The Best Shoes for Kids with Down Syndrome – Protect Their Feet!
Choosing the right shoes for children with Down syndrome is essential for their comfort, stability, and mobility. Many kids have flatter, wider, and more pronated feet, requiring shoes with a stable base, roomy toe boxes, and easy-to-use Velcro closures. As a passionate shoe fitter with over a decade of experience, I’ll guide you to the best options that support proper foot posture and balance while ensuring a comfortable fit.
Many children with Down syndrome display a wider gait, which can contribute to an uneven distribution of weight across the foot. This gait pattern may lead to increased wear on the insides of their shoes and potential discomfort during prolonged activities.
Do Most Children with Down Syndrome Have Flat Feet?
Yes! The unique foot structure of children with Down syndrome, such as low muscle tone and flat feet, presents distinct challenges when selecting footwear. These characteristics can impact gait and balance, making it essential to choose shoes that provide the necessary support and fit.
Challenges of Finding Shoes for Kids with Down Syndrome
Finding the right shoes for kids with Down syndrome can be challenging, as they need extra width and proper support. With experience fitting many children, I know which styles offer wide and extra-wide options while ensuring comfort and stability.
Can Shoes Help Improve Your Child’s Stability Issues?
Did you know that children with Down syndrome often struggle with stability? The wrong shoes—whether too tight, too loose, or lacking proper support—can make balance even harder and lead to foot problems. That’s why finding the right fit is crucial. Since some children may not always express discomfort, choosing well-fitted, supportive shoes can make a world of difference in their comfort, mobility, and overall well-being.
Before and After: The Impact of Supportive Adaptive Shoes
Seeing the before and after images of children with flat feet standing barefoot versus wearing supportive adaptive shoes can be eye-opening. These visual transformations showcase the significant improvements in posture, balance, and overall comfort that the right shoes can bring.
Key Features of Shoes for Kids with DS
Choosing the right pair involves considering several key features that address the unique needs of children with Down syndrome.
Cushioned Outsole for Shock Absorption
Wide Toe Box for Comfort and Growth
Firm Heel Counter for Stability
Adjustable Fastenings for a Customized Fit
Supportive shoes not only improve physical alignment but also enhance a child’s confidence and mobility. With the right footwear, children can move more freely and explore their environment with greater assurance.
Below you will find my top shoe recommendations for 2025 that can help children with Down syndrome, each designed with specific features to address their unique needs. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Shoes for Kids with Down Syndrome to Improve Posture and Balance
The shoes below enhance stability, promote natural movement, and boost confidence in children with Down syndrome. Plus, they accommodate various foot shapes, including medium, wide, extra wide, and high insteps.
990 Series with Velcro
These shoes for kids with Down syndrome 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 some of the best shoes for kids with Down syndrome 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
These adaptive shoes for kids with Down syndrome feature 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 kids with Down syndrome.
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 with Down syndrome 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
The shoes I recommend are the same ones trusted by physical and occupational therapists to support flat feet and low muscle tone, helping children move with better stability and confidence.
Contact Me for Personalized Recommendations
If you’re struggling to find the right shoes for your child, feel free to reach out. You can contact me via email, and I would be more than happy to provide specific shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape and condition. With years of experience in the industry, I can help guide you through the selection process, ensuring your child receives the best possible support and comfort.
Are You Unsure About Which Shoe Size You Should Order Online?
Many children with Down syndrome may struggle to communicate whether their shoes fit properly, making it even more important to ensure they wear the right size and style for optimal support and comfort. That’s why I always recommend visiting a trusted local kids’ shoe store, where professionals can accurately measure and fit their feet. However, I understand that not all parents have access to a reliable store nearby.
To help, I created a virtual shoe fitting service that allows you to determine your child’s exact shoe size from home. This resource will guide you in identifying whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet, as well as whether they have a high instep—ensuring a comfortable and supportive fit every step of the way.
Bonus Resource: Orthotics for Kids with Down Syndrome
In addition to supportive shoes, orthotics can be a valuable tool in managing foot conditions in children with Down syndrome. Orthotics provide additional support and alignment, enhancing the effectiveness of their footwear. However, before trying an orthotic, I always start by fitting children in good supportive shoes and observing how they react to them. If the child is still pronating after wearing a pair of supportive shoes, that means that it might be the right time to try a pair of orthotics.
Do Children Outgrow Their Flat Feet? – They Don’t Always Do!
I have heard several parents say how they don’t want their kids to become dependent on good, supportive shoes or orthotics, and that they prefer to have their children walk barefoot to strengthen their ankles. Trust me when I tell you that it is a MYTH that orthotics and good supportive shoes interfere with strength development!
Several parents have asked me if their children will ever outgrow their flat feet. This is hard to predict, and in most cases, but in most cases, children will remain flat-footed for the rest of their lives. The key is to minimize or eliminate any sort of foot or leg pain that they might be experiencing and allow them to perform their everyday activities without pain.
At What Age Do Children with Down Syndrome Usually Start Walking?
Most children with Down syndrome learn how to walk at an average of 24 months, but some of them might take as long as 42 months. The main reason for this delay is their low muscle tone.
I’ve helped many families who were amazed by the life-changing impact of the right shoes. One family, referred by their occupational therapist, came in desperate for a solution. Their child struggled with frequent falls, and despite hoping stability would improve over time, it only got worse. The mother feared a serious injury, but with the proper footwear, everything changed.
The child had been wearing shoes that were far too long because his mother, unaware that extra wide, deep shoes existed, thought it was the only way to accommodate his high instep and wide feet. This poor fit made walking unstable, leading to frequent falls. It was frustrating, but the parents already felt terrible—they simply didn’t know better. Wouldn’t you struggle to walk in oversized shoes too?
