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.
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?
Yes, sandals that provide a stable base of support and that are rigid at the front instead of overly flexible can reduce the frequency of your child toe walking. You will notice that many of the sandals that I recommend are made by the shoe companies Keen, Teva, Memo, as well as generic shoe brands. I want to clarify that not all sandals from these shoe brands will be effective for toe walking children, just some specific styles. If you’re pressed for time here is a list of the best sandals to help prevent toe walking during the summertime.
What Makes the Sandals I Recommend Effective for Toe Walking Kids?
There are 3 key features that the sandals I recommend provide to help treat and prevent children from toe walking:
1️⃣ 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. Let’s visualize what I referring to.
The sandals that you provide to your tip-toe walker child should always bend at the ball of the foot but not any further. Do you notice how the sandal in the right image provides the correct amount of flexibility while the sandal in the left image flexes as a spiral? Sandals that are too flexible make it easier for children to get on their toes. You will notice that all of the sandals I recommend are rigid at the front.
2️⃣ The second feature is that the sandals should provide a substantial outsole. This feature helps support the child’s feet, improves stability, and prevents them from getting on their toes as much. The image below shows the difference in support between two pairs of sandals:
3️⃣ 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.
The Best Sandals for Toe Walking – Rigid and Supportive 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.
Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)
- Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Pedro by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and support
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- Genuine leather lining
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Betti 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
- Order the sandal style Psyclone by Teva on Zappos
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- I suggest that you get this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Hurricane by Teva on Zappos
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Two adjustable velcro straps
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style by Apakowa on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather insole with arch support
- Two points of adjustability
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style by Apakowa on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather insole with arch support
- Two points of adjustability
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style by 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 half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style by Geox on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all-day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- I suggest that you get this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Order the sandal style Agnes by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different feet width
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Michael by Memo on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Ability to adjust the Hook and Loop strap length to the different feet width
- This is an orthopedic sandal
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos
- 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 half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Hurricane by Teva on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Hurricane by Teva on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Rio by Birkenstock on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot
- Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Milano by Birkenstock on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot
- Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting
- I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on 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 half a 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.
What Sandal Size Should You Order?
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.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape?
In order to get the correct sandal size, you need to be absolutely sure of your child’s foot size. Start by reading an article I wrote where I describe 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 length and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Are These Sandals Orthopedic?
Yes, some of them are orthopedic, while some others are regular sandals that provide certain features (substantial outsoles, rigid at the front, secure closure) that make them ideal to help treat and prevent toe walking. You can access a larger selection of orthopedic sandals in a different resource I created.
Are There Any Other Sandals Choices Available?
If you tell me your child’s foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), the shoe size that he/she wears, and the country that you are contacting me from I am happy to provide you with specific sandal recommendations:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
What Are the Best Sneakers to Help Treat and Prevent Toe Walking?
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.
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.
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?
Yes, you can, but only in certain sandals that provide a stable base of support and firm heel counters. I created a video that will help you visualize what sandals work best for orthotics.
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.