Shoes with Laces for Children Who Wear Orthotics
Has your child been fitted for orthotics and your medical professional recommends wearing shoes with laces instead of velcro closure? Orthotics are special devices inserted into shoes to support and align the foot, and they can do wonders for a child’s foot posture and stability, as long as they are fitted inside the correct pair of shoes. I have been fitting children’s shoes for many years, and I have noticed that shoes with laces provide better support and stability compared to shoes with velcro closure.
My Experience Fitting Children for Shoes and Orthotics
I work for a children’s shoe store that helps hundreds of children find the correct pair of shoes and orthotics. Many medical professionals such as pediatric podiatrists refer families to the shoe store where I work to have their patients fitted for the correct pair of shoes and orthotics.
Why Are Shoes with Laces a Better Choice for Children Who Wear Orthotics?
Shoelaces can help keep the orthotic in place by preventing it from sliding backward or forward inside the shoes. The other reason why shoes with laces are better for children who wear orthotics is that they provide better support and stability.
When you tie your child’s shoes properly, the laces “hug” the child’s feet more efficiently than a shoe with single or even double velcro straps. You will also prevent heel slippage as the laces will help secure your child’s heels against the back of the shoes.
In addition to finding a shoe with laces, the shoes must be made with high-quality, durable materials to maintain their shape and provide consistent support over time. A good pair of supportive, orthotic-friendly shoes can be a game changer, promoting not only comfort and mobility but also confidence in every step your child takes.
Shoes with Laces for Children Who Wear Orthotics
All of the shoes below have laces and provide a stable base of support to help keep the orthotic in place. Remember that support is the foundation that allows the orthotic to function effectively, enabling a stable walking pattern and proper foot alignment. 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
- 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 a half size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- 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 a half size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Elliot by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Elliot by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- 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 a half size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
Little/Big Kid Sizes
- Shoe style Cross Em Up 5 by Adidas
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Extra padding around the ankles
- Lace-up closure
- Rubber outsole provides excellent grip
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- The Adidas shoe style Cross Em Up Select is available for little kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style X 880v12 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style X 880v12 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Kinvara 14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Kinvara 14 LTT by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style 2002 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Durable leather upper
- Stability Web outsole technology provides added arch support
- Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style 650v1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- 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 a half size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Nitrel V5 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- DynaSoft midsole cushioning
- Sporty textile and engineered mesh materials for breathable comfort and everyday durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Nitrel V5 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- DynaSoft midsole cushioning
- Sporty textile and engineered mesh materials for breathable comfort and everyday durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
Is There a Specific Way to Tie Your Kids’ Shoes?
Yes, my co-worker who has over 20 years of experience taught me the most effective way to tie shoes with orthotics.
1️⃣ Start with leaving the two eyelets (shoe holes) of the shoe open:
2️⃣ Go through the top hole first:
3️⃣ Go through the holes that you left open:
Make Sure Your Child Undo the Laces Before Taking Them Off and On
When children remove their shoes without undoing the laces they start stretching out the back part of the shoe (heel counter), and the more that part gets stretched out, the less support it will provide.
Taking the shoes on and off properly will help keep the shoes in the best shape possible, especially the heel counter, which is the back part of the shoe that offers ankle and heel support.
The Importance of Getting Laces that Are Long Enough
It’s important for the laces to be durable and long enough or you will struggle tying the shoes and end up switching them for a pair of shoes with velcro. To get the correct shoelace length for your child, you need to count how many eyelets (shoe holes) there are in your kids’ shoes. If you need assistance in figuring out the right shoelace length for your child’s shoes, take a look at the picture below to find out what shoe length your child needs:
Let me know in the comments section below if you have found a specific pair of shoes with laces that worked well for your child’s orthotics. This will be helpful to other families who might be having a hard time deciding which specific shoes to get.
