The Best Shoes for Kids with Disabilities – Supportive, Comfortable, and Accommodates Orthotics!
Finding the right shoes for children with disabilities is essential for their comfort, safety, and mobility. Certain conditions affect foot structure and movement, making proper support and fit crucial to prevent discomfort, gait issues, and potential injuries. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to blisters, calluses, and joint pain, impacting a child’s confidence and well-being. As a passionate shoe fitter, I’ve curated a list of supportive, cushioned, and flexible shoes with easy-on designs to enhance both comfort and independence.
Understanding the Needs of Disabled Kids
Children with disabilities often face specific challenges when it comes to footwear. Whether it’s due to physical, sensory, or developmental conditions, the right pair of shoes can make a world of difference.
The first seven years of a child’s life are critical for development, especially when it comes to the feet and lower extremities. During these golden years of treatment opportunity, structural changes are more easily achieved with the right interventions. Supportive shoes and orthotics can play a vital role in this process, potentially influencing the way a child walks and stands, which can have long-lasting effects.
Key Features of Shoes for Kids with Disabilities
When selecting shoes for children with disabilities, there are several key features to consider. These features ensure that the shoes not only fit well but also support the child’s physical needs.
1. Comfort and Cushioning: Comfort is paramount. Shoes should provide ample cushioning to absorb impact and prevent discomfort, especially for children who may spend extended periods standing or walking.
2. Lightweight and Flexible: 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.
3. Firm Heel Counters: A firm heel counter is crucial for stability. It helps maintain proper foot alignment and provides support to the heel, reducing the risk of overpronation or supination. This feature is especially important for children who have difficulty maintaining balance or those with specific gait abnormalities.
4. Wider Opening for Easy On & Off: A wider opening makes it easier to put shoes on and take them off, which can be beneficial for children with limited dexterity or those who require assistance. Velcro straps or elastic laces are great options for making the process as straightforward as possible.
Does Your Child Need to Wear Orthotics Inside His or Her Shoes?
Children with disabilities require particular shoes that in most cases need to accommodate an orthotic. This means that the shoes must provide a certain amount of support, stability, and most importantly: extra depth. All of the shoes I will show you below are capable of accommodating orthotics.
Choosing the right shoes for disabled kids is more than just a purchase; it’s about enhancing their quality of life. By understanding their unique needs and offering personalized solutions, we can help children step confidently into each day.
Supportive and Adaptive Shoes for Kids with Disabilities
These shoes are available in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) width. 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.
990 Series with Velcro
These shoes for kids with disabilities offer exceptional support, stability, and comfort. Featuring an easy-to-use Velcro closure and a wide, accommodating fit, this shoe provides a secure feel while promoting mobility and independence.
- You can order the 990v6 with velcro on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos
- Also available in grey and black
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of your child’s longest toe
Dean Adapt II by See Kai Run
See Kai Run offers an adaptable line for kids with disabilities that are supportive and have a lightweight design at the same time.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style Dean Adapt II by See Kai Run on Zappos or Amazon
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s longest toe
Shoe style Holly Mary Jane by Stride Rite
Stride Rite has an adaptable line and one of its most popular shoes is a stylish Mary Jane that parents love because their children can use it for casual wear or dressier occasions.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style SR Holly by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s longest toe
Ikiki Shoes
Ikiki shoes are specially designed for kids with disabilities, featuring a wide opening, adjustable Velcro straps, and a supportive yet flexible sole. These fun, high-top shoes provide stability and encourage proper foot development while making it easier for children to put on and take off their shoes independently.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style by Ikiki on Amazon
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- Wide opening to make it easy to put on and take off shoes
- Synthetic vegan leather
- Squeaks can be turned on/off with a switch
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than the end of your child’s longest toe
M2P Journey 3.0 Adapt by Stride Rite
These adaptive shoes for kids are part of the Stride Rite adaptable line and come with extra long velcro straps and are available in extra wide widths.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey Adapt by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s longest toe
Billy Shoes
Billy shoes have become a favorite among families. Their unique zipper design allows for easy on-and-off, making them a convenient choice for both parents and children.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Classic DR High II by Billy on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- Leather upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s longest toe
Ryder Adapt by See Kai Run
These See Kai Run adaptive shoes for kids are lightweight and feature an extra-wide, deep toe box. The removable insoles help provide extra space, and an easy-open design for hassle-free wear.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Ryder Adapt by See Kai Run on Zappos or Amazon
- Available for toddlers
- Extra long straps can be cut for a secure and custom fit with AFOs
- Mesh lining and removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than the end of your child’s longest toe
Contact Me for Specific Shoe Recommendations
Every child’s foot is unique, and personalized recommendations can make a big difference. If you need help selecting the right shoes for your child’s specific needs, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me via email for tailored shoe recommendations based on your child’s foot shape and condition.
If you’re open to choosing lace-up shoes instead of Velcro closures for your child, I recommend checking out a special resource I created. It highlights the best supportive shoes for kids, ensuring a secure fit and all-day comfort.
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
Determining the correct shoe size is crucial for comfort and support. As a shoe fitter, I offer a virtual shoe fitting service to help families accurately measure their children’s feet from home. This service helps retrieve whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet and provides a step-by-step guide to ensure you select the right size when ordering shoes online. It also eliminates the hassle of returning ill-fitting shoes, saving time and effort for busy families.
Looking ahead, I will continue to provide updated recommendations for the best shoes for kids with disabilities. These recommendations will be based on the latest research and developments in children’s footwear, ensuring your child has access to the best options available. As new technologies and materials emerge, I’ll keep you informed on how they can benefit your child’s specific needs.
Hi again, We love the shoes you recommended for my son’s insert. He needs some beach shoes. Should I just go with the Keens you recommend on your site? (can we put an insert in it?)
Thanks,
Sabrina
Hello Sabrina,
I suggest getting the Keen Newport which is the most supportive Keen style. I strongly suggest that you don’t put your chid’s orthotics inside the sandals as it will not do any good.
Hi I am looking for some shoes for my son he has extra extra wide foot (just one) with also a really high instep area so needs a really large vamp Area i am looking for a EU27 or looking for someone who can make him some I have tried the new Balance range but can not get his foot in the hole area.
Hello Chelsea,
Please follow the instructions on this article so I get a better idea of what type of foot I am working with:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In which country are you located?
Please help me find girls xx wide size 2 shoes?
Can you please help me find girls shoes x x. Wide in size 2? Thank you
Can you please help me find xx wide girls shoes?
Hi Josie:
Please go to the link below to see a selection of the deepest and widest shoes for girls:
Extra Wide Shoes for Girls – The Best Shoe Style for Girls with Extra Wide Feet!
I hope this helps!