Children who wear orthotics need to wear supportive shoes that provide extra depth, rounded toe-boxes, and they need to be available in wide (W) or extra wide (XW) widths to accommodate the extra space orthotics usually take. Some orthotics take more space than others and depending on what orthotic your child needs to wear (full-length, 3/4 length, AFO, SMO), it will be less/more challenging to find shoes that fit.
What Makes the Shoes that I Recommend Ideal to Accommodate Orthotics?
The shoes that I recommend for children who wear orthotics provide these 5 important features:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the orthotic to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent your kids’ feet from being raised by the orthotics.
2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: The shoes must provide a substantial outsole to hold the orthotic in place and reduce the impact that your child’s feet and legs take every time they become in contact with the ground. Let me show you the difference in support between one of the shoes I recommend and a different shoe:
3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: The shoes must come with a firm heel counter to help the orthotic provide good 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:
4️⃣ Flexible and Lightweight: The shoes must be supportive, but lightweight and flexible at the same time to prevent your child’s feet and legs from easily getting tired.
5️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to prevent the orthotic from poking a hole in the front of the shoes.
The Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics
All of the shoes below are available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW). Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- 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 your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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 your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Constructed with a breathable textile lining and an OrthoLite® comfort foam insoles provide moisture transport, antimicrobial function, and long-term cushioning
- Water-friendly
- Double hook-and-loop closure for easy on and off
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 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 your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 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 your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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 your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- 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 a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- 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 a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Durable leather/suede mesh upper
- Stability Web outsole technology provides added arch support
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide or extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Lace-Up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- 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 half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Padded tongue and collar for added support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- No-sew tip for durability where kids need it most
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- 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 your child’s current foot size
- 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 your child’s current foot size
- 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 your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
To allow for growing room, I highly recommend that parents order these shoes half a size larger than their child’s current foot size. This translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes. However, you should strongly consider providing your child with a whole size larger to allow the orthotic to fit correctly inside the shoes. This translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
Try This Shoe Lacing Technique!
I suggest that you apply the following shoe lacing technique:
How to Tie Shoes with Orthotics – Stop Heel Slippage
How to Retrieve What Shoe Size You Need to Order for Your Child’s Orthotics?
Take a look at the resource below to find out what shoe size you should order for your child’s orthotics:
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size for Your Child’s Orthotics – Follow These 3 Simple Steps
Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics – Learn About Other Families with Similar Experiences!
Hello Juan Pablo,
My daughter is almost 16 months and just got fitted for small braces. We are having an insanely difficult time finding a pair of shoes to properly fit her foot with the braces on. We are in NYC and have gone to a reputable children’s shoe store which sold us a shoe that was too large and too wide. So, then I went online and have been in a series of buying and returning buying and returning with nothing working out well. Do you work in an NYC store? If so, which one? We really appreciate your expertise and would be happy to go to your store as we feel this should be done by a professional in person.
Thanks so much!
Deborah Adams
Deborah,
I am actually located in Potomac, Maryland. I can definitely guide you and help you find the correct type of shoes for your daughter.
Most parents are not aware that if they don’t get the correct pair of shoes with the orthotics, their children won’t get the full benefits that the orthotics have to offer.
If the shoes are too large, your daughter won’t get the proper support from the orthotics and you will end up compromising your daughter’s stability and making her more prone to falling.
If the shoes are too wide that will allow the orthotic and her feet to move too much inside the shoes and that constant friction will lead to blisters, calluses, and corns.
I need to know her shoe size to send you specific shoe recommendations. What we need to look for is a deeper shoe – the deeper the shoe the better, that way the brace will sit deeply inside the shoe and won’t raise her feet, as this will give her the impression that her feet are coming out of the shoe when walking or running.
We also want to go wider instead of longer – if the shoe is too long then you will end up compromising her stability and the braces won’t do any good. I already have some shoe styles in mind but please get back to me with her shoe size (length and width), and I will get back to you as soon as possible with the best shoe recommendations.
Hi again,
We tried a shoe size 5.5 wide in a Stride Rite shoe store with her wearing the braces. This was based on the recommendation of the man at the shoe store and the shoes were way too big and made her walk as though she was wearing flippers. She kept falling and complaining that the shoes kept coming up and down when she walked.
The issue is that he couldn’t get any smaller shoe size (in length) because it wouldn’t fit the orthotics. No matter how hard he tried, the orthotics wouldn’t fit inside the shoes.
So, what is the next step? She won’t be able to walk or run around in shoes that are too long, she was already falling trying to walk in those shoes. This has been a very time consuming and frustrating experience and I need it solved as soon as possible.
Please let me know how to proceed.
Thanks,
Deborah
Hello Deborah,
First of all, shoes come in different widths such as narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide. The first step is to try a wider shoes. So, try the same shoe style in an extra wide width (XW) and let me know if it works out. Also, it really helps to try on shoes that are deeper, as this allows the orthotic to fit deeply inside the shoe. This basically means that the orthotic won’t raise your daughter’s feet as much, and it won’t give her the impression that her feet are coming out of the shoes.
Are you also willing to try a pair of shoes that come with shoelaces instead of Velcro closure? This will provide your daughter with more support and stability, and secure her ankles to minimize heel movement.
If you need to get your daughter’s shoes online and need deeper shoes that are available in extra wide widths, take a look at the shoe style below which is one of the best fitting shoes for orthotics:
Supportive Shoes to Wear with and Without Braces
If you want to see a larger selection of shoes take a look at an article I wrote called:
The Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics – Supportive and Comfortable Shoes
Sincerely,
Juan
Hello Juan,
Ok, sounds good. I want to try the first shoe style that you recommend. I wouldn’t mind having to tie my daughter’s shoes if this will benefit her in the long run. Is there a special type of way I should be tying her shoes? I read somewhere that there is a special way to tie shoes with orthotics but I wanted to hear it from you and if you have a special lacing technique please let me know.
I worry about the brace not fitting in the high top. Has this been a problem in your experience?
Thanks again,
Deborah
Hello Deborah,
There actually is a specific way to tie shoes with orthotics, and you can learn about it here:
How to Tie Shoes with Orthotics – Stop Heel Slippage
The high top I recommend is the best fitting shoe style for orthotics, although I cannot be 100% that the shoes will work for your daughter’s orthotics, I am pretty confident that they will. Please don’t forget to remove the original insole of the shoe before placing the brace inside. If you keep the insole inside the shoe, you will be raising your daughter’s feet up and her toes will rub against the top of the shoe which can lead to blisters, calluses, and corns.
Thank you,
Juan
Hello Juan,
I tried the shoes that you recommend, and they have worked perfectly! I tried an extra wide width which allowed me to stick with a smaller size (4.5XW) and my daughter is walking and running so much better. Her feet and legs look straighter when she walks and runs.
These shoes really make a difference, I wish I could keep buying the longer size every time as I made you go through so much trouble, but I am really grateful for your patience.
Do you have any other articles that talk about children with foot problems? I have so many friends with older kids that complain about foot and leg pain and they don’t know what to do about it.
Hello Deborah,
I am glad that the shoes worked out for your daughter. While getting shoes for children might seem like a simple task, it takes more thought and research than most parents think.
As other parents are having similar issues, you can refer them to an article I wrote called:
Deep Shoes for Orthotics – The Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions.
Do you have a children’s shoe store in your area where you take your children to be fitted for shoes? Parents are always asking me if I know about good children’s shoe stores in their area where they can take their children to be properly fitted for shoes, so if you have a shoe store that you trust, please let us know where you are located since other parents will find that information very helpful.
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