Straight Last Shoes for Kids – Let’s Help Treat Your Child’s Foot Condition!
Has your child been diagnosed with a foot condition such as flat feet and your medical professional recommends that you get a pair of straight last shoes? Most families are confused as to where they can buy straight lasts shoes as children’s shoes don’t come labeled that way. Straight last shoes for kids can help improve foot posture, walking gait, and overall posture. I am a shoe fitter with over a decade of experience fitting children’s shoes and my goal is to explain to you what qualifies as a straight last shoe and also provide you with a list of straight last shoes.
What Are Straight Last Shoes?
The “last” of the shoe is basically what determines the overall shape of the shoe. Shoes might have a straight or curved last. In addition, straight last shoes basically help keep the child’s feet in the correct position.
If you want to determine the “last” of your child’s shoe, turn the shoe upside down and look at the outsole. Now, picture an imaginary line that runs from the center of the heel of the shoe to the center of the toe area of the shoe. Let me show you an image of the difference between a curved last shoe and a shoe with a straight last:
You need to stay away from shoes that have excessively curved lasts as this can aggravate your child’s foot problems. If your child has a foot condition and wears curved last shoes it might lead to your child placing an excessive amount of pressure on the outside of the foot.
When children have a foot condition —let’s say flat feet for example— the child’s foot posture is affected, and the feet might turn inwards or outwards. The correct pair of straight last shoes can help improve your child’s foot posture and walking gait.
What a Difference a Pair of Straight Last Shoes Can Make!
Let’s take a look at an image of a flat-footed child with weak ankles standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
Now let’s take a look at an image of the same child wearing a pair of the straight last shoes I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter?
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
Keep in mind that for your child to get all of the benefits that the shoes have to offer you must order the shoes in the correct size. Before you order your child’s shoes you need to be sure whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. The instep height of your child’s feet also plays a role in which type of shoes your child can wear. I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.
Best Straight Last Shoes for Kids to Improve Foot Posture and Prevent Pain
Take a look at the description below each image to check if that specific shoe can fit your child’s foot shape. 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.
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Emilia by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Lace-up closure
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 100% leather made
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Tracks by Timberland on Zappos
- Available for toddlers
- Double velcro straps
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Water-friendly
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers
- Available in velcro and laces
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance Online Store
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Gabi by Memo on Amazon
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion on Zappos
- Available for toddlers
- Velcro closure
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Bootie by Timberland on Amazon
- Available for 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Mary Jane by Memo on Amazon
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Double velcro straps
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Rigid heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Available in laces
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style New Balance Fresh Foam 650 on the New Balance website
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ankle Support by Memo on Amazon
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Chicago Corrective by Memo on Amazon
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Own the Game 2.0 by Adidas on Amazon
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Non-marking outsole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Oder the shoe style Kinvara LTT by Saucony on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Shadow 6000 by Saucony on Zappos
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 327 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for little and big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Contact Me for Specific Shoe Recommendations
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are unsure about which specific shoe might work best for your child or if you are having a hard time finding a different pair of shoes for your child’s feet. I will be happy to help you find it.
Don’t wait for your child’s foot condition to resolve on its own. Some medical professionals advise parents to wait as the child might simply “outgrow” the condition. Many children’s foot problems do indeed resolve as the foot continues to develop. However, there is no evidence presented that a medical professional can predict which children will outgrow their conditions and which ones will not.
Key Features of Supportive Shoes for Kids
1️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature is going to provide a stable base of support at the medial arch and forefoot. Shoes with substantial outsoles help minimize the impact that your child’s feet take when they come in contact with the ground.
2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This part of the shoe provides ankle and heel support. Take a look at the difference between a shoe with a soft heel counter versus a shoe with a firmer one. Always press on the heel counter of your kids’ shoes and make sure it feels firm instead of soft:
3️⃣ Correct Amount of Flexibility: Your kids’ shoes should bend with your child’s toes. The shoes shouldn’t be too stiff or bend too much in the toe box area. If you can bend your child’s shoes like a spiral then it’s highly likely that your kids’ shoes don’t provide the correct amount of support:
Trust your parental intuition if you notice something off about your child’s feet and/or walking gait. You know when there is something wrong with your child, and keep a close eye.
Hello,
I live in the UK and my daughter was diagnosed with left forefoot adductus. I have checked the NB website can’t find any shoes in her size 8.5. Are there any other shoes from other brands such Nike or Adidas you would recommend?
Thank you.
Hello,
You can look into the Saucony Cohesion or a couple of Asics styles, but the Asics will work as long as your daughter has narrow or medium width feet. Do you know whether your daughter has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet?
Hi Juan,
Thank you so much. She has wide feet.
I am limited to the selection of shoes I can access in the UK, but if she has wide feet I suggest sticking to New Balance or Saucony. Asics won’t work.