The Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics – Supportive and Comfortable Shoes

March 13, 2026 Shoes for Orthotics Juan Valenzuela 31 - Comments

Last updated: March 2026

Many children wear orthotics to help treat conditions such as flat feet, low muscle tone, weak ankles, knock knees, or poor posture. Orthotics can help support and align the feet, but they only work effectively when paired with the right shoes. I will show you a list of supportive and comfortable kids shoes for orthotics, including extra deep kids shoes that provide enough space to fit full-length or 3/4-length orthotics (there is also a section for kids who wear AFOs).

As a passionate shoe fitter, I’m here to assist you in making the best choice for your child’s unique needs. Providing the right support during the formative years can lead to a lifetime of healthy foot habits and prevent future complications.

What Are the Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics?

The best kids shoes for orthotics provide extra depth, removable insoles, and a stable base of support so the orthotic can sit deeply inside the shoe. These features ensure you are choosing shoes that fit orthotics properly and allow the device to function as intended.

Quick Comparison: Best Kids Shoes for Orthotics

The table below provides a quick comparison of some of the best kids shoes for orthotics, highlighting models that provide extra depth, removable insoles, and strong support.

Brand Model Best For Orthotics Type Check Price
New Balance 990v6 Maximum depth and support 3/4, Full, SMOs, AFOs Check Price
Stride Rite M2P Journey 3.0 Adapt Extra wide feet and adaptable fit 3/4, Full, SMOs Check Price
Memo Gabi Orthopedic support 3/4, Full, SMOs, AFOs Check Price
Billy Classic DR High II AFO braces SMOs, AFOs Check Price
Stride Rite Elliott Affordable ankle support 3/4 orthotics Check Price
New Balance 574 Affordable everyday support 3/4, Full, SMOs Check Price
New Balance 2002 Support at lower price than 990v6 3/4, Full Check Price

Below you will find a QR code with additional shoe models with more detailed descriptions to help you choose the best option for your child’s orthotics.

My Experience Fitting Children in Supportive Shoes and Orthotics

I work in a specialized children’s shoe store where we carry some of the most supportive children’s shoes and orthotics. Several pediatricians, physical, and occupational therapists refer families to the shoe store to be fitted for supportive shoes and orthotics. The right shoes can enhance the effectiveness of orthotics, ensuring that they provide the intended benefits.

Extra wide New Balance shoes for kids who wear orthotics.
An image of a supportive New Balance shoe in extra wide widths with an orthotic fitted inside.

Many families make the common mistake of assuming that children who wear orthotics can wear any shoe. Not all shoes have enough depth or structure to accommodate orthotics, which is why it’s important to choose shoes that fit orthotics properly.

The Role of Supportive Shoes in Orthotic Efficacy

Orthotics and shoes should work together to provide the best support and alignment for your child’s feet. The shoe acts as a foundation, while the orthotic provides targeted support and correction. Together, they can improve posture, prevent foot pain, and enhance mobility.

Child with flat feet and low muscle tone standing barefoot.
An image of a child with flat feet and poor posture standing barefoot.
Child with flat feet wearing a pair of unsupportive Nike shoes.
An image of the same flat-footed child wearing a pair of unsupportive shoes with orthotics. The child’s feet are still collapsing and turning inwards.
Child with flat feet improves his foot posture by wearing a pair of supportive New Balance shoes with straight lasts.
An image of the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes with orthotics. Do you notice how straighter the feet are?

This child struggled with flat feet, which affected his balance and coordination. His parents opted for New Balance shoes (990v6), which offered the perfect blend of support and flexibility. The supportive shoes and orthotics helped improve his balance and mobility, and now he can participate in his favorite activities without discomfort.

Key Features to Look for in Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics

1. Adequate Depth and Width: This feature allows the orthotic to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents your kids’ feet from being raised by the orthotics. The depth of the shoes plays a key role, as it’s important for the orthotics to fit deeply inside your kids’ shoes to not give your child the impression that their feet are coming out of the shoes.

Let me show you what a tremendous difference a shoe that provides extra depth can make. Do you notice how much deeper the orthotic is fitting inside the shoe on the right?

The difference in depth between a See Kai Run (left image) and a Tsukihoshi shoe (right image).

Below you can find another example with a different orthotic type of orthotic:

The difference in depth between a Nike (left image) and a New Balance shoe (right image).

2. Stable Base of Support: The shoes must provide a substantial outsole to act as a foundation and to hold the orthotic in place. Let me show you the difference in support between one of the shoes I recommend and a different shoe:

supportive-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet
The difference in support and structure between a Saucony (left image) and New Balance shoe (right image).

3. Firm Heel Counters: A firm heel counter provides stability and helps maintain the alignment of the foot. This is particularly important for children using orthotics, as it enhances the orthotic’s corrective function. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe that provides a firm heel counter and one that doesn’t:

children's-shoes-with-heel-support
The difference in heel support between a Nike (left image) and New Balance shoe (right image).

Two Additional Features

Flexible and Lightweight: The shoes must be supportive, but lightweight and flexible at the same time to prevent your child’s feet and legs from easily getting tired.

children's-shoes-with-the-correct-amount-of-flexibility
The difference in flexibility between an unsupportive Nike shoe (left image) and a supportive New Balance shoe (right image).

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. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

children's-shoes-with-straight-lasts
The difference between a Nike shoe (left image) with a semi-curved last and a New Balance shoe (right image) with a straight last.

Remember, the right pair of orthotic shoes for kids can significantly impact your child’s mobility and overall quality of life.

Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics (Extra Deep and Supportive)

Instead of maintaining a static list of shoes that quickly becomes outdated, I keep an updated list of the best kids’ shoes for orthotics that provide extra depth, removable insoles, and strong support to properly accommodate orthotic devices.

These recommendations include shoes that work well with 3/4 orthotics, full-length orthotics, SMOs, and AFOs, and they are selected based on real shoe-fitting experience and structural features that improve stability and comfort.

Scan or click the QR code below to view my current shoe recommendations.

Get a Personalized Shoe Recommendation

Choosing the correct shoes for children who wear orthotics can be challenging, especially since different orthotics require different amounts of space inside the shoe.

If you’re unsure which shoes will work best for your child’s orthotics, feel free to contact me. Based on your child’s foot shape, shoe size, and orthotic type, I can recommend supportive shoe styles that are most likely to improve comfort and fit.

📧 fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

What Shoe Size Should You Order for Your Kids’ Orthotics?

The shoe size your child needs will depend on the type of orthotic they wear. Some orthotics take up more space inside the shoe than others.

For example:

  • Full-length orthotics require more space inside the shoe
  • 3/4-length orthotics typically fit in more shoe styles

If you are unsure which shoe size will accommodate your child’s orthotics, you can use my virtual orthotic fitting service to determine the correct size.

A well-fitted shoe ensures the orthotic remains in place, providing consistent support and alignment.

Has Your Child Been Diagnosed with AFOs or SMOs?

I showed you a list of the best kids’ shoes for orthotics and some of them do work well for AFOs and SMOs. However, these types of foot braces can take up a lot of extra space inside the shoes, so for those types of orthotics I suggest looking into a different resource that has supportive and deep shoe recommendations for AFOs.

Worst and Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics

If your child wears orthotics stay away from shoes that provide alternative closures such as bungee laces or slip-on shoes. Velcro shoes are okay but I highly recommend getting shoes with double velcro straps instead of one.

Are Shoes with Laces Better than Shoes with Alternative Closures?

I always recommend a pair of shoes that come with shoelaces instead of velcro closure for children who wear orthotics, as shoelaces help keep the orthotic in place. Shoelaces also provide better support and stability, and they will push your kids’ heels back supporting and securing them against the back of the shoes. There is a specific shoe lacing technique that I like to use for children who wear orthotics.

Can children wear orthotics in any shoes?

No. Most shoes do not provide enough depth or structure to accommodate orthotics. Children need supportive shoes with removable insoles and extra depth so the orthotic can sit properly inside the shoe.

Are wide shoes better for orthotics?

It depends on your child’s foot shape, but many children who wear orthotics do benefit from wider shoes. Orthotics take up extra space inside the shoe, so a wider shoe can help provide enough room for both the orthotic and your child’s foot to fit comfortably.

Do kids need bigger shoes when wearing orthotics?

Yes. In most cases children need about one full shoe size larger for 3/4 or full-length orthotics. Children who wear AFOs or SMOs often need two full shoe sizes larger to properly accommodate the brace. The goal is to stay as close as your child’s current foot size as possible.

Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics and the Importance of Being Proactive

The first seven years of a child’s life are often referred to as the “golden years of treatment opportunity.” During this time, the foot and lower extremity’s structural changes are relatively easy to influence with supportive shoes and orthotics. Moreover, addressing foot issues early with orthotics not only aids in correcting the existing problems but also enhances the child’s ability to participate in physical activities without pain.

Choosing the right kids shoes for orthotics can make a significant difference in your child’s comfort, posture, and mobility. Shoes that provide extra depth, removable insoles, and strong structure allow orthotics to function properly and provide the intended support.

By pairing the correct orthotics with supportive shoes, you can help improve your child’s stability, alignment, and long-term foot health.