Kids’ Shoes for Chipmunk Orthotics – Extra Deep and Supportive!
Is your child dealing with a foot condition such as flat feet, low muscle tone, weak ankles, and your medical professional recommends trying a pair of Chipmunk orthotics? Are you confused about what shoes you should get as your doctor didn’t recommend specific models? When using Chipmunk orthotics, selecting the right shoes is as important as the orthotics themselves. The shoes must accommodate the orthotics without compromising on comfort or support. Ill-fitting shoes can negate the benefits of orthotics and lead to further issues.
Can Your Child Benefit from Wearing Chipmunk Orthotics?
Chipmunk orthotics are specially designed for children who need extra support due to various foot conditions. These orthotics help in stabilizing the foot, improving alignment, and supporting better movement.
These types of orthotics are ideal for children who are dealing with a moderate degree of pronation and have a fully correctable foot position. Some children who wear AFOs and SMOs might be downgraded to a pair of Chipmunks.
How Easy Are Chipmunks to Fit Inside Your Kids’ Shoes?
1️⃣ Depth and Roominess: Shoes should be deep enough to comfortably fit the orthotics without squeezing the foot. Shoes with extra depth help increase your child’s comfort and prevent giving your child the impression that the heels are coming out of the shoes. In the image below I fitted a Chipmunk orthotic inside two different shoes. Do you notice how the Chipmunk orthotic inside the right shoe is sitting a lot deeper compared to the orthotic inside the left shoe?
2️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes: This allows your child’s toes to sit comfortably and prevent the orthotics from poking a hole in the front part of the shoes.
3️⃣ Supportive Structure: A stable sole is critical in providing the necessary support. This helps in maintaining the orthotic’s position and enhances its effectiveness. Do you notice how the shoe on the left (Nike) bends when I press on the midsole while the shoe on the right (New Balance) remains supportive?
4️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This feature helps the Chipmunks provide good heel and ankle support. Shoes that come with a firm heel counter help strengthen and straighten your kids’ ankles. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe that provides a firm heel counter and one that doesn’t:
5️⃣ Removable Insoles: Shoes with removable insoles make it easier to insert Chipmunk orthotics, providing additional space and better customization.
Should You Buy Your Shoes Online or Visit Your Local Shoe Store?
I suggest that you visit your local children’s shoe store so your child can be properly sized and fitted for shoes. Sometimes when you need to fit an orthotic inside the shoes it takes a lot of trial and error, and you might have to end up trying several different shoe styles (in different sizes) until you find the perfect one. If you don’t have a specialized children’s shoe store in your area then you can choose from the list below. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Kids’ Shoes for Chipmunk Orthotics – My Top Recommendations
I have fitted all of these shoes at the shoe store that I work for so I am familiar with how they fit, the type of support that they provide, and the material that the shoes are made of. Most of the shoes below are available in wide and extra wide widths, as it’s highly likely that you will end up needing a wider width to allow for extra space for the Chipmunks.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Order the shoe style 990v6 by New Balance in New Balance Online Store
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style 990v6 by New Balance in New Balance Online Store
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite in Amazon or Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style SRT Emilia by Stride Rite in Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo in Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo in Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Mary Jane by Memo in Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth and width for orthotics
- Rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance in the New Balance Online Store
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite in Zappos
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite in Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance in the New Balance Online Store
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Order the shoe style 990v6 by New Balance in New Balance Online Store
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance in the New Balance Online Store
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style New Balance Fresh Foam 650 in the New Balance Online Store
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style New Balance Fresh Foam 650 in the New Balance Online Store
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Ankle Support by Memo in Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Triple velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Chicago Corrective by Memo in Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Triple velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite in Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite in Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Cross Em Up 5 by Adidas in Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Extra padding around the ankles
- Lace-up closure
- Rubber outsole provides excellent grip
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Cross Em Up Select by Adidas in Zappos or Amazon
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Non-marking outsole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Rave Run V2 by New Balance in Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Rave Run V2 by New Balance in Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance in the New Balance Online Store
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance in the New Balance Online Store
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance in the New Balance Online Store
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Durable leather upper
- Stability Web outsole technology provides added arch support
- Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style 650v1 by New Balance in the New Balance Online Store
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance in the New Balance Online Store
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
Don’t Buy Longer Shoes – Go Deeper and Wider!
One common mistake that parents make is to buy longer shoes to allow for extra space for the orthotics. Instead of going longer, go deeper and wider, that way you won’t compromise your child’s stability.
Do You Need Supportive Shoes if the Orthotics Are Already Supportive?
Orthotics can improve your children’s posture tremendously by preventing their feet from collapsing and aligning their feet and legs, helping them walk and run straighter. However, if your child’s orthotics are fitted in the wrong pair of shoes (unsupportive or the wrong shoe size), your child won’t get any of the benefits that the orthotics have to offer.
Try this Amazing Shoe Lacing Technique!
Chipmunks take extra space inside of the shoes, which can give children the impression that their feet are coming out of the shoes (the orthotics raise the feet). This can create a great deal of discomfort, to the point that they might want to stop wearing them.
My coworker who has 20-plus years of shoe fitting experience taught me a shoe lacing technique that pushes the child’s feet back and secure them against the back of the shoe, preventing heel movement and heel slipping.
Do You Need a Different Pair of Shoes to Fit Your Child’s Chipmunk Orthotics?
You can ask your question in the comments section below for immediate assistance or contact me via email:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Choosing the right shoes for children who use Chipmunk orthotics is crucial in supporting their foot health and overall development. By focusing on depth, support, and adjustability, you can ensure that your child’s shoes complement their orthotics effectively. Remember, the right pair of shoes can make all the difference in your child’s comfort and mobility.
Hello!
Thank you so much for this helpful information. Can you please help confirm if the below is a great shoe for my 18-month old with moderate pronation? We’re only able to order online so we want to make sure we’re selecting the best shoe before ordering. The New Balance you have listed are about $20 higher so we’re trying to see if the below shoes could work.
https://www.newbalance.com/pd/2002/PC2002V1-41294.html?dwvar_PC2002V1-41294_style=PC2002NV&irclickid=UyJxoL10kxyPWPpQIy31VUZ5UkFUmnytMTfmQ80&irgwc=1&utm_source=Impact&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=Fitting%20Children%27s%20Shoes&utm_term=1377658&Ecid=af_Fitting%20Children%27s%20Shoes
Hello Carla,
Yes, the style 2002 provides a stable base of support with firm heel counters: https://new-balance-athletics-inc.sjv.io/AWnqvo Make sure that the shoe is properly tied at all times so your son can get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer.
You can also use this discount code to get 10% off and free shipping: FITTING10