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Children's Insoles

Children’s insoles provide extra cushioning and support inside school shoes, trainers and everyday footwear. Our range includes full-length and ¾-length designs with shaped arch support, heel stability and shock-absorbing materials for children experiencing foot discomfort or requiring additional support.

Children’s Insoles Buying Guide

Children’s feet continue to change as they grow, so the support they need can be different from that of adults. Insoles may be used to provide additional cushioning, support the heel and arch or improve comfort when a child experiences foot-related symptoms during walking, school or physical activity.

They are not necessary for every child. In particular, flat-looking feet are common during childhood, and arches typically become more defined as children grow. If a child has painless, flexible flat feet and can walk, play and take part in sport without difficulty, treatment is usually unnecessary. Insoles do not create an arch or permanently change the shape of the foot.

Where discomfort, fatigue, instability or another problem is present, however, a suitable insole can provide a more supportive and cushioned surface inside the shoe.

When Might Children’s Insoles Be Useful?

Rather than choosing an insole simply because a child’s feet look different, consider whether they are experiencing symptoms or difficulty with everyday activities.

Additional support may be worth considering when a child experiences:

NHS guidance recommends professional assessment when foot pain stops a child taking part in normal activities, or where symptoms such as poor balance, repeated ankle problems or functional limitations are present.

Choosing the Right Children’s Insoles

When choosing children’s insoles, focus on the length of the insole, the level of support provided and how comfortably it fits inside the child’s footwear.

Full-Length Insoles

A full-length design runs beneath the entire foot, providing a continuous layer from the heel through to the toes.

These insoles can combine shaped arch support with cushioning across a larger area of the sole. Trimmable versions can also be adjusted around the forefoot to match different shoe shapes and sizes.

May suit:

  • Children wanting cushioning across the whole foot
  • School shoes or trainers with removable footbeds
  • General heel and arch support
  • Footwear with enough internal depth

¾-Length Orthotic Insoles

A ¾-length insole supports the heel and arch while stopping before the toes. Leaving the front of the shoe uncovered creates more room around the forefoot and can make this format easier to move between different pairs of footwear.

More structured designs may incorporate a contoured arch, shaped heel cup and additional features intended to provide greater stability.

May suit:

  • Children needing more structured heel and arch support
  • Shoes where space around the toes is limited
  • Trainers and securely fastened everyday footwear
  • Moving the same pair between compatible shoes

What to Look for Before Buying

Children’s insoles need to work with both the foot and the shoe. A supportive product will be of little benefit if it makes the footwear cramped or sits in the wrong position.

Correct Size and Fit

Choose the size using the manufacturer’s measurements rather than assuming that every insole follows exactly the same sizing as the shoe.

For trimmable designs, remove only the intended forefoot area and make small adjustments until the insole lies flat.

Because children’s feet grow, check the fit regularly rather than assuming that an insole will remain suitable indefinitely. NHS paediatric orthotic guidance recommends reassessment when a child’s feet have grown by a shoe size or when the insoles become worn or symptoms return.

Comfortable Arch Support

The raised section should sit beneath the child’s arch without creating an obvious pressure point. A more pronounced contour is not automatically better. The support should feel comfortable enough for ordinary walking and should not make the child reluctant to wear the shoes.

Heel Stability

A shaped heel cup can provide a more secure platform around the rear of the foot. This may be useful when greater stability is required rather than cushioning alone. The heel should still sit comfortably inside the shoe without being pushed too high towards the opening.

Cushioning

Materials such as EVA or other shock-absorbing foams can soften repeated impact during walking, playground activity and prolonged periods on the feet.

Suitable Footwear

Insoles generally work best in shoes that provide enough space and hold the foot securely.

Look for footwear with:

  • Laces, Velcro or another secure fastening
  • Sufficient width around the toes
  • A stable heel section
  • Enough depth for the added insole
  • A removable original footbed where possible

Comfortable, properly fitting footwear with room for growth is particularly important for children.

Children’s Insoles for Flat Feet and Overpronation

Flat feet and overpronation are common reasons parents look for children’s arch support, but they should not automatically be treated as a problem.

