High Tops & Boots For New Walkers?

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“Is it okay to put my new walker in a high top shoe or boot with fall coming?”

ANSWER- Here’s the thing – if you really want to put your child in ANY type of shoe, especially for a specific occasion or reason, please don’t stress. As long as they can safely get around in them (ie: maybe not stilettos for a 3 year old ), I wouldn’t worry.

That being said, I prefer not to use high tops as an everyday/play option for children that don’t need that little bit of extra stability.

Here’s Why I Don’t Recommend High Tops for Beginning Walkers:

When you wear a high top, the ankle range of motion is naturally just a bit more limited, which means it’s HARDER to get through the ‘natural’ foot and ankle movement during walking. A mature walking pattern involved heel striking the ground, then foot flat, then pushing off with your toes (with lots of other complex little movements occurring in the foot at each stage).

When toddlers walk, especially new walkers, they tend to have more side to side movement, thus have more time in foot flat rather than moving through heel strike and toe off. The more they walk (ideally with a flexible soled shoe if anything), the more they move towards that more mature pattern. When you put a boot or high top on, (you can probably even think of when you’ve worn them!), you naturally move more back to that foot flat walking pattern.

Is it the worst thing in the world, especially for a brief period or special occasion? Of course not. I just try to not make it their everyday, all day playing shoe!

Click here for a round-up of my favorite fall & winter shoes for littles.

Hope that helps!

Want More?

For developmental questions, tips and guidance related to milestones about tummy time, rolling & sitting, crawling and walking, check out KC’s developmental Masterclasses linked here.

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KC is a pediatric doctor of physical therapy, wife and mom of three! She has spent her career working with children and young adults of all ability levels, and currently specializes in birth to three years.