How to Tie Shoes with Orthotics: Stop Heel Slippage
Tying your child’s shoes properly is key to making orthotics work the way they’re supposed to. Orthotics can slightly elevate the foot, which often makes it feel like the heel is slipping out of the shoe. Even high-quality orthotics won’t be effective if the shoes aren’t securely laced. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn a simple, effective lacing technique that enhances fit, support, and comfort — keeping your child’s feet secure and stable all day long.
Get the Full Support and Stability the Orthotics Have to Offer
This lacing technique gently pulls your child’s foot back into the heel of the shoe, locking it in place to prevent heel movement or slipping — creating a secure, comfortable fit all day long.
How to Tie Shoes with Orthotics in 3 Simple Steps
At the children’s shoe store where I work, a coworker with over 20 years of experience fitting kids’ shoes taught me this technique, and it’s genuinely been a game-changer for kids who wear orthotics or shoe inserts.
Step 1: Lace up as usual, but leave the top two eyelets open. Thread the laces through the lower eyelets and cross them as you normally would, stopping before the last two holes on each side.
Step 2: Thread each lace straight up through the top eyelet on its own side. Instead of crossing them like the eyelets below, run each lace up and through the top hole directly above it, creating a small loop on each side of the shoe.
Step 3: Cross each lace and feed it through the loop on the opposite side, then pull snug. This locks the heel back and in place before you tie the final knot, giving the shoe real extra support that standard lacing doesn’t offer.
Most people overlook the extra eyelets at the top of their shoes — not realizing they’re a built-in tool for a better, more secure fit. Used correctly, they make a real difference in preventing heel slippage and improving overall comfort.
See Exactly How It’s Done: Watch the Video
In this video, I walk through the full three-step method for tying shoes with orthotics.
Best Shoelaces for Kids — They Stay Tied Longer
The laces featured in the video are oval, not flat — oval laces hold a knot noticeably better than round or flat ones. My current pick: DELELE Oval Athletic Shoelaces, a durable half-round profile that holds its knot well and comes in enough colors and lengths to match most kids’ shoes.
- Order on Amazon
- 1/4″ oval (half-round) profile, polyester construction
- Sold in packs of 2 pairs (4 individual laces)
- Available in 40+ colors and multiple lengths
- Count your child’s eyelets to order the correct length
- Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links
Getting the Right Shoelace Length
Many kids’ shoes come with laces that are simply too short to tie securely — let alone double-knot. To get the length right, count the eyelets on each side of the shoe.
Bonus Resource: Best Shoes for Kids Who Wear Orthotics
Finding the right shoe for a child who wears orthotics matters just as much as how you tie them. Look for supportive and deep shoes with firm heel counters and oversized openings to accommodate the orthotic. New Balance and Stride Rite both offer solid options built with this in mind.
Properly Tying Your Kids’ Shoes Might Help Prevent Injuries
Tying your child’s shoes properly does more than prevent falls — it boosts support, stability, and confidence during play. This technique offers real, specific benefits:
- A snug fit around the ankle and heel, so shoes stay secure and feet don’t slip out
- Reduced friction, which helps prevent blisters during walking or running
- Improved overall support, which lowers injury risk
Help your child build the habit of undoing their shoelaces or Velcro straps every time they take their shoes off. Pulling shoes off without unfastening them stretches and damages the heel counter — the structured back of the shoe that supports the ankle — over time. Taking a few extra seconds to loosen the shoe properly helps it last longer and keeps your child’s feet properly supported.
I had no idea that the way you tied your shoes made such a big difference in the way your foot sits in the shoe. If you’re wearing orthotics, I can see how this would be important, but I’ve never actually thought about it before. I suppose the more you know, the better off you’ll be, so thanks for sharing.
Tobias,
I am glad you learned something new!
This was a helpful article because both of my kids need orthotics, only on one foot, but still. My son plays football so I need his orthotics to stay in place or his ankles and knees will get aggravated. I will definitely follow your article. I must say that I never knew about the reverse laces until now. Very neat!
Atar,
You will see what a difference that lacing technique makes! is your child wearing the orthotics in only one foot for a particular reason? The only time I have seen this happened is when there is a height discrepancy between the legs.
This is very informative article. My sisters daughter have to wear one of those special shoes as her foot is flat and if not treated it can bring many health problems to her in the future. Thank you for this info, I will forward your website to my sister to learn more. 🙂
Lenka,
I believe she will benefit from it. A shoe needs to be properly tied in order to get the full support of the orthotic and the shoe.
I am so glad that you brought light to the importance of using those ankle eyelets!!! Sooo very important for those growing feet!
You are doing a fabulous job informing the online world of little “tricks” that can benefit their youngsters feet for the rest of their lives!
Thank you!
Dr. Baker,
That is the purpose of the website. Inform parents so they can make the most informative decision when taking care of their children feet.
Wow! I never would have thought that just the way you tie your shoes would make a difference. Also never heard of the reverse tying technique, but it sounds very effective. Sounds like you are giving good advice here, especially with orthotics. Helping kids is always important. Great post! Wish you good luck!
Kevin,
The way we tie our shoes makes all the difference. If your children are wearing their shoes too loose, then they are not getting all the support and stability from the shoes AND from the orthotics. The “reverse the laces” technique is the most effective way of tying shoes I have ever tried. I enjoy working with kids, and the fact that I am able to make a difference, it means a lot to me.
It is so good to read a helpful post about how to tie shoe lace with orthotics. Reverse the laces techniques is something new for me. I would like to try this. Have you considered posting a video which demonstrates this. I think your 3 steps helps. I think this is important especially for parents when tying the laces of their children.
I love the “reverse the laces technique”. I use it when I am on the treadmill, playing soccer, or when I have had a long day at work and my feet hurt. It works wonders for children who have orthotics. I will provide parents with a video shortly!
I think that remembering that orthotics and shoes work together are a great point. It seems like it can be easy to forget this. It also sounds like a simple tip to remember but it can make a big difference.
It makes all the difference!! If the shoe is not supportive enough, the orthotic will not do any good. Good supportive shoes must be worn with the orthotic for your child to get the full benefit of it!