Best Insoles for Children

Before diving into the topic of the best shoe insoles for your child, we need to get two very common misconceptions out of the way. The first one is that insoles are for old people, or at least those whose job requires them to spend long hours on their feet. The second misconception, even more common than the first one, is that your child will simply grow out of any foot problem she or he might have.

While in many cases foot problems in children do go away on their own, it's irresponsible to count on that. And even if your child will eventually grow out of it, why not make the time until then more bearable and comfortable for them? Below we've listed some of the most common foot problems in children, including cold feet, flat feet, heel pain, over-pronation and foot odour, and found the perfect solution to each one.

Cold Feet

While cold feet are just as common with children as they are with adults, our little ones tend to complain more about being uncomfortable. This is especially common if your child tends to spend a lot of time outdoors, enjoying activities such as ice-skating, hiking, camping or playing football.

The Dasco Child's Lambswool Insoles are designed to help you keep your child warm and comfortable at all times. Made from real lambswool, these insoles are soft, comfy, and cushioned with a layer of foam to reduce foot fatigue.

Key Features: Made from real lambswool; cushioned for added comfort; ideal for outdoor activities

Fallen Arches and Flat Feet

With toddlers and young children, flat feet are extremely common and no reason for concern. Treatment becomes necessary if flat feet are associated with foot or leg pain, leading to difficulty walking. In that case, insoles with arch support are a great over-the-counter solution that often helps to reshape young feet.

The Pro11 Children's Gel Orthotic Insoles are designed specifically to treat high, weak and fallen arches in children. They are suitable for most closed-toe children's shoes and are self-adhesive for convenience application and a secure fit.

Key Features: Support fallen arches in children; fit most closed-toed shoes; made with self-adhesive backing

Heel Pain and Sever's Disease

Heel pain in children is usually caused by Sever's disease, also known as calcaneal apophysitis. This is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel that is caused by repetitive stress to the heel, which makes it particularly common in active pre-teens and teenagers.

Sever's disease can be easily treated with symptomatic care, such as stretching exercises, icing after sports, and heel pads or cups. The Footactive Kids Insoles feature a Durapontex heel pad that provides extra cushioning, strong arch support, built-in metatarsal raise for stability and deep stabilising heel cup for support.

Key Features: Ideal for Sever's disease and Osgood Schlatter (children's knee pain); help prevent problems before they arise

Over-Pronation in Children

When a child's ankles seem to bend inwards when standing or walking, they might be suffering from over-pronation. While a little pronation is normal, especially with toddlers and young children, you should explore other options if pronation seems excessive, which includes pain, fatigue, clumsiness, and even developmental delays.

In that case you can start by trying out orthotic insoles designed for over-pronation in children. The Pro11 Children's Arch Support Orthotic Insoles are full-length children arch support insoles that easily fit most trainers, boots and casual shoes. If the problem persists, however, you should visit your pediatrician, who might suggest physical therapy or other forms of treatment.

Key Features: Correct over-pronation; contoured for superior support; fit most children's shoes

Sweaty and Smelly Feet

While not as serious as other problems on this list, smelly feet can be unpleasant for you and embarrassing for your child. Excessive sweating is a common phenomenon with pre-teens and teenagers, while foot odour is caused by a bacterial infection. Both conditions can be improved with super absorbent insoles, designed to prevent foot odour.

The Dasco Child's Super Latex Insoles are moisture-absorbent insoles that help keep feet dry, and have been treated with Sanitized, a hygiene function that prevents the growth and spread of the micro-organisms associated with odour.

Key Features: Moisture-absorbent for dry feet; treated to prevent foot odour; double cushioned for extra comfort

Specialised insoles can prevent foot problems from developing, improve conditions once you've already noticed them, and make the process of growing and developing a lot more comfortable for your child. If you've noticed any of these common problems in your child, make sure to get them the support they need.

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