I found a perfectly fitting extra-wide, stable shoe, and when the child tried them on—magic happened! He walked and ran effortlessly, and his mother was so overjoyed she started crying.
The journey of finding the right shoes for kids with Down syndrome can be challenging but immensely rewarding. Some parents don’t understand the importance and the positive impact that shoes can have on their children’s lives. Please remember this: “Any structure built on a weak foundation will collapse”. Our feet are the foundation for our entire body, and we must take good care of them!
My son is 22. Have found a few pairs of new balance; size 5 1/2 extra wide but very limited in style. Had a dress shoe “smartfit” wide but seemed wide enough since they had no extra wide. Now outgrown and cannot find dress shoes! Ordered hush puppies size 6 wide width. He says they are too tight. Any suggestions?
Hello Joan,
Have you tried any of the models below?
Option 1 I am not sure if this model will be dressy enough, but it’s available in extra wide widths.
Option 2 You didn’t specify which model you got from Hush Puppies but this style is one of the widest ones.
My daughter loves “option 1” the Billy footwear. But what about dress shoes for women? My 34 year old daughter wears a big kid size 3.5 extra wide!
Hello Barbara,
In that case, you can get a woman’s dress shoe in a size 5 (translates to a kids’ shoe size 3 1/2), or get the kids’ version of the shoes. Do the dress shoes need to be made of a specific color? If you tell me which country you are contacting me from I can send you specific shoe recommendations.
Hello my name is Francine and I love the post I am doing my TCC, final project of course on footwear with down syndrome, I am product design and would like some feed backs and more information and reports of parents who have children with syndrome of downs who want to help me I will leave my email franp.santos25va@gmail.com
thank you
Hello Francine,
I am sure several families will reach out to you. That is great news that you are coming up with more footwear options for children with special needs.
I am almost in tears. Thank you so much for this page. The picture is exactly what I see when I look at my girls feet and ankles.. But it is mild so she never got an official diagnosis.. I cannot wait to take her to a new balance store and see if this will help and buy her some new socks too.. I am super hopeful, because she loves going on adventures and experiencing stuff really helps her learn, but walking longer distances seems to really bother her.. Oh if this helps her it will be nothing short of a miracle for us. THANK YOU.
Hello Ms. Smith,
Shoes and socks play a key role in keeping our feet and legs healthy and allowing us to participate in different types of activities. Please make sure you ask them to show you either of these styles:
Supportive Shoe for Mild Pronation: Option 1
Supportive Shoe for Mild Pronation: Option 2
If you are willing to tie her shoes, providing your daughter with a pair of shoes that comes with shoelaces will provide her with more support and more stability.
I hope this helps and please keep me posted on how everything works out.
My mom works with a child that has down syndrome and I think she’ll love this information. She always tells me how the child is pulling his shoes off all the time, I think it might be due to the shoes feeling too tight! This is a great piece of information and I wish more parents could know about this.
Mohamed,
If the child keeps trying to take his shoes off he is trying to tell us something is not right. Your mom should make sure that the shoes the child is wearing are the correct shoe size, and definitely play close attention to see if they are wide enough.
I provide in the post a selection of shoes that come in wide and extra wide widths! However, I will recommend taking the child to your closest kids shoe fitting store to make sure he gets the correct shoe size!
I just love this article because I didn’t know that most children that have down syndrome have wide feet. My husband has feet issues and finding that right shoe is so important but at the same time hard because he has wide feet and it’s always hard to find shoes that are wide enough.
Why is it so hard to find shoes for extra wide feet?
Angel,It’s not hard to find shoes for extra wide feet. I have been fitting children shoes for 7 years and some of these children look like they have frying pans on their feet. I know which shoe styles come in extra wide and certain shoe brands like New Balance tend to make the widest shoes. You should read an article I wrote about shoes that come in extra wide widths:
Children Extra Wide Shoes
Hello,
Thank you for thinking about those children with Down syndrome. I know most parents are not aware of what type of shoes a child with Down syndrome needs, and it’s important to understand the importance of providing the child with the correct shoe style and the correct shoe style. I hope they will read this article. I know kids with Down syndrome need wider shoes and also need as much stability as possible, Thank you so much Juan Pablo keep up the good work!
Hello Bob,
The correct type of shoes will not only keep your child’s feet comfortable, but it will also help improve his or her stability! Shoe laces always provide more stability than velcro sneakers, so you should strongly consider providing your child with a pair of shoe laces. You will see what a difference it will make!
Getting the right shoe fit for any child is always a challenge, but it is even harder when you can’t get an input from your child, it’s just makes the process so much more complicated. I’m thankful for people like you providing valuable information for parents and caregivers. The shoes you present look great and at the same time will fit even the widest feet!
Hello Theresa,
Hopefully other parents will find this information valuable as well! I know how hard it is to find the correct pair of shoes for children, so my goal is to make the process simpler for parents. Wide and extra wide shoes are also not easy to find, but I describe where you can find them!
Awesome post! I have met several parents with kids with down syndrome and they always tell me how hard is for them to keep the shoes on and how they are always taking them off! I also like how the socks can help the shoes feel better! This is awesome, thank you for thinking about those kids with down syndrome!
Hello Roamy,
It can be a challenge to find comfortable shoes for kids with Down syndrome. I wanted to provide parents with certain guidelines in order to make their kids, and their own lives easier! I emphasized in the importance of choosing the correct type of socks because if your kid is wearing the wrong type or size sock, there is no way their shoes can feel comfortable!
Could you email me. My downs child is having feet isdues
Ann,
Any question you might have you can send to my email: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com