Straight Last Shoes for Kids – Let’s Help Treat Your Child’s Foot Condition!
Did your medical professional recommend that your child wear a pair of straight last shoes? Is your child dealing with a foot condition that requires him/her to wear supportive shoes with straight lasts? Most families are confused as to where they can buy straight lasts shoes as children’s shoes don’t come labeled that way. I am going to show you a list of the best straight last shoes for kids based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Most parents get confused when they are told to look for straight last shoes for their children. My goal is to explain to you what qualifies as a straight last shoe and also provide you with a list of the best straight last shoes for kids.
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 the Correct Pair of Shoes Can Make!
Let’s take a look at an image of a flat-footed child with rolled 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?
Where Can You Find Straight Last Shoes?
Most parents get confused as to how they are supposed to find shoes that provide straight lasts if shoes don’t come labeled “straight lasts”. I know which shoes provide straight lasts from having fitted them before, and I will shortly show you a list of straight last shoes.
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 help parents determine their child’s exact foot length and shape for free and in two simple steps.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective?
The shoes I recommend provide straight lasts and the following 3 important features:
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:
Best Straight Last Shoes for Kids
Take a look at the description below each image to check if that specific shoe can fit narrow (N), medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide feet (XW). 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 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
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me 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.
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.