Pigeon Toe Treatment – The Proven Method to Stop Pigeon Toe in Kids
Has your child been walking or running differently lately? Are your kid’s feet and legs turning inwards when they are walking? Parents are usually pretty good at noticing when something is not right about their kids. Let’s start by clarifying what it means to be pigeon-toed: Kids’ who walk with their feet turned in instead of pointing straight ahead are described as being “pigeon-toed” or having “in-toeing.” The most effective pigeon toe treatment involves wearing the correct pair of shoes to help improve your child’s foot posture and walking gait.
This condition is more common than you can imagine and can be easily treated and corrected by wearing good supportive shoes and in certain cases orthotics as well (depending on the degree of your child’s condition).
If your child has been diagnosed as being pigeon toed, then you must take action immediately, since when children walk with their toes pointing inwards it can lead them to put pressure on parts of their body where they are not supposed to —which usually leads to foot and leg pain.
The correct type of shoes can have a tremendous impact on improving the way your child walks and runs. Don’t take my word for it, let me prove it to you!
Pigeon Toe Treatment – What a Difference a Shoe Can Make!
Below is a picture of a child that is pigeon-toed and standing barefoot. Do you notice how the feet are pointing inwards instead of pointing straight ahead?
Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes that I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter?
How Do You Fix Pigeon Toe in Children?
I work for a children’s shoe store and I know for a fact that certain shoes can help improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture.
After fitting a child with pigeon toes in the right pair of shoes with good arch support and a firm heel counter, I always have them walk around the store to check if their walking gait is improving or not. Generally, the positive impact that the shoes have on the way the child walks is quite shocking and immediate. In most cases, we see the child walk a lot straighter right away!
A pair of supportive shoes can make a tremendous difference in improving your children’s overall posture and allow them to walk and run straighter.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Kids with Pigeon Toes?
1️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: The shoes I recommend provide a substantial outsole that helps prevent the child’s feet from pointing inwards. Let me show you the difference in support between one of the shoes I recommend and a different style:
2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This feature also helps prevent your child’s feet from pointing inwards. Below you can see the difference in ankle support between one of the shoes I recommend and a different style:
3️⃣ Straight Lasts: This feature helps improve foot posture. You need to stay away from shoes that have an excessively curved last as they lack heel stability. Most Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour shoes come with a curved or semi-curved last. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
What is Causing Your Child to Pigeon Toe? – Learn the Facts!
In-toeing is believed to be genetic. There are 3 conditions that often cause in-toeing:
- Curved foot (metatarsus adductus)
- Twisted shin (tibia torsion)
- Twisted thighbone (femoral anteversion)
How Can Parents Tell if Their Kids are Pigeon Toed?
Several parents have asked me how they can identify if their child has pigeon toes as some cases are more visible than others. I always advise them to pay attention to the way their child walks, but another good way to tell is by looking at the shoes that the child is wearing since they will show signs of unusual wear.
For example, let’s compare a shoe that a child with pigeon toe has been wearing versus a new shoe. Do you notice how the shoe on the left is caving into the right? That means that when the child is walking the feet are curving inwards instead of pointing straight ahead.
Before I show you a selection of the best shoes for pigeon toe treatment, I want to make sure that you know your child’s exact foot size. You won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online if you don’t know your child’s foot size to begin with.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size?
I always recommend parents take their children to their local fitting children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most fitting stores have been closing down and parents 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.
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.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best shoes for kids with pigeon toe. Keep in mind that these are not orthopedic shoes, just regular everyday sneakers that simply provide better support than others.
The Best Shoes for Pigeon Toe Treatment
Below you can find a list of the best shoes for pigeon-toed children. The shoes below can fit children with medium (M), wide (W) or extra wide (XW) feet. 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.
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Stride Rite shoe style Elliot is available for toddlers
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Stride Rite shoe style Emilia is available for toddlers
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Timberland shoe style Tracks is available for toddlers
- Double velcro straps
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Water-friendly
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 574 is available for toddlers
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 990V6 is available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Gabi is available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Gabi is available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion is available for toddlers
- Velcro closure
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion is available for toddlers
- Velcro closure
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Timberland shoe style Bootie fits toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Padded collar for a comfortable fit around the ankle
- Water-friendly
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Princessa fits toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion 14 is available for little and big kids
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion 14 is available for little and big kids
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style DynaSoft v5 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 2002 is available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style DynaSoft v5 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Polo is available for little and big kids
- Triple velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an orthopedic shoe
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Memo shoe style Chicago is available for little and big kids
- Triple velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an orthopedic shoe
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style Coco is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Adidas shoe style Own the Game 2.0 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Adidas shoe style Cross Em Up Select is available for little kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Kinvara LTT is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Kinvara LTT is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The Saucony shoe style Cohesion 14 LTT is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style FuelCell Rebel v3 is available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 327 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 527 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style 527 is available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
I always recommend shoelaces over velcro closure for children who need to wear orthotics inside their shoes. Shoelaces provide better support and stability, and help keep the orthotic in place better than shoes with velcro closure. Shoelaces also lock and support your kids’ heels.
I recommend shoes that come with shoelaces instead of velcro closure as shoelaces provide better support and stability than velcro shoes.
Below are some of the benefits that these shoes provide:
- They help children walk with their feet close together and legs straight.
- They help prevent your children from running with their legs swinging out.
- They help prevent your children from tripping and falling often.
I am not a doctor, but I have fitted shoes and orthotics for hundreds of children with pigeon toe issues at the children’s shoe store that I work for. I have learned what works and what doesn’t by testing different shoes and orthotics.
Families Testimonials – Get Inspired!
Does Pigeon Toe Go Away?
Addressing pigeon toe from an early stage is crucial in keeping your kids’ feet and legs healthy. Nevertheless, if a child’s in-toeing remains by the age of 9 or 10 years old, surgery may be required to correct it.
This is the reason why keeping an eye on the way your child walks is extremely important, that way you can take action at an early stage and provide your child with the correct pair of supportive shoes.
If you try a pair of supportive shoes for 3 to 5 months and your child is still in-toeing, then your child might be a candidate for orthotics.
Orthotics for Pigeon Toe – When the Shoes are Not the Solution!
Orthotics can help improve your kids’ posture and reduce or completely eliminate the excess stress on their knees and hip joints.
In-Toeing – How Worried Should You Be?
Some studies show that infants who are pigeon-toed in the early years might outgrow the condition without any necessary treatment. However, if your child’s in-toeing persists after six months, or if it is hard and difficult to straighten out the feet and legs, you should get a professional evaluation immediately.
This usually leads to a recommendation of good supportive shoes and maybe an orthotic to help straighten your kids’ feet and legs.
2 Exercises That Will Help Treat this Condition
Your child’s pediatrician may have prescribed treatments such as physiotherapy. Below are some examples of exercises that can help pigeon-toed children:
First Exercise
- Have your toddler or young child sit up straight in a child-sized firm chair —children with pigeon toes tend to sit with their legs crossed naturally.
- Start by helping your child sit in a chair with his or her legs uncrossed and the feet should be flat on the floor.
- Make a trace of his or her feet in the correct slightly-outward position on a piece of paper.
- Make a game of this exercise by having your child sit in the chair with her feet in the outlines of the tracings on the paper.
Repeat this exercise as frequently as possible.
Second Exercise
- Clear an area that is approximately 6 square feet in your living room or garden to avoid injuries.
- Make your kid walk backward after showing him or her a demonstration.
- Have him follow you walking backward.
- Continue the exercise for up to 10 to 20 minutes or as long as your child is willing to do it.
This exercise helps to strengthen the hip joints to keep your kids’ feet straight while walking.
I always emphasize to parents to never ignore their children’s foot and leg pain. When children are experiencing foot or leg pain, I recommend treating the condition with a pair of good supportive shoes. However, if the pain persists after wearing the right pair of shoes, then we might consider providing the child with a pair of orthotics as well.
Something so simple such as providing your child with the correct pair of shoes can be the solution to your kids’ foot problems.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me if you ever have trouble finding a particular shoe style for your child with pigeon toe: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Is your child pigeon-toed? Has your child been experiencing foot or leg pain? What steps have you taken to stop the pain and improve the way they walk? Please share your experiences below so other families can benefit from them.
Hello
My daughter is nearly 11 and pigeon toed. Seems to be her femur that twists in as she walks. Hope it would correct itself but it hasn’t.
She is approx size UK3 and has a narrow foot. She complains sometimes of pain at the back of her heel (achilles area) and occasionally she says her hip/thigh area but nothing severe.
I am going to take her to the gp to see if we can get any advice/help.
Do you have any advice on what school shoes to buy for her please? Do I need to buy an insole too? Also what trainers or other shoes should I get her and what to avoid?
Thank you so much in advance.
Hello Lucy,
I suggest fitting your daughter in shoes that provide a stable base of support, firm heel counters, and straight lasts. The shoes should also provide narrow heel counters and narrow platforms to accommodate the shape of her narrow feet.
I am happy to help, but I need further information. Does the school require the shoes to be made of a specific color? I suggest that you email me as your daughter’s situation requires a more complex evaluation: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Hi , my son is 12 and is still pigeon toed . His doctors always said he should grow out of it but he has not. He has no trouble walking, running, or playing sports. Should I be doing something? I don’t know if it is too late.
Hello Katie,
There are certain shoes that can help improve your son’s foot posture and walking gait. If your son doesn’t have stability issues and is not complaining of any foot or leg pain, then just make sure he wears supportive shoes that are the correct size.
Hi Juan,
Should pigeon toe kids wear shoes at home too? wondering if this helps them more than no shoes at home?
Hello Stephanie,
Yes, the more the child wears the shoes, the better. With that said, this doesn’t mean that your child can’t go barefoot at home for a couple of hours.
My daughter is 11 and wears size six I’m big girls with medium width and it’s pretty severe that the side of her foot bone is protruding out under her skin. She says it doesn’t hurt and there’s no way she will agree to surgery. She is autistic so she hates anyone touching her, let alone a doctor. Are there braces or specific shoes exactly pidgeon toes kids. She says it doesn’t hurt but she runs sideways I need specific shoes for pidgeon toe
Hello Stephanie,
I am happy to help. There are orthopedic shoes that you can try, but I always suggest to start by trying a pair of supportive sneakers first. What are your daughter’s current shoes? Is your daughter already wearing an orthotic? Please email me your daughter’s information: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Hi Juan Pablo:
Great article. My son is now 9 and we have taken him to several Specialists for his intoeing since he was 2 but all of them said he will outgrow it and have done nothing about it. He is now 9 and it is actually getting worst to the point that he is now falling more often when playing soccer and running. He has been playing soccer since 4. He does not complain of any type of pain though. We have made sure his shoes are the right size for him and he wears Sauconys. His foot is wide. Any advise?
Thanks
Hi Oscar,
Thank you for your positive feedback.
Having flat feet can create a foot imbalance and compromise the chid’s stability. Your child might also be falling from wearing shoes that are too big or too small. In order for me to provide you with better advice I need you to follow the instructions in the article below:
How to Measure Your Kids Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
I know you mentioned that you are positive your son is wearing the correct size but the images requested in that article will also help me determine the degree of your son’s flat feet. In addition, we will know for sure whether your son’s feet are wide or extra wide, and whether your son has a high instep or not.
Hiya
I am struggling to find new balance infant size 3.5 with laces they seem to all be Velcro due to the size. Would they still be ok? Thank you
Hi Keisha,
It depends. Shoelaces make a big difference when it comes to providing better stability and support. I suggest that you try this shoe style which is available in wide widths and provides good support and stability: Stride Rite Bootie
If you have any other questions or concerns you can email me: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
My daughter 13months has feet that turn in I pushed for the referral as I noticed she was tripping a lot over her own feet. She’s a 3.5 wide fitting. I am going to order the new balance. This post has been the most helpful and informative thing I have been able to find. Much more help than the podiatrist. I have been to every shoe shop, looked at every shoe and after reading this I really had no idea what type of shoe I should have been getting. This has been so helpful I can’t thank you enough.
