Has your child been diagnosed with overpronation? Have you noticed your child’s feet and legs turning inwards? Is your child complaining about foot or leg pain?
Overpronation in children is more common than you think, but you must take action now if you want to avoid bigger problems in the future. When children overpronate they are putting pressure on parts of their body where they are not supposed to, and this is what usually leads to foot and leg pain, as well as future lower back problems.
The most common reason why children overpronate is from having flat feet, but there is also a large number of children who overpronate from having rolled ankles. Whichever reason it is that your child might be overpronating, the correct type of shoes can help improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture.
I know this because I have worked for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now. We specialize in children with foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes for kids with overpronation.
If your child is overpronating you must find a pair of supportive shoes. By supportive shoes, I mean shoes that provide good arch and ankle support.
Let’s take a look at the image below, does it look familiar?
The correct type of shoes is going to improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture, but don’t take my word for it, let me prove it to you!
Kids’ Shoes for Overpronation – What a Difference Supportive Shoes Can Make!
Let me prove to you how a pair of shoes with arch support and a firm heel counter can help straighten your child’s feet and legs. Let’s visualize what a tremendous difference a pair of supportive shoes can make for children with overpronation by comparing two different types of shoes.
The first image shows the feet of a child with flat feet standing barefoot:
The second image shows the feet of the same child wearing a pair of unsupportive shoes. Do you notice how her feet are still collapsing and turning inwards?
Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes. Do you notice how much straighter her feet are?
Something so simple such as providing your child with the correct type of shoes can have a tremendous difference in helping your child walk and run straighter, and improving your child’s overall posture.
Like I mentioned before, supportive shoes with arch support help prevent your child’s feet from collapsing but overpronation can come from the ankles as well. If your child’s ankles are rolling inwards or outwards this will affect your child’s walking gait. This means that we need to find a shoe that provides good arch support and that also comes with a firm heel counter – this is the back part of the shoe that provides ankle support.
If you are not sure where the heel counter of the shoe is located, take a look at the picture below for clarification:
Before you purchase a pair of shoes for your child, always press on the heel counter and make sure it feels firm and not soft. You should actually do this with your child’s current shoes to make sure they are providing the correct amount of support.
I am always emphasizing to parents how more expensive shoes don’t automatically translate into better shoes.
Below you can find the best shoes for kids with overpronation. These shoes are available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW), to make sure that they will fit any type of feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Shoes for Kids with Overpronation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Toddler Sizes
Medium – Wide – Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide – Extra WideCheck PriceNarrow – Medium – Wide – Extra WideCheck PriceNarrow – Medium – Wide – Extra WideCheck Price
Little/Big Kid Sizes
Medium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck PriceMedium – Wide -Extra WideCheck Price
To allow for growing room, I highly recommend that parents order these shoes half a size larger than their child’s current foot size. This translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.5 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
Shoes with shoelaces always provide better support and stability than shoes with velcro closure, as the shoelaces can “hug” your kids’ feet more effectively.
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you are looking for a different pair of shoes to help treat your child’s overpronation: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Keep in mind that in certain cases a pair of shoes might not be enough to correct the problem and in that case the child might need extra support from an orthotic.
If after trying the shoes your child’s walking gait doesn’t improve and your physical or occupational therapist feels like your child needs extra support, then you should consider providing your child with an orthotic.
Orthotics for Kids – Extra Support for Your Kids’ Feet!
Orthotics are shoe inserts that are specifically designed to offer cushioning, support, stability, and relieve pressure in specific areas of the foot. If you start addressing this problem at a young age your child might not need orthotics for the rest of his/ her life.
Fits little kid shoe size 11 through big kid shoe size 3.Check PriceFits big kid shoe size 3 1/2 and above.Check Price
This orthotic is specifically designed to provide firm arch support and cushioning. It will also provide biomechanics alignment by preventing overpronation and aligning your child’s ankles (making them straighter). Now that you know which are the best shoes and orthotics for children with overpronation, you are ready to make a better and more informed decision.
