Do you have a child who is flat-footed and experiencing foot or leg pain? Do you want to correct your child’s posture by helping your child walk and run straighter? I have put together a selection of the best orthotics for kids with foot conditions such as flat feet, overpronation, rolled ankles, low muscle tone, hypermobility, toe walking, etc.
If your child has been diagnosed with a foot condition and is experiencing foot or leg pain, don’t panic! These conditions are more common than you think. I will answer any questions that you might have and help you find the correct pair of shoes and orthotics.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Orthotics
For the last 10 years, I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store. I help families find the correct types of children’s shoes and orthotics to reduce or fully eliminate foot and leg pain.
From my experience fitting children with a variety of foot issues, I have learned about the best orthotics for kids.
Do You Know What An Orthotic Is?
An orthotic is a shoe insert that is designed to provide cushioning, support, and stability, and to relieve pressure areas of the foot.
I have fitted many different types of orthotics throughout the years, but there are two specific ones that I have found to be the most effective in helping children walk and run straighter, and in reducing or fully eliminating their feet and leg pain.
The main reason why I recommend these 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 orthotic I recommend allows the child’s foot and leg muscles to develop on their own while supporting them.
Best Orthotics for Kids — What a Difference These Orthotics Can Make!
Take a look at the picture below of a flat-footed child standing barefoot. Do you notice how the feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
Now notice how much straighter the child’s feet are when standing in a pair of the orthotics that I recommend. The orthotics are preventing the child’s feet from collapsing and turning inwards:
There are two different types of orthotics I recommend for kids with overpronation. The one that will work best for your child depends on whether your child is dealing with mild, moderate, or strong overpronation. If you are unsure of the degree of your child’s pronation take a look at the article below:
The Best Orthotics for Kids with MILD Overpronation
Footlogics ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This orthotic is made of extremely comfortable materials and provides excellent arch and ankle support. In my experience, this orthotic also helps with foot and leg alignment by preventing your children’s feet from collapsing when walking or running – as long as they are fitted in the correct pair of shoes.
Fits Toddler Shoe Size 5 up to Big Kid Shoe Size 3
- Fits a toddler shoe size 5 up to a big kid shoe size 3
- Medically approved insoles with targeted cushion and support
- Deep heel cup with strong arch support
- Made from lightweight yet supportive cushioning material with shock-absorbing heel and forefoot padding
- They can be trimmed to size with scissors if needed
Fits Big Kid Shoe Size 3 1/2 and Above
- Fits a big kid shoe size 3.5 up to a big kid shoe size 7 (available in adult sizes so you need to convert to kids’ shoe sizes)
- Built-in metatarsal raise
- Deep heel cup
- Developed by Australian podiatrists
- They can be trimmed to size with scissors if needed
Do You Need to Remove the Original Insoles of Your Kids’ Shoes?
Yes, you will have to remove the original insoles of the shoes before placing the orthotics inside the shoes.
The Best Orthotics for Kids with MODERATE or STRONG Overpronation
littleSTEPS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recommend this orthotic for children with flat feet, rolled ankles, overpronation, low muscle tone, hypermobility, toe walking, and knock knees.
littleSTEPS orthotics provide a deep heel cup that helps control the alignment of the heel and lower leg, as well as medial and lateral flanges to help keep the foot aligned over the orthotic.
1️⃣ Deep heel cup that helps control the alignment of the heel and lower leg.
2️⃣ Medial and lateral flanges to help keep the foot aligned over the orthotic.
You Must Enter a Referral Code to Order this Orthotic
To place an order for littleSTEPS® Orthotics, you must submit a Referral Code during the ordering process. Enter the referral code JVFCS100121 in the Discount Window and you will get 10% off your order.
Do You Need to Remove the Original Insoles of Your Kids’ Shoes?
No, you won’t have to remove the original insoles of your child’s shoes before placing this orthotic inside the shoes.
Take a look at the chart below to figure out what size to order based on your child’s shoe size:
How effective these orthotics will be in realigning your child’s feet and improving your child’s walking gait depends specifically on the degree of your child’s supination.
Unsure Which Orthotic to Choose for Your Child’s Foot Condition?
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble deciding which orthotic will work best for your child’s specific foot condition:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
The Best Shoes for Orthotics – Extra Deep and Supportive!
Orthotics don’t work in just any types of shoes. The shoes must come with a substantial sole, a firm heel counter, and a removable insole. The shoes also need to provide extra depth, that way the orthotic can sit deeply inside the shoes and prevent raising your kids’ feet.
Please note that the orthotics and the shoes work together in helping your child walk and run straighter. For example, if you have a supportive orthotic fitted in a pair of shoes that are too flimsy, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the orthotics have to offer and vice versa.
What Shoes Work Best with Orthotics?
If you want to learn about the best children’s shoes for orthotics, you can find them in my article here:
The Best Kids’ Shoes for Orthotics – Supportive and Comfortable Shoes
Do You Also Need a Pair of Orthotics to Help Treat Your Overpronation?
Are you also experiencing foot or leg pain? I created a website that describes the best women’s shoes and orthotics. You may want to consult my article describing the best orthotics for women here:
The Best Orthotics for Women – Stop your Foot and Leg Pain!
I hope you find this information helpful. Remember, even seemingly simple adjustments such as providing your children with the correct type of shoes and orthotics can often greatly reduce or fully eliminate their feet and leg pain!
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So what insole/orthotic would be best for a toddler of 8.5? This insole only starts at a size 10. My 4 year old has over pronation issues. Thank you.
Hello Karen,
If you have a child that wears a shoe size smaller than a size 10, you can find the orthotic I recommend here:
The Best Orthotic for Toddlers
I hope this helps!
So my son is 10, about to be eleven, and we’re not about to have him surgically messed with. One foot turns in. He’s always worn his shoes out funny, but my husband has always talked me out of thinking he’s pigeon toed. His knees tend to look knobby and like they knock together and I bet he has the flat foot thing going on. What orthotic do you suggest for an older child? Should we keep him barefoot if he doesn’t have the correct shoes? He has proprioceptive sensory processing…he can’t yet swing, so I think it’s all related, and my husband was a bit like that as a child.
Hello Tabeyha-
In order to determine what orthotic is going to work best for your child’s feet I need the answer to the following questions:
Does your child complain about foot or leg pain?
What is your child’s shoe size?
Does your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet?
I don’t recommend keeping your child barefoot. He needs to wear a pair of supportive shoes and orthotics in order to improve his overall posture and help him walk and run straighter.