Sandals for Kids with Flat Feet – Supportive, Lightweight, Flexible, and Durable!
Sandals for kids with flat feet are hard to come by. I have seen that many families post questions in online forums about what to do about their child’s flat feet during the summer. Certainly, children should not be forced to wear their supportive sneakers and orthotics all day during the warm weather. I am going to show you a list of supportive sandals for kids with flat feet that can help improve your child’s foot posture, walking gait, and prevent pain.
Do Kids’ Sandals Provide Good Support?
As a shoe fitter specializing in children’s footwear, I understand that the correct type of shoe can be life-changing.
Let me start by saying that most sandals don’t provide any support whatsoever, which can lead to your child having to deal with foot and leg pain during the summer. For example, let’s take a look at an image of a child with flat feet standing on a pair of unsupportive sandals:
Something so simple such as providing children with the correct pair of shoes can help straighten their feet and legs, and allow them to walk and run straighter. Don’t just take my word for it, let me prove it to you!
Before and After: Visualizing the Difference
To help you understand the impact of supportive footwear, consider a before and after image of a child with flat feet standing barefoot and then wearing supportive sandals. This visual can illustrate the changes and improvements in posture and foot alignment.
Helping Children with Flat Feet Discover Suitable Sandals
For more than a decade, I’ve been working for a specialized shoe store dedicated to addressing foot and leg issues, including flat feet. I have personally assisted many families in the quest to find suitable sandals for their children who have flat feet. In addition, I have acquired a thorough understanding of which shoe brands and styles are better than others, which is the perfect segue to my next point.
What Are the Most Supportive Sandals for Kids with Flat Feet?
My go-to shoe brands that manufacture supportive sandals for kids are:
- Keen
- Teva
- Memo — This is an orthopedic shoe brand.
All of these shoe brands manufacture some of the most supportive summer sandals for children. In addition to being supportive, the sandals are also lightweight, flexible, durable, and they provide great traction.
Key Features of Supportive Sandals for Flat Feet
1. Cushioned Footbed: A cushioned footbed helps improve foot posture and provides additional comfort and shock absorption, which is especially important for children who have flat feet. A well-cushioned footbed can also help in distributing pressure evenly across the foot, reducing the risk of developing painful pressure points or calluses.
2. Extra Cushion and Padding: The sandals that I recommend have extra cushion and padding right below the heels to minimize the impact that your kids’ feet take when they come in contact with the ground.
Many parents wonder if sandals can offer the same support as closed shoes. The key is to select sandals designed with supportive features tailored to the needs of children with flat feet. However, it’s important to note that sandals should never replace your kids’ sneakers. 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 Sandals for Kids with Flat Feet to Prevent Foot Pain
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.
1. Psyclone by Teva
These supportive sandals for kids are a fantastic choice for children with flat feet. They feature a soft, contoured footbed and adjustable straps for a secure fit.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style Psyclone XLT1 by Teva on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
2. Agnes by Memo
These orthopedic sandals for kids offer orthopedic support with their anatomically shaped footbed, designed specifically for children with flat feet. The sandal provides excellent heel support.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Michael Corrective Orthopedic by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 100% leather made
- Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different foot width
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
3. Seaturtle by Kamik
These open-toe sandals provide a cushioned footbed and adjustable straps. Their lightweight and flexible design makes it ideal for active children, while the durable outsole ensures long-lasting wear.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Wander by Kamik on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
- Quick drying moisture wicking lining
- Vegan-friendly
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
4. Mogami by Birkenstock
Birkenstock is known for its exceptional arch support, and the Mogami sandal is no exception. It features a contoured cork footbed that provides natural arch support, making it one of the best sandals for kids with flat feet.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style Adventurous Light-Weight by Dream Pairs on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Triple hook-and-loop closure system for easy on and off
- Excellent grip
- Contoured PU footbed
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
5. Adventurous Light-Weight by Dream Pairs
The open design and cushioned insole provide maximum comfort, allowing for all-day wear without discomfort. Parents praise these sandals for their affordability and durability, making them a practical choice for kids with flat feet.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style Adventurous Light-Weight by Dream Pairs on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Triple hook-and-loop closure system for easy on and off
- Excellent grip
- Lightweight MD footbed is cushioned for all-day comfort
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than the end of the AFO/SMO footplate
6. Newport by Keen
Newport by Keen is a versatile sandal with a supportive footbed and adjustable straps. Its durable construction and reliable traction make it suitable for various activities, from hiking to beach outings. This is one of my go-to sandals for kids with flat feet.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
7. Hurricane by Teva
The Hurricane by Teva offers a lightweight, water-friendly design with an adjustable fit. Its contoured footbed provides excellent arch support, making it a great choice for children with flat feet.
Key Features
- Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
8. Lucky Brand
This sandal provides a trendy and functional design, ensuring your child won’t have to compromise on style for comfort.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Lucky Brand on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Supportive footbed
- Adjustable buckles at the front and velcro strap at the back for easy on and off
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
9. Haiti Sandal by Geox
Geox’s Haiti Sandal combines style with functionality, featuring a breathable design and cushioned footbed.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Haiti by Geox on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
The sandals that I recommend above are the best sandals for children with flat feet. I have fitted these sandals for several different children who were experiencing foot and leg pain during the summer, and in most cases, the pain was significantly reduced or completely disappeared.
Personalized Shoe Recommendations
Every child’s foot is unique, and finding the right sandals can be challenging amidst a sea of choices. If you need personalized recommendations based on your child’s specific foot shape and needs, feel free to contact me via email. I’m here to help you find the perfect fit for your little one.
Let’s Figure Out Your Child’s Exact Foot Size
I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource, you will find out whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I will also be able to determine whether your child has a high instep or not.
Additional Resources: Supportive Sneakers for Flat Feet
For parents seeking more information on supportive footwear, consider exploring resources on supportive sneakers for kids with flat feet. These resources can provide valuable insights into choosing the right shoes for your child’s unique needs, offering guidance on materials, brands, and specific shoe models that cater to flat feet.
Supportive Sandals for Kids with Flat Feet – Watch Video!
In this video, you will be able to better visualize the key features that the supportive sandals I recommend provide. You will also be able to better compare the difference in support between orthopedic and regular sandals.
Arch support is crucial for children with flat feet as it helps distribute weight evenly across the foot, reducing pressure and discomfort. Properly supported arches can lead to improved posture and balance, which are essential during a child’s developmental years.
Thank you for the recommendations. I tried the Keen model and my daughter doesn’t complain about pain anymore. You are life savior! I also enjoy your videos.
Hello Rachel,
I am happy to hear that your daughter is now pain free! Let me know if you have any questions.
My daughter is 11yrs old she is also having flat foot and also she can’t walk balancely. Please suggest the correct shoes and sandals
Hello Rebekah,
I am happy to help. To recommend specific sandals for your daughter I would need to know her shoe size, foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), and the country that you are contacting me from to check what specific sandals you will be able to order.
My daughter is 8yrs old, she has flat feet, she wears 32 size shoes
Hello Baljinder,
From which country are you trying to order the sandals?
Very informative.
I am glad you find the article informative.
How to buy these sandals ?
Hello Baljinder,
If you click on the sandals that you want for your child it will redirect you to a website that sells them. Whether you might be able to order them depends on the country that you live, as some online retailers only ship between the United States.