Does your child wear a pair of orthotics and your medical professional recommends that you get a pair of supportive shoes? Are you looking for a pair of shoes that can fit your child’s orthotics but that have velcro closure instead of shoelaces? There is only a small selection of supportive velcro shoes for kids who wear orthotics, but the good news is that I will help you find them based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.
Shoes with shoelaces provide better support and stability compared to shoes with velcro closure, but if your child wears orthotics in shoes that are loosely tied, then it defeats the whole purpose of wearing orthotics. Allowing children to walk around in untied shoes can also be a safety issue.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Orthotics
I work for a shoe store that focuses on helping children with foot conditions such as flat feet, rolled ankles, low muscle tone, overpronation, etc. Many medical professionals recommend families to the shoe store that I work for to be fitted for supportive shoes and orthotics.
After having fitted children’s shoes and orthotics for the last 10 years I became familiar with which shoes work best with orthotics. I have noticed that shoes with shoelaces are a lot more effective compared to shoes with velcro closure, but there are instances in which the child can only wear shoes with velcro closure. Some of the reasons are:
- The child might be too young to learn how to tie the shoes
- The child might have motor or learning difficulties that interfere with their ability to easily acquire this skill
- The child simply prefers shoes with velcro closure over shoelaces
Shoes with Single or Double Velcro Straps – Does It Make a Difference?
In my experience, shoes with double velcro straps are the next best thing to shoes with shoelaces.
Shoes with double velcro straps are more effective than those with single ones as they “hug” the feet more efficiently and help keep the orthotic in place. There is a small selection of children’s shoes with double velcro straps, but I will show you which ones are still available shortly.
What Makes the Velcro Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Orthotics?
The velcro shoes that I recommend provide 5 key features that makes them ideal for children who wear orthotics:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: Shoes that provide extra depth allow the orthotics to sit deeply inside of the shoes. The deeper the orthotic fits inside of the shoes, the more comfortable your child’s feet will feel. There is an orthotic fitted in the shoes below, do you notice how the orthotic is fitting a lot deeper inside the shoe on the right?
2️⃣ Supportive Outsoles: Shoes with supportive outsoles provide a stable base of support and help keep the orthotic in place. The shoes and the orthotics work together in helping treat your child’s foot condition, so it’s important that the shoes provide good support.
3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This is the part of the shoes that provides ankle and heel support. I suggest that you press on the heel counter of your kids’ shoes to make sure that it feels firm and sturdy. The firmer it feels, the better heel and ankle support that it will provide.
4️⃣ Double Velcro Straps: Shoes with double velcro straps are more effective than those with single ones as they “hug” the feet more efficiently and help keep the orthotic in place. The other advantage of shoes with double velcro straps is that they provide oversized openings, making it easier for children and parents to get the shoes on and off.
5️⃣ Removable Insoles: Shoes with removable insoles allow for extra space for the orthotics. All of the shoes that made my list will have removable insoles.
Where Can You Find Shoes that Provide these 5 Important Features?
If you have a specialized children’s shoe store in your area I suggest that you take your child there to be properly fitted for shoes. A shoe fitter will measure and size your child for the correct pair of shoes. However, not all families have a specialized children’s shoe store in their area that they trust.
For those families who don’t have a local children’s shoe store, I have put together a list of the most supportive velcro shoes for kids who wear orthotics. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Supportive Velcro Shoes for Kids Who Wear Orthotics
Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out the following information:
- The foot shape the shoe can accommodate (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide)
- The best size to order allowing for growing room
- Other important information such as material
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Extra deep
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Extra deep
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Padded midsole features ABZORB® technology to provide added support
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Padded midsole features ABZORB® technology to provide added support
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Adjustable extra-long straps fit around AFOS but can also be cut to fit
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Breathable mesh
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Adjustable extra-long straps can be cut to fit
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Breathable mesh
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Extra deep
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Adjustable extra-long straps can be cut to fit
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Breathable mesh
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Adjustable extra-long straps can be cut to fit
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Breathable mesh
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive outsoles with firm heel counter
- The rubber outsole contains a special microporous membrane that is both breathable and waterproof
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- 100% Suede
- Hook and loop closure
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole for cushioning
- Durable leather and breathable mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole for cushioning
- Durable leather and breathable mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Adjustable extra-long straps fit around AFOS but can also be cut to fit
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Breathable mesh
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Adjustable extra-long straps fit around AFOS but can also be cut to fit
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Breathable mesh
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather upper
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Stable base of support
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive outsoles with firm heel counter
- Double velcro straps
- Lightweight EVA midsole with rubber outsole for ultimate traction and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive outsoles with firm heel counter
- The rubber outsole contains a special microporous membrane that is both breathable and waterproof
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes I indicate whether you need to order a half a size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
*A half a size bigger translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
*A whole size bigger translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
The Importance of Pulling the Velcro Straps Comfortably Tight
You must emphasize to your child the importance of pulling the velcro straps tightly. The tighter your child pulls the velcro straps, the better support and stability your child will get from the shoes.
Are the Shoes that I Recommended Durable?
Yes, all of the shoes that I recommended are made from high-quality materials and rubber outsoles that will help prevent the shoes from falling apart before your child is ready to outgrow them.
Try to get your child into the habit of undoing the velcro straps when getting the shoes on and off, as when children put on their shoes without undoing the velcro straps they tend to stretch out the shoe, making in it less supportive in the long run.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
The shoes I recommended are the best velcro shoes for children who wear orthotics. If you want to see a selection of shoes with shoelaces that work well with orthotics I suggest that you take a look at the resource below:
The Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics – Supportive and Comfortable Shoes
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a different pair of shoes other than sneakers to fit your child’s orthotics:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Providing children with supportive shoes and orthotics can make a world of difference in helping improve their foot posture and walking gait. Make sure that your child gets the full benefits of his or her orthotics by fitting them in the correct types of shoes!
Help me make this resource even better by sharing your favorite velcro shoe recommendations for kids who wear orthotics! I am sure that other families will benefit from reading about your experiences.
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