How to Prevent the Heel from Slipping Out of the Shoe – Follow These Easy Steps!

Tired of your child’s heels slipping out of their shoes? If your child is constantly adjusting their shoes or complaining that they feel loose around the heel, you’re not alone. Heel slippage is a common issue that can lead to blisters, instability, and frustration. Whether you’ve noticed a visible gap at the back of the shoe or your child says the shoes “move up and down,” there are simple solutions. In this article, I’ll walk you through three proven ways to stop heel slippage and share a list of the best shoes with snug, narrow heel counters to keep your child’s feet secure and comfortable.

Heel Slippage Leads to Discomfort and Foot Issues

When your child’s heels slip out of their shoes, it creates constant rubbing and friction — a perfect recipe for blisters, calluses, and corns. Blisters are the most common issue, often forming from the repeated back-and-forth movement of the foot inside the shoe. A poor fit doesn’t just cause discomfort — it puts your child’s feet at risk.

Child developed a blister on the back of his heel from wearing the wrong types of shoes.
Close-up of a painful blister on the back of the heel — a common result of poorly fitting shoes or heel slippage in children.

Most Common Reasons Your Child’s Heels Slip Out of the Shoes

Reason one: The Shoes Are Too Big. If there’s too much space inside the shoes, your child’s feet will slide around, causing the heels to pop out with every step.

Reason Two: Your Child Has Narrow Heels. Even if the length is correct, shoes that are too wide in the heel area won’t provide the secure fit needed to keep the foot in place.

Reason Three: Shoes Aren’t Properly Secured. Loose shoelaces or velcro straps mean the shoes can’t hug the feet snugly, leading to slipping and discomfort. A snug fit makes all the difference!

How to Prevent Heel Slippage by Following Three Steps

If you want to prevent your child’s heels from slipping out of the shoes, there are certain steps that you need to follow. Let me show you the three most important proven steps that you need to take to prevent heel slippage.

Step One: Make sure your child is wearing the correct shoe size.

One of the main reasons children experience heel slippage is wearing shoes that are too long or too wide for their feet. To help with this, I created a virtual shoe fitting service that makes it easy to determine your child’s exact shoe size from home. In the article, I guide parents step-by-step to identify not only the correct length, but also whether their child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet—crucial information for finding shoes that actually stay on!

Step Two: Make sure you pull the shoelaces or the velcro straps comfortably tight.

If the shoelaces or velcro straps are too loose, your child’s feet can slide around inside the shoes—causing the heels to slip up and down with every step. This extra movement often leads to discomfort, blisters, and frustration. Don’t hesitate to secure the straps or laces snugly! Many parents worry about pulling them too tight, but rest assured—a properly adjusted fit won’t cut off circulation and is essential for keeping the foot supported and in place.

Step Three: Try a tongue pad inside the shoes.

Consider adding a tongue pad to your child’s shoes—it’s a simple yet highly effective solution for heel slippage. Tongue pads are adhesive-backed inserts that stick to the underside of the shoe tongue, and they work in most enclosed shoes. They’re especially helpful for children with narrow heels who struggle to find a snug fit. By taking up extra space inside the shoe, tongue pads gently push the foot back toward the heel, creating a more secure fit and eliminating unwanted gaps that cause slipping.


Do Certain Shoes Help Prevent Heel Slippage?

If you’ve tried all these tips and your child’s heels are still slipping out, it’s likely time for a new pair of shoes. Look for styles specifically designed with narrow heel counters and slim platforms to better match your child’s foot shape. The right fit can make all the difference in keeping their feet secure and comfortable throughout the day.

Here’s a clear comparison of two kids’ shoes: notice how the heel counter on the right is much narrower, offering a snugger, more secure fit than the wider, less supportive heel counter on the left.

Discover the top shoe styles designed specifically for kids with narrow heels—shoes that lock in place and say goodbye to heel slippage for good! Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Best Shoes for Kids with Narrow Heels to Prevent Slippage

Shoes with shoelaces offer a secure, adjustable fit that helps keep your child’s feet in place and prevents heel slippage. That said, if your child isn’t quite ready to manage laces, don’t worry—I’ve also included top-quality Velcro options that still provide great support and a secure fit.

