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Are you looking for the best shoes for children with flat feet? When it comes to picking shoes for children with special foot needs, you must know what you are looking for and what you are looking to treat, or the pain you would like to alleviate.
Children’s shoes are slightly different from adult shoes. Most of the tie, adults go with what looks good more than what is needed or healthy for the foot. With children’s shoes, you have to be more careful and make sure that you are getting shoes that encourage your child’s best foot health.

Most children have feet that look like they are flat. When the child’s foot sole has an arch on the inner side that extends from the heel to the big toe base. When the foot does not have this arch, it is deemed to be flat. It would be best to let the child’s feet grow and develop naturally before trying to remedy anything. In some cases, there is nothing to remedy.
Best Kid Shoes for Flat Feet
If your child’s feet still seem to appear flat after 16 months, then you can take the initiative to get a medical diagnosis and consequent treatment. One way to correct flat feet in children is by having the child wear shoes specially made for this. We take a look at the best children’s shoes that seek to rectify a flat foot.
In a Hurry
Are you in a hurry and would like to know which shoes you should get for flat-footed children and why? There are a few things you will need to consider. Make sure that you get shoes that fit well and fasten securely. Stay away from excessively flared shoes which can cause instability. You also want to make sure that the shoes are flexible to mimic the freedom the foot would otherwise have if the child were walking barefoot. Buying a shoe with built-in arch support will not be a quick fix to the issue. They will not help the arch develop. It is important to make sure that the child’s foot has room to grow.
Our Top Pick
We have done our research and found our favorite pick to be the Saucony Kids’ Baby Jazz H&l-K Sneaker. The shoes have a synthetic sole, and they feature a wavy overlay at a quarter panel and a contrasting mesh sock liner. The sneakers have a two-tone midsole. Triangular lugs provide traction and flexibility. They also have a hook and loop closure.
Our Reviews of the Best Kid Shoes for Flat Feet
Saucony Kids’ Baby Jazz H&l-K Sneaker
H&l-K Sneaker fits well and fastens securely. It’s a well-flared shoe and facilitates stability for the child. The synthetic sole is flexible, and they mimic the freedom the foot would otherwise have if the child were walking barefoot. The sole also has a soft, smooth surface. Low-top from the arch helps the arch develop and easily fixed the issues. It ensures that the child’s foot has room to grow.
Suede and nylon upper. Suede has a soft, smooth surface, and it is popular for fashion items. Suede is a durable and tough cloth when as compared to cloth fabrics. The thin nature of suede offers it a nice, delicate drape. Suede may be very soft, and its smooth nap offers it an appealing fabric texture. Suede is a form of leather; the material lasts for an extremely long time.
Non-Marking rubber outsole. Sole material that does not scuff off and put marks on the floor. The triangular lugs provide traction and flexibility.
Pros
- These shoes are very durable and tough fabric
- They have a smooth appearance
- Very durable.
- Their sole material does not scuff off and put marks on the floor
Cons
- Some customers have reported that the suede stains easier
pediped Kids’ Flex Estella Mary Jane Flat
Flex Estella is 100% synthetic and ensures that the shoes are flexible to mimic the foot’s freedom, similar to if the child were walking barefoot. Its synthetic nature facilitates easier cleaning. Shaft measures approximately low-top from arch to quickly fix the issue and help the arch develop. Flex fit system is made for superior fit, longer wear and perfect for loose feet.it also ensures that the child’s foot has room to grow
The shoes come in various sizes that fit well and fastens securely. They are well flared to cater to stability—Velcro enclosure for adjustability. Velcro works properly on tough surfaces, including ceramic, glass, rigid plastic, fiberglass, metal, tile, and wood.
Lightweight, flexible, non-marking sole which does not scuff off and leave marks on the floor. Rubber soles provide better traction on wet surfaces and wet pavement or snow-covered streets while walking. The chance of slipping also gets reduced. The American podiatric medical association accepts it for promoting healthy foot development.
Pros
- The shoes have a flexible non-marking sole
- They are light and comfortable
- They Have better traction on wet surfaces.
- There is Enough freedom to the feet
Cons
- The rubber soles are slightly heavier
- There is a tendency to feel less and much less comfortable over time
Stride Rite Kids’ Made 2 Play Cannan Sneaker
Cannan sneaker is 100% Leather and Textile, a quality material shoe. It’s resistant to dry abrasion, can be resistant to fire, and is partly waterproof. It’s also resistant to dust mites and fungal attacks. There are various sizes of the shoe, and it fits well and fastens securely.
Rubber soles provide better traction on wet surfaces and wet pavement or snow-covered streets while walking. Shaft measures approximately low-top from arch to quickly fix the issue and help the arch develop. The lightweight EVA midsole with rubber outsole ensures ultimate traction and durability. Cleaning is easy because it’s made of a washable material. Its mesh linings have an anti-microbial treatment to reduce odor.
They provide built-in safety by continuously resisting microbes’ growth—an excellent mold strap for a clean grip. Memory foam insole enhances comfort and facilitates even distribution of balance. The memory foam is designed to ease the pressure that a runner feels on the ball of his foot. Cannan sneaker is nicely flared to ensure stability, and the child’s foot had room to grow.
