Orthopedic Sandals for Kids – Finding the Best Summer Sandal for Your Child!

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.

If you’re pressed for time, you can jump directly to the selection of orthopedic sandals for kids.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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. 

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.

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 on orthopedic shoes.

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.