Has your child developed bunions? Did you know that the most effective way to prevent and treat a bunion is to provide your children with the correct type of shoes? Good fitting shoes play a key role in preventing and treating your child from developing blisters, calluses, bunions and corns, as well as foot and leg pain. I am going to show you a list of the best shoes for Hallux Valgus based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
What Makes the Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Kids with Bunions?
If you noticed your child has developed bunions you need to look for shoes that provide the two following features:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the bunion from rubbing against the top part or side of the shoes. Let’s visualize the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t.
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature helps prevent your children’s toes from being pressed against one another or the side of the shoes. If your child’s toes are squeezed together or against the side part of the shoes it can aggravate your child’s foot condition. Let’s visualize the difference between a shoe that provides a round toe-box versus one that doesn’t.
Some parents are confused as to how they can find shoes that provide these two features if children’s shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep” or with “round toe-boxes”? I will provide you with a selection of shoes that provide these two features shortly.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now, where we focus on helping children with “complex” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. I have helped children with several foot conditions such as flat feet, rolled ankles, or bunions walk and run straighter by providing them with the correct pair of shoes.
This is one common question parents ask me: Can my children develop bunions? The answer is yes, they can.
Hallux Valgus or what is commonly known as bunions is a foot deformity that affects the big toe. In the case of Hallux Valgus, there is a deviation in the bones that join at the big toe. It is scientifically referred to as the medial deviation of the metatarsal and lateral deviation of the big toe.
Bunions can cause a great deal of discomfort and pain. It can also create difficulty in walking and promote an abnormal walking gait, especially when wearing shoes that are too short or too narrow.
Don’t Leave Your Child’s Bunions Untreated!
If you leave this condition untreated, your child will have to deal with foot pain and have the hardest time finding shoes that fit. Having a bunion affects the walking gait, which can lead to your child developing other foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
If you don’t treat your kids’ bunions from an early stage, the condition will worsen and will actually start affecting other toes. Let’s take a look at a picture of a woman who developed a bunion from wearing ill-fitting shoes as a child and has been dealing with blisters and corns on her other toes:
What Are the Causes of Hallux Valgus? – Keep an Eye on Your Kids’ Shoes!
There have been many debates about the main cause of Hallux Valgus or bunions, and to date, no specific reason for the formation of Hallux Valgus has been agreed on scientifically.
There has also been disagreement that bunions are caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes, while others believe it’s genetic. In all this debate, one common ground they all agreed on is that the type of footwear you choose to provide for your child will surely improve or worsen the condition.
Most Common Mistakes Parents Make!
The most common mistake parents make when purchasing their kids’ shoes is to provide their children with shoes that are too large to take the pressure away from the bunion. This will make the condition worse and you will actually end up compromising your child’s stability, making them more prone to falling.
If you provide your child with shoes that are too short or too narrow you will be squeezing your kids’ toes and they will start rubbing against each other or the side of the shoe. This in time will force the bone to cave in at the joint and create the condition we know as Hallux Valgus.
This condition can begin to form in the earlier stages in kids when the bone tissues are still soft. I have seen many cases of Hallux Valgus in kids due to ill-fitted shoes, especially in girls. It is common for parents to buy their girls’ high heel shoes that are pointed at the top and tight fitted at the edges. This will tend to push the toes inward as the joint in the toe deviate to form bunions.
When children are wearing the wrong shoe size they are more likely to develop this condition. Although the cause of Hallux Valgus seems to be vague, taking care of your kids’ feet will greatly reduce or fully eliminate the pain created by Hallux Valgus.
Now that we know the causes of Hallux Valgus and the importance of wearing the correct type of shoes, let’s take a look at which are the best shoes to improve and prevent this condition from happening.
The shoe styles that I will describe below offer good arch and ankle support, are lightweight and flexible, and they provide great breathability and traction. These are the most recommended styles for children that suffer from bunions.
Below you can find a selection of the best shoes for Hallux Valgus. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Shoes for Hallux Valgus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The shoes below will fit a child that has medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet (choose the width accordingly).
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Leather upper
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Leather/suede/mesh upper
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- 100% Suede
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Ortholite memory-foam footbeds for comfy underfoot cushioning
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Padded midsole features ABZORB® technology to provide added support
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Padded midsole features ABZORB® technology to provide added support
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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 whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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 whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra 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
- Available in medium, wide, and extra 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
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- 100% Suede
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Ortholite memory-foam footbeds for comfy underfoot cushioning
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and 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
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!