Pros
- The shoes are durable
- They have an antimicrobial treatment to reduce odor
- The fine mold strap that they have caters for easy grip.
- Memory foam insole enhances comfort and facilitates even distribution of balance
Cons
- They have poor elongation and ventilation caused by the EVA midsole
- They are quite heavy and thick because of the memory foam
New Balance Kids’ 680v5 Hook and Loop Running Shoe
Hook and loop running shoe is 100% Leather and Synthetic designed to retain their form and are usually very durable. They’re also more water-resistant.
The Rubber sole caters to shoe flexibility and therefore improves the freedom of the foot. Injection Molded EVA materials have good low-temperature properties and are tough. Shaft measures approximately low-top from arch to easily fix the issue and help the arch develop. An Alternative Closure ensures that the shoes fit well and fasten securely.
Mesh Upper cloth is best for walking shoes due to its breathable properties; however, the print exceptional isn’t always as clear as the fabric’s small holes are further apart. While the mesh allows your foot to breathe, your shoe actually won’t last too long. They are well flared and therefore facilitate stability to the child.
Pros
- The shoes have improved freedom of the foot.
- Their make offers good low-temperature properties and is tough.
- It is a breathable shoe
- It provides a good grip when running
Cons
- The shoe doesn’t last too long because of poor quality as reported by some customers
TSUKIHOSHI Kids’ Speed Sneaker
Textile is Light with excellent long-term mechanical properties. Polyurethane soles are practical and keep water out. Generous toe box allows the toe to splay naturally to mimic the barefoot walking motion and enhance grip and balance.
Speed sneaker is machine washable to remove deep stains, dissolves discolorations and dirty residue. Deep and easy cleaning is the biggest benefit of using a washing machine, and it saves time. A removable antibacterial insole with natural green tea extract has an antibacterial lining designed to accustom to the new barefoot movement. This way, the foot can adjust to the barefoot feeling step-by-step.
Ultra-light-weight makes the child’s feet more breathable, giving you an easy-walk experience. Breathable membranes can be mesh lining or consist of water-resistant membranes or lining. A firm heel stabilizer protects against over-pronation, stabilizes the rearfoot by cupping the calcaneus, and provides support to the navicular bone, which is the arch’s keystone. The rubber sole is flexible and comfortable, and they mimic the freedom the foot
Pros
- They can be cleaned by a washing machine hence saves time
- They are well cleaned by the machine
- The Firm heel stabilizer protects them against over-pronation
- The Polyurethane soles keep water out
Cons
- The washing machine consumes electricity which is an added expense
- Detergent powder, and much water it needs to do the cleaning
Buyer’s Guide
Are flat shoes good for flat feet?
Flat feet mean that you do not have arches or they are very low. There are shoes specially made to deal with this, and they add arch support. You can get shoes with in-built arch support, or you can get shoe insoles that give you the same insole.
Flat feet can sometimes get painful, and you can treat this by wearing shoes that have arch support. Fitted insoles and orthotics or custom-designed arch supports may relieve pressure on the arch and reduce pain if the feet roll too far inward. This best works in flat shoes.
What can you do about flat feet?
Flat feet normally do not cause any pain to warrant any action from you, and however, if they are, then you will need to make sure you get shoes that are well fitted and also supportive. Get shoes that fit wide. This way, you also get relief. You can also insert a wedge along the inside edge of the orthotic. This will relieve some of the pressure on the tendon tissue.
Your doctor or medical expert may also advise you to rest until the symptoms improve and stay away from any activities that may hurt your foot. A person with arthritis or a ruptured tendon might find that a combination of an insole and pain relievers can minimize their symptoms. If these do not work, surgery may be necessary.
Surgery can become necessary if bones in the foot need to be corrected. Some bones do not develop properly in childhood, and it is in such cases, surgery can become a necessity.
Are flat feet permanent?
When babies are born, the bones in their feet are not yet fully developed, and this can give the perception of the baby having a flat foot. This is perfectly normal and does not warrant any correction or treatment. Most children’s flat feet disappear after five, which is when the arches develop and begin to show. However, if flat feet are developed in adulthood, they will most probably remain permanently.
What is the difference between flat feet and fallen arches?
Flat feet are also known as fallen arches. Flat feet only need to be treated if they are a cause of discomfort or pain.
Do Orthotics Work for flat feet?
If your flat feet are causing pain, you may need to get fitted insoles and orthotics to relieve this pain. Orthotics are a special type of shoe or heel inserts that a doctor prescribes to treat foot or leg pain. They come in handy when it comes to treating pain caused by fallen arches.
Conclusion
Children with flat feet normally develop the arch in their feet when they turn five. A newborn baby’s foot does not have all the fully formed bones an adult will have. This means that the arch not being there should not be too much of a concern for you. As your baby begins to walk, they exercise certain muscles that the foot needs to be strengthened. With time, all the necessary muscles will have developed, and the foot will function normally. That is if there are no foot health conditions.
You can get your child’s shoes that help with flat feet. Always remember that barefoot walking is best for your child unless the environment makes it unsafe to do so. When choosing shoes for your child, it is always important to make sure that you get shoes that fit well. Anything that does not do this can adversely affect your child’s foot health. The right shoes can make a world of difference. We hope that our reviews help you find the best shoes for children with flat feet. Happy shopping!
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