How to Order the Correct Shoe Size for Your Child’s Orthotics – Follow These 3 Simple Steps
Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes to accommodate your child’s orthotics? A proper shoe fit ensures that orthotics work effectively, helping to correct any foot issues early on. Ill-fitting shoes can negate the benefits of orthotics, leading to discomfort and potentially worsening foot conditions. One of the most common mistakes that I see parents make is to buy shoes that are too long in an attempt to accommodate the orthotic. Poorly fitted shoes can also cause blisters, calluses, and other foot problems.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Orthotics
One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is helping families navigate the complexities of orthotic shoe fitting. By providing personalized recommendations based on a child’s unique foot shape and condition, I aim to alleviate the common challenges parents face in this process. Through my experience, I have learned which shoes work best for children who wear 3/4 length or full-length orthotics, AFOs (ankle-foot orthoses), and SMOs (supramalleolar orthoses).
I truly believe that the correct type of shoes and orthotics can be life changing. Children’s feet are constantly developing, and what happens to their feet during their childhood will affect their physique as they grow older.
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size for Your Child’s Orthotics
All you will need is a measuring tape or a ruler to take your child’s foot and orthotic measurements. Comparing your child’s foot measurement with the orthotic length will help me determine the appropriate shoe size that accommodates both the foot and orthotic comfortably.
Step One: Measuring Your Child’s Orthotic Length
If your child wears a full-length orthotic or an AFO with a footplate that extends over the toes, I will need the measurements of the orthotic. You can skip this step if your child wears a 3/4 length orthotic.
Email me the measurement value or an image of the measurement to avoid confusion.
Step Two: Measuring Your Child’s Exact Foot Length
Ensure that your child is standing straight with their weight evenly distributed and measure both feet, as one foot might be bigger than the other one.
Make a note of that measurement in centimeters or inches or email me the image showing the measurements (such as you see below) to avoid confusion with the measurements. You can follow the instructions in this video for better visualizations purposes.
Step Three: Pictures of Your Child’s Foot Width
If you already know your child’s foot width shape you can skip this step. To learn the width of your child’s feet (narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide) please also email me two pictures of their feet.
You can follow the instructions in this video for better visualizations purposes.
Recap – What to Include in Your Email
- Your child’s orthotic length measurements (or an image of their orthotic length measurement)
- Your child’s foot length measurements (or an image of their foot length measurements)
- Two images of your child’s feet (to determine foot shape)
- If you would like specific shoe recommendations please let me know which country you live in so I can recommend shoes that are available in your area
It will take me less than 24 hours to respond with the correct shoe size to accommodate your child’s orthotics. Once you have the necessary information ready, please email it to me at:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
These Are the Orthotics I Have Fitted Before
These are the children’s orthotics that I have fitted throughout the years and I am familiar with which shoes work best for each orthotic:
I am passionate about fitting children’s shoes as I truly believe that the correct type of shoes can be life changing. Children’s feet are constantly developing, and what happens to their feet during their childhood will affect their physique as they grow older.
If you wish to support the work of Fitting Children’s Shoes, you can Donate Here Your support helps ensure that families around the world can find the correct shoes for their children, regardless of their foot shape or condition.
Sir I want to buy shoes for my child flat foot problem.and also want supportive shoes as he wear smo..iam confused about that what kind of shoes or smo he should wear..pls help us.
Hello Shikha,
I can recommend specific shoes for your son but first I need to know his foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), and also the country you are contacting me to check what specific shoes are available in your area.