Kids Insoles: Toddler to Youth Size Insoles for Comfort and Arch Support

When we think of shoe insoles, inserts, and orthotic arch supports, we typically only think of these items as “for adults.” But in reality, children can benefit from shoe insoles and orthotic arch supports just as much as adults do, though their needs for an insole or arch support are different from the needs of adults.

Fall is the time of year when those of us here at TheInsoleStore.com receive the most requests for children’s insole and arch support recommendations. This is because kids are heading back to school and wearing their new (and sometimes uncomfortable) shoes, or because fall sports are starting up and kids are beginning to find their athletic shoes & cleats uncomfortable after a full day’s activity. The bad news: Kids aren’t immune to foot pain. The good news: There are a number of options available to help your children find relief from their discomfort.

What kind of kid’s insole should I buy?

When looking to purchase insoles for children, the kind of insole your child needs depends on a few factors:
1. Shoe size
2. Age
3. Activity level & type
4. Current pain symptoms

Shoe size: Even among different children’s insoles, the available sizing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. As such, shoe size is a critical thing to consider when purchasing a children’s insole. Not only do you need to ensure that an insole is available in the shoe size that your child currently wears, but you’ll also want to ensure that your child can continue to wear that insole as they grow — they might wear a toddler’s size 7 now, but they’ll need a larger size sooner than later, and you’ll want to be able to find the same product in a larger size!

Age: Age is an important factor to consider since a child’s foot arch is not fully developed until between the ages of 6 and 8. Until the foot arch is fully developed, it is generally recommended that you purchase a children’s orthotic arch support to provide mild arch support to help promote the proper foot alignment and arch during this development period. Afer this age, an orthotic arch support is less necessary for development and will benefit your child more as a preventative foot pain measure, or as a method of treating foot pain.

Activity level/type: After age 6-8, for normal everyday comfort, we recommend purchasing a cushioned arch support insole for your child’s shoes. This will give them added cushion and comfort during everyday activities like school and playtime. For children who are active with sports and other high-energy activities, an orthotic arch support is recommended to ensure that the foot remains supported and aligned during these activities to help prevent foot fatigue, pain, and injury.

Foot pain: Finally, whether or not your child is currently experiencing foot pain should influence what insole you purchase. Orthotic arch supports help keep the foot aligned and supported during all activities and work well as a preventative measure for foot pain. Cushioned insoles provide additional comfort in everyday activities and are often more comfortable to kids for everyday normal wear. However, if your child is experiencing pain in the heel or arch of their foot, you should certainly consider an orthotic arch support over a cushioned insole.

Other considerations for buying a kid’s insole

All that said, parents still face a few big issues when it comes to buying shoe insoles or arch supports for their kids:
1. The insoles that you wear, as an adult, are not sized for children (since most insoles start at a men’s size 3/women’s size 5, which often will be too large for younger kids with smaller feet), meaning that you can’t buy the same insoles for your kids.
2. A typical footwear retailer has a very limited selection of shoe insoles and arch supports, making it hard to find the proper item to suit your child’s needs, even if you do find an item in their size.
3. Specialty insole retailers are either hard to find, have more expensive products, have a limited selection, or a combination of these issues.

Here at TheInsoleStore.com, we make it our goal to carry a product to suit every different need. As such, we offer a wide selection of Kid’s Insoles and Kid’s Orthotic Arch Supports to help you find what you need to keep your children healthy and happy. Check them out today, or contact us if you need help with more information or making a product selection.

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Best children’s insoles and arch supports

For Children’s Arch Supports, consider one of the following:
Arch Angels Children’s Comfort Insoles
Birkenstock Birko Balance Children’s Arch Supports
Pedag Bambini Insoles
Powerstep Powerkids Pediatric Orthotics
Superfeet Blue Premium Insoles

For Children’s Comfort Insoles, consider one of the following:
Kidzerts Full-Length Children’s Insoles
Kidzerts 3/4-Length Children’s Insoles
Spenco Polysorb Children’s Insoles

For Shoe Inserts, consider one of the following:
Kidzerts Heel Cushions
Spenco Heel Cushions
Pedag Balance Arch Support Insert
Powerstep Arch Boosters

Regardless of the situation, there is a shoe insole, orthotic arch support, or shoe insert for your child’s foot. Whether you’re providing everyday comfort to your child’s feet or looking to provide pain relief from Sever’s Disease, flat feet, or arch strain, TheInsoleStore.com has a selection of Children’s Insoles to meet your (and your child’s) needs.