Sports Shoes for Children With Orthotics in the UK

Here's some good news for a change: sports shoes are generally more compatible with orthotics than school shoes. Removable insoles, adequate depth, firm heel counters, lace-up fastenings. These features come as standard in most quality sports trainers.

That said, not every sports shoe will work. Some styles prioritise minimal weight or fashion over function, and those can be just as problematic as a bad school shoe. The key is knowing what to look for.

When choosing sports shoes for a child with orthotics, I'd group the features into three categories:

Essential features:

• Removable insole that lifts out cleanly
• Enough depth for the orthotic plus the foot without pressure across the top
• Firm heel counter that resists the squeeze test
• Lace-up or Velcro fastening for adjustable fit

Good to have:

• Breathable upper material to manage moisture during activity
• Wide-fit option for children who need extra forefoot room
• Non-marking sole for indoor PE (many schools require this)

Features to avoid:

• Very lightweight minimalist shoes with thin, flexible soles and no structure
• Visible air or gel heel units that create an unstable base
• Very curved or rocker soles that change the angle of the foot relative to the orthotic

In most cases, a regular sports trainer that passes the features checklist doubles perfectly well as a PE shoe. There's no need to buy separate PE-specific footwear unless the school requires it.

Some schools require white plimsolls or canvas pumps for indoor PE. These are almost never suitable for children with orthotics. Plimsolls have no removable insole, no heel counter, no adjustable fastening, and no depth. They're essentially useless for orthotic wearers.

If your child's school requires plimsolls for PE, a letter from the orthotist requesting permission to wear orthotic-compatible trainers is usually accepted without difficulty. This is a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act.

Cleated boots are a particular challenge. Football and rugby boots are typically narrow, shallow, and have fixed insoles. The internal shape is designed to be as close-fitting as possible for ball control and agility, which leaves very little room for an orthotic.

Options for children who need orthotics in their football or rugby boots:

• Look for boots with a removable insole. Some brands produce styles with a removable footbed that can be replaced with a thin orthotic. They're not common, but they do exist.
• Discuss a sport-specific device with your child's orthotist. It may be possible to create a thinner, lower-profile device for use in cleated boots. It won't provide the same correction as the full device, but it's a practical compromise.
• Consider a thin, supportive over-the-counter insole. For some children, a good-quality OTC insole provides enough support for the duration of a match or training session, even if it's not as effective as the custom device.

Orthotics aren't worn in the water. For swimming itself, your child will be barefoot or wearing standard swimming shoes.

For walking around the pool and changing areas, pool shoes or slider-style sandals can be worn without the orthotic. If your child needs some support while walking to and from the pool, choose pool shoes with at least some arch support rather than completely flat options. They're not a substitute for the orthotic, but they give more stability than a flat flip-flop for short poolside walks.

The school says my child must do PE without orthotics because they require specific PE shoes. What can I do?

This is a reasonable adjustment situation. The school has a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to allow your child to wear orthotic-compatible footwear for PE. A letter from the orthotist explaining the medical need is usually sufficient. Read our guide on school uniform policies and orthotics for step-by-step advice.

Can I find football boots with removable insoles?

Some brands do produce boots with removable footbeds, though the range is limited. Ask your child's orthotist about slimmer, sport-specific devices that may fit inside standard boots. The orthotist may be able to recommend specific models they know work with thinner devices.

My child's sports shoes get wet and smell. How should I care for them?

Remove the orthotics from the shoes after every sports session and let both air dry thoroughly. Wipe the orthotic with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed. Don't put shoes or orthotics in the washing machine. The heat and agitation damage both the shoe structure and the orthotic material.

Can my child use regular trainers for all sports?

For most school sports (PE, cross-country, general outdoor games) a good-quality orthotic-compatible trainer is perfectly suitable. For sports that require specialist footwear like football or rugby boots, see the guidance above on managing cleated footwear.

Browse our full Children's Orthotic Shoe Buyer Guide