Hi Keisha,
I am glad that you found the article informative. If your daughter has been tripping a lot over her feet I suggest that you also make sure that you are providing her with the correct shoe size. Shoes that are too short or too long can be a contributing cause of why she is falling so much. If you are unsure of your daughter’s exact foot size and shape I suggest that you take a look at the article below:
How to Measure Your Kids Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Thank you 🙂 I had her measured at a shoe store she was tripping over bare foot because of how much her foot was turning in
I hope the shoes allow your daughter to walk and run straighter. Keep me posted!
Hello! my girl is 2 years old and has a pigeon toes which kind of shoes should I get for correction?
Hi Yande,
Before I can recommend specific shoes for your daughter I need to know whether your daughter has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will need to know if your daughter has a high instep or not. If you don’t know your daughter’s exact foot shape start by taking a look at this article:
How to Measure Your Kids Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Hello,
I am looking for soccer cleats for my pigeon toed child . She is a 7Wide. Any recommendations?
H Sally,
Is your daughter experiencing foot or leg pain during soccer practice or soccer games? Reason I ask is that if she is experiencing pain then we might have to consider fitting an extra insole inside the cleats for extra support.
I also would like to know if your daughter is a big kid shoe size 7 or if she is a shoe size 7 in women’s sizes. If you are unsure about this please refer to this article:
How to Measure Your Kids Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Hi! do you have a store in Canada?
Hi Abdul,
No, I am located in the United States. Are you looking for a specific pair of shoes for your child?
My son started showing pigeon toes with tibia torsion only after he turned 8. Now he’s 11 and it’s only gotten worse. My 3.5 year old is also showing signs lately. Could you please provide links for appropriate shoes for both their ages. Thank you!
Hi Subha,
I hope you are well.
Are your children experiencing foot or leg pain? Do you know if your children have narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet? This will help me determine what type of shoes to recommend.
Hi Juan Pablo,
Your article has been most informative. My two and a half year old son has had in toeing (his right foot more severe than his left) since birth. The pediatrician has been saying all along not to worry about it – eventually he would outgrow it. When I bought his first pair of shoes I was told that the best shoes for babies are soft shoes. He was wearing them until very recently and his feet have not improved.
I took him to the pediatric orthopedist who said that I should just get him rigid shoes. He was not very specific. He gave me the name of a place that fits orthopedic shoes, but told me that it was really not necessary. It was sufficient to just get him regular rigid shoes. My son wears a size
7 – 7 1/2 depending on the company. Shopping online doesn’t give me the option to see how rigid the shoes are.
I see that you have recommended the New Balance shoe as well as the Stride Rite (it does not come larger than a 7). Is there a good supportive shoe that has a dressier look?
Hi Jeannine,
I am sorry for my late reply but for some reason your message was in the spam folder.
Were you able to find a pair of sneakers for your son? As far as dress shoes concerns, we are looking for the same features than in a sneaker, a toe-box that doesn’t bend easily.
Do you know if your son has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet?
Hi, my daughter is 6. We went to a Podiatrist last year and turned out she has pigeon toes & flat foot. She can literally have her foot turned around the opposite way & not know that she’s doing that. I always try to remind her to put her foot straight, in a nice way though. She was given a pair of orthotics – I’m not sure what brand but it’s a thin, blue, plastic kind.
She has never complained about foot & leg pain til recently. I plan on getting her a new pair of more supportive shoes like the New Balances you recommended in your article, hoping that will help. She would be wearing the sneakers daily, all day at school & playing. Is there anything else I should be doing? I feel like I’m wasting time cus she’s already 6 years old – Wish I caught it sooner. Hope to hear from you; great article!
Hi Lekkna,
You are doing the right thing and you already got her orthotics. I am curious to know which kind they are, since I have tested several different ones and some of them are more supportive than others. Feel free to email me a picture of the orthotics to: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com Also keep in mind that the orthotics will be effective as long as you fit them in the correct pair of shoes.
Now your daughter needs to wear her sneakers with the orthotics as often as possible, and please make sure that the shoes are always tied properly. If the shoes are not tied properly, your daughter won’t get the full benefits from the shoes or the orthotics.
