Summer Shoes for Children With Orthotics UK

Why Is Summer Harder for Children With Orthotics?

Summer creates a perfect storm for families managing children's orthotics. Open-toe shoes and sandals lack the enclosed heel, removable insole, and adjustable fastening that orthotic devices require. The lightest, coolest footwear is almost always the least compatible.

On top of the practical challenges, children also feel social pressure during summer. When friends are wearing flip-flops, sandals, and brightly coloured slides, wearing enclosed trainers can feel isolating. This is a real concern that deserves acknowledgement, not dismissal.

The good news is that there are practical warm-weather options that work with orthotics. None of them are perfect, but they represent genuine compromises between comfort, compatibility, and appearance.

What Practical Options Are There?

There are three main approaches to summer footwear for children with orthotics, each with different strengths and limitations.

Option 1: Lightweight Mesh Trainers

This is the most practical and reliable option for most children. Mesh-upper trainers are significantly cooler than leather or synthetic uppers, allowing air to circulate around the foot during warm weather.

Look for the same essential features as any orthotic-compatible shoe:

Removable insole that lifts out cleanly
Firm heel counter that passes the squeeze test
Lace-up or Velcro fastening
Enough depth for the orthotic plus the foot

Many children find mesh trainers comfortable enough for summer that the issue of open-toe footwear becomes less pressing. The breathability of mesh materials has improved considerably, and modern lightweight trainers can feel very different from heavy enclosed shoes.

Option 2: Structured Sandals With a Firm Removable Footbed

Some sandals are designed with a firm, contoured footbed that can be removed and replaced with an orthotic device. These are not easy to find in children's sizes, but they do exist in specialist ranges.

For a sandal to work with an orthotic, it needs:

A firm, contoured footbed that is genuinely removable (not glued)
An adjustable ankle and heel strap that holds the foot securely
An adjustable instep strap for fine-tuning the fit over the orthotic
A deep toe area that does not press down on the toes when the orthotic raises the foot

If you can find a sandal that meets all of these criteria, it can be a genuinely good summer option. However, the reality is that most children's sandals fail on at least one of these points.

Option 3: Supportive Sandals Without the Orthotic

For very short durations and low-activity situations, such as walking to the car or sitting in a garden, some children may be able to wear a supportive sandal without their orthotic device.

If you go this route, choose a sandal with good built-in arch support rather than a flat flip-flop. A sandal with a contoured footbed, even without the custom device, provides more stability and support than a completely flat sole.

Always check with your child's orthotist before allowing time without the device. For some conditions, even brief periods without the orthotic can cause discomfort or undermine the treatment. For others, short breaks are perfectly acceptable.

What Should You Avoid?

The following summer footwear types are almost always incompatible with children's orthotics:

Flip-flops: no structure, no fastening, no way to secure an orthotic in place.
Standard beach sandals: too flat, too open, no removable footbed.
Canvas pumps: no removable insole, no heel counter, no depth.
Plastic or foam sliders: completely flat, no heel retention, orthotic slides out immediately.
Croc-style shoes: despite the enclosed toe, they have no heel counter, the orthotic will slide around on the smooth interior, and there is no adjustable fastening to secure the device in place.

Holidays and Travel

Holidays often involve more walking than usual, on unfamiliar terrain, in warmer conditions. Planning ahead makes a significant difference:

Pack your child's reliable compatible shoes for any significant walking. Sightseeing, theme parks, and beach walks all require proper orthotic-compatible footwear.
Bring a structured sandal for pool and beach use if you have found one that works with the orthotic, or a supportive sandal for brief poolside use without the device (with orthotist approval).
Do not plan to buy shoes at the destination. Finding orthotic-compatible children's shoes is hard enough at home. Trying to find them in an unfamiliar shop, potentially in another country, is far harder.
Keep orthotics out of direct sunlight and hot environments. Heat can warp orthotic materials, particularly in a hot car, on a sunny windowsill, or inside a bag left in the sun. Store them in a cool, shaded place when not in use.

Frequently Asked Questions

My child only wants to wear flip-flops like their friends. What should I do?

Validate the frustration. It is genuinely difficult for a child to feel different from their peers, and dismissing those feelings does not help. Explain the medical reason simply and age-appropriately. For very brief, low-activity situations like walking around a pool, a flat flip-flop may be acceptable if the orthotist agrees. For anything more than that, involve your child in choosing the most fashionable compatible option available. Read our guide on helping your child accept their orthotic shoes for more strategies.

My child has an AFO. Are there any summer options?

Summer options for children with AFOs are very limited. The AFO requires a deep, enclosed shoe with a wide collar, which rules out almost all open summer footwear. Mesh-upper high-top trainers are the most practical warm-weather option. Ask your child's orthotist specifically about summer footwear, as they may know of specialist options suited to your child's particular AFO.

My child's orthotics get very sweaty in summer. What can I do?

Air the orthotics thoroughly after each wear. Remove them from the shoes and allow both to dry in a well-ventilated area. Use moisture-wicking socks rather than cotton, as they draw sweat away from the skin. Do not leave the orthotics inside a hot, enclosed shoe, as the combination of heat and moisture accelerates material breakdown.

Can my child go barefoot at home during summer?

Check with your child's orthotist. For some conditions, brief periods of barefoot activity at home are perfectly acceptable and even beneficial. For other conditions, the foot needs support throughout the day, including at home. The answer depends entirely on your child's specific condition and the purpose of the orthotic device.

Browse our full Children's Orthotic Shoe Buyer Guide