Pronation Vs Supination Foot – The Most Effective Method to Improve the Way Your Child Walks!
Has your child been complaining about foot and leg pain? Have you noticed your child walking and running differently? If your child has been experiencing foot or leg pain, it might be caused by pronation or supination. It’s important to identify which of the two your child has, since the shoes a child with pronation needs are very different than those for a child with supination.
Please keep in mind that foot and leg pain in children is never normal, and the first step is to always check the type of shoes that your child is wearing. The shoes that your child wears must be supportive, but lightweight and flexible at the same time.
When children have pronation or supination, their feet might turn inwards or outwards, which leads them to put pressure on parts of their bodies where they are not supposed to. This is what normally leads to foot and leg pain.
Most parents can’t tell the difference between pronation and supination, but you must know which one your children have to provide them with the right pair of shoes.
Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time, you can go straight to the selection of sneakers for kids with pronation.
Pronation vs Supination Foot
➡️ Pronation
Pronation refers to the inward roll of the foot. We all have a certain degree of pronation but the issue comes when it’s excessive which is normally referred to overpronation. Let’s take a look at an image of a child with pronation.
➡️ Supination
Supination (or under-pronation) is the opposite of pronation and refers to the outward roll of the foot. Let’s take a look at an image of a child with supination.
We carry only supportive shoes made from good quality that are also available in different widths such as narrow (N), medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW), since this is the only way to guarantee that we can fit all type of children feet, no matter the shape.
We also carry some of the best orthotics for children. I have seen the positive impact that orthotics have on helping children walk and run straighter, and if they are fitted properly, they will help reduce or fully eliminate your kids’ foot and leg pain.
Keep in mind that when your children are growing up, that is the time when their posture will be determined for the rest of their lives, and it all begins with the foundation for their entire body, their feet!
I will provide you with a selection of the best shoes and orthotics that will help correct and treat your child’s pronation or supination, but let’s first identify which one of the two your child might be dealing with.
Can the Right Pair of Shoes Improve Pronation and Supination?
Most definitely, but depending on the degree of pronation or supination that your child might have, you might also need to fit an orthotic inside the shoes. But it all starts with trying a pair of supportive shoes.
I have seen the positive impact that good supportive shoes can provide to a child who pronates or supinates. The correct type of shoes helps prevent your children’s feet from collapsing and turning inwards/outwards and allows your children to walk and run straighter, improving their overall posture. However, there is a limited selection of children’s shoes that provide more support and structure, but the good news is that I will help you find them.
Did you know that something so simple as providing your child with the correct pair of shoes can help treat and correct this condition? Let me prove it to you!
What a Difference the Correct Types of Shoes Can Make!
Let’s take a look at a picture of a child with flat feet that is dealing with pronation and is wearing two different pairs of shoes. The first picture shows a child wearing a pair of unsupportive shoes made by Nike. Do you notice how the feet are still pronating and turning inwards?
Before Image
Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes made by New Balance. Do you notice how the child’s feet look a lot straighter?
After Image
These are not orthopedic shoes, they are regular running shoes that simply provide better support and better structure than the rest.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Ideal for Kids with Pronation or Supination?
To help treat and correct your child’s pronation or supination, there are 3 key features that the shoes must provide:
1️⃣ Arch support: This feature won’t mold your kids’ arch, but it will help prevent your child’s feet from collapsing and it will help straighten your kid’s feet and legs.
2️⃣ Ankle support: This feature helps straighten your kids’ ankles and support them.
3️⃣ Shock absorption: This feature helps attenuate the impact that your kids’ feet take every time they come in contact with the ground.
Shoes that come with shoelaces are always more effective as they provide better support and more stability than shoes that come with velcro closure. This is because the shoelaces will hug your kids’ feet better, secure their heels, and allow them to walk and run with more confidence.
There are other important features the shoes must provide such as being lightweight, flexible, breathable, and durable. If you want to stop your child from pronating or supinating, it all starts with wearing the correct type of shoes and I will describe these shoes shortly.
How to Figure Out If Your Child Has Foot Issues?
It’s important to know which type of signs we must look at to figure out whether your kids have foot problems or not. Pay attention and check if your child has any of the signs below:
- Your kids complain that their feet and legs feel tired.
- Your child asks to be carried or pushed in the stroller.
- Your child refuses to walk.
- Your child seems to be clumsy or uncoordinated.
- Your child refuses to participate in sports.
- You notice an unusual wear pattern on your kids’ shoes.
What Signs Should We Look for a Child that Pronates or Supinates?
If your child is complaining of pain in any of the areas below, it might be a sign that your child might be pronating or supinating:
- Pain in the back of the ankle (Achilles pain).
- Arch Pain.
- Lower back pain.
- Heel Pain.
- Knee Pain.
- Shin Splints.
Let’s first discuss what steps to take once your child has been diagnosed with pronation.
Has Your Child Been Diagnosed with Pronation? – Steps to Take
Just so you know, the main cause of pronation is believed to be hereditary. Pronation can be defined as a congenital defect that causes your kids’ muscles and ligaments of the foot to become more loosely held in place, which results in their feet turning inwards when they walk or run.
Children with low muscle tone, flat feet, or rolled ankles are the ones that tend to pronate. The main issue with pronation is that every time your kids take a step when walking or running their foot collapses, twisting their feet, legs, and knees and forcing their body out of proper alignment.
The other issue with pronation is that it leads your kids’ toes to work harder for each step, which leads them to put more pressure on their toes which creates calluses, blisters, and corns, among other foot issues.
How Can You Tell if Your Child is Pronating? – Learn the Symptoms!
The first step is to pay attention and notice any changes in the way your child walks or runs. If you notice your children walking or running differently with their feet and legs turning inwards, that means they might be pronating.
The other way (and the easiest one) is to check the shoes your child has been wearing for the last month or so. Please keep in mind that this method will only work if your child has been wearing the shoes for a month or longer.
Pay close attention and check if your kids’ shoes are caving into the inside.
Take a look at the image below for clarification. The shoe on the left has been worn by a child that pronates, while the shoe on the right hasn’t been worn. Do you notice how the left shoe is tilting to the inside?
When it comes to a child that pronates, supportive and sturdy shoes with a substantial outsole are the most recommended ones. There are not that many of these shoe styles available. However, I have fitted these types of shoes for over 10 years now so I have gotten familiar with which styles are more effective than others.
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.
The Best Shoes for Kids with Pronation
Below you can find a selection of the best shoes for kids with pronation that can fit children with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet. These shoes are also capable of accommodating an orthotic.
- 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
Keep in mind that I have fitted all of these shoe styles and they have proven to reduce foot and leg pain, as well as to improve the way children walk and run. All of these shoe styles come with a very firm heel counter, good arch support, and a substantial outsole to provide your kids with shock absorption.
Has Your Child Been Diagnosed with Supination? – Steps to Take!
The first thing you must understand about supination is that it is the opposite of pronation and refers to the outward roll of the foot during normal motion. Simply speaking, supination occurs when your kids’ feet roll outward as they walk.
Keep in mind that your children don’t consciously supinate, it happens naturally as they walk and run. The main issue with supination is that all of your children’s weight and the stress of their gait are placed on their ankles and the outside edge of their feet as they walk or run.
When children don’t supinate or pronate, their body weight is evenly distributed throughout the width of the foot. The problem comes when they place weight on the inside or the outside of their feet when walking or running since it creates stress points that will affect their feet, ankles, knees, hips, and even their lower back.
How Can You Tell if Your Child Is Supinating? – Learn the Symptoms!
Children with high arches are more likely to have supination. Having a high foot arch tends to force children to walk on the outer edge of their feet. However, supination can also be caused by weakness in certain muscles of your kids’ feet and this lack of strength might be a result of wearing shoes that don’t provide enough support or that don’t fit properly.
For example, if you notice a wear pattern on the outside of your kids’ shoes from heel to forefoot, it’s likely that they supinate. Follow the steps below to figure out whether your child has supination or not:
1️⃣ Take a look at a pair of your kids’ everyday shoes —it can be an old pair or a pair he/she has been wearing for over a month.
2️⃣ Notice the wear pattern on the outsoles of your kids’ shoes. If you notice excessive wear on the outer edge of the sole of the shoe, your child may likely be a supinator.
Below I explain another popular method that you can use to figure out whether your child is a supinator or not.
1️⃣ Start by taking off your kids’ shoes and socks.
2️⃣ Make sure you wet your kids’ feet and with their entire weight make them step on a surface where you can see their foot print (such as a brown paper bag).
3️⃣ If very little or none of the arch is outlined, your child is most likely a supinator.
If your child wears shoes that are too rigid all the time that increases the likelihood of your child developing foot and leg problems. Please remember that your kids’ feet are the foundation for their entire body, which means that ill-fitting shoes can throw their entire body out of alignment.
The type of shoes that we want to provide for children with supination are the ones that have a high arch since that will help distribute the pressure on your kids’ feet more evenly.
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. I have fitted all the shoes I recommend below, and they have proven to reduce or fully eliminate the pain the children were experiencing.
The Best Shoes for Kids with Supination
Below you can find the best shoes for kids with supination that can fit children with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet. These shoes can also accommodate an orthotic.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Emilia by Stride Rite
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 990v4 by New Balance
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Gabi by Memo
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Gabi by Memo
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Shoe style GT-1000 10 by Asics
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GT-1000 10 by Asics
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 PS by Asics
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style GT-1000 11 PS by Asics
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Contend 8 by Asics
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Cohesion 14 LTT by Saucony
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style 990v4 by New Balance
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Durable leather/suede mesh upper
- Stability Web outsole technology provides added arch support
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
If you provide your children with the correct type of shoes, their feet and leg pain will decrease since you will be distributing the pressure and stress across their entire feet like it’s supposed to be.
Are the Shoes Not Improving Your Child Walking Pattern?
Depending on the degree of pronation and supination of your child, a pair of supportive shoes might not be enough to improve their posture and correct the way they walk.
If this is the case with your child, you might need to try a pair of orthotics inside your kids’ shoes. Orthotics will help redistribute your kids’ body weight and correct the abnormal placement of the foot, which will make their gait balanced and efficient.
Please keep in mind that all of the shoe styles that I described above are capable of fitting an orthotic.
Best Orthotics for Children with Pronation or Supination
The right type of orthotics will help improve your kids’ posture and reduce or completely eliminate the stress your kids are putting on their knees and hip joints. While I can’t get into too much detail about the importance of providing your child with the correct type of orthotics in this article, take a look at the articles that describe the best orthotics for kids with pronation or supination.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly via e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child.
Has your child been diagnosed with pronation or supination? Have you found a particular shoe style that has improved the way they walk and run? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below so other parents can benefit from them!