Kids’ Shoes for Chipmunk Orthotics – Extra Deep and Supportive!

October 31, 2022 Orthotics/Insoles Juan Pablo Valenzuela 2 - Comments

Is your child dealing with a foot condition and your medical professional recommends wearing a pair of Chipmunk orthotics? Are you confused about what shoes you should get as your doctor didn’t recommend specific models? I am familiar with which are the best kids’ shoes for Chipmunk orthotics since I have been fitting children’s shoes for many years.

What Children Can Benefit from Wearing Chipmunk Orthotics?

Chipmunks are usually diagnosed for children who have flat feet and heel eversion. They are ideal for children with moderate pronation who have a fully correctable foot position.

Some children who wear AFOs and SMOs might be moved down to a pair of Chipmunks.

Chipmunks Orthotics – 3 Key Features!

Chipmunks are full length orthotics that provide the following features:

1️⃣ Built-In Arch Padding

2️⃣ Full Heel Cup for Stabilization

3️⃣ Plantar Surface

How Easy Are Chipmunks to Fit Inside Kids’ Shoes?

To accommodate the extra space that Chipmunks take inside the shoes, you need to look for shoes that provide the following features:

1️⃣ Extra Depth to allow the Chipmunks to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent your kids’ feet from being raised by the orthotics. Shoes with extra depth will also increase your child’s comfort and prevent giving your child the impression that the heels are coming out of the shoes.

Do you notice how the orthotic inside the right shoe is sitting a lot deeper compared to the orthotic inside the left shoe?

2️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes to prevent the Chipmunks from poking a hole in the front part of the shoes.

shoes-with-round-toe-boxes-for-kids-with-flat-feet

3️⃣ Substantial Outsoles to hold the Chipmunks in place and reduce the impact that your child’s feet and legs take every time they become in contact with the ground.

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 to help 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:

children's-shoes-with-heel-support

5️⃣ Removable Insoles to allow extra space for the Chipmunks.

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

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)

  • Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
New-Balance-shoe-for-toddler-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
  • Available in laces and velcro
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
  • 100% leather made
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style SRT Emilia by Stride Rite
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
  • 100% leather made
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style Gabi by Memo
  • 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
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style Gabi by Memo
  • 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
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style Mary Jane by Memo
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Double velcro straps
  • This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
  • Extra depth and width for orthotics
  • Rigid heel counter
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style 2002 by New Balance
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
  • 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 
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style M2P Journey 2 by Stride Rite
  • 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 
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style 990V6 by New Balance
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Velcro closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order 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)

  • Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Velcro closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 is available for little and big kids
  • 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
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is available for little and big kids
  • 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
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650 is available for little and big kids
  • 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
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Ankle Support by Memo
  • 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
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style Chicago Corrective by Memo
  • 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
  • Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
  • 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 
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
  • 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 
  • Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Cross Em Up 5 by Adidas
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Extra padding around the ankles
  • Lace-up closure
  • Rubber outsole provides excellent grip
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
Adidas-high-top-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The Adidas shoe style Cross Em Up Select is available for little kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Non-marking outsole
  • Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Rave Run V2 by New Balance
  • 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
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style Rave Run V2 by New Balance
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • The New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
  • Shoe style 2002 by New Balance
  • 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
  • Shoe style 650v1 by New Balance
  • 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
  • Shoe style 990V6 by New Balance
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • Order this shoe a half 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:

[email protected]

Have you found a specific pair of shoes that worked well for your child’s Chipmunks orthotics? Share your findings in the comments section below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.