Best Shoes for Kids with Overpronation – Watch Video!
The video below will provide you with further examples of before and after images of children with overpronation. I hope this video helps you visualize what a difference the correct type of shoes can make in treating and preventing your child’s overpronation.
Experiences from Families of Kids with Overpronation
I wanted to share one of the many conversations I had with a mother of a child who was overpronating and experiencing foot and leg pain. You might find this conversation helpful as you might be going through a similar scenario.
Hello Juan,
I came across your website because I have a seven-year-old boy with significant overpronation and excessive tibial torsion. He is anteverted at his hip and has external tibial torsion which I really think is a result of his excessive pronation and very fast growth spurts). Anyhow, he has orthotics already and I have been looking at shoes online. He is in a size 6 to a 6.5 and I am thinking about these shoes since they also provide motion control but have a good cushion.
New Balance Kid Shoe With Support
Can you tell me your thoughts?
He kind of wants the ones below because they come with Velcro instead of shoelaces, but I read in one of your articles that we should stay away from Velcro? Although, he doesn’t tie his shoes very tight so I am not sure which is best?
New Balance Kid Shoe With Support (Velcro)
Thoughts?
Thanks for your help!
Hello Ruth,
I hope you are well.
If your child won’t be tying his shoelaces properly, then you should provide him with a pair of velcro shoes. However, please keep in mind that if the shoelaces are tied properly, the shoes will provide more support and more stability – both of these are important to correct overpronation.
Every time a family decides to invest in an orthotic, I always recommend getting their kids shoes with shoelaces and taking that extra time to make sure the shoelaces are tied properly.
Both shoe styles that you showed me are good, but the heel counter of the shoes are not one of the most supportive ones. I will recommend that you get him a deep, good supportive shoe with a very firm heel counter. Every time I fit a child in a pair of orthotics, I look for shoes that are deep, supportive, and with shoelaces.
This is one of the best fitting shoes for orthotics:
Supportive Shoe With Arch And Ankle Support (Shoelaces)
I have been fitting that shoe style for 10 years now and I know that it comes with arch and ankle support, and it’s extremely durable. However, if you decide to provide your child with a pair of velcro shoes, the option below would be the one I recommend:
Supportive Shoe With Arch And Ankle Support (Velcro)
Please let me know if this clarifies.
Dear Juan,
Thanks so much!! I bought the pair that comes with shoelaces (we were willing to go the extra mile and provide our child with the most support), and we are amazed by the difference that it has made! We are so happy to find a shoe that finally works, and the orthotics are not needed since he has been walking and running so much better in these shoes.
I have one more question. I have a 5-year-old girl that is showing some signs of increased tibial torsion on one foot. The PT put her in a short orthotic to control the motion/pronation in her heel for both feet. We have been looking at this shoe because I found one in pink that she likes:
This is the same shoe style that you recommended in Velcro for my son, so I figured it will work but I wanted to make sure.
Would this be a good one for her? Or should I stick to the one you recommended for my son that has shoelaces? I think they have a pink version as well.
Have you come across kids that have excessive external tibial torsion that had success with correcting their overpronation? I also think wearing Crocs was an issue even though it was only a short time.
I appreciate your help so much!
Hello Ruth,
First of all, I am glad that the shoes worked out for your son. Like I said before, sometimes a good supportive shoe is all the child needs to correct the overpronation issue – keep in mind that in most cases children do need an orthotic.
When it comes to your daughter’s issue, I would strongly recommend that you provide her with the same shoe style as your son (KJ990 with shoelaces), and you should also try an orthotic for her. This one specifically:
Footlogics Orthotics For External Tibial Torsion
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Also, I have a 9-year-old going into a 10 men’s shoe. What would be a decent shoe for him? He does not have arch issue. He’s pretty neutral with normal tibial torsion and no orthotics.
Do you happen to know of any decent shoe stores in the Indianapolis area?
Thanks for your help!
Hi again…
I forgot to mention that I ordered this before I found your website:
Supportive Shoes For Boys In Men Sizes
What are your thoughts? If these aren’t very good, I’d love any advice you may have. He’s 9 years old, neutral arch, medium foot, size 10 men. No issues structural issues like his brother.
Hello Ruth.
Those are one of the most supportive shoes I have fitted for boys in men’s shoe sizes. Keep an eye on him and keep asking him how the shoes feel.
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
I hope you had found this article useful and that the experiences of other parents can help in your case. Feel free to leave your feedback in the comment section below.
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Dear Juan,
Thank you for this very informative article! My son has this issue, and you explain the important features of appropriate shoes for overpronation so clearly! It is a relief to know that New Balance has so many great options for my son. Thank you again and keep up the work with this great site!
Hello Marco,
I am glad that you found the article informative! Wearing the correct type of shoes will help your son walk and run straighter, as well as greatly reduce or fully eliminate his foot and leg pain.
Dear Juan,
My son is very overpronated!
Are Asic Gel shoes good for over pronation? Ive always thought these were the best.
Hello Ally,
Asics makes some of the most supportive shoes for children, but remember that the shoes must fit correctly or your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. Asics shoes tend to fit a child with narrow to medium width foot, so if your child has wide or extra wide feet you need to stay away from this shoe brand.
Is your child experiencing foot or leg pain?
You should try the shoes and see how your child reacts to them, and if he keeps overprinting we should try an orthotic inside the shoes. Just let me know how it goes!
Dear Juan,
I have a 3.5 year old with overpronation. I have a photo to show you, is there a place I can upload? She is a size 10.5!
She doesn’t go up stairs in alternating legs, jumping/hopping skills are a bit delayed, and complains about walking too far and ends up riding in the stroller. I never realized it was all related until I found your website!
What shoe do you recommend for her? I’d like
If it’s
Something she can put on and take off on her own since at school they take off their shoes.
I saw you recommended these: https://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-Running-Rainbow-Toddler/dp/B06XWYTFNW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545188893&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=new+balance+rainbow+toddler&dpPl=1&dpID=41J8UQdUCrL&ref=plSrch
I just want to make sure I get the best pair for her. Also what size should I order? Thanks so much!!
Hello Emme,
You can email me the picture to my email: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
That shoe style that you showed me will work great, but there is another style that I recommend for her since it’s deeper (in case you need to fit an orthotic inside it).
You can find that shoe style here:
Shoe Style For Overpronation
I will recommend that you get her the size 10.5 or 11. Does she has wide feet? The shoe style is available in wide and extra wide in case she does.
Please don’t forget to send me the picture, that way I can tell you whether you should consider getting an orthotic as well. A video of your daughter walking will also be really helpful.
I hope this helps!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and undivided attention. You are a fantastic resource. As parents we worry so much about our children’s well-being – you are giving us such piece of mind and so much valuable information. Thank you so very much. I’ll keep you posted on our journey.
Hello Emme,
Let me know how everything turns out with your daughter!
Hello Juan,
I have a 15 yo and a 10 yo both with overpronation. I have been asking to their pediatrician since my oldest was way younger about their feet position and he always said they are fine, but I notice their feet are inwards in the arch. My youngest has the same problem but more noticeable than his big brother, and he started to complain about leg pain. I am looking for a good specialist in the Seattle area (If you know someone, please let me know)
In the meantime, I want to buy them supportive shoes but can’t find any. Can you please suggest me some shoes based on their sizes?
Oldest is men’s size 10 and youngest is youth size 6Y
Thank you so much!
Hello Luvena,
I am not familiar with any specialist in the Seattle area. I can definitely recommend certain shoe styles that I have fitted before for your kids with pronation.The key is to find shoes with a substantial sole (that provides arch support), and a firm heel counter. The shoes must also be deep in case you need to fit an orthotic inside them, but I recommend that you start trying a good pair of supportive shoes.
These are my recommendations for your 10 year old son (I am assuming he knows how to tie his shoes). If he doesn’t then it will be a good time to learn since shoelaces provide more support than Velcro sneakers:
Supportive Shoe for Pronation: Option 1
Supportive Shoe for Pronation: Option 2
These are my recommendations for your 15 year old son:
Supportive Shoe for Pronation: Option 1
Supportive Shoe for Pronation: Option 2
I am assuming your children have a medium width foot. In case they don’t, these shoe styles are available in wide widths also.
I hope this helps!
Thank you for all your information. My 9 year old son has flat feet, and over pronates. I was wondering, what do you recommend for Soccer Shoes? He loves to play, but does complain of his feet hurting. I am wondering what turf style shoes to buy.
Thank you again for all your help, Angela
Hello Angela,
Most soccer shoes are flat, which means that they don’t provide any support. I recommend inserting a pair of Superfeet insoles in your child’s soccer cleats to reduce the impact that his feet and legs take every time they come in contact with the ground. The blue Superfeet insoles are specifically designed for sport shoes.
Insoles for Soccer Shoes
If you are looking for a pair of soccer shoes, I need to know your child’s shoe size and whether he plays indoor or outdoor soccer. Please also let me know if he has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet.
My 8 year old son has flat feet, it’s over pronation. Kindly send me the link of product to buy the appropriate size shoe for him
Hello Su,
Does your child has mild, moderate, or strong pronation? This will help me determine whether your child needs a good supportive pair of shoes, orthotics, or both. If you are not sure, feel free to send me pictures of your son’s feet from behind with and without his shoes on: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
In the meantime, this is the particular shoe style that I recommend for boys with overpornation:
Supportive Shoe Style for Overpronation
I hope this helps.
Hello Juan, thanks so much for the helpful info. I’ve noticed slight probation in my 4 yr old; more on the right than the left. Would you be able to provide a certain brand of inserts? I’m so confused, as I’ve seen some range from $10-$200.
Hi Kay,
Has your child wore inserts/orthotics before? Do you know if your child has slight, mild, or strong pronation? Depending on the degree of your child’s pronation there are certain orthotics/inserts that will be more effective than others. If you are unsure you can send me pictures of your son’s feet to: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
The orthotic brand I recommend is Cascade Dafo. However among this brand, there are several different styles.
Hi Juan,
My 7 year old son has strong over pronation and has flat feet. His foot is medium width and he currently is in a 13.5 little kids shoe. Other than the NB brand, are there any others that you recommend? ASICS? Adidas? Nike?
When he needs to wear a bit nicer shoe such as Sperry boat shoes, is he ok with those if he has on his orthotics or is there something else I should buy him? Thank you so much for your advice!
Hello Tammy,
Other than New Balance I recommend certain shoe styles from Asics and Saucony. I don’t recommend any styles from Adidas or Nike because their shoes are unsupportive. Please keep in mind that among each brand there are certain shoe styles that work better than others, so when I say I recommend New Balance shoes it doesn’t mean that all New Balance shoes are good for overpronation. In fact, most New Balance shoes are not effective in treating overpronation, only the styles I recommend in this article.
The shoe styles below will fit the shape of your son’s feet as long as he has a narrow or medium width foot:
Supportive Shoe for Overpronation and Flat Feet: Option 1 Choose size 1 because this shoe style fits short.
Supportive Shoe for Overpronation and Flat Feet: Option 2 Choose size 1 because this shoe style fits short.
As far as his dress shoes concerns, it all depends on how much time he is planning to wear them. If he is planning on wearing his Sperry shoes for more than 4 hour a day, then I recommend fitting an insert inside the shoes for extra support. The issue is that most inserts/orthotics won’t fit in Sperry or most dress shoes for that matter. There is only one style made by Superfeet that I have been able to fit in dress shoes:
Insole for Dress Shoes. Choose size “A” and trim it if necessary.
I hope this helps!
Hi Juan ,
Thank you for the detailed article. I finally feel like someone clearly understands our problem and has a good solution. My 9 year old daughter is brain tumor survivor. She had a brain surgery when she was 4. The surgery left her with weakness on her right side and hence a foot drop. She has been wearing a DAFO for the past 4 years for foot drop. This has led to weakness in her ankles which I think is now causing over pronation. We recently brought Bioness ( FES machine) which is helpful with her foot drop, so we don’t need the brace anymore. I am now trying to find shoes & insoles which will support for ankle as well as her over pronation. Any recommendations is very helpful. Please let me know if I can send you a pic or videos of my daughter walking
This is extremely helpful, thank you for doing what your doing.
Regards,
Swetha
Hi Swetha,
Thank you. Please send me pictures of your daughter’s feet and if you can record a video of your daughter walking from behind that will be helpful as well: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
If you take a look at another article that I wrote: Reducing and Eliminating Your Child’s Foot Pain – Have Your Child’s Feet Evaluated in Less than 10 Minutes you will notice a video at the end of the article and that’s exactly how I need you to record the video of your daughter walking. You can also record a separate one of your daughter walking with her current shoes.
Do you know whether your daughter has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet?
Is there a way you can look at my son feet..? I believe he has overpronation. Is it best to make an appointment with a foot doctor..
Hi Coretta,
I hope that you and your son are well.
If you need to have your child’s feet evaluated take a look at the article below and scroll down to where it says “Evaluating your chid’s feet” and follow the instructions provided:
Reducing and Eliminating Your Child’s Foot Pain – Have Your Child’s Feet Evaluated in Less than 10 Minutes
Hello Juan
My 10 yr old son has hypermobility in his ankles, elbows, hips, wrists and although his foot appears to have a good arch, it collapses when weight bearing due to the softness of the ligaments. He’s therefore very flat footed when he walks, is unable to toe-off, has difficulty keeping up with his peers running and has an extremely awkward gait. He has been seen since the age of 4 by paediatrics and Physio therapists, with them eventually prescribing an orthotic insole when he was 8. Homeschooling has taken a toll on him as he’s been barefoot around the house for months, and this hasn’t helped matters. Although the orthotic in his shoes visibly helps to keep his ankles straighter, and addresses the pronation, it still doesn’t really improve his gait, or ability to run well. Would you see this as just an effect of his hypermobility that will never improve? Or do you believe there are more answers that we could be pursuing ?
Hello Joanna,
My area of expertise is with children’s shoes and orthotics.I believe there are a lot of factors that play a role and each one of these factors needs to be taken into account, because they do make a difference.
If you believe the orthotic is addressing your son’s foot posture but not helping improve your son’s walking gait, it might be time to try a different orthotic. However, is your son wearing the correct type of shoes? The orthotics and the shoes work together in helping align your son’s feet and improving his walking gait.
So, Would like to see images of your son’s orthotic and the current shoes he is wearing. It will also helpful for me to take a look at his feet standing barefoot. I suggest that you follow the instructions on this article: How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
That article is a good starting point. You will find my email address in there and we will be in touch.
Thank you so much. I will get some photos shortly and be back in touch. I really appreciate your advice.
Joanna
I am happy to help!
Hello, Thank you for your research and willingness to share the information you have accumulated. My almost 7 year old daughter has very narrow feet and she overpronates. I am having a difficult time finding the right sneaker. Can you help me? She has historically worn Asics but not sure if they are good for overpronation.
I appreciate your time and thoughts,
Anne
Hello Anne,
Asics are great in terms of support and they work really well for children with narrow feet. Did you provide your daughter with shoes with velcro closure or shoelaces? Keep in mind that shoes with shoelaces are a lot better compared to shoes with velcro closure as they provide better support and stability.
I am happy to help, but I need the answer to the following questions first:
Is your daughter complaining about foot or leg pain?
From which country are you contacting me from? This will help me determine what specific shoes are available in your area.