Sandals for Toe Walking – Let’s Prevent Your Kids From Walking On Their Toes!
Have you already found a pair of sneakers to help treat and prevent your child’s toe walking and now you are wondering what sandals your child should wear during the summer? Certain sandals can make a world of difference in treating and preventing your child’s tip-toe walking. I am a shoe fitter who specializes in helping children with foot problems, and I will show you a list of the best sandals for toe walking based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Toe walking can be more than just a phase; it can impact posture, balance, and even lead to discomfort or pain if not addressed. Many families invest in a pair of sneakers and maybe orthotics to help treat their child’s toe walking, so it’s important that during the summer you don’t take a step back from all the work and investment you have put into your child’s footwear and orthotics.
I always recommend parents to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their children’s foot conditions. Leaving your children’s foot conditions untreated can only lead to the condition getting worse.
Can Sandals Help Prevent Toe Walking?
Sandals that provide a rigid front help prevent the toes from bending upwards, which is crucial in discouraging toe walking. This design feature acts as a gentle reminder for the child to use their heels while walking. By restricting upward toe movement, these sandals encourage the child to shift their weight back onto their heels, fostering a more balanced gait.
What Makes Anti-Toe Walking Sandals Special?
Anti-toe walking sandals are designed to help discourage toe walking by promoting a more natural walking pattern. They offer specific features that make them effective in addressing this condition.
1. Rigid at the Front: Sandals that are too flexible make it easier for children to get on their toes. The first feature is for the sandal to not be as flexible, which means that the sandals should provide a certain degree of flexibility but not too flexible since that means that the sandal won’t provide any type of support.
The sandals that you provide to your tip-toe walker child should always bend at the ball of the foot but not any further.
2. Stable Base of Support: A stable base ensures that the child’s feet are well-supported, reducing the likelihood of toe walking. It helps distribute the child’s weight evenly across their feet, encouraging a more natural walking gait. The stability provided by these sandals can also enhance confidence in walking, as children feel more secure and balanced.
3. Adjustable Features: The third feature involves providing your child with a pair of sandals that can be adjusted. Certain sandals come with a toggle shoelace in addition to a velcro strap and this will hold your child’s foot in place and prevent your child from toe walking. Your children must pull the straps of the sandals tightly, since this will provide them with better support and stability.
Trust me, these steps might sound simple, but they make a world of difference when it comes to preventing children from getting on their toes.
Best Sandals for Toe Walking – Rigid to Discourage Toe Walking
Take a look at the description below each sandal that I recommend to find out if they can accommodate your child’s foot shape and the size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room. 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.
1. Psyclone by Teva
These anti-toe walking sandals by Teva are designed with a cushioned footbed and adjustable straps.
Key Features
- Order the sandal 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, and they are also rigid at the front to help discourage toe walking.
Key Features
- Order the sandal 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 sandal 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 ideal for children who require additional support and stability.
Key Features
- Order the sandal 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. Newport by Keen
Newport by Keen is a versatile sandal with a supportive footbed and adjustable straps. This is one of my go-to sandals for kids with flat feet who walk on their toes.
Key Features
- Order the sandal 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
6. Hurricane by Teva
The Hurricane by Teva offers a lightweight, water-friendly design with an adjustable fit. Its contoured footbed provides excellent support and the rigid front helps prevent toe walking.
Key Features
- Order the sandal 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. Lucky Brand
Lucky Brand’s sandals combine style and functionality, offering supportive features that cater to children with toe walking tendencies. The cork footbed is rigid to help prevent children from getting on their toes.
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
8. Betti and Pedro by Memo
Memo’s Betti and Pedro sandals are equipped with a robust support system, including a firm heel counter and arch support. These features work together to guide the foot towards a healthier walking pattern, making them an excellent choice for children who need corrective footwear.
Key Features
- Order the sandal Betti and Pedro by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and support
- Genuine leather lining
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
These are the most effective sandals that have proven to help treat toe walking. I have fitted these sandals in several toe walking children and was able to notice an improvement right away in the way the child was walking. With that said, how effective these sandals will be in helping prevent your child from toe walking depends on the reason why your child toe walks and the degree of your child’s foot condition.
Tailored Recommendations for Your Child’s Foot Shape
As a passionate shoe fitter, I offer personalized recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape. Understanding the specific needs of your child’s feet allows for more effective solutions. Customized advice ensures that you select the most suitable sandals, enhancing their benefits and supporting overall foot health:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
The Importance of Proper Fit
We definitely want to provide your child with some growing room but it’s important to not provide a lot of growing room for children who toe walk, since when there is a lot of extra room in the front of the shoes that makes it easier for children to get on their toes. I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you figure out exactly what shoe size you should order online.
What Are the Best Anti-Toe Walking Sneakers?
Wearing the correct type of sneakers can help prevent toe walking and improve your child’s overall posture, allowing your child to walk and run straighter.
Orthopedic Sandals
Orthopedic sandals are specifically designed to support foot health and correct walking patterns. They often come with built-in support features that promote heel-to-toe walking. You can access a larger selection of orthopedic sandals in a different resource I created
Kids’ Sandals to Help Prevent Toe Walking – Watch Video!
I created a video where we dive deep into the best sandals designed to support and encourage proper walking mechanics for toe walkers. I showcase top-rated brands and models that cater specifically to toe walkers.
Can You Fit Orthotics Inside Your Kids’ Sandals?
Orthopedic sandals are designed to accommodate orthotics, providing additional support where needed. The ability to add orthotics makes orthopedic sandals versatile and adaptable.
Do You Already Know the Reason Why Your Child Toe Walks?
Certain children may walk on their toes most of the time for no apparent reason. The reason why children toe-walk remains unknown, but you need to take early action because this condition might lead to muscle shortening in the calf muscles. Some children simply walk on their toes because they like the sensation that they get when they do it.
Whichever the reason may be, you need to take this condition seriously, and the earlier you take action, the better. I have heard several different stories from different families about how their children ended up needing casting because of their toe walking condition.
Have you found a pair of sandals that have been effective in treating and preventing your child’s toe walking habits during the summer? Please share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.
Need sandals for my 3 year old toddler as he walks on toes, can you help me by letting me know how to buy those sandals from you
Hello Vijaya,
To recommend specific sandals for your son I first need to know his foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), the shoe size that he wears, and the country that you are contacting me from to check what specific sandals you might be able to order.
UNTREATED RIGHT feet my sonhave birth defect that affects muscles and bones in the feet. Instead of being straight, a clubfoot points down and turns in Lekima 8years old living in the low cost suburb in Fiji am here in adelaide wanted to get a shoes for him need your advise
Hello Savenaca,
To recommend specific shoes for your son I first need to know his foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide).
Hello. Do you suggest these preventive and/or corrective shoes be worn at all times or is there a limit even for just hanging out inside the home?
Hello Mae,
That depends on the degree of your child’s foot condition and how often the child toe walks, so this question will be better answered by your medical professional. I do suggest that the shoes are worn as often as possible, but this doesn’t mean that the child can’t get a break from the shoes when walking around the house.
Thank you for your prompt reply. My baby is 19months and I noticed a little toe walking at 13months. I didn’t try to quantify it then, but i do notice it more now – maybe 30% of the time(?). I appreciate your help.
Hello Mae,
It’s normal for babies to walk on their toes, but you can certainly take your child to your medical professional for an evaluation on the toe walking, To answer your question, I suggest providing your baby with a pair of everyday sneakers and have him/her wear them as often as possible, but still allow your baby to go barefoot at home for 4 to 5 hours day.