Toddler Shoe Insoles – Keep Your Toddlers’ Feet Healthy by Supporting Your Kids’ Feet!
Has your toddler been diagnosed with flat feet and overpronation? Has your pediatrician recommended that your toddler wears a pair of good supportive shoes and orthotics for extra support? I have fitted certain toddler shoe insoles that are ideal for toddlers with foot problems.
The whole topic of orthotics for toddlers is very controversial, but I believe that orthotics should only be used when toddlers have symptoms related to foot and leg function which are evident, and they are experiencing foot or leg pain.
If you’re pressed for time, you can jump directly to the selection of toddler shoe insoles.
What Is An Orthotic?
An orthotic is basically a shoe insert that is specifically designed to provide cushioning, support, stability, and relief pressure areas of the foot.
The 3 most common reasons why toddlers need to wear an orthotic inside their shoes are:
1️⃣ Flat Feet
2️⃣ Overpronation
3️⃣ Rolled Ankles
I have found one particular orthotic that has proven to be the most effective one for toddlers with those 3 foot conditions, as it helps treat and prevent them but it’s not too rigid so it allows for the natural development of your toddler’s feet.
When toddlers have flat feet or rolled ankles, their feet become pronated, and the knees and hips become misaligned. This means the muscles that move those joints no longer work efficiently, and it will take more energy for your child to do the same work as other toddlers who don’t have these conditions.
The good news is that something so simple such as providing your toddler with the correct type of orthotics can help prevent your toddler’s feet from collapsing, allowing them to walk and run straighter. Let me prove it to you!
Before and After Images of a Toddler with Flat Feet
Before Image: Barefoot
Below is a picture of a flat-footed child. Do you notice how the feet are collapsing and turning inwards?
After Image: Supportive Insole
Now let’s take a look at a picture of the same child standing on a pair of the supportive orthotics that I recommend. Do you notice how the orthotics are preventing the child’s feet from collapsing? The orthotics are aligning the child’s feet, which is going to improve your child’s overall posture.
After Image: Unsupportive Insole
Not all orthotics are effective when treating your child’s foot conditions. Let me show you how the feet start collapsing again when the child is fitted in a pair of unsupportive orthotics.
What Makes the Insole I Recommend the Best Choice for Toddlers?
The main reason why I recommend this insole/orthotic is that it provides excellent arch and heel support, and at the same time is not as invasive as other orthotics. This means that this orthotic allows the child’s foot and leg muscles to develop on their own while supporting them.
There are two main features that the insole I recommended provides:
1️⃣ Arch Support: The built-in arch helps prevent your toddler’s feet from collapsing every time their feet come in contact with the ground, allowing your toddler to walk and run straighter. You will notice a piece of foam or a visible bump where the arch of your toddler’s foot is supposed to sit. Take a look at the picture below for clarification:
2️⃣ Ankle Support: If you pay close attention you will notice how most inserts/orthotics come with a heel cup in the back. That area needs to be well-padded to support your toddler’s ankles. Certain toddlers have “rolled ankles” which means that the bone of the ankle – which is supposed to be straight, turns inwards or outwards. This is fully correctable if the insole is fitted with the correct pair of shoes.
I only review shoes and orthotics that I have fitted before, as that’s the only way I can tell the quality of the shoe and the insole. Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best toddler shoe insoles. 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 Toddler Shoe Insoles
The insoles below are specifically engineered for toddlers who are experiencing foot and leg pain and suffering from various degrees of foot ailments. They are ideal for toddlers who need additional arch and ankle support.
- Fits a toddler shoe size 5 up to a big kid shoe size 3
- Medically approved insoles with targeted cushion and support
- Deep heel cup with strong arch support
- Made from lightweight yet supportive cushioning material with shock-absorbing heel padding
- Forefoot padding to increase comfort
- They can be trimmed to size with scissors if needed
- Fits a toddler shoe size 5 up to a big kid shoe size 3
- 3/4 length makes it ideal to fit in most shoes
- Medically approved insoles with targeted cushion and support
- Deep heel cup with strong arch support
- Made from lightweight yet supportive cushioning material with shock-absorbing heel
These insoles have a built-in arch with added metatarsal support and they are very reasonably priced. If you have been looking for a pair of insoles for your toddler to minimize pressure in their feet by providing arch support to their flat and fallen arches, this is the type of insole that you need.
Do You Need to Remove the Original Insoles of the Shoes?
Yes, you will have to remove the original insoles of your toddler’s shoes before placing the new orthotic inside the shoes. Most shoes come with removable insoles. Take a look at the picture below for clarification:
If you don’t remove the original insole of the shoes and place the new insole on top you will be raising your toddler’s feet and your toddler’s toes might rub against the top of the shoe, which can lead to blisters, calluses, and corns.
Once you place the new insole inside your toddler’s shoes, please make sure there is no extra space between the end of the insoles and the end of the shoes. If the insole is too large for the shoe you can always trim it to make it fit correctly, and if it’s too short just order a larger size.
What Are the Best Shoes for Toddlers Who Wear Orthotics?
You won’t believe the difference that a pair of good, supportive insoles can make in the way that your toddler walks and runs. If fitted correctly, this insole will not only reduce or fully eliminate your toddler’s foot and leg pain, but it will also help your toddler walk and run straighter. If you are unsure whether your toddler’s shoes are capable of accommodating an orthotic please refer to the relevant article.
Do You Have a Good Fitting Kids’ Shoe Store in Your Area?
I always recommend parents take their toddlers to their local fitting children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most fitting stores have been closing down and parents need to end up buying their kids’ shoes online. There is nothing wrong with this, but you must know your child’s exact foot size to know what size to order.
I created a resource that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state.
How to Retrieve Your Toddler’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your toddler’s foot size from home.
In that article I help parents determine their toddler’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your toddler has a high instep or not.
What Are Other Parents Saying About These Insoles?
Are You Having a Hard Time Finding Shoes for Your Toddler?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly via email if you have any further questions or if you are having a hard time finding a pair of specific shoes for your toddler. My email address is: [email protected]
Have you tried a particular insole/orthotic for your toddler that has worked well for his or her feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
