The Best Shoes for Knock Knees – Let’s Help Your Child Walk and Run Straighter!

Have you noticed your child walking or running differently lately? Has your child been falling more often? If your child has been diagnosed with knock knees there are simple steps that you can take to help improve the way your child walks. Your first step should be to make sure that your child is wearing the correct types of shoes. I am going to show you a list of the best shoes for knock knees based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

Knock knees which are scientifically known as Genu Valcum are a condition where the two knees touch each other while standing straight. It’s important to understand that knock knees are the opposite of bow legs, as in the case of bow legs, the knees are far away from each other.

If you are in a rush, you can go directly to the selection of the best shoes for knock knees.

How Can You Tell if Your Child Has Knock Knees?

The most simple way to figure out whether your child has knock knees is to have your child stand straight and check if the knees are coming together. It’s important that you make sure your child is standing straight and looking forward. Let’s take a look at some pictures of children with knock knees:

Can Children Outgrow this Condition?

Knock knees are common in kids between the ages of 2 to 5. At this stage, knock knees is just a process of growth and there is no need to be too alarmed. You will notice in certain children between those ages how their knees come together as the ankles widen apart. At this stage, it is part of the growth process as it makes kids’ feet stable and keeps the kids balance as their bones grow and harden.

It is expected that children grow out of the knock knees condition as they keep growing (normally by the age of 6) and they usually do grow out of it. However, in rare cases we see this condition of knock knees seem to go beyond the ages of 5, and in such cases, there is a need for concern.

If the condition proceeds after your child turns 5 years of age, you should consult with your medical professional to see which steps to take to help treat the condition. It is highly likely that they will recommend a pair of good supportive shoes and maybe orthotics —depending on how serious the condition is.

So before you take your child to the doctor, you can save some time and money by making sure you are providing your child with the correct type of shoes and the correct shoe size. At the shoe store that I work for, we get referrals from physical and occupational therapists all the time to fit children in the correct pair of shoes.

What Are the Causes of Knock Knees in Kids?

As I said, knock knees in kids are normal as the kids grow from the age of 2 to 5 years. However, some conditions may extend the case of knock knees beyond the usual age. In some cases, knock knees can be caused by diseases such as rickets, which affects bone formation. Obesity is another cause of knock knees.

If your children’s legs fail to straighten as they grow, knock knees might cause pain especially as children involve themselves in sports or high intense activities.

Knock knees is a condition that can be painful and in some cases may require surgery to reduce or fully eliminate the pain, but if you provide your child with the correct pair of shoes (substantial and supportive), you can significantly improve the way your child walks and reduce or fully eliminate the pain.

What a Difference the Correct Pair of Shoes Can Make!

Let me show you the difference that a pair of good supportive shoes can make. Below you can find a picture of a child with knock knees standing barefoot.

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 feet are?

What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Kids with Knock Knees?

The type of shoes that I recommend for a child with knock knees provide the 5 key features:

1️⃣ Substantial outsoles with arch support to help keep the foot aligned:

2️⃣ Firm heel counters with ankle support to help control the alignment of the heel and lower leg:

3️⃣ The shoes need to be rigid at the front (avoid overly flexible shoes):

4️⃣ Extra depth in case we need to fit an orthotic inside the shoe:

5️⃣ The shoes should have shoelaces instead of velcro closure as shoelaces help provide better support and stability:

Children with knock knees tend to wear out their shoes faster than expected as they tend to put extra pressure on parts of their bodies where they are not supposed to. This won’t happen with the shoes I recommend as they are extremely durable, guaranteeing that your child outgrows the shoes before they are ready to be replaced.

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

Keep in mind that your children won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer if you don’t provide them with the correct shoe size. Are you certain of your child’s foot size? If you don’t know your child’s exact foot size you won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online.

Let’s now take a look at a list I have put together of the best shoes for knock knees. 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.

The Best Shoes for Kids with Knock Knees 

These shoes can fit children with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet.

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.

I have seen parents come back to the shoe store to thank us for the difference the shoes have made in their kids’ daily lives. Keep in mind that good supportive shoes will work in cases where knock knees are not too exaggerated, and the ankles are not that far apart.

Families Testimonials – Get Inspired!

If after wearing the shoes I recommend for 6 to 10 months your child’s knock knees and walking gait doesn’t improve, I strongly suggest that we try an orthotic inside the shoes to help align your child’s feet.

Orthotics for Kids with Knock Knees – They Can Make a World of Difference!

In extreme cases of knock knees where the ankles are much further apart, your child might have to wear braces or orthotics to correct the issue, straighten the ankles and reduce or fully eliminate the pain. Orthotics are a great way of improving your child’s posture but you should always start by trying a pair of supportive shoes first.

This is a picture of a flat-footed child standing barefoot. Do you notice how the feet are collapsing and turning inwards?

Before Image

Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child but standing in a pair of orthotics. Do you notice how straighter the feet are?

After Image

If you believe your child can benefit from wearing an orthotic then I suggest that you take a look at a different article I wrote where I describe the best orthotics for kids with knock knees.

Children with Knock Knees – My Final Thoughts 

Knock knees should be monitored as early as it starts to develop and when it seems to be getting worse, visit your physical therapist for advice on the steps to take. Knock knees can be very painful and can limit the activities of the kids.

Surgery is usually the last resort to correct this issue if we are not able to correct the way that your child walks.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my email if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child.

Do you have a child who is suffering from knock knees? Have you found a particular shoe style or orthotic that has worked well in helping your child walk and run straighter? Please share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.