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

Has your teenage girl been expressing discomfort in her heels, leaving you frustrated in your search for supportive shoes? Have you sought medical advice multiple times, only to hear reassurances that the pain will eventually stop? It’s worth noting that teenage girls are prone to develop commonly known conditions such as flat feet or high arches and are therefore at higher risk of experiencing heel pain. Considering my expertise in children’s shoe fitting, I will be presenting you with a selection of supportive shoes for teenage girls with heel pain, as well as heel cups and orthotic recommendations.

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. 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. 

I am familiar with which shoe styles fit better than others and I can also guide you on how to order your shoes 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 girl with a pair of shoes that provides enough support but that are also fashionable enough for her taste.

Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time here is a list of the most supportive shoes for teenage girls with heel pain.

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

Flat feet, which is very common among teenagers, can develop for various reasons. While some girls 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 girl quality of life. Below you can find an image of a flat footed child, does it look familiar?

On the other hand, it is even more common for teenage girls to have high arches. Girls who have high arches are not able to properly absorb shock when walking or running. You will notice how your girl’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:

4 Key Considerations When Selecting Shoes for Heel Pain

The following are key considerations to keep in mind when looking for supportive shoes for teenagers with heel pain:

1️⃣ Motion Control Features: Adequate cushioning, particularly in the heel and forefoot areas, helps absorb shock and reduce pressure on the flat arches.

2️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: The heel counter is the back part of the shoes, and the firmer it is, the better heel and ankle support and stability that it provides. This also helps prevent supination, a common issue in girls with high arches.

3️⃣ Targeted Cushioning: Adequate cushioning, particularly in the heel and forefoot areas, helps absorb shock and reduce pressure on your child’s heels.

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

Outstanding Brand Options for Teenage Girls Dealing with Heel Discomfort

➡️ 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 girls who experience heel pain.

➡️ Saucony: Saucony offers shoes with comfortable cushioning and stability features specially designed to support the child’s feet.

➡️ 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.

Best Supportive Shoes for Teenage Girls with Heel Pain

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.

The Importance of Wearing Shoes in the Correct Size

I understand that it can be challenging to find shoes to fit your child’s unique feet, especially if your child has a “complex” foot shape or has been diagnosed with a specific foot condition. Nonetheless, it’s critical to make sure that your kid’s shoes fit properly, as shoes that are too wide or too narrow can create blisters, calluses, and ingrown toenails. 

For this reason, I created a different article to assist parents in determining their kids’ foot size and shape at home effectively and with ease. This easy-to-follow method allows parents to accurately determine their child’s correct foot length and width, as well as instep height.

Apply This Amazing Shoe Lacing Technique to Help Prevent Heel Pain

My co-worker who has over 30 years of shoe fitting experience taught me a specific shoe lacing technique that helps secure the foot against the heel counter of the shoe, securing the child’s heels and allowing the child to get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer. Follow the 3 simple steps below:

1️⃣ Your daughter should start by lacing her shoes as she would normally do but leave the first top two holes (eyelets) of the shoes unlaced:

2️⃣ Loop the lace through the top hole first as shown in the image below:

3️⃣ Loop the lace through the hole that we left open and make sure you tie them properly:

What To Do If Your Daughter’s Heel Pain Persists?

If your daughter wears any of the shoes I recommended for a month and her heel pain is not significantly reduced or fully eliminated then I suggest that we fit either a pair of heel cups or orthotics inside the shoes for extra support. Heel cups can be a very effective and affordable alternative to orthotics.

Does Your Daughter Have Other Foot Conditions? – Contact Us for Personalized Recommendations

Children’s shoe needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and any specific foot conditions they may have. If you have any questions or need any further assistance, you can also contact us via email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We are happy to help you find a different pair of shoes for your daughter so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.