Arch Support Shoes for 3 Year Old with Flat Feet - Where to Buy?

Orthotics and/or shoes with arch supports are expensive, and to be buying them for feet that are still growing is going to cost you a fortune. At 3, his feet and his gait (how he walks) are still developing. Just potty training and not wearing diapers anymore makes a difference in how they walk. Keep an eye on it, but I think it's too early to be worrying about it yet. If he's having problems running, skipping, jumping, etc when he's 5 or 6, then take him to a podiatrist and see what they have to say.

You just need to fell the inside of the shoe you are looking at to see what it has. But my son has flat feet and the specialist told me that he needed flat shoes not to add arch supports. I have to say my son has no arch at all. He is doing better with the flat shoes and walking move like the doctor said.

I'd honestly recommend seeing a podiatrist instead to see if you can get orthotics to help with his arches instead of spending the same amount of money on shoes that won't last as long.

My Mom took us to podiatrists when we were little and had all kinds of supports. In the end, I'm genetically prone to flat feet. There's nothing I can do about it despite all the attempts to intervene.

Stride Rite's shoes are nice, they're good quality, but I'm not convinced they're any better than anything else. We have to shop there because my kids have double-wide feet. Otherwise, we'd not be spending the money.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, intervention isn't suggested (see the link below):
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/cond...

You can get a good pair of Stride Rite shoes for under $40 or look and see if you have an outlet in your area. They will fit him correctly, good shoes make good feet. Also some kids don't form archs 4 or 5 and some dont form them at all.

I can't remember the cost now, but I do remember being a worthwhile splurge to buy Naturino's for my oldest son and they touted arch support.

Payless gym shoes have pretty good arch support for a small child--this per a podiatrist that especially works with children though treats all ages. She told me to just make sure that a child is not always wearing sandals which tend to not have the added support that gym shoes would have. When I was 8, a doctor said I needed special shoes that cost $75 at the time, and then possibly braces. My parents did not have the money for that. My mom just made sure my shoes had good arch support (feel the arch in the shoe). If I stand totally relaxed and bare foot or with flip flops, my feet might turn a bit but other than that, my feet are fine and I never had any braces or anything.

I would look for a shoe specialty store. My four year old is going through the same thing. Arch supports are too recommended for flat feet. My son has actually been put in AFO orthotics. We have a local kids shoe store that supplies arches for about $7. Our physical therapist recommended Spenco arch supports for my husband from Academy sports. Don't know if they have for children or not.

actually , my husband and daughter both have flat feet and you need shoes with out arches, arch supports are for people with high arches ( they tend to walk on the outside of their feet ). Any kid of arch in a shoe hurts my husband's feet. We tend to look for more flexible shoes like the Nike playground shoes. They can be bought at Academy sports store.
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/par...
Here is a great article about kids and flat feet.
http://www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/tcj/2003/feb/feb...

hi-
I'd recommend seeing a pediatric physical therapist. a pediatric PT looks at feet differently from a podiatrist/orthotist. They will evaluate your child's foot alignment, muscle strength, range of motion, and look at how your child moves (e.g. what his feet, knees hips are doing while walking/running). depending on your insurance the PT evaluation maybe covered and then the PT can provide options for shoe inserts that may also be covered by your insurance company.

Good luck!

I am a pediatric PT. Gotskinds in downtown Naperville is where I send all my clients that need more supportive shoes. Unfortunately, yes, a good shoe will probably run you 40-60.00. However, they are the best at figuring out what the best shoe for your son is. Ask for the owner or David if they are there. They are really good at fitting kids to get alot of growth out of their shoes.