Supportive Shoes for Teenage Boys with Heel Pain – Firm Heel Counters and Extra Cushion

Has your teenage boy been complaining about heel pain and you are having a hard time finding supportive shoes? Maybe you already took your child to your medical professional several times and were dismissed by “the pain will eventually go away”? Children who have foot conditions such as flat feet or high arches are more prone to developing heel pain. In my experience, most children who complain about heel pain tend to have high arches.

My Experience Fitting Children in Supportive Shoes

In light of my extensive experience in shoe fitting, I’m here to present you with a curated list of supportive shoes for teenage boys with heel pain. I will also show you how to make sure that you order the correct shoe size online.

The shoes I will recommend shortly are not orthopedic, they are regular sneakers that simply provide better support than the rest. My goal is to provide your teenage boy with a pair of shoes that provides enough support but it allows your children’s foot and leg muscles to continue developing on their own.

Heel Pain Due to Plantar Fasciitis or Sever’s Disease

To begin, it’s important to emphasize that experiencing any form of heel discomfort is not normal. Heel pain is mainly associated with two conditions: Plantar Fasciitis and Sever’s Disease, these conditions have different causes and may affect different age groups as well. I will briefly outline the difference between the two.

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, commonly known as the plantar fascia. It typically causes sharp or stabbing pain in the heel, especially when taking the first steps in the morning or after prolonged periods of rest. While Sever’s Disease is the inflammation of the growth plate, it primarily affects children and adolescents, typically between the ages of 8 and 15, during their growth spurts.

Both conditions involve heel pain, however, the pain felt with plantar fasciitis usually begins immediately after your child starts the activity and pain can decrease on its own as they perform the activity. On the other hand, the pain experienced with sever’s disease would usually worsen during the activity and improve with rest.

Do You Know Whether Your Child Has Flat Feet or High Arches?

In addition, flat feet can develop in teenagers for various reasons. While some boys are genetically predisposed to this condition, others may develop it due to rapid growth obesity, or certain medical conditions. Regardless of the cause, flat feet can result in discomfort and affect a teenager’s quality of life. Below you can find an image of a flat footed child:

Children with high arches are not 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 (heel pain). Below you can find an image of a child with high arches:

The Difference the Right Shoes Can Make – See For Yourself

Supportive shoes are crucial for teenagers with high arches, as they can provide the necessary support to alleviate discomfort and reduce the risk of further complications. To this end, let me show you what a difference a pair of shoes I recommend can make for a teenage boy who has high arches. Let’s start by taking a look at an image of a child with high arches standing barefoot. Do you notice how the child’s body weight lands on the outer edges of each foot?

Before Image: Child with High Arches Standing Barefoot

Now let me show you what happens when I fit that same boy in a pair of the supportive pair of shoes I recommend. Do you notice how the boy’s feet are a lot straighter? Something so simple as providing your boy with the correct type of shoes can make a tremendous difference in the way they walk and run.

After Image: Child with High Arches Wearing Supportive Shoes

Children with high arches need shoes with proper support to help prevent your child’s body weight from landing on the outer edges of each foot.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Shoes for High Arches

The following are key factors to consider when looking for supportive shoes for teenagers with high arches:

1️⃣ Arch Support: Look for shoes with built-in arch support or removable insoles that can also accommodate custom orthotics, if needed. Proper arch support is essential for maintaining healthy foot alignment.

2️⃣ Cushioning: Adequate cushioning, particularly in the heel and forefoot areas, helps absorb shock and reduce pressure on your child’s heels.

3️⃣ Stability: Choose shoes with a firm heel counter (the back part of the shoe) to provide stability and prevent supination, a common issue in boys with high arches.

4️⃣ Flexible Soles: Shoes with moderately flexible soles allow natural foot movement while still providing support and stability.

Excellent Brand Choices for High Arches

➡️ New Balance: New Balance offers a range of athletic shoes known for their arch support and cushioning. Opt for styles designed for running and walking as these would provide all the necessary features for teenage boys who have high arches.

➡️ Asics: Regarded by many parents as the go-to brand for supportive and good top quality shoes. Asics provides a variety of sporty options with gel cushioning and supportive features suitable for active teenagers.

➡️ Saucony: Saucony offers shoes with comfortable cushioning and stability features specially designed to accommodate high arches.

Supportive Shoes for Teenage Boys with High Arches – Choosing the Right Support

Take a look at the description below each shoe to check what foot shape that specific shoe is capable of accommodating —narrow (N), medium (M), wide (W), extra wide (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.

How To Retrieve Your Teenager’s Exact Foot Size – Length and Width

The golden rule is that shoes must fit properly for them to function properly. Our longtime readers may already know that we always recommend having your children’s feet measured every so often. Knowing the correct size of your kid’s feet is crucial. Even if you think you know your kid’s exact foot size, you may be surprised to find out it’s not quite right. For example, do you know whether your child has a high instep or not?

To this end, I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource you will find out whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also be able to determine whether your child has a high instep or not.

How Can You Tell If Your Child Is Dealing with a Foot Condition?

Check your child’s current shoes and notice whether the shoes are caving in or not. Take a look at the images below for better visualization purposes:

Contact Me to Get a Personalized Shoe Recommendation

If you have any questions or need a more personalized recommendation, you can also contact me via email and I will get back to you as soon as possible. I am happy to help you find a different pair of high top shoes for your child so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Keep in mind that a medical professional will be best placed to rule out other potential causes of heel pain and ensure that your child receives an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan as needed.