When we ask people what is the first association for kids shoes the most usual answer was cuteness. Yeah, no doubt that kids' shoes are adorable, but that’s not all they have to be. Much like any good shoes, they must also support the anatomy of the young feet. And if your child has some special conditions, like flat feet, it’s essential to choose proper footwear.
Moreover, the age 5-9 is crucial for forming feet and arch, and you must be very attentive with picking the best shoes for a kid with flat feet. Because otherwise, you may risk choosing the wrong shoes that could tamper with your child’s foot development, which can cause more problems as your kiddo’s feet mature.
This is why it’s essential to pay attention to the topic now and make sure that you choose proper footwear, especially if your child has flat feet. Thus, we’ve decided to share a bit more on this topic and help you understand what makes the best sneakers for flat feet.
Flat feet are pretty common among little kids because the arch is forming only after toddlerhood. So the process of developing an arch is happening later. So it’s normal that your child has flat feet at a young age. In fact, the majority of kids between 1-5 years have flat feet. But that doesn’t mean that it’s a condition you can ignore. You still should monitor the development of the arch so that your kid won’t develop permanent flat feet as they age.
Most children develop the arch while forming the calf muscles, But if the arch is not forming until the age of nine, then you should react immediately to increase children’s arch supports flat feet capability.
The causes of flat feet in children can vary from a simple one to underline severe issues. As we mentioned above, strengthening the muscles is what assures the correct forming of the arch. So any lack of activity and obesity can cause flat feet. However, it’s also a genetic condition.
But on the bright side, it is something that you can correct and make easier: with proper child diet and physical activity. Another essential aspect is to make sure that you pick the right shoes with good arch support for kids. Because otherwise, you risk improper foot formation, which can be worse with time. Thus, it’s crucial to pick the best shoes for kids that provide adequate support.
Underlying diseases such as diabetes, any form of muscular dystrophy, and juvenile arthritis can also cause flat feet. Don’t panic, but have in mind that flat feet can be a red flag of severe illnesses. By monitoring the child’s overall well-being and regular checkups, you will do a lot of prevention.
There are 3 types of arches: flat, normal, and high. In some cases, it can be easy to test if your child has flat feet. You should just put the child’s foot into the water and then make a print on the white paper. It’s called the wet test. If there is a curve in the middle of the foot, your child will form the arch. That means that she or he doesn’t have flat feet.
In cases when the curve is not apparent, you can ask X-ray from your doctor. Plus, with flexible feet, it can be more challenging to make a proper diagnose. Hence it’s best to turn to schedule an appointment with the family doctor, to be sure what’s the condition of your child’s feet.
Fortunately, there are some ways to treat flat feet. You can try:
We highly recommend that if your kid already developed flat feet, you find the best orthopedic shoes. Nowadays, you can find well-designed and comfy orthopedic shoes for toddlers’ flat feet.
Other than that, you must also pay special attention to some essential criteria to ensure that you get only the best shoes for kids with flat feet.
We advise you to search for shoes with good arch support for the kid’s category. This way, you will know the brands and appearance in advance. In addition, you will notice that on the place of the arch, there is a little uplift.
The best kids’ shoes with arch support on the market are those with foam arch support. Your kid’s shoes will be a lot more comfortable with these, as proven by many kids’ shoes for flat feet reviews.
The outsole is an essential part of the shoes because it provides flexibility, traction and prevents shoes from slippery. For best snickers for flat feet, a rubber outsole is necessary. Plus, if a kid has flat feet, flexibility is crucial.
Recently shoemakers started to produce shoes with firm heel counter. It’s a small part of plastic that ensures better support. And when you want to choose only the best shoes for flat feet, make sure that shoes have a firm heel counter that allows the best support. Shoes for flat feet must have a heel counter because they often twist the ankle during the training.
Check-in advance from which material shoes consist of. According to many kids’ shoes for flat feet reviews, foam parts for the sole are really important for the best comfort. Also, remember that all the best shoes for children with flat feet must be made from a breathable material, especially if it’s shoewear for hot summer days.
Here are a couple tips, that will help you choose the best shoes for flat feet
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We selected interesting facts about the best kids’ shoes for flat feet in the FAQ section for many of you who go into detail. So here are some additional issues that correlate with our main topic kids shoes for flat feet.
As we mentioned before, your kid must try the shoes before buying them. Incorrect shoe size may worsen flat feet condition. Have confidence that your kids are capable of choosing what is the best for them. Additionally, ask your kids to walk around the shop while wearing the shoes, to understand whether they fit.
Sometimes shoes for flat feet girls models may look so good that girls are immediately attached to them. If this is the case with your baby girl, feel free to ask her to run a little bit while she wears them.
Unfortunately, with Covid-19, we have to face the reality in which only online buying is possible. If this is your case, don’t worry; we have a simple solution that may work for you and your kids. First, measure the length of your kid’s foot. All brands offer at least for toddler shoes the table with length and size comparison. This way, you can easily find the correct number even without trying the shoes.
Any way you choose to check the kid’s foot size, make clear that your child can complain about the size even after the buying. It is better to replace the shoes than to make things worse just because the child is wearing the wrong size.
The difference between a custom or over-the-counter orthotics is that the former is custom-made to fit the foot perfectly. Hence it’s a pricier but also the most comfortable option.
However, over-the-counter orthotics is a more budget option. That is because kids’ feet grow fast, and you have to buy shoes a lot more often than you buy them for yourself. And since over-the-counter shoes are cheaper than custom-made, you will also save money.
Thus, whichever toddler shoes you go with is entirely up to you. We understand that budget is essential, but we personally think that your kid’s health should always be a priority.
And that’s all we wanted to share with you on the best kids the shoes for flat feet 2023! All shoes for flat feet boy or girl models must be of proper size, material, outsole and traction, and firm heel counter. Other than that, make sure that your kiddo feels entirely comfortable and likes their footwear!
With that said, we sincerely hope that our article helped you learn a bit more about the best shoes for kid with flat feet! Or perhaps you also have some models that you wish to recommend? Then feel free to share your suggestions in the comments below!
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