How to Make Your Kids’ Orthotics Fit Better – This Hack Works for 3/4 Length Orthotics Only!
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. 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.
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).
How to Make Your Kids’ Orthotics Fit Better in 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.
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.
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 deep and supportive shoes for kids who wear orthotics.
How to Tie Shoes for Kids Who Wear Orthotics?
My coworker who has been working at the shoe store for over 20 years taught me a shoe lacing technique that works wonders for children who wear orthotics.
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.
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.