What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Toe Walking Children?
Does your medical professional recommend that your child wears a pair of shoes to help treat and prevent his or her toe walking condition? Are you unsure about what shoes are more effective for children who walk on their toes? I have created several resources that helped a lot of families of children who walk on their toes. However, there is one question that many parents seem to have in common: what are the best shoe brands for toe walking children?
I have found certain shoe brands which manufacture shoes that work great for children who walk on their toes. However, keep in mind that not all shoes from the shoe brands that I recommend will be effective in helping prevent your child from walking on his/her toes. There will be specific styles among each of the brands that I recommend that work a lot better than others (I will show you which ones those are).
How Do I Know Which Shoe Brands Work Best for Toe Walking Children?
I work for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems (flat feet, rolled ankles, overpronation). Physical and occupational therapists are constantly referring children to the shoe store that I work for to be fitted for supportive shoes. Some children might also require orthotics depending on the degree of their foot condition.
Before I show you a list of the best shoe brands for toe walking children, let me share something with you that is of outmost importance: The need for proper fitting shoes. Most medical professionals agree that proper fit is just as important (if not more important) than the support or material that the shoes are made of.
Find Out Why Proper Feet Is So Important
Did you know that several foot conditions are aggravated by having the child wear shoes that don’t fit properly? Several pediatric physical therapists are frustrated as they notice how many children with physical disabilities are walking around in shoes that don’t fit properly. For example, one physical therapist mentioned how he worked with many children who toe-walk and they were wearing shoes that were simply too big for their feet. The shoes then tend to “slip off” and he noticed that children will often stay up on their toes as a way to help keep the shoes on their feet.
Below you can find an example of a family of toe walking children who noticed an immediate difference after having their child’s shoes properly fitted:
Wow! What a difference the correct pair of properly fitting shoes can make!
Let’s dig right into the best shoe brands for children who walk on their toes.
What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Toe Walking Children?
Please remember that simply because I recommend a specific shoe brand that doesn’t mean that all shoes from that specific brand will work well for your child.
1️⃣ Memo Shoes
This is a European shoe brand that manufacturers shoes made of natural materials that adapt well to the child’s foot, without causing discomfort and skin irritation. The shoes come with a rigid heel counter that helps keep the foot in the right position and the front part of the shoes is rigid instead of overly flexible to help discourage toe walking.
Memo shoes are at the higher end price wise, as they are orthopedic shoes. I understand that not all families can invest in a pair of orthopedic shoes for their children.
The good news is that there are regular/everyday sneakers that can be very effective in helping treat a child’s foot condition (depending on the degree), and will cost a lot less than orthopedic shoes.
2️⃣ New Balance
You probably already heard of this shoe brand as it manufactures children and adult shoes as well. I have found certain New Balance styles that work really well for toe walking children as they provide firm heel counters, supportive outsoles, and they are rigid at the front instead of overly flexible.
One huge advantage of this shoe brand is that it manufactures shoes that can accommodate different foot shapes such as medium, wide, and extra wide feet.
3️⃣ Princepard
This shoe brand manufactures similar shoes as Memo but they are more affordable.
Princepard shoes are made of genuine leather and breathable mesh. The shoes provide a high top design that can help improve the child’s stability and maintain correct posture.
There is no such thing as an universal shoe brand that works best for toe walking children. However, among the 3 shoe brands that I recommended, there are several styles that have worked really well in helping treat and prevent toe walking.
Best Shoes for Toe Walking Children
If you want to access a selection of shoes to help treat your child’s toe walking condition I suggest that you take a look at the resources below:
Sandals to Help Prevent Toe Walking
Winter Boots to Prevent Toe Walking
Can Shoes Help Treat My Child’s Toe Walking?
There is no guarantee that shoes will help your child walk heel to toe, but in some cases they can make a world of difference when it comes to help treat toe walking.
I suggest that you consult with your medical professional and discuss whether your child might benefit from wearing the correct types of shoes, or whether your child might also benefit from wearing an orthotic.
Below you can find some more success stories of families of toe walking children who tried the shoes I recommend:
The Importance of Taking Early Action!
I always recommend parents to be proactive and don’t take the “wait and see” approach when it comes to treating their child’s toe walking condition, as waiting for the condition to magically disappear and go away on its own can only lead to the condition getting worse.
Toe walking can lead to several issues to your child’s feet and legs. Below is a list of why toe walking should not be left untreated:
- Muscle stiffness
- Muscle tightening
- Pain in the Achilles tendon
- Tendon stiffness
- Poor coordination
Toe walking in children who are between the ages of 1 and 5 can often be easily managed with the correct type of footwear. However, unresolved toe walking after age 5 or older, although still manageable, can become a bit more difficult to control. The longer the child continues to toe walk may lead to a sustained habitual pattern and ultimately risk of acquired tendon tightness and ankle stiffness.
Do You Still Need Help Finding the Correct Types of Shoes for Your Child?
You can ask your questions in the comment section below or send me an email at:
I understand how frustrating it can be for many families of toe walking children who are told to wait as their child’s toe walking condition might resolve on its own. Yes, the possibility that the condition might resolve on its own exists, but why not do everything on your power to help the child? I believe that just waiting for the child’s condition to magically disappear is playing the waiting game.
