The Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics – Supportive and Comfortable Shoes
Are you having a hard time finding pair of shoes to accommodate your child’s orthotics? Have you tried several different shoes but none of them seem to be deep or wide enough to fit your kids’ orthotics? I have put together a selection of the best kids’ shoes for orthotics based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
At the shoe store where I work, we carry some of the most supportive children’s shoes and orthotics, and I am familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are capable of accommodating orthotics.
Several pediatricians, physical, and occupational therapists refer families to the shoe store that I work for to be fitted for supportive shoes and orthotics.
Is Your Child Dealing with a Specific Foot Condition?
If your child has been diagnosed with flat feet, overpronation, toe walking, low muscle tone, or any other foot condition that requires wearing an orthotic inside the shoes, you need to find shoes that provide good support and are capable of accommodating the orthotic at the same time.
If you’re pressed for time, you can jump directly to the selection of supportive shoes that accommodate orthotics.
The Importance of Fitting Your Child’s Orthotics Correctly
Orthotics can improve your children’s foot posture tremendously by preventing their feet from collapsing and aligning their feet and legs, helping them walk and run straighter. However, if your child’s orthotics are fitted in the wrong pair of shoes, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the orthotics have to offer.
Full-length orthotics CAN take a lot of extra space inside the shoes, so the shoes need to provide extra depth and be available in different widths such as wide (W) and extra wide widths (XW), as this allows for extra space for the orthotics to be fitted inside the shoes.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Orthotics? – 6 Key Features!
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the orthotic to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent 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. Below is a picture of an orthotic fitted in a pair of shoes that provide extra depth (image on the right) and a pair of shoes that don’t provide extra depth (image on the left). Do you notice how much deeper the orthotic is fitting inside the shoe on the right?
Below you can find another example with a different orthotic:
2️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: The shoes must provide a substantial outsole to hold the orthotic in place and reduce the impact that your child’s feet and legs take every time they become in contact with the ground. Let me show you the difference in support between one of the shoes I recommend and a different shoe:
3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: The shoes must come with a firm heel counter to help the orthotic provide good ankle support. Shoes that come with a firm heel counter help strengthen and straighten your kids’ ankles. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe that provides a firm heel counter and one that doesn’t:
4️⃣ 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.
5️⃣ Rounder Toe-Box: This feature is going to prevent the orthotic from poking a hole in the front of the shoes.
6️⃣ 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:
I only write reviews of shoes that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best kids’ shoes for orthotics. 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 Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics
Please note that all of the shoes below are available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW). You should take a look at the description below each shoe to find out the additional features that each shoe provides.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style 990V6 by New Balance
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style SRT Emilia by Stride Rite
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Gabi by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Gabi by Memo
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Double velcro straps
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Mary Jane by Memo
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style 2002 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style 2002 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style M2P Journey 2 by Stride Rite
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 990V6 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Made2play Brighton by Stride Rite
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- 100% Suede
- Order this shoe half a whole larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Shoe style 990v6 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- The New Balance shoe style DynaSoft v5 is available for little and big kids
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Ankle Support by Memo
- 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 half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Chicago Corrective by Memo
- 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 half a size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Cross Em Up 5 by Adidas
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Extra padding around the ankles
- Lace-up closure
- Rubber outsole provides excellent grip
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- The Adidas shoe style Cross Em Up Select is available for little kids
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style X 880v12 by New Balance
- 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 a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style X 880v12 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Kinvara 14 LTT by Saucony
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Wind 2.0 by Saucony
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style 2002 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Durable leather upper
- Stability Web outsole technology provides added arch support
- Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style 650v1 by New Balance
- 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 the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style 990V6 by New Balance
- 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 a half size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Nitrel V5 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- DynaSoft midsole cushioning
- Sporty textile and engineered mesh materials for breathable comfort and everyday durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
- Shoe style Nitrel V5 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- DynaSoft midsole cushioning
- Sporty textile and engineered mesh materials for breathable comfort and everyday durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s orthotic footplate
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
This directly depends on what type of orthotic your child wears, as some orthotics take up a lot more extra space than others. For example, a full-length orthotic will take a lot more space than a 3/4-length orthotic.
If you are unsure about what shoe size you should order to accommodate your child’s orthotics I suggest that you use this free resource.
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.
Not Sure What Orthotic to Order for Your Child? – Let’s Find Out!
I have fitted several different types of orthotics through the years, but there are two particular ones that I have found to be the most effective ones when it comes to treating and preventing flat feet, rolled ankles, and overpronation. These orthotics also make a tremendous difference in improving a child’s overall posture.
The reason I recommend these two particular orthotics is that they provide excellent arch and heel support, and at the same time, they are not as invasive as other orthotics. This means that the orthotics allow the child’s foot and leg muscles to develop on their own while supporting them.
Between the two orthotics that I recommend the one that will work best for your child depends on the degree of your child’s pronation and foot condition.
In that article I describe the orthotics I was telling you about which provide optimal arch support, come with a heel cup to help strengthen and straighten your child’s ankles, and are made from comfortable materials.
Looking for Other Boot Recommendations? – Get a Personalized Suggestion
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
Have you tried a particular shoe style that has worked well in accommodating your child’s orthotics? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
Hi there,
Found this page while looking for supportive shoes for my 1 year old. She isn’t walking yet but when standing her weight is completely on the inside of her foot. So much so that her little pinky toe is off the floor. This happens mostly on her left foot. I’m wondering what shoe you’d recommend for her as a prewalker. Would also love any advice you may have to hopefully help and correct her situation.
Hello Amber,
To recommend specific shoes for your daughter I first will need to know her foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), and the country that you are contacting me from to check what specific shoes you might be able to order.
Hi there, this post was very useful. I have an eleven year old son, with custom soft orthodics to support his ligament elasticity, he has Trisomy 21. I did find that Merrell makes the exact shoes that I needed. They have ankle boots, with substantial outsoles and removable insoles in wide width. The Orthodist recommended a shoe with canvas on the toe upper. The Merrell shoes provided everything we needed. They are also good looking shoes.
I hope this helps.
Hello Deb,
Thank you for your feedback and valuable recommendations!
Hello Juan,
We are based in Europe. Our daughter aged 2.5 has muscular dystrophy and is hyperpronated. She is still on her feet and wearing heel orthotics (although she eventually will have to move to AFOs).
Do you have any recommendations for shoes that will work with these and for her – she needs a lot of support due to weaking muscles around her feet and ankles. Her foot length is 16.5cm/US9/26cm.
Thanks you.
Hello Clare,
I am happy to recommend specific shoes for your daughter but can you please specify from which country you are contacting me? This will help me determine what specific shoes are available in your area.
Sure, thank you Juan. We are in Ireland!
Hello Clare,
I don’t have access to see what specific shoe styles are available in Ireland. However, I suggest that you take a look at this resource to check if those specific shoe styles are available in your area:
Best Shoes for Kids Who Wear Only One AFO – Save Time and Money
ok thanks Juan!
Hi Juan, thanks for replying. We are based in Ireland.
Sorry, me again. Any other suggestions for shoes to wear with orthotics. I am trying to look for your recommendations but I can not find my son’s size 9.5W in red. Any other brands?
Hello Maria,
The biggest selection of kids’ shoes with shoelaces starts at 10.5 and above. Here is another shoe style that I recommend:
Saucony Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics: Option 1
Saucony Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics: Option 2
I hope this helps!
Thank you! Where we can find you? It would be great if you can personally measure my child’s feet
Hello Maria,
Email me at: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Thank you so much. The New Balance velcro model was recommended by the Shoe Train store. I will follow your recommendation this time even though this will be my son’s first pair of shoes with laces. Thanks again!!!
Hello Maria,
That is one of the best fitting children’s shoe stores in the country. I am actually located in Bethesda, Maryland. Please let me know how the shoes work out for your son, and I also will be happy to assess your child’s feet personally.
Hi, my son currently wears New Balance KV519v1I shoes with orthotics because of inward feet (he is 3 years old). Are you familiar with this model? Could you recommend me another one I can try ? This model is working fine but I would like to buy another pair. Is it ok with no shoe laces? Thank you so much for all the valuable info you provide
Hello Maria,
Yes, I am familiar with that shoe style and it doesn’t provide the same amount of support as other New Balance kids’ shoes.
In order for your son to get the full benefits that the orthotics have to offer I recommend providing him with a pair of shoelaces instead of Velcro closure. Shoelaces will provide better support and stability, and will also keep the orthotic in place.
Since your son is already wearing a pair of shoes with Velcro closure, I recommend that you provide him with a pair of shoes with shoelaces so you can see the difference for yourself.
Here are the styles that I recommend:
Saucony shoe for orthotics: Option 1
New Balance shoe for orthotics: Option 2
I hope this helps.
Hello! My son is 12 with slight pronation. We had him in shoes with laces but he cannot tie them properly (he is special needs) and the teachers at school have refused to help him or tie them for him. He started falling a lot due to this and tripping on his laces so we switched him back to velcro. He is currently using some New Balance with Velcro. He starts middle school next week and we thought insoles for the pronation would be a good idea for him and were planning on getting another pair of the Velcro New Balance for P.E. We fear him getting hurt with laces that are not properly tied. I see you recommend against Velcro shoes, do you have any suggestions for our situation? If he won’t benefit from the insoles in Velcro shoes will he be better off without them? This is strictly for PE where I cannot make sure he has tied his laces properly.
Hello Deanna,
In this case I agree with you that your son will benefit from wearing a pair Velcro shoes over one with shoelaces. I recommend that he still wears the orthotics in his Velcro shoes. I want to make sure that the pair of Velcro shoes that he wears are supportive, otherwise he won’t benefit from wearing an orthotic. The shoes need to provide a substantial sole, a firm heel counter, and be lightweight and flexible at the same time. There are two particular styles that I recommend:
Supportive Velcro Shoe for Orthotics: Option 1
Supportive Velcro Shoe for Orthotics: Option 2
I hope this helps!
Thank you so much for your help! He is currently using the second option and it’s what I was thinking of getting him.
You are welcome. Please keep me updated on how your son is doing.
Looking for hi top sandas not gladiators there to hi up and he tear them up
He wear hi top always so he will leave them on any other take them off no valco buckle or lace only i dont know if there is a shoes like that!?
Hello Shirley,
I want to make sure I am understanding correctly. You are looking for a high top sandal for your boy with no Velcro or shoelaces. Am I understanding correctly? What is your son’s shoe size?
My son’s shoe size is 4, he has extra digits on both feet and having a hard time finding shoes which will SMO’s.
Hello Shkhan,
Have you tried any of the shoe styles that I recommend?
Extra Wide Shoe for SMO’s – Option 1
Extra Wide Shoe for SMO’s – Option 2
I hope this helps!
My 15-month-old son has a leg length discrepancy and we use an insole for him. Could you please suggest a deep comfortable shoe with laces for him?
Hello Husain,
Here are my recommendations:
Deep Shoe with Shoelaces: Option 1
Deep Shoe with Shoelaces: Option 2
Please note that both of these shoe styles are available in different widths (medium, wide, and extra wide), so choose your child’s shoe width accordingly.
I hope this helps.
I forgot to mention to please don’t forget to remove the original sole of the shoes before placing the orthotic.