The Best Shoe Brands for Kids with Disabilities – Supportive Shoes with Extra Depth and Extra Padding!
It can be extremely challenging for parents of children with developmental disabilities to recognize foot problems, particularly when children can have difficulties with the recognition and expression of pain. The correct types of shoes can make a tremendous difference in your child’s foot posture, walking gait, and stability. I am going to show you which are the best shoe brands for kids with disabilities so you can have a better idea of which shoes will fit and support your child’s feet correctly.
Do Children with Disabilities Require Supportive Shoes?
If they are dealing with a specific foot condition, they can certainly benefit from wearing supportive shoes. The most common foot condition that children with developmental disabilities face is flat feet, followed by hypermobility and low muscle tone. I have noticed that children with special needs tend to have wide to extra wide feet, which makes it extra challenging for parents to find shoes that fit.
Does Your Child Need to Wear Orthotics in Addition to Supportive Shoes?
Most children with disabilities need to wear AFOs or a different type of orthotics inside their shoes for extra support and stability. Whether your child needs to wear orthotics inside the shoes depends partly on the type of special need or disability your child might have, as well as its severity. There are certain children’s shoe brands that have proven to be the most effective ones when it comes to fitting children with disabilities and their AFOs.
What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Kids with Disabilities?
My go-to shoe brands for children with disabilities are:
➡️ New Balance
➡️ Billy
➡️ See Kai Run (adaptable line)
➡️ Stride Rite (adaptable line)
➡️ Memo
These shoe brands have proven to be the most effective ones as they manufacture a couple of shoe styles that are available in wide (W) and extra wide (XW) widths, provide extra depth, and rounder toe-boxes. The shoes also provide targeted cushion and support to important areas of the foot such as below the arch and around the ankles.
What Makes the Shoes that I Recommend Effective for Kids with Disabilities?
1️⃣ Extra Depth: Shoes that provide extra depth allow the feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent giving the child the impression that the feet are coming out of the shoes. This feature is particularly important for children who wear AFOs or orthotics, as these devices tend to raise the feet. Let me show you the difference between a New Balance shoe that provides extra depth versus another shoe that doesn’t. For better visualization purposes, there is an orthotic fitted inside the shoes:
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: Shoes that provide rounder toe-boxes help prevent the child’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. If your child wears AFOs it’s important that the shoes provide rounder toe-boxes to prevent the orthotics from poking a hole through the shoes. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe that provides a rounder toe-box versus one that doesn’t:
3️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: This feature minimizes the impact that your child’s feet take when they come in contact with the ground. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides a substantial outsole versus one that doesn’t:
4️⃣ Oversized Openings: This feature allows parents to easily slide their children’s feet inside the shoes so they don’t have to struggle every time they have to put the shoes on and off:
I have put together a list that has all of my specific shoe recommendations from the shoe brands I mentioned above. It’s important to understand that not all shoes from the brands I recommend provide the same fit or levels of support. 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.
Best Shoes for Kids with Disabilities to Improve Posture and Stability
These are the most supportive, deepest shoes with rounder toe-boxes that are available in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW).
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Original Jazz Lite 2.0 by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Removable insoles
- Lightweight and flexible
- Extra wide toe box allows natural splaying of toes for better balance, comfort, and foot health
- Long heel counter provides stability
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Heel stabilizer provides lateral stability
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Sr Thompson by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Recycled material linings to help reduce odor
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Winslow by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Toe cap reinforcement and bumptoe protection against stumbles
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Step-stabilizing design with comfy Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Mesh and suede upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Mesh and suede upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Stitched-on toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Nitrel v5 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Stitched-on toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Russell by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Double velcro straps
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyn by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Double velcro straps
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Velocity by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Heel stabilizer provides stability
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style 3584 Rainbow by Tsukihoshi on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Arishi v4 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style RaveRun on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Available in laces
- No-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style RaveRun on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Available in laces
- Leather and mesh upper
- No-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 880v12 by Amazon
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 480 V1 by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Leather and mesh upper for durability & breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 327 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- FuelCell foam delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style FuelCell Propel v5 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Mesh upper is lightweight and breathable
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
- Firm heel counter
- Supportive heel for active kids
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
If your child happens to wear a pair of orthotics or AFOs inside the shoes, please don’t forget to remove the original insoles of the shoes before placing the orthotics. Always check your children’s feet for irritation to identify problems during the break-in period of the shoes and the orthotics.
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource you will find out whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also be able to determine whether your child has a high instep or not.
Would You Rather Receive Specific Shoe Recommendations?
If you would rather receive specific shoe recommendations based on your child’s foot shape or foot condition, you can email:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
An Extra Awesome Feature of the Shoes I Recommended
Another extra feature that I forgot to mention is how all of these shoes come with extra padding around the heel area, which will not only help cushion the area and prevent your child from getting blisters, but will also add a level of comfort to your child’s feet:
Children with Disabilities – What a Difference a Shoe Makes!
Let’s take a look at a picture of a flat-footed child with low muscle tone standing barefoot. Do you notice how the feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
Now let’s take a look at an image of the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes. Do you notice how straighter the feet are?
Let’s see what happens if we happen to fit that same child in a pair of unsupportive shoes. Do you notice how the child’s feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
The difference that a pair of shoes can make in a child’s life is really quite shocking.
Be Proactive and Don’t Take the “Wait and See Approach”
Not all parents realize that putting a child in ill-fitting shoes can damage their health in later life. 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.
One common question that a lot of parents seem to have is whether their children with special needs are going to need to wear orthotics for the rest of their lives. I usually respond with the following analogy: Just as eyeglasses don’t change a child’s eye but help prevent further eye problems, the correct type of orthotics help prevent further foot damage and slow down the progression of the pathology.
What is your favorite shoe brand for your child with disabilities? Please share your experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.
