The Best Orthotics for Pronation – STOP Your Kids’ Foot and Leg Pain!

March 17, 2025 Orthotics/Insoles Juan Valenzuela 23 - Comments

As a passionate shoe fitter specializing in children’s footwear and orthotics, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative the right pair of shoes and orthotics can be. While every child has some degree of pronation, problems arise when it’s excessive (overpronation), leading to poor posture and potential foot and leg pain. The best orthotics for pronation can significantly improve your child’s walking gait, posture, and prevent discomfort. Based on my years of experience fitting shoes and orthotics, I’ll share my top two recommendations to provide optimal support and comfort for your child.

The Importance of Being Proactive

The first seven years of a child’s life are crucial, as they are the “golden years of treatment opportunity.” During this time, permanent structural changes of the foot and lower extremity can be relatively easy to achieve with supportive shoes and orthotics.

Toddler with flat feet and a moderate to strong degree of pronation standing barefoot.
Here’s an image of a toddler standing barefoot, showcasing visible pronation as their feet roll inward. Notice how the feet are not aligned, which can lead to issues with walking posture and comfort.
Toddler with flat feet wearing a pair of supportive shoes to improve her foot posture.
Here’s the same toddler now wearing supportive shoes and orthotics. Notice how the alignment of the feet has improved, with the arch supported and the feet positioned more naturally.

Signs of Pronation

  • Feet that roll inward when walking
  • Uneven wear on the inside edge of shoes
  • Complaints of foot or heel pain
  • Outward-pointing toes when walking

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes and Orthotics

As someone who has worked in a specialized children’s shoe store for over a decade, I’ve gained extensive knowledge about fitting children for shoes and orthotics. Every child’s foot is unique, and finding the right solution requires a personalized approach.

I collaborate closely with healthcare professionals to ensure each child receives the best care possible. Witnessing the transformation in children’s mobility and comfort levels after being fitted with the correct orthotics is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about improving a child’s quality of life.

Before and After: The Impact of Orthotics

Parents often wonder if orthotics will make a noticeable difference in their child’s foot health. Before and after images of children standing barefoot versus wearing orthotics can be quite revealing.

Here’s a “before” image of a child with flat feet and noticeable pronation, standing barefoot. You can see how the feet are collapsing inward.
supportive-insoles-for-kids-with-flat-feet
Here’s the “after” image of the same child, now wearing Footlogics orthotic inserts. Notice how the child’s feet are more aligned and stable.
child-with-flat-feet-standing-on-unsupportive-insoles
An image of the same child standing on a pair of unsupportive orthotic inserts. Notice how the feet are still misaligned.

The Consequences of Not Dealing with Your Child’s Pronation

Once your child is diagnosed with pronation, it’s important that you act fast. The first step is to provide your child with a pair of good supportive shoes and orthotics, otherwise, pronation might lead to the following foot issues:

  • Calluses
  • Foot Rigidity
  • Hammer Toes
  • Ankle Sprain and Foot Instability
  • Hammer Toes and Claw Toes
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Back and Hip Pain

The most simple way to prevent all of those issues is to provide your child with the correct type of shoes and the correct type of orthotics. However, choosing the correct type of orthotic for your child is not an easy thing to do, as there are different types of orthotics such as soft, semi-rigid, or rigid.

Key Features of Orthotics for Pronation

Deep Heel Cups: Most parents of children with flat feet make the common mistake of assuming that they need to find an orthotic that provides good arch support. When a child has a flat foot, you don’t only support the arch, you mechanically support the pieces of the foot that cause the foot to be flat such as the heels.

Here’s a close-up of one of the orthotics I recommend, featuring a deep heel cup designed to improve alignment by stabilizing the heel and lower leg, promoting better posture and foot function.

Stable Base of Support: The orthotic has a foam or a visible bump where the arch of your toddler’s foot is supposed to sit. This helps improve foot posture and reduce stress on your toddler’s feet and legs.

A pair of 3/4 length orthotics for kids made by Footlogics.
An image of the other orthotic I recommend, designed to provide a stable base that enhances posture and stability for improved foot alignment.

Best Orthotics for Pronation: Footlogics and LittleSTEPS

I recommend two orthotics based on your child’s pronation. For mild pronation (flat feet with no pain), Footlogics orthotics are ideal. For moderate to strong pronation (visible flat feet and pain), I suggest littleSTEPS orthotics. Both options are listed below.

Orthotics for Mild Cases of Pronation

Footlogics are some of the best orthotic inserts for pronation (mild degree), providing arch support and correcting overpronation. Ideal for children with flat feet, they easily fit into most shoes, redistributing pressure to reduce pain and improve posture.

Footlogics orthotic inserts for toddlers with flat feet.
  • Order the 3/4 length Footlogics orthotic inserts for toddlers on Amazon
  • Fits toddler shoe size 5 through little kid shoe size 13
  • 3/4 length makes it ideal to fit in most shoes
  • They can be trimmed to the perfect size using scissors if necessary
  • It’s not necessary to remove the original insoles of the shoes when fitting this orthotic
Footlogics orthotic inserts for kids with flat feet.
  • Order the full-length Footlogics orthotic inserts on Amazon
  • Fits toddler shoe size 5 up to big kid shoe size 3
  • They can be trimmed to the perfect size using scissors if necessary
  • You must remove the original insoles from your child’s shoes before placing the orthotic inside

Orthotics for Moderate or Strong Cases of Pronation

LittleSteps orthotics are perfect for kids with moderate to strong pronation. They help guide the foot into a more natural position, reducing strain and improving function, while supporting healthy foot development and easing discomfort.

littleSTEPS orthotics for kids with flat feet and overpronation.
  • Order littleSTEPS® Orthotics from their official website. You must submit a Referral Code to complete your order: JVFCS100121
  • It’s not necessary to remove the original insoles of the shoes when fitting this orthotic.
  • The 3/4 length design makes it easier to fit into various shoe styles.
  • Take a look at this chart to figure out what size to order based on your child’s shoe size.

Bonus Resource: Supportive and Deep Shoes for Orthotics

Choosing the right shoes is just as important as selecting the right orthotics. Shoes should be supportive and deep enough to accommodate orthotic inserts without causing discomfort. Selecting shoes with a wide toe box can also be beneficial, as it allows the toes to splay naturally, promoting better balance and comfort. It’s important to prioritize quality over style, as well-made shoes will offer the necessary support to complement the orthotics.

Contact Me for Specific Shoe or Orthotic Recommendations

For specific shoe recommendations or if you are unsure about which orthotic to choose, feel free to contact me via email. I’m here to help guide you through the process and provide personalized advice based on your child’s needs. A collaborative approach ensures that your child receives the best possible support for their feet, promoting healthy development and comfort.

Real-Life Success Stories

Over the years, I’ve witnessed numerous success stories where orthotics have significantly improved children’s lives. From reducing pain to enhancing mobility, orthotics have proven to be a game-changer for many families.

Review of families who had success finding orthotics for their kids' flat feet with the webpage Fitting Children's Shoes.
Review of families who had success finding orthotics for their kids' flat feet with the webpage Fitting Children's Shoes.

Hearing from parents about how their child’s mood and engagement in activities have improved is incredibly rewarding. These success stories highlight the importance of early intervention and the right support for children’s foot health.

Be Proactive and Prevent Foot Pain!

One of the biggest issues with pronation is that kids who pronate might be more inclined to sit rather than run and play due to the extra stress their feet and legs take. This means that when your kids are walking or running long distances they will experience foot and leg fatigue and they might refuse to participate in certain activities or sports. This fatigue happens because your children’s muscles are working harder due to the body’s poor positioning.

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. Leaving your children’s foot conditions untreated can only lead to the condition getting worse.