Shoes for Children with High Arches – Extra Cushion and Extra Depth!
Do you have a child with high arches and are finding it nearly impossible to find shoes that fit? Do you feel like you always have a hard time getting your child’s shoes on, and when you finally manage to put them on they leave imprints on the top part of your child’s feet? In addition to making it more challenging to find shoes that fit, high arches can bring other complications such as foot and leg pain. I am going to show you a list of the best shoes for children with high arches based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Finding a pair of shoes for children with high arches can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially if you don’t know what specific shoe styles to look for.
Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time here is a list of the best shoes for children with high arches.
How Does a Foot with a High Arch Looks Like?
Below you can find images of children with high arches. You will notice that not all arches are the same, some children have higher arches than others.
The Complications of Having High Arches
There are several problems associated with having high arches, but these are the 3 most common ones that might affect your child:
1️⃣ The first one is that your child will be placing an excessive amount of stress on the ball and heel of the foot. This usually leads to your child developing corns and calluses on the ball, side of the feet, or heels. Children who place extra stress on their heels tend to roll and sprain their ankles. Keep an eye on your child’s toes since children with high arches also tend to develop hammertoes or claw toes.
2️⃣ The second one is that the arches of your kids’ feet won’t be able to properly absorb shock when walking or running. You will notice how your child’s body weight lands on the outer edges of each foot, which is also referred to as supination. It’s important to clarify that not all children with high arches will supinate, but many are at risk. Some of the main issues with supination are knee pain and plantar fasciitis.
3️⃣ The third one is how it is to be harder to find shoes that fit. Children with high arches have the hardest time finding shoes that fit well since most shoes are not deep enough to accommodate the high arch. Most children with high arches tend to also have a high instep.
How Can You Tell If Your Child Has High Arches?
➡️ If you notice that your child’s body weight falls on the outside of the feet (when standing), this is the first sign that your child has high arches.
➡️ If you always have a hard time getting your children’s shoes on, that’s another sign that your child might have a high arch.
What Role Do Shoes Play for Children with High Arches?
Shoes that provide extra depth and the correct amount of support will help redistribute your children’s body weight more evenly, preventing children from putting extra pressure on parts of their body where they are not supposed to.
Let me prove this to you. Let’s take a look at a picture of a child with high arches from behind. Do you notice how the child’s body weight falls on the outside of the feet?
Before Image
Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes that provide extra depth. Do you notice how straighter the feet are?
After Image
Please keep in mind that depending on the degree of your child’s supination you might have to provide your child with a pair of orthotics as well. However, I always recommend starting with a pair of shoes and observing whether the child’s walking gait and posture improve or not.
Most parents make the common mistake of providing their children with longer or wider shoes to take the pressure away from the top part of the feet, when in reality they should be looking for shoes that provide extra depth. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth and one that doesn’t:
What Makes the Shoes that I Recommend Effective for Children with High Arches?
The shoes that I recommend provide these 3 key features that are going to help support and accommodate your child’s high arches:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: Shoes that provide extra depth allow the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, preventing the top part of their feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that is too shallow.
2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature provides shock absorption and minimizes the impact that your kids’ feet take when they come in contact with the ground. Shoes that provide the correct amount of support will help prevent your child from supinating and improve your child’s overall posture. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides a substantial and supportive outsole versus one that doesn’t.
3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This is the part of the shoe that provides ankle and heel support. The heel counter is located in the back of the shoe, and the firmer it is, the better. The heel counter plays a key role in preventing rolled and sprained ankles. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe with a firm heel counter versus one with a softer one:
There are only a few shoes that provide those 3 key features, but the good news is that I know exactly which ones they are from having fitted them before.
From my experience fitting thousands of kids, I have become familiar with the best shoe brands for children with high arches and the best styles among those brands.
All of the shoes that I recommend can fit different foot shapes such as medium, wide, or extra wide 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 Best Shoes for Children with High Arches
- 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 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 KDZ 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 KDZ 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 Fresh Foam 650 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra 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 Fresh Foam Arishi v4 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra 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 Fresh Foam 650 is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra 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 Shadow 6000 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 New Balance shoe style 574 is available for little and 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 Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for 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 Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is available for 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 am always emphasizing to parents that if they don’t provide their children with the correct shoe size, they won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. This leads me to this next question:
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!
If you are unsure whether you have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in your area, start by taking a look at a resource that I created where I showcase the best specialized fitting children’s shoe stores by state.
If you don’t see a store in your area, then take a look at this article that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s exact 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.
Families Testimonials – Get Inspired!
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe style to accommodate your child’s high arches.
I know that in certain cases surgery might be recommended to help treat high arches that lead to pain and lack of stability. It’s important to try to avoid a more invasive option by trying the correct type of shoes and orthotics first.
In my experience, the correct type of shoes and orthotics will help treat this condition.
What Are the Best Sandals for Kids with High Arches?
I created a different resource that describes the best summer shoes for children with high arches.
Get in Touch With Us for a Personalized Suggestion
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes to accommodate your child’s high arches. My e-mail address is:
High arches are often caused by an inherited structural deformity, but in some cases, high arches are a result of a medical condition, such as cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, spina bifidia, polio, or muscular dystrophy.
If your child’s high arches are a result of an inherited structural abnormality, the condition won’t progress or worsen. However, if your child’s high arches are a result of a neurologic disorder, the condition is likely to progressively worsen.
Have you found a particular shoe that has been effective in accommodating your child’s high arches? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
