Affordable Kids’ Shoes that are Made to Last! – They Also Fit Wide Feet
After working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years I realized that most parents want their children’s shoes to be affordable, provide a comfortable fit, and hold up until the child is ready for new shoes. How many times has your child destroyed the shoes before he/she was ready to outgrow them? Is there a better way to find out which are the most affordable kids’ shoes that are made to last than by a person who has fitted those shoes before?
I help several families each week find the perfect pair of shoes for their children, and over the years I have fitted shoes for children with all types of complicated” foot shapes (narrow, wide, high instep). I understand the importance of finding affordable shoes that can also fit different foot shapes at the same time.
Walmart and Target Sell Kids’ Shoes for $10 – Are These Shoes Safe to Wear?
I am a firm believer that you don’t need to buy the most expensive shoes to keep your children’s feet healthy. However, I have noticed that typically the cheaper the shoe is, the less quality, effort, and care shoe companies put into that shoe.
Be aware that I have heard several stories of families who found cardboard, loose materials and sharp objects inside of their kids’ shoes:
I understand that what might be affordable to some families might not be as affordable to others. Just to set your expectations straight, the shoes I recommend in this article range from $25 to $35. This is obviously more than what you might pay in Target and Walmart (they retail for as low as $10), but the difference is that the shoes I recommend are made from high-quality materials and can fit different foot shapes (wide, extra wide, high instep).
What Makes the Affordable Shoes I Recommend the Best Choice for Kids?
The shoes I recommend are previous models of current shoe collections that were released this year so we don’t compromise on the quality or fit of the shoes. This is the smartest way to save money on your kids’ shoes without sacrificing quality, comfort, or support.
1️⃣ They are Supportive and Made of Soft and Safe Materials
The shoes that I recommend are lightweight and flexible but sturdy through the midsole—shoes that can bend and twist around the arch will lack support and will fall apart quickly. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
The shoes are made with flexible, rounded rubber outsoles that match the natural shape of the child’s foot and promote stability and sensory feedback. The shoes made for older children include a reinforced shank and firm heel counter for extra heel and ankle support:
2️⃣ They Accommodate “Complicated” Foot Shapes
Most of the shoes that I recommend below are available in different widths such as medium, wide, and extra wide widths. This means that the companