Are you having a hard time finding a pair of orthopedic sandals for your child? If your children have been diagnosed with flat feet, overpronation, rolled ankles, toe-walking, low muscle tone, or any other foot condition that requires them to wear supportive shoes, a pair of orthopedic sandals can help treat their condition during the summer.
Can You Fit Orthotics Inside Your Kids’ Sandals?
Parents are always asking me if they can fit an orthotic inside their kid’s regular sandals for extra support, and the answer is no. Orthotics will be ineffective in a pair of sandals because sandals unlike sneakers don’t come with a firm heel counter and the orthotic will end up moving too much inside the sandals. I wanted to clarify that because this is a very common question several parents have asked and seem confused about. However, there is one sandal style that will allow you to fit an orthotic inside, and those are the sandals I will describe shortly.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over 10 Years of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now that focuses on children with foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. We carry some of the most supportive children’s shoes and orthotics, and I am familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are better than others.
Providing your child with a pair of good supportive shoes is the most effective way to minimize or fully eliminate the pain that your child might be experiencing. The issue is that there is only a small selection of orthopedic sandals for kids, but the good news is that I will help you find them.
Once the summer season starts, your children won’t be able to wear their sneakers with the orthotics all day and they will need to alternate with a pair of supportive sandals. If you don’t provide your children with a good pair of sandals for the summer, it will be like taking a step back from all the work and investment you have put into the shoes and orthotics.
What Makes the Orthopedic Sandals that I Recommend Ideal for Kids?
There are certain orthopedic sandals for kids that will provide extra support for their feet and allow them to walk and run straighter. The sandals that I describe below are made of the highest quality European children’s footwear in classic style, made of natural materials and ideally adapt to the child’s foot, without causing discomfort and skin irritation.
I will show you a selection of the best orthopedic sandals for kids shortly, but first, let me show you what features these sandals provide and how you can figure out your child’s foot size from home.
I always recommend parents take their children to their local children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most stores have been closing down and parents need to end up buying their kids’ shoes online. There is nothing wrong with this, but you must know your child’s exact foot size to know what size to order.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I created a resource that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where To Go for Proper Fittings
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Orthopedic Sandals for Kids – The 5 Most Important Features!
There are 5 important features that these orthopedic sandals provide for your child:
1️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: The sandals come with a thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter to protect and support your kids’ heels.
2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature minimizes the impact that your kids’ feet and legs take every time they become in contact with the ground.
3️⃣ High-Quality Materials: The upper and lining of these sandals are made of high-quality genuine nappa-leather with foam-padded elements in specific areas of the feet for better comfort.
4️⃣ Good Traction: This feature minimizes the likelihood of your child slipping and falling, especially when walking around wet surfaces.
5️⃣ Fits Wide and Extra Wide Feet: These sandals come with adjustable straps that will allow you to adjust them to your child’s specific foot width.
Now that you know what features these orthopedic sandals provide and how to figure out your child’s foot size from home, you are ready to take a look at a selection of the best orthopedic sandals for kids.
I only write reviews of shoe styles that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Orthopedic Sandals for Kids ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best orthopedic sandals for kids. Many of the sandals featured below come in several color options, so if your child likes a specific model, please make sure to click through and see if they have the desired color.
Boys
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different feet width
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 3 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
- Long and firm heel counter helps improve stability and maintain correct foot posture.
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and support
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Genuine leather lining
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 3 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
- Long and firm heel counter helps improve stability and maintain correct foot posture.
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Girls
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different feet width
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different feet width
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 3 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
- Long and firm heel counter helps improve stability and maintain correct foot posture.
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and support
- Genuine leather lining
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the sandals, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
These orthopedic sandals are specifically designed to offer the best footwear solution for your kids’ flat feet, club foot, toe walking, and overpronation — that’s the reason why they are higher priced compared to regular sandals. These kids’ sandals were evaluated in Europe and they help treat and prevent ankle overpronation. If your child pronates severely, these are the best type of sandals for their feet.
Now that you know which are the best orthopedic sandals for kids you are ready to make the most informed decision.
Are Any Other Sandal Choices Available?
If none of these shoes are available in your child’s shoe size or if you need the shoes to be made of a specific color don’t hesitate to email me at:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
What are the Best Orthopedic Sneakers for Kids?
If you are looking for a pair of orthopedic sneakers for your kids I suggest that you take a look at the resource below:
Orthopedic Shoes for Kids – STOP Your Kids’ Foot Pain!
Have you found a pair of orthopedic sandals that have worked well for your child’s feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
Hi Juan Pablo,
Thank you for writing this helpful article! I am only able to see 4 sandals, all of them are Keen ones. I can’t see the “second row” that you refer to.
Thank you,
Ruth
Ruth,
I checked and it’s working fine for me. Please try refreshing your page.
Thank you! What are your thoughts on Natives Jefferson?
Hello Ruth,
They are great as a casual summer shoes but I wouldn’t wear it more than 5 hours a day since they don’t offer a lot of support. You can learn more about Natives shoe styles in this article I wrote:
Native Shoes – The Must Have Shoe For The Summer
I hope this helps!
thanks
Hello! Do the shoes recommend work with an SMO brace? My daughter has the Sure Step SMO braces and I can’t find sandals to fit her. Thanks!
Hello Natalie,
I have never had a child wear orthotics with sandals. When children have a foot condition then I recommend that during the summer they wear a good supportive sandal and then switch back to his or her sneakers with orthotics. If you want to fit your daughter’s SMO braces in a pair of sandals these are the only sandals that will be able to accommodate them. These are the most supportive sandals for children with foot issues.
If you decide to try a pair of sandals without the SMO braces you should try Keen sandals. Here is a link to that article:
Sandals for Kids with Flat Feet – Supportive, Lightweight, Flexible, and Durable!
If you decide to try them, please let me know how they work out.
I am ISO of new summer sandal for my child who has flat feet and falls often, he also plays soccer. In the past he has worn Merrell sandals but do you have any recommendations for a good supportive sandal, with closed toes? I had also wondered about boots for the colder season. He currently wears a little kid 13. Thanks!
Hello Jess,
Has your child tried Keen sandals before? They are some of the most supportive and durable kids summer sandals. They are my to-go sandals for children with flat feet and stability issues. I believe you mention in another comment that your child has narrow feet, am I correct?
If your child has narrow feet, this is the Keen sandal style that fits the narrowest:
Keen Sandal for Boy with Narrow Feet
If I am mistaken and your boy doesn’t have narrow feet, here is another style that you can try:
Supportive Sandal for Flat Feet
Is it going to get colder soon where you live? When the winter season comes I will be able to recommend good supportive boots for his feet.