The next step is to take a look at your daughter’s feet from behind while wearing her shoes and orthotics, and check if her feet are straighter or not.
My 6 year old daughter has the same issue as yours. Do you mind sharing what kind of orthodontics you are using? Also i noticed this is an old post I am curious did the new balance and ortho shoes work out for her??
Hi Paloma,
The shoe recommendations are up-to-date as I constantly update them to make sure sizes are available. Hopefully Lekkna can respond to your comment soon.
My son is 2 years old and his toeing-in has developed rather rapidly. What is the best shoe for him? I would prefer velcro closure if possible. Are there any Nike shoes that fit the bill (I work there and he goes to daycare there, so would prefer to stay brand loyal if possible. I KNOW some of their shoes are not supportive for toddlers though, so his health and function is most important.)
Hello Sara,
Shoelaces actually are far way more effective than Velcro closure when it comes to trying to “ground” children and prevent them from toe walking. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any Nike shoe style that provides good support, specially for a child who is toe walking.
Here are my recommendations:
Shoe for Toddler Who Toe Walks: Option 1
Shoe for Toddler Who Toe Walks: Option 2
I hope this helps!
My son has intoeing and will be starting school in the Fall. The school’s shoe requirement is the Hush puppies Gavin model. Are you familiar with it and is it one that would be recommended for intoeing?
Hello Jessica,
Yes, I have fitted that shoe style before. The issue with most school shoes is that they don’t provide nearly the same amount of support that sneakers do. Depending on the degree of your child’s in-toeing, you might have to fit an insert/orthotic inside the shoes for extra support.
Please answer the following questions in order for me to be able to assess if your child needs an insert/orthotic inside the shoes:
Is your child complaining about foot or leg pain?
Does your child has rolled ankles?
Is your child flat footed?
How many hours will your child wear this shoes?
He has never complained of pain. He does not have rolled ankles. I have never been told he’s flat footed but I would be inclinded to say possibly. He’ll be wearing it close to 8 hours a day.
Hello Jessica,
I recommend that he wears the shoes without an additional insole/orthotic but keep a close eye. If he starts complaining about pain please let me know and we will fit him for a pair of orthotics.
Hi I read your article very helpful. My grandson is starting to take steps, he’s 13months and has one foot turned in. His Pedo doesn’t seem concerned or offered any advise. His mom had turned in foot and she wore “straight laced shoes” which helped. Where can I find these. Do not like him wearing sneakers all the time.
Hi Lydia,
I am not sure if there is a children’s shoe company that still manufactures straight laced shoe. There is a particular shoe style I recommend for toddlers with foot conditions, and you can find it here:
Supportive Shoe Style for Toddler
I hope this helps.
Hi!
I found this article to be super informative and so helpful. Thank you very much. I just took my 2.5 year old son to the pediatric orthopedic because he is pigeon toed and bow legged. The doctor said that this should self correct but I’d like to be a bit more proactive.
His feet are 16 cm long and 7 cm wide. I would really appreciate any recommendations you can make. Thank you!
Hello Hajer,
How long did your doctor say you should wait?
I would recommend starting with a substantial supportive pair of shoes that come with a firm heel counter and a substantial sole. I am not talking about orthopedic shoes or orthotics, just a good supportive pair of sneakers to see if it helps your son walk straighter.
I recommend trying this shoe style for a period of 3 to 4 months and if his walking pattern doesn’t improve, then I can recommend an orthotic to be fitted inside the shoes.
This particular shoe style has proven to be very effective with helping children walk straighter. Here is my recommendation:
Stride Rite Elliott Shoe for Pigeon Toed
Some parents are hesitant to provide children with shoes that come with shoelaces, but your son can benefit from them since shoelaces provide more support and more stability.
Please follow up with me on how your son is doing.
Thank you very much!
You are welcome. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi,
My son is 2 and has in-toeing and his knees are lightly bent outwards. Sometimes he stands and his feet are straight, and then sometimes it is bent again. When he walks his hips looks slightly turned as well. I took him to a specialist who recommended orthotic shoes which are very expensive. However I have been doing research online and most people are saying that it corrects itself over time. I don’t want to leave it to chance. Can you say what you think and possibly recommend a site to get a good supportive shoe for him. I would like to try this first.
Hello Stephanie,
I don’t believe that these type of issues correct themselves. I believe that if the issue is treated at an early age, you will have more chances of avoiding bigger issues in the future such as foot, leg, and back pain. I recommend that you start by trying a pair go goof supportive shoes and see if your child’s posture improves. If it doesn’t, then I can recommend a pair of orthotics. There are definitely certain shoe styles that I can recommend for your child, but I need his exact shoe length and shoe width.
Hi, this is a great article! can you please provide me more shoe choices/samples that are best for pigeon-toed toddlers please? And do you have a children’s shoe store here in Australia? Please let me know. Thanks!
Hello Zed,
I can definitely provide you with more choices but I need your child’s gender, his/her shoe size (length and width), and wether you want a pair of velcro closure or shoelaces for your child.
Unfortunately I am located in the United States.
Once you get back at me with that information, I will provide you with more choices.
Thank you Juan. I have ordered a pair of the ASICS – the only one on your list with availability in his size!
I appreciate the orthotics recommendation and will look into suppliers here in Singapore.
You’ve been a wonderful help. Many thanks!
Hello Nikki,
I hope they work! Do not hesitate to tell me when you can’t find a shoe in a particular size since I will help you find it. Please get back at me telling me if they work for your son or not.
Thanks for your informative reply Juan.
Sadly the very expensive custom made orthotics were lost when the shoes were left behind somewhere. So no, he’s not still using them because I chose not to reinvest given the lack of improvement.
My son has a “narrow” foot fitting. His last pair were ASICS but he’s grown out of them and I’m struggling to find his large shoe size in Singapore. The ASICS seemed to give him good support, but I noticed the sole was not as wide as some sports shoes. The pediatrist indicated shoes with soles that were wider at the heal would give greater stability.
Grateful for your advice.
Nikki,
I am going to provide you with some of the most supportive Asics shoes but if his walking doesn’t improve you should look into over the counter orthotics (they are cheaper than custom and sometimes even work better) such as Casacade Dafo orthotics. I have use those before and they make a huge difference in terms of the way they walk.
First Choice: Supportive Asics Shoes for Boys
Second Choice: Supportive Asics Shoes for Boys
Third Choice: Supportive Asics Shoes for Boys
I hope this helps! Please follow up with me and let me know if they work out or not.
Great article, thank you. My son is 12 and takes size 46 mens shoes (yes, he’s a very large 12yo). He has struggled with pigeon toes all his life and as a toddler had permanent bruises on his forehead from frequent face plants. He’s had orthotics for some time and they didn’t make much difference. We’ve also tried physio since he has extreme flexibility and very little core strength – quite wobbly and floppy. It would appear that his pronating is caused not by twisting in thighs, bones or feet, but the mechanics of his stride. He swings his legs around instead of raising his knees and stepping forward because of his poor muscle and ligament structure. This is causing problems for his hips, knees and feet. I’m struggling to find mens sports shoes for him, with the right structure and support. Can you please recommend?
Hello Nikki,
I have found Asics shoes to be the most supportive when it comes to arch and ankle support. I have fitted several children who were in men sizes so I have a pretty good idea which shoe styles will work better. In your message you don’t tell me your child’s shoe width, which has the same importance as getting the correct shoe length.
First of all, what type of orthotics have you tried? The ones I fitted at the store where from a manufacturer called Cascade and they made a huge difference. Is he still wearing his orthotics?
I need to know his shoe width and whether you will be fitting an orthotic inside the shoes in order to provide you with the best shoe options.
Hi! Are the best shoe examples current? You mention New Balance and Asics in your blog post but I only see links for Sauconys.
Hello Paola,
The shoes in the first row are made by Saucony and the shoes displayed in the second row are made by New Balance. Are you able to see them? Let me know otherwise I can send them to you.
I was in desperate need in finding good shoes for my child that is pigeon toe. Before taking him to the pediatrcian I read your post, and she agreed with everything you had to say! She recommended good supportive sneakers and keeping an eye on how the child reacts to them. We don’t have a local kids’ shoe shop so your website came very handy. We ordered a pair from your recommendations! Thank you!
Sherri Hatton
I hope that a pair of good supportive shoes is all your child needs! The shoes I describe in the post are the most supportive ones for children with flat feet or rolled ankles. If they don’t work, your child will definitely need an orthotic.
I will leave this post for you that might come in handy if your child needs extra support in his shoes: Best Shoes For Orthotic Inserts- Don’t Ignore Your Children Feet Or Leg Pain!
Your article about pigeon toe is very interesting to read. My son has been walking funny lately and I have no idea what might be causing it. I love that you provide a selection of good supportive shoes for children. How can I make sure my child is wearing the correct shoe size? Can shoes that are too tight cause this issue as well? Please clarify.
Nicole,
You need to take your child to your children’s local shoe store to have his feet properly measured. If you don’t have a local children’s shoe store in your area, read this post that explains how to make sure your child is wearing the correct shoe size. The post is called: How Can I Make Sure My Kids’ Shoes Fit? – Learn The Secret Here!
Shoes that are too tight will not cause your child to pigeon toe, but they will cause several other foot issues such as blisters, corns, and calluses.
I was looking for some good articles online on how to prevent pigeon toes for kids and I found your website. I love how you have described the solution to this problem.I bought one of the shoes you recommend for my child, since we don’t have a kids’ shoe store in my area where we can take him. I will let you know how they work out for him!
Thevin,
Keep a close eye on his feet. Hopefully all your child needs is a good pair of supportive shoes. Most children that are pigeon toe are wearing the wrong type of shoes. Un-supportive and not the correct size. Make sure you get your child the correct shoe size by reading this post: How Can I Make Sure My Kids’ Shoes Fit? – Learn The Secret Here!
I was pigeon-toed as a child – many years ago. The treatment was similar then…I had to wear special shoes for many years. However, back then there was really only one style of shoe available and they were very expensive and very ugly! My child is algo pigeon toe, I also believe this is genetics.
I love that there are many more choices now that don’t draw attention to the special shoes. I ordered a pair from you recommendations since we have been looking for good supportive shoes for a long time now!
Trina,
The shoes I describe provide the best ankle and arch support. If fitted properly, they will provide relief to your child’s foot pain and help him walk straighter. If the pain persists, consider getting him an orthotic to provide more support for him. I wrote a post where I describe the best orthotics for children. You can find the post here: Best Shoes For Orthotic Inserts- Don’t Ignore Your Children Feet Or Leg Pain!
Juan Pablo:
I can’t thank you enough for this article.
My daughter is turning three in two months and I have “ignoring” how she walks thinking it’s just a phase. The inner parts of her knees are always touching each other. She doesn’t trip when she walks or runs but indeed, it looks different than normal.
She started walking at 10 months old barefoot. And we are always most of the time barefoot at home. Does it have a direct relation?
I don’t believe it’s genetics since neither I or my husband have pigeon toes. I know now that her velcroed shoes are the main culprit as you pointed out so I will have to get rid all of them and start to let her using shoe-laced shoes. I ordered a pair of your shoe lace up recommendations and she is walking much straighter now! Thank you so much!
Pitin,
It seems that all your daughter needed was a pair of good, supportive shoes. The shoes I recommend have arch support so I think the arch in the shoes are helping her feet not to collapse. Keep an eye on her and make sure she is not having any foot or leg pain.
Hi Juan pablo my son is 5 years old while running he runs straight but while walking he walks like pigeon toe while we correct him he walks straight I am afraid while he walks like that,can u recommend shoes in india for me to get them easily.It’ll be a great help for me I’d u recommend shoes for my son.Thankyou for writing this article as it gives me hope.
Hello Ammu,
I am not really sure what shoes are offered in India but check if you can order the following styles:
Look for the New Balance styles 990v5, 888V2, or 680V6 if your son has medium, wide or extra wide feet.
If your son has narrow or medium feet look for Asics running shoes or Saucony cohesion.