1. Shoe Style Elliott by Stride Rite. Designed with a narrower fit in mind, these shoes help prevent the heel from slipping out of the shoe with their narrow platforms and heel counters.

Supportive brown Stride Rite bootie for toddlers with flat feet.
Supportive Stride Rite white bootie for toddlers with flat feet.

Key Features

  • Available for toddlers.
  • Order the shoe SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon or Zappos.
  • Choose the medium width.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size.

2. Shoe Style Falcotto by Naturino. These double Velcro strap sneakers offer a narrow fit with added support for developing feet.

A pair of Naturino shoes for girls with narrow feet.
A pair of Naturino shoes for boys with narrow feet.

Key Features

  • Available for little kids.
  • Order the shoe Falcotto by Naturino on Amazon or Zappos.
  • Fits narrow feet.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size.

3. Shoe Style Cohesion by Saucony. The Saucony shoe line offers a range of shoes that are perfect for children with narrow heels. The design includes a narrower platform, which helps keep the foot secure without being too tight.

Supportive Saucony Cohesion for boys with flat feet.
Supportive Saucony kids Cohesion for girls with flat feet.

Key Features

  • Available for little and big kids.
  • Order the shoe Cohesion KDZ on Zappos or Amazon.
  • Choose the medium width.
  • Also available with laces on Zappos and Amazon.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size.

4. Shoe Style GT-1000 by Asics with Velcro. The GT-1000 by Asics is a popular choice for kids who have narrow heels. The narrow heel counter helps prevent heel slippage.

A pair of Asics shoes for girls with narrow feet.
A pair of navy blue Asics shoes for boys with narrow feet.

Key Features

  • Available for little kids.
  • Order the shoe GT-1000 by Asics on Zappos or Amazon.
  • Fits narrow feet.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.

5. Shoe Style GT-1000 by Asics with Laces. This is the same shoe as the one above but it is available with laces instead of Velcro closure.

Supportive red Asics shoes for boys with flat feet.
Supportive Asics running shoe for kids in mint color for girls.

Key Features

  • Available for little and big kids.
  • Order the shoe GT-1000 by Asics on Zappos or Amazon.
  • Fits narrow feet.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.

6. Shoe Style Gel-Noosa by Asics. The Gel-Noosa by Asics is a popular choice as its known for its vibrant colors and appealing design. This shoe combines style with functionality as it features a narrow heel counter and a snug fit, making it ideal for active children who need their heels to stay in place.

Supportive GEL-Noosa Asics running shoes for kids.
Supportive GEL-Noosa Asics running shoes for kids.

Key Features

  • Available for little and big kids.
  • Order the shoe Gel-Noosa by Asics on Amazon or Zappos.
  • Fits narrow feet.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.

7. Shoe Style Assert 10 by Under Armour. These shoes help lock the heel securely in place—ideal for children with narrow heels who need shoes that stay snug and supportive during play or long walks.

Red Under Armour shoes for boys with narrow feet.
Multicolor Under Armour shoe for girls with narrow feet.

Key Features

  • Available for little and big kids.
  • Order the shoe Gel-Noosa by Asics on Amazon or Zappos.
  • Fits narrow feet.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.

8. Shoe Style Contend by Asics. Asics Contend shoes are known for their durability and support. Designed for active kids, these shoes offer a snug fit with a narrow heel counter.

Supportive Asics Cumulus running shoe for kids in navy blue.
Supportive Asics Cumulus running shoe for kids.

Key Features

  • Available for little and big kids.
  • Order the shoe Contend by Asics on Amazon.
  • Fits narrow feet.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.

9. Shoe Style Cumulus by Asics. Asics’ Cumulus line is known for its comfort and support, making it a top choice for kids with narrow heels. These shoes offer a snug fit with a focus on cushioning, making them ideal for everyday wear.

Supportive Asics Cumulus running shoe for girls.
Asics kids Cumulus supportive running shoe for boys.

Key Features

  • Available for little and big kids.
  • Order the shoe Gel-Noosa by Asics on Amazon or Zappos.
  • Fits narrow feet.
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.

Reach Out for Specific Shoe Recommendations

Don’t hesitate to reach out for personalized advice and recommendations tailored to your child’s needs. Professional guidance can make a significant difference in finding the perfect fit.