Young children commonly have a low arch profile, and some people naturally retain flatter feet throughout life without experiencing pain or limitation. Painless, flexible flat feet generally do not require insoles simply to make the arch look different.

Overpronation refers instead to excessive inward movement of the foot during walking. It can occur alongside flat feet, but the two terms do not mean exactly the same thing.

When flat feet or unusual foot movement is accompanied by discomfort, fatigue, instability or difficulty keeping up with normal activity, professional assessment can help establish whether supportive insoles, exercises, footwear changes or another approach would be appropriate.

Benefits of Children’s Insoles

Depending on their design and why they are being worn, children’s insoles may provide several practical benefits.

  • Provide Additional Foot Support – A contoured arch and shaped heel area can give the foot a more supportive surface inside the shoe.
  • Add Underfoot Cushioning – Shock-absorbing materials can soften the feel beneath the heel and sole, particularly during walking, school activities and longer periods of standing.
  • Improve Comfort Inside Footwear – The right combination of support and cushioning may make everyday shoes more comfortable when a child experiences foot aches or pressure during activity. Insoles should be viewed as a way of supporting and cushioning the foot, not as a method of permanently reshaping a child’s developing feet.
  • How to Fit and Introduce Children’s Insoles – Children may need time to become accustomed to a different shape beneath their feet, particularly when moving from a flat shoe liner to a more structured orthotic.
  • Make Sure the Insole Sits Flat – Position the heel firmly at the back of the shoe and check that the insole does not curl, slide or bunch. If fitting a full-length replacement, the shoe’s original removable liner may need to be taken out to create sufficient space.
  • Check the Shoes After Fitting – Ask the child to stand and walk in the shoes. Make sure there is still enough room around the toes and that the heel remains securely contained. The shoes should not suddenly feel tight simply because another layer has been added.
  • Increase Wearing Time Gradually – When an insole provides noticeable structural support, introduce it over shorter periods before progressing towards longer daily wear. Paediatric orthotic guidance recommends gradually increasing wear so that the child can adjust to the different support.

Ask How Their Feet Feel

Children may not always volunteer that something is uncomfortable. Check for rubbing, unusual redness, new pain or reluctance to wear the shoes.

If the insoles consistently make walking less comfortable or symptoms become worse, stop using them and seek advice from a podiatrist, orthotist or another suitably qualified healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all children need insoles?

No. Most children do not need supportive insoles simply as part of normal development.

They are more relevant when additional cushioning or support is required for symptoms, or when recommended following assessment by a healthcare professional.

Do children with flat feet need insoles?

Not necessarily. Flexible flat feet are common in childhood and usually require no treatment when they are painless and do not interfere with walking, play or sport.

If flat feet are painful, rigid or affecting everyday activity, professional assessment is advisable.

Can insoles create an arch in a child’s foot?

No. Insoles can support and cushion the feet while being worn, but they do not form an arch or permanently change foot shape.

Are full-length or ¾-length insoles better for children?

It depends on the child’s support needs and footwear. Full-length designs provide cushioning beneath more of the sole, while ¾-length insoles leave the toe area uncovered and can be easier to accommodate in shoes with less forefoot space.

Can children wear insoles in school shoes?

Yes, provided the shoes have enough internal room and remain comfortable after the insoles have been fitted. Lace-up or securely fastened footwear is generally easier to use with supportive insoles than loose-fitting shoes.

How often should I check my child’s insoles?

Check them regularly for changes in fit, wear and comfort because children’s feet grow. Paediatric orthotic guidance suggests arranging review when the child has grown by a shoe size, the insoles are worn or symptoms return.

When should I seek professional advice?

Consider speaking to a podiatrist or other qualified healthcare professional if your child experiences persistent foot pain, avoids normal activities because of discomfort, has recurrent ankle problems, limps, develops unusual pressure areas or shows a noticeable change in walking.

Learn More About Children’s Foot Support

For further guidance on developing feet, flat arches and choosing suitable support, explore our related articles: