Have you noticed your child walking and running differently lately? If your child’s feet are turning inwards instead of straight when walking or running, then it’s highly likely that your child has a foot condition called intoeing. The good news is that certain shoes can help improve your child’s foot posture and walking gait. I have put together a selection of the best kids’ shoes for intoeing based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Intoeing simply means that your child’s feet turn inwards instead of pointing straight. However, parents always have a hard time when they notice that their children are struggling with their gait. I have helped hundreds of children with this condition and it can be treated and corrected by wearing the correct type of shoes.
Main Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Leave Intoeing Untreated!
Most children who experience intoeing don’t experience foot and leg pain, but they do tend to stumble and lose balance more often. I strongly recommend that you don’t leave this condition untreated since it can lead to several complications in the future.
When children are growing, the normal development of the pelvis and the spine will suffer if there is a foot imbalance. In most cases, intoeing might correct itself as the child keeps growing. However, in some children, it doesn’t get better on its own and treatment is necessary to help treat and correct the condition. When children walk with their feet turned inwards, it’s important to protect the foot from damage due to compensation, since this can lead to short and long-term problems that involve:
- An unbalanced gait
- Reduced athletic ability
- Foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, and flat feet
- General foot and leg pain
Even if your child is not complaining about foot or leg pain, I always recommend parents to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see approach” when it comes to treating their children’s foot conditions. I get contacted by families from all over the world who are told by their pediatricians that their child will eventually outgrow the condition, but these families are still concerned since their child’s walking gait is clearly abnormal.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
My experience in helping children with intoeing is a result of working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now, and this experience has afforded me a great deal of experience when it comes to treating and preventing children’s foot and leg problems.
I am familiar with which are the best shoes for children who have intoeing from having fitted and tested before.
What is Causing Your Child’s Intoeing? – Let’s Find Out!
Intoeing is believed to be hereditary, and as a parent, there is nothing that you could have done to prevent it.
The most common cause of intoeing is due to the thigh bone being turned in at the hip, which tends to throw the child’s body out of alignment.
Some physical or occupational therapists might recommend casts, orthopedic shoes, and even surgery to correct intoeing. These 3 approaches can be very effective, but providing your child with the correct type of shoes and in some cases, orthotics is a less invasive and more affordable alternative that will help treat and prevent your child’s intoeing.
Treating Your Child’s Intoeing – What a Difference These Shoes Can Make!
The correct type of supportive shoes will help your child walk and run straighter, as well as improve your child’s overall posture. I always recommend parents start by trying a pair of supportive shoes first and monitor whether the child’s walking gait and posture improve or not. If it doesn’t, the next step would be to try an orthotic.
I have helped improve the walking gait and posture of hundreds of children who were intoeing by providing them with a pair of everyday supportive sneakers. I want to clarify that the shoes that I recommend are not orthopedic shoes, they are regular everyday sneakers that simply provide better structure and support.
Something so simple such as providing your child with the correct type of shoes can help correct your child walking gait and allow your child to walk and run straighter. Let me prove it to you!
Before and After Images of Children with Intoeing!
Let’s take a look at an image of a barefoot child who is experiencing intoeing issues. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards? The feet are shifting the child’s whole body out of alignment.
Before Image
Now, let’s see what happens when we fit that same child in a pair of the supportive shoes that I recommend. Do you notice how the child’s feet are a lot straighter? These shoes will allow the child to walk and run straighter, which will improve the child’s overall posture as well.
After Image
I also recorded one video of another child walking barefoot and a different video of the child wearing the shoes that I recommend. Let’s see if you can notice a difference.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Kids with Intoeing?
1️⃣ Supportive Outsoles
Shoes that provide substantial and supportive outsoles with arch support help prevent the child’s feet from collapsing and turning inwards, allowing your child to walk and run straighter. Below you can see the difference between a shoe with a substantial outsole versus a shoe with a sole that is too thin and doesn’t provide the correct amount of support:
2️⃣ Rigid Heel Counters
The heel counter is the back part of the shoe that provides ankle and heel support, and the firmer it is, the better. Some children experience intoeing from having rolled ankles. Always make sure that the heel counter of your child’s shoes feels firm and not soft.
3️⃣ Straight Lasts
This feature helps prevent the forefoot from pushing out. You need to stay away from shoes that have an excessively curved last as they lack heel stability. Most Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour shoes come with a curved or semi-curved last. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
In addition to providing these 3 features, the shoes must also fit the shape of your child’s feet perfectly. Children can have narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet, and depending on your child’s foot shape the selection of shoes that your child can wear might be very large or very small.
