Orthopedic Boots for Kids – Improve Balance and Prevent Foot Pain
Have you been trying different boot styles and brands but feel like you still haven’t found boots that are supportive enough for your kid’s feet? If this is the case, then orthopedic boots might be the answer, especially if your child has been complaining about foot and leg pain. I have put together a list of the best orthopedic boots for kids based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.
Orthopedic boots are designed to offer quality support and place your kid’s feet in the proper anatomical position. In addition, orthopedic footwear is often made specifically to treat foot pain conditions such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, hammertoes, and bunions. Regardless of the foot condition, orthopedic boots can make a world of difference when it comes to improving your child’s foot posture and walking gait.
Ultimately, the most effective way to significantly reduce or fully eliminate your kid’s foot or leg pain is to provide them with the correct types of shoes.
Fitting Children’s Shoes – About My Experience
I have been working for a shoe store for over 10 years, where we specialize in helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems (flat feet, toe walking, overpronation, etc).
There is only a small selection of orthopedic boots for kids, but the good news is that I will help you find them! Did you know that the types of shoes that you provide for your kids can help them walk and run straighter? The correct type of shoes can also help improve your kid’s overall posture.
Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time and want to jump directly to the selection of the best orthopedic boots for kids, you can click here.
Should Families Invest in a Pair of Orthopedic Shoes?
When children have a foot condition that is hard to manage with regular sneakers or orthotics, a pair of orthopedic shoes might be the answer to your child’s foot problems.
I am always trying to emphasize to parents the key role that shoes play in keeping their kid’s feet healthy. Parents are always skeptical of investing in their children’s shoes and the main reason is that kids grow out of shoes relatively quickly. However, it can be extremely beneficial to invest in footwear that is supportive and has orthopedic technology if your child is dealing with foot or leg pain. You will end up saving a lot of time and money in the long run!
Let me also share with you that there are only certain types of orthopedic boots that are effective in treating a kid’s foot or leg condition.
Orthopedic Boots for Kids – What Makes Them Effective?
Before I share with you the selection of the best orthopedic boot styles for kids that I have previously fitted, let’s first get familiar with what features these boots provide.
- Arch and Ankle Support: This will help prevent the child’s feet from rotating inward or outward.
- Professional Orthopedic Outsole: This will help relieve heel pressure, make the feet evenly stressed and improve your kid’s walking posture.
- Rounder Toe-Box: This will help prevent your kids’ toes from rubbing against the side of the shoes or overlapping against one another.
- Extra Depth: This will help in case you need to fit an orthotic (3/4 length, full length, or AFO) inside the boots for extra support.
Best Orthopedic Boots for Kids
Take a look at the description below each boot to find out whether it can accommodate your child’s foot shape as well as other important information such as what features the boots provide and what material the boots are made of. Make sure that you pull the velcro straps of the boots tightly, that way your child can get the full support and stability that the boots have to offer.
- Shoe style Toddlers Orthopedic by Princepard
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Integrated heel support structure
- Removable insoles
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Toddlers Orthopedic by Princepard
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Integrated heel support structure
- Removable insoles
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Chicago Corrective by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 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 foot size
- Shoe style Malmo Corrective Orthopedic by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Double velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Winter Boots by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Thomas heel
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Genuine leather high upper
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Davos Orthopedic Winter by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Thomas heel
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Genuine leather high upper
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Polo by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 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 foot size
- Shoe style Orthopedic Corrective High-Top by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Ability to adjust the velcro length to the different foot widths
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s foot size
- Shoe style Polo Ankle Support by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 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 foot size
- Shoe style by Princepard
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an orthopedic snow boot
- Supportive outsoles enhance shock absorption
- Triple velcro closure for maximum supporting stability
- Built-in high orthotic brace helps support flat feet
- Removable insoles
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style by Princepard
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an orthopedic boot, which might not work well for heavy snow
- Supportive outsoles enhance shock absorption
- Wool lining and natural fu
- Built-in high orthotic brace helps support flat feet
- Removable insoles
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world.
Looking for Other Recommendations? – Get a Personalized Suggestion
If after trying any of these orthopedic boots your kid is still complaining about foot or leg pain, you can send me a picture of the sole of the boot because depending on which zone is worn out, there are certain insoles that can be selected to correct the problem. Children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and any specific foot conditions they may have. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
More broadly, I am always stressing to parents that it doesn’t matter how many features a particular shoe style provides, if the shoes are not fitted properly which involves getting the correct shoe length and the correct shoe width, your kid won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.
Finding the Correct Foot Size for Your Kid
Let’s not underestimate the value of adequately measuring the feet and doing this from time to time, to ensure that kids are always wearing their correct shoe size.
My recommendation to parents is to have their children’s feet properly measured at their local children’s shoe store, where a shoe fitter can find the perfect pair of shoes for your child. The issue is that most parents don’t have a local kids’ shoe store in their area and end up buying their kids’ shoes online.
Find Out If You Have a Specialized Children’s Shoe Store in Your Area
I created a resource that describes the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state.
Understandably, if you still can’t find a local store in your area, then you may find useful an article where I describe the simplest and most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home.
Other Helpful Tips – Avoid Boots That Are Too Narrow
Unless your kid has narrow feet, if they are wearing boots that are too small or too narrow, you are putting your kid at risk of developing serious foot deformities such as bunions, corns, or blisters.
One of the most common foot issues I have seen is the development of corns. The hard corn usually starts as red skin, followed by a coating of callus, which develops into a hard corn. Most hard corns form on the side of the little toe, therefore the importance of boots coming with a round toe-box— but are also found in other places where there is steady pressure and abrasion.
The goal is to prevent corns since they are hard to get rid of. The other main problems of providing your kid with boots that are too narrow amongst others are:
- Aching feet
- Hammertoes
- Ingrown toenails
- Blisters
Make sure that your child always wears socks that are tall enough for the boots to increase comfort and prevent foot issues.
Are You Looking for a Different Pair of Orthopedic Shoes for Your Child?
If you are looking for a pair of orthopedic sandals or sneakers for your child I suggest that you take a look at other resources I created.
I understand that not all families can invest in a pair of orthopedic shoes for their children. There are regular/everyday sneakers that can be very effective in helping treat a child’s foot condition (depending on the degree) and will cost a lot less than orthopedic shoes.
Hope you found this article helpful and please feel free to share your feedback. If you are unsure about which orthopedic boots will work best for your kid, you can contact me via the comments section below or via my email address:
