The Best Shoes for Kids with Overpronation – Keep Their Feet and Legs Healthy

Overpronation is really just a way of saying your child’s foot rolls too much inward when they walk or run. And while it might not seem like a big deal, it can sometimes lead to other issues down the road. The most common reason why children overpronate is from having flat feet, but some other children overpronate from having misaligned heels. Whichever reason it is that your child might be overpronating, there are certain supportive shoes that can help improve your child’s walking gait and overall posture.

Can Shoes Help Kids with Overpronation?

Footwear plays a critical role in managing overpronation. Let’s take a look at the image below, does it look familiar? Do you notice how the child’s feet and ankles are collapsing and turning inwards?

Let me prove to you how a pair of shoes with a stable base of support and firm heel counters can help improve your child’s foot posture and straighten the 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.

Before Image: Child Standing Barefoot

The first image shows the feet of a child with flat feet and overpronation standing barefoot:

After Image: Child Wearing Unsupportive Shoes

The second image shows the feet of the same child wearing a pair of unsupportive shoes. Do you notice how the child’s feet are still collapsing and turning inward?

child-with-flat-feet-wearing-unsupportive-shoes

After Image: Child Wearing Supportive Shoes

Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child wearing a pair of supportive shoes. Do you notice how straighter the child’s feet are?

supportive-shoes-with-straight-lasts-for-children-with-flat-feet

It’s amazing what a difference the right pair of shoes can make. Remember, each child’s needs can be a bit different, so what works for one might not work as well for another. Listening to your child’s feedback about how their shoes feel is invaluable.

Choosing the Right Shoes for Kids with Overpronation

1️⃣ Straight Lasts: Shoes with straight lasts help improve the child’s foot posture. If your child has strong pronation you need to stay away from shoes that have excessively curved lasts. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

children's-shoes-with-straight-lasts

2️⃣ Stable Base of Support: Shoes with a good arch can help stabilize the foot, reducing unnecessary inward rolling. Cushioning is another important factor. It helps absorb shock and adds to comfort, making each step a little more bearable for your child.

supportive-shoes-for-children-with-flat-feet

3️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: When children have flat feet you don’t only support the arch, you mechanically support all of the pieces that cause the foot to be flat, such as the heels. 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.

children's-shoes-with-heel-support

As you can see, certain children’s shoes stand out for their supportive features. I am going to show you a list of these sneakers known for stability and motion control, which is essential for kids with overpronation. 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.

Supportive Shoes for Kids with Overpronation to Improve Posture

By the way, if you want your child to get the full support that the shoes have to offer you should choose a shoe with laces. Shoes with shoelaces provide better support and stability than shoes with velcro closure, as the shoelaces can “hug” your kids’ feet more effectively.

Would You Rather Receive Specific Shoe Recommendations?

If you are unsure about which specific shoe to choose for your child, I suggest that you contact me via email and I will provide you with specific shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape. In the meantime, there is an additional resource I created that has a list of supportive sandals for kids with overpronation.

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

If you want to be sure about what shoe size to order online, I suggest that you follow the instructions on a virtual shoe fitting service I created. In that resource, I will help you figure out your child’s exact foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide) and shoe size.

While you can’t expect shoes to completely change how your child walks, they can make a significant difference in support and comfort. 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 with Overpronation – 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. The over-the-counter orthotics that I recommend are specifically designed to provide firm arch support and cushioning. It will also provide biomechanics alignment by preventing overpronation and aligning your child’s heels and ankles (making them straighter).

Best Shoes for Kids with Overpronation – Watch Video!

The video below will provide you with further examples of before and after images and videos 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.

Navigating Online Advice: Should You Rely on Websites like Reddit and Quora?

Turning to online communities like Reddit and Quora for advice on shoes for overpronation seems like a pretty easy choice. However, it’s important to approach these platforms with a sprinkle of skepticism. The advice shared might be anecdotal and not always backed by expertise.

While these forums can provide valuable insights and personal experiences that resonate with what you’re going through, it’s key to remember that what works for one child might not work for another. And sometimes, the advice given lacks a clinician’s input, which can be crucial.