Tuli’s Cheetah is the pediatric version of the classic Tuli’s heel cup, sized and colored for active kids. Sever’s disease is an overuse apophysitis at the calcaneal growth plate that affects roughly 15% of active children ages 8-14. It resolves spontaneously once the growth plate closes (around age 14-15), but during symptomatic years, heel cups reduce impact forces enough that kids can keep playing. The waffle-pattern rubber absorbs 70%+ of ground reaction force at heel strike. Wear in both sports shoes and daily shoes during a flare.

Once a child’s foot grows past youth size (typically around age 14), the adult Tuli’s Classic in the smallest adult size is the correct choice. Same waffle-grid absorption pattern, same 80%+ compression energy return, just sized for larger feet. Many Sever’s disease sufferers are on the tail end of the growth spurt when symptoms peak — use these to bridge to skeletal maturity. Replace every 6-12 months during growth years.

For kids whose Sever’s pain spikes specifically during hard-impact sports on turf or hardwood, a thick TPE gel heel pillow absorbs more shock than a Tuli’s and can be combined with it on the hardest-game days. 10mm thickness means you’ll need a half-size-up cleat or basketball shoe. Use only during active sports; switch to Tuli’s for daily wear since the gel pillow is too soft for everyday stability.