The good news is that the shoe styles that I recommend are available in different widths such as medium, wide, and extra wide. This is also helpful if you need to fit an orthotic inside your kids’ shoes.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
To figure out your child’s exact foot size and provide your child with the correct shoe size, I always recommend parents take their children to be properly fitted for shoes at their local children’s shoe store. If you are unsure whether you have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in your area, start by taking a look at a resource that I created that describes the best kids’ shoe stores by state. Go to the link below:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where To Go for Proper Fittings
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to find a store in your area, then take a look at another article I created that will help you identify how to figure out your child’s foot size from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Now that you know how to figure out your child’s exact foot size, you are ready to take a look at a selection of the best kids’ shoes for intoeing. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Kids’ Shoes for Intoeing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
There is a very small selection of shoes that help improve your child’s walking gait, but the good news is that I know exactly which styles these are from having fitted them before.
Below you can find a selection of the best kids’ shoes for intoeing that can fit children with narrow, medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) feet.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- 100% leather made
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Constructed with a breathable textile lining and an OrthoLite® comfort foam insoles provide moisture transport, antimicrobial function, and long-term cushioning
- Water-friendly
- Double hook-and-loop closure for easy on and off
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’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 toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Genuine leather and breathable mesh
- Thermoplastic asymmetric stiff heel counter for proper feet protection and stabilization
- Stiff and high ankle support
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth and width for orthotics
- Rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- 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
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- 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
- 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Triple velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This is an ORTHOPEDIC shoe
- Extra depth to accommodate orthotics, AFOS, and internal modifications
- Triple velcro straps
- Thermoplastic rigid heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Durable leather/suede mesh upper
- Stability Web outsole technology provides added arch support
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide or extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Lace-Up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Padded tongue and collar for added support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- No-sew tip for durability where kids need it most
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current 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.
Families Testimonials – Get Inspired!
One method that used to be very effective in treating and preventing intoeing was the reverse-the-shoe wearing technique. In this method, parents fitted the child’s right shoe on the left foot, and the left shoe, on the right foot. While this method used to be effective in helping children walk and run straighter, it caused children to develop hallux valgus and other foot problems in later years.
Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you might have about your child’s feet or walking gait. If you are in doubt about whether your child might have intoeing or not, feel free to send me pictures/videos of your child’s feet and I will be able to evaluate your child’s feet:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
What brand and style of sneaker and sandal would you recommend for a 7 year old with very narrow feet and heel, who also has intoeing?
Thank you for your help in advance
Hello Melinda,
You didn’t specify whether you needed shoes for a girl or a boy.
Hello! Can I please get your recommendation for a 16 month old boy with metartasus adductus? Thanks 🙂
Hello Vicky,
Does your son have narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet?
Hello, thanks for the reply. I honestly do not know. I was not told he has particularly narrow or wide feet. Perhaps standard?
I could share a pic if that helps, or if you can tell me how to “measure” or know about the width?
Hello Vicky,
You can use this free resource I created: How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Hi
My son is 24 months (less than 2 year) old ,he stands straight but walks inward toe can you suggest for him?
Hello Raman,
To recommend specific shoes for your son I first need to know his foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), as well as the country that you are contacting me from to check what shoes you might be able to order.
Hi ! My son is 19 months with wide feet, a high instepc and he is intoeing pretty bad, his doctor agrees but said that they don’t typically treat intoeing until around 3 years old, I am fine waiting but he’s constantly tripping over himself or the ground if it’s uneven. Are there any shoes you can recommend? I am in the USA.
Hi ! My son is 18 months old, he has wide feet, high instep, and is intoeing reeeally bad. He is constantly tripping on flat ground, if the ground is uneven he really struggles. I showed the doctor, who agreed, but said there’s nothing to do and it will hopefully figure itself out by 3 years old, Only if it doesn’t by 3 years old will they do any interventions. Is there a shoe I should try or wait it out? I am in USA!
Hello Atti,
You can maybe try a shoe with a stable base of support and a firm heel counter to help improve your son’s foot posture and stability.
For example, this shoe has the features I mentioned above, and the laces will help “hug” your son’s feet more effectively and help improve his stability: Stride Rite Make sure you select the extra wide width
Another alternative is this shoe which has velcro: New Balance Make sure that you pull the velcro straps comfortably tight.
It’s also important that you make sure that the shoes fit properly (not too short or not too long) as this can have a negative impact on your son’s stability.