School shoes work harder than most footwear in your child’s wardrobe. They’re worn for hours, taken through sport, playground duty, and long walks to and from class.
If your child uses orthotics (or a health professional has suggested trying them) the right pair of orthotic-friendly school shoes can make a noticeable difference to everyday comfort.
This explainer breaks down the features that support growing feet, how to spot good structure, and the signs that a shoe will work well with kids’ orthotics.
Understand what “orthotic-friendly” really means
An orthotic-friendly school shoe has space, structure, and the right interior design to work with a custom or over-the-counter insole. Not every sturdy shoe meets this standard. Some school shoes feel supportive at first but lack the depth or removable footbed needed for proper insole placement.
A few foundation principles help you assess whether a pair is likely to suit:
- The shoe must have a removable insole.
- It should have enough interior depth for an orthotic without lifting the foot too high.
- The heel area should be stable and shaped to hold the orthotic securely.
- The shoe should flex at the toes rather than the midfoot.
Check the heel counter
The heel counter is the part of the shoe that wraps around the back of the foot. In school shoes with support, a firm heel counter helps stabilise the rearfoot and holds an orthotic in place.
A quick test helps:
- Grip the heel with your thumb and fingers.
- Press inwards from either side.
- A supportive school shoe should resist pressure and feel firm rather than collapsible.
Stability here is especially helpful for kids with flat feet, heel pain, or over-pronation patterns. A good heel counter also prevents the orthotic from shifting during long school days.
For more detail on how heel counters support foot health, see our guide on supportive shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Look for a removable insole and enough internal depth
A proper orthotic-friendly school shoe offers a removable insole and enough interior volume so the orthotic can sit flat without lifting the foot too high.
Removing the factory insole does two things:
- It creates room for the orthotic.
- It prevents the foot from sitting too shallow in the shoe which can lead to slipping of the heel.
If the shoe feels tight once the orthotic is in place, that’s often a sign the shoe shape or depth isn’t suitable. Shoes that come in multiple width fittings will help to alleviate this problem. Your child should be able to wiggle their toes easily, and the top of the foot shouldn’t feel cramped.
Browse the full range of kids’ school shoes.
Check midfoot stiffness
Midfoot support is one of the biggest differences between an everyday school shoe and one built for orthotic use. You can test it in seconds:
- Hold the shoe at the heel and forefoot.
- Try twisting it (gently) as if wringing out a cloth.
- A supportive shoe should only twist slightly.
This stiffness helps keep the orthotic stable. It also stops the foot from collapsing inwards, which can be a problem for kids who tire quickly or complain of arch pain.
Another helpful check is the bend test. A good school shoe bends at the toes, not the centre. The forefoot needs to flex naturally, but the midfoot should stay supportive under load.
Make sure the toe box has enough room for growth
Kids’ feet grow quickly, and orthotics take up space. That’s why the toe box shape is extremely important. A roomier, rounded shape gives the forefoot more room to spread, helping the orthotic sit correctly under the arch.
Signs of a suitable toe box:
- Rounded or anatomical shape rather than tapered
- Enough depth for orthotics to sit flat
- Space to move the toes without rubbing
A cramped toe box can make the orthotic feel uncomfortable, even when the shoe has good heel support and midfoot stiffness.
Check how the shoe works with your child’s orthotics
If your child already uses an orthotic, bring it with you when shopping. Place it inside the shoe and check the following:
- The heel fits snugly in the heel cup.
- The orthotic sits flat without tipping forward.
- Your child’s toes don’t hit the front.
- The sides of the shoe don’t bulge.
A good fit should feel stable and natural. Your child shouldn’t have to “work” to stay balanced in the shoe.
For more detail on choosing footwear that suits insoles, see our explainer on orthotic-friendly shoes for comfort and support.
Make small fit checks part of the routine
Even an excellent shoe can feel off if the fit isn’t right. Once your child tries the shoe with their orthotics:
- Check for heel slip.
- Make sure the arch of the orthotic aligns with the natural arch of the foot.
- Orthotics for growing feet will be designed with extra length for the foot to grow. If there is more extra length than the standard growth room in the shoe this will affect the shoe size in terms of the insert fitting inside the shoe. You may have to refer back to your podiatrist if the orthotics themselves look too long.
Kids usually give honest feedback. If they complain of rubbing, tightness at the top of the foot, or pressure under the arch, try a different model or width.
Some brands offer multiple width options, which can make a big difference for kids with broader feet or higher insteps.
For personalised help, visit the Forbes Footwear showroom in Hornsby or explore the full range of kids’ school shoes online. You can also bring your child’s orthotics for an in-store fitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all school shoes work with orthotics?
No. Many school shoes look supportive but don’t have a removable insole or enough internal depth for orthotics to sit flat. Look for firm heel counters, a stable midfoot, and room in the toe box.
How do I know if the orthotic fits properly inside the shoe?
Place the orthotic inside the shoe and check that it sits flat, the heel sits securely in the heel cup, and your child’s toes don’t hit the end. Walking with the shoe on should feel stable, not tilted or cramped.
Are kids’ orthotic shoes heavier than regular school shoes?
No the good quality shoes may feature some fitting differences but are often still lighter than cheaply made shoes, due to the material composition.
Should my child wear orthotics in their sports shoes too?
Often yes, if your child benefits from wearing orthotics in their school shoes, you will want to use them in their sports shoes. The same fitting principles apply.