Good shoes for a preschooler who wears orthotics

[krystalleigh1]

My DD is 4 and needs new shoes! She has had some problems with the way her foot turns in when she walks-long story short we have been combating foot and leg pain at night for over 2 years and FINALLY got a referral to a podiatrist a few months ago who made her some orthotics. Now her pain at night is greatly improved but she also needs new shoes now because she's growing like a weed.

The podiatrist recommended a good, supportive, athletic type shoe for her. She has pumas now which she's almost outgrown. The Puma's are great but the sole is very flexible (which would be great for MOST kids but since DD rolls her foot inward when she walks, it's not so great for her). She needs a shoe that gives her more support than the Pumas.

I need recommendations for a good athletic shoe that's not going to be too expensive. Also do you know of any places that have online shoe sales now?

 

[mistysue]

What type of orthotics?
First of all I would do an online search with the brand of the orthotic device being used and the word shoes to see what pops up.

One of my sons is in suresteps and they make special shoes to go with them. I think they are around $45, but many of the parents like to use knock-off crocks. The real ones don't work because the orthotic has its own support and does not fit in the name brand ones.
If it is a hard support that would be worn inside the shoe and the shoe having it's own support may actually prevent them from fitting. Either way, you are probably going to have to do a lot of trials figuring this one out.

Have you posted on the disabilities board? There are probably more people with orthotic experience there.

 

[sookie]

stride right makes a wide foot shoe. this would allow you to place the orthotic in the shoe.

 

[Marionnette]

My DD is 4 and needs new shoes! She has had some problems with the way her foot turns in when she walks-long story short we have been combating foot and leg pain at night for over 2 years and FINALLY got a referral to a podiatrist a few months ago who made her some orthotics. Now her pain at night is greatly improved but she also needs new shoes now because she's growing like a weed.

The podiatrist recommended a good, supportive, athletic type shoe for her. She has pumas now which she's almost outgrown. The Puma's are great but the sole is very flexible (which would be great for MOST kids but since DD rolls her foot inward when she walks, it's not so great for her). She needs a shoe that gives her more support than the Pumas.

I need recommendations for a good athletic shoe that's not going to be too expensive. Also do you know of any places that have online shoe sales now?

If she outgrew her shoes, isn't it possible that she has also outgrown the orthotics? Perhaps it's time to visit the podiatrist again, have new inserts made and ask for a list of acceptable shoes?

I over-pronate and my doctor recommended New Balance. I went to the New Balance store and they fit me with the correct shoe for my problem. We just removed the New Balance insert and put my orthotics in their place. However, they are not cheap shoes. I pay over $150 for sneakers. Cheap shoes are not something you can settle for when you have no arches.

 

[Sadie22]

What does the podiatrist recommend? The wrong shoes can cause additional problems, so ask the podiatrist and pediatrician.

Stride Rite was our brand for the kids when they were younger. Now we all wear New Balance.

After being measured and getting my correct size at a New Balance store, I get my New Balance online now, usually through Amazon.

 

[LJSquishy]

Stride-Rite makes some of the best shoes for young kids.

 

[SGB13]

We too put the kids in stride rite when they were little and then moved up to New Balance when they got older. I love being able to remove the inserts on the New Balance shoes.

 

[Happiest mommy]

I agree with above Strides and New Balance

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I agree with the New Balance. My youngest son wears an AFO during the day, and finding supportive shoes that would fit with the AFO was a trick. The brace company recommended NB, and that has worked well.

He wears a tough size to find - a newborn 5 wide. Trying to find an infant sized shoe for a very active 2 1/2 year old was a problem. We managed to find a local store who went out of their way to find how we could get a pair of shoes in 2 different sizes, since the foot without the AFO is a size smaller, and not a wide.

 

[sayheyrenee]

http://www.pediped.com/

swear by them

 

[MinnieForMe]

My podiatrist only recommends New Balance (you can completely remove the insole) and Stride Rite. We have a New Balance Outlet nearby and they have a huge selection of preschool sneakers plus they are much cheaper than Stride Rite. Although, I wore Stride Rite with plastic braces in the past.

Also, you don't want to order shoes online. You want to have them fitted with the orthotic. Even with New Balance they don't all fit the same. I've found the 623 kids model fits best for my needs. Unfortunately, you most likely need to change the orthotic with each new change of size. At least, I had too when I was little.

 

[shortbun]

stride right makes a wide foot shoe. this would allow you to place the orthotic in the shoe.

Stride Rite is the best shoe we ever got for our son who had horribly flat and wide shoes. They held up well too.

 

[3boymthr]

Stride rite is the way we went when youngest DS wore orthotics. They make some shoes with less flexible soles and some with soft soles. they're expensive shoes but totally worth it.

On a positive note budget wise - Stride-rite is owned by Keds and if you have an outlet mall with a Keds outlet near you check them out because they will sell the previous year's styles for much less money.