child’s feet by 1/8 of an inch (0.3 centimeters).
One Key Feature that Your Kids’ Shoes Must Provide: Extra Depth
One of the most important features that your kids’ shoes must provide is extra depth, as the deeper the shoes are, the deeper the orthotic will fit inside the shoes.
There have been cases in which I have fitted children in shoes with extra depth but the child still felt like the top part of his feet were rubbing against the top part of the shoes. This usually happens when a child has wide feet and a high instep, but it can happen to children who have regular feet as well.
The good news is that I found a workaround for this issue. This workaround will only work if your child has a 3/4 orthotic. If your child happens to have a full-length orthotic I suggest that you email me so I can guide you through the next steps:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
How to Make Your Kids’ Orthotics Fit Better – Follow These 5 Simple Steps
1️⃣ Remove the original insoles of your kids’ shoes. This should be fairly easy as most shoes now come with removable insoles.
2️⃣ Place your child’s 3/4 orthotics on top of the original insoles.
Make sure that the back of the orthotics is properly aligned with the back of the insoles as shown in the image below.
3️⃣ Use a marker to draw a line where the 3/4 orthotic ends.
4️⃣ Cut alongside the lines. make sure that you cut along the outside of the trace line, that way if it is still too long, you will be able to trim it a little more.
5️⃣ Place the insoles inside your kids’ shoes. I recommend gluing down the front part of the insoles but this is optional.
This should allow your child’s feet to sit deeply inside the shoes and prevent your child’s feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Our main goal is to make the orthotics fit deeply inside your kids’ shoes:
What Are the Best Shoes for Children Who Wear Orthotics?
It’s important to mention that orthotics don’t work in all types of shoes. If you are unsure whether your child is wearing the correct type of shoes for the orthotics I suggest that you take a look at a different article I wrote where I describe the best shoes for kids who wear orthotics:
The Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics – Supportive and Comfortable Shoes
In addition, my coworker who has been working at the shoe store for over 30 years taught me a shoe lacing technique that works wonders for children who wear orthotics:
How to Tie Shoes with Orthotics – Stop Heel Slippage
This shoe lacing technique basically pushes your child’s feet back, securing them against the back of the shoes. This prevents heel slippage and also prevents your child from getting the impression that his or her feet are coming out of the shoes.
Do You Have a Specialized Children’s Shoe Store in Your Area?
I hope that your child feels a difference and the orthotics feel more comfortable now. I always encourage parents to support their local businesses and take their children to be properly fitted for shoes and orthotics to their local specialized shoe store. If you are unsure whether there is a good fitting children’s shoe store in your area take a look at the resource below:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where To Go for Proper Fittings
Orthotics can make a tremendous difference in the way a child walks and runs. They are also extremely effective in preventing foot and leg pain, as well as improving the child’s overall posture. However, if the orthotics are not fitted properly inside the shoes, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the orthotics have to offer.
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