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

Has your child been diagnosed with flat feet, toe-walking, low muscle tone, hypermobility, or any other foot condition that requires them to wear supportive footwear? Maybe you already found a pair of supportive sneakers but don’t know what types of shoes to get for the summer. I work for a children’s shoe store and I have been helping families find the perfect pair of orthopedic sandals to help treat their child’s foot condition during the summer.

Once the summer season starts, your child won’t be able to wear sneakers with the orthotics all day and 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 your child’s footwear and orthotics.

First Things First: Do Orthotics Work Inside Regular Sandals?

Parents tend to ask 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. The heel counter is the back part of 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 orthopedic sandals I will describe shortly.

The orthopedic sandals that I recommend have an enclosed heel counter which will allow you to fit an orthotic inside the sandals. However, the orthopedic sandals that I recommend are already supportive, so whether you will need to fit an orthotic directly depends on the degree of your child’s foot condition.

What Makes the Orthopedic Sandals I Recommend Ideal for Kids with Foot Issues?

The orthopedic sandals I recommend 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.

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. They also have foam-padded elements in specific areas of the feet for better comfort and to help prevent blisters.

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 3 adjustable straps that will allow you to adjust them to your child’s specific foot width.

The Best Orthopedic Sandals for Kids 

Below you can find a selection of the best orthopedic sandals for kids. 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.

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.

I understand that not all families can invest $120 in a pair of orthopedic sandals. If you are looking for a more affordable solution I suggest that you look into buying a pair of regular supportive sandals.

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

If you prefer to visit a local shoe store, I created a resource that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state. However, since most children’s shoe stores have been closing down, I created a different resource 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.

Are Any Other Sandal Choices Available?

If none of these sandals are available in your child’s shoe size or if you are looking for more affordable options don’t hesitate to email me at:

[email protected]

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 sneakers.

Orthopedic Sandals for Kids – Watch Video!

In this video, you will be able to better visualize the key features that orthopedic sandals I recommend provide. You will also be able to better compare the difference in support between orthopedic and regular sandals. Pediatricians, podiatrists, and educators who work with children’s foot health might also benefit from watching this video.

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.