New Balance Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet: Comfort and Support
Last updated: August 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter
Does your child have flat feet, and you’re unsure which New Balance shoes are best for their needs? You’re not alone. Choosing the right footwear is important for kids with flat feet, and New Balance is one of the brands most often recommended by parents, pediatricians, and shoe fitters alike. That said, not all New Balance styles offer the same level of support — some provide far better stability and structure than others. In this guide, I’ll highlight the New Balance shoes that genuinely promote proper alignment and reduce discomfort for kids with flat feet.
The Importance of Supportive Shoes
Supportive shoes play a real role in managing flat feet. The right pair can provide stability, reduce discomfort, and help prevent further issues. As a shoe fitter, my goal is to help parents find shoes that offer the support their child needs while still being comfortable and something the child actually wants to wear.
At the children’s shoe store where I work, we specialize in helping kids with flat feet and other foot conditions find the right supportive shoe. I regularly collaborate with physical and occupational therapists who trust us to properly fit their young patients, often recommending orthotics depending on the severity of the condition.
Is New Balance Genuinely More Supportive Than Other Brands?
New Balance is a top choice among parents and shoe fitters for kids with flat feet, known for real support, stability, and comfort. While other brands offer supportive options too, New Balance stands out for having specific styles built to accommodate flat feet across a range of foot shapes — medium, wide, and extra wide.
3 Key Features to Look For
Feature One: Straight Lasts. This keeps the forefoot properly aligned and prevents it from splaying outward. Avoid shoes with overly curved lasts, since they often lack the heel stability kids with flat feet need. Popular brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour often use curved or semi-curved lasts, which may not provide the support your child requires.
Feature Two: Stable Base of Support. A stable base is crucial for maintaining balance and preventing excessive foot motion. New Balance often achieves this through midsole technologies that cushion the foot while still providing a firm foundation.
Feature Three: Firm Heel Counters. A firm heel counter helps keep the foot properly aligned and reduces overpronation. Always check that the heel counter feels solid rather than soft — it makes a real difference in comfort and posture.
Before and After: Barefoot vs. Supportive Shoes
Can Supportive Shoes Make My Child’s Feet Weaker?
Many parents worry that supportive shoes might weaken their child’s feet — that’s not the case. Think of supportive shoes like glasses: glasses don’t fix your vision, but they let you see clearly and function while you’re wearing them. Supportive shoes don’t “cure” a foot condition, but they provide the stability and alignment your child needs to move confidently and comfortably.
The Importance of the Correct Shoe Size
For your child to fully benefit from a supportive shoe, it needs to be fitted correctly — an ill-fitting shoe won’t provide the support it’s designed to give. If you don’t have a reliable children’s shoe store nearby, try the free virtual shoe fitting service I created to find your child’s exact size from home.
Top New Balance Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet
These styles come in a range of widths and colors — click through to check availability in your child’s size. Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
990v6 by New Balance
These are the best New Balance shoes for kids with flat feet. The robust outsole helps distribute weight evenly across the foot and reduces strain on the muscles and joints. The downside that many parents complain about is the high price tag.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order with laces on the New Balance website or Amazon
- Velcro version also available on the New Balance website or Amazon
- Accommodates medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Firm heel counters, stable base of support, and semi-straight lasts
- Ideal for moderate to strong cases of pronation
- Removable insoles
- Sizing tip: Order a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
574 by New Balance
These New Balance shoes for flat feet combine style with functionality and offer solid support and cushioning. The shoes are offered at a lower price point.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Also available with laces on the New Balance website or Amazon
- Accommodates medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Ideal for mild to moderate cases of pronation
- Firm heel counters
- APMA Seal of Acceptance
- Sizing tip: Order a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Fresh Foam 625 by New Balance
These New Balance running shoes for kids with flat feet are perfect for kids who need a reliable all-around shoe, capable of supporting diverse sports engagements.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Ideal for mild to moderate degrees of pronation
- Fresh foam midsole cushioning provides an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Padded collar and tongue
- Sizing tip: Order one full size larger than your child’s current foot size
Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance
This is a versatile shoe that provides a soft and comfortable fit while supporting your child’s flat feet. Families appreciate how this shoe is offered at a very reasonable price.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order on the New Balance website or Amazon
- Also available with laces on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Accommodates medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Ideal for mild to moderate cases of pronation
- Semi-firm heel counters
- Sizing tip: Order a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
2002/1906 by New Balance
A more affordable alternative to the 990v6, offering the same straight last and genuinely stable structure without the premium price tag. A solid pick for school and everyday wear when your child needs real support but doesn’t need the 990v6’s top-tier cushioning.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the 2002 or 1906 on the New Balance website
- Accommodates medium or wide feet
- Ideal for moderate to strong cases of pronation
- Firm heel counters, stable base of support, and semi-straight lasts
- Sizing tip: Order a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Are There Other New Balance Styles Worth Considering?
The styles above are my top picks for support and comfort. New Balance offers a much wider children’s lineup, but these stand out for genuine stability. If you need personalized advice, feel free to reach out by email or leave a comment below.
Keep Those Laces Tied for Maximum Support
Laced shoes offer better support and stability than velcro closures — but only if the laces are actually tied correctly. If they’re loose, your child won’t get the full benefit the shoe is designed to provide. Make sure laces are secure every time.
Watch: The Best New Balance Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet
This short video walks through the key features that make these styles genuinely supportive — shoe structure, heel stability, and overall fit — so you can see exactly why these are the ones I recommend most often.
Should I Add Orthotics as Well?
It depends on how severe your child’s flat feet are and whether they’re experiencing foot or leg pain. In most cases, starting with a pair of supportive shoes and tracking your child’s progress is the smart first move. Some families choose to add orthotics right away, which is fine too, as long as they’re properly fitted inside the shoe.
What About Sandals and Boots for Flat Feet?
Sneakers are the go-to for everyday wear, but sandals and boots can offer real support too — look for the same key features: a stable base, firm heel counters, and straight lasts.
For warmer months, look for supportive sandals with adjustable straps and a supportive footbed. In colder weather, supportive boots with a firm sole and supportive interior help maintain alignment, with insulated options available that don’t sacrifice support for warmth.
Working in a specialized children’s shoe store since 2013, I’ve helped countless families find the right pair of shoes for their children. For a wider selection of shoes for kids with flat feet, check out my dedicated guide featuring the best supportive options.
Hi my son is 7 almost 8. We are in United States. Kansas City Missouri. My boys ankles curve inward. He over pronates. Really needing the best football cleat suggestions. Thank you so much. I think a wider shoe may be better? He does have flat feet.
Hello Abby,
What specific shoe size do you need? Are you also considering a sport insoles/orthotic to fit inside the cleats?
A wider shoe will be better if your son has wide or extra wide feet, do you know your son’s exact foot shape?
Do you have suggestions for cleats for a flat footed 11 year old. His feet are beginning to roll inwards and we’re having no luck, with or without some generic inserts.
Hello Paige,
If you tell me your son’s foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), the shoe size that he wears, and the country that you are contacting me from I can provide you with specific shoe recommendations.
Hello,
I am looking for a good shoes for my daughter. She has flat feet and they started to bother her.
I am in Michigan. I see a store called: Connie’s Children Shop. Do they sell shoes. Hoe to buy the right shoes?
Do health insurance cover them?
Thank you,
CB
Hello CB,
You can check your local shoe store and have your daughter properly fitted for shoes there.
If you need me to recommend specific shoes for your daughter I first need to know her foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), and the shoe size that she wears. If you are unsure of your daughter’s foot shape you can use this resource: How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width