Parents need to understand that if they don’t provide their kids with the correct shoe size, the child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.
Remember that wearing shoes in the wrong size is a direct cause of foot and leg pain, and they can lead to several foot issues such as blisters, calluses, corns.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I always recommend parents to take their children to their local children’s shoe store, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that fit properly. However, several parents have contacted me asking where they can get their kids’ shoes online since they don’t have a local shoe store that they trust. If you must get your kids’ shoes online, start by reading an article I wrote where I explain the simplest, yet most effective method to figure out your kids’ foot size from home. Go to the link below:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Do you happen to need help finding a pair of shoes to treat your bunion? I actually wrote an article where I describe the best women’s shoes for bunions. Please go to the link below:
The Best Women’s Dress Shoes for Bunions – Comfortable, Supportive, and Stylish!
Kids with Bunions – Is Surgery the Best Solution?
Wearing the correct type of shoes will prevent bunions from forming, and at the same time reduce or fully eliminate the pain that your child might be experiencing. This simple, non-surgical method will treat the symptoms. However, when nothing else works, surgery can be a good option.
Please be aware that the foot isn’t fully mature until about 15 to 16 years of age, so please don’t make the mistake of performing surgery too early.
Something so simple such as providing your child with the correct shoe style and the correct shoe size will keep your kids’ feet healthy. Even if your child has developed a bunion, the correct type of shoe will reduce the pressure and allow him or her to live a healthy lifestyle.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Did you know that children can develop bunions? Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well in treating this condition? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
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A few months ago, I sent the an email asking about shoes for my daughter. She was diagnosed with overpronation, and with that, had developed bunions and had bruising on the top of her feet above her arches. We had bought her a pair of Nikes that were destroyed within weeks because her bunions pushed through the fabric on the sides of both shoes and she plays hard (rough on shoes in general). You suggested New Balance KJ888V1 in medium width.
I wanted to thank you because they are working well with her. The shoes are deep enough that she can wear her orthotics (original soles from the shoes were removed) and there is no bruising on the top of her feet. She continues to play hard and they are holding up well. The sides of the shoes are not squeezing or rubbing her around the bunion area. We will definitely continue to purchase these shoes as long as they are available. THANKS!
Hello Desma,
I am happy to hear that. The shoes that our children wear play a HUGE ROLE in keeping their feet and legs healthy. Take care!
thanks for your post! would you be so kind of directing me(with a link) to a site I can buy shoes for my daughter she has valgus feet, I have a lousy internet connection, very limited and t takes so much time to upload anything, that is why I need the links it would save me so much time! thanks in advance! ebrena from
Cuba
Hello Ebrena,
Below you can find link to the shoes. Next time provide me with your daughter’s shoe size so I can provide you with more specific recommendations. All of the shoe styles below are deep and come with a round toe-box, but depending on your daughter’s foot size, you will have to order them in medium “M”, wide “W”, or extra wide “XW”.
Option 1
Option 2
I hope this helps!
For summer do you have any recommendations for sandals? My 9 year old daughter with Hallux Valgus is currently wearing flip-flops at her mom’s house, while we allow her to wear Chaco’s for summer (when we’re not doing a ton of walking, etc).
Hi Ashley,
Are you looking for an open-toe or closed toe-sandal?
For summer do you have any recommendations for sandals open-toe for a 10 year old girl, size 3?
Hi Annie—
Yes, there is a Teva style that is supportive and adjustable at the front:
Option 1
Option 2
My son is 7 years old and we just noticed a bunion has formed next to his left big toe. At this point, the big toe appears to be pointing straight forward and not pointing towards the second toe, but I read your article and wondered what kids running shoes you recommend so that we can take care of this problem right away? He’s been wearing Nike up until now (maybe that’s the problem?), and he’s a size 13– what shoes would you advise we purchase for him? Thanks!!!
Hi Spencer,
We need to make sure that your son is not wearing shoes that are too narrow. In this particular case I recommend shoes that provide a rounder toe-box to prevent the toes from overlapping and rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. I also recommend shoes with extra depth.
Before I send you specific shoe recommendations I need to know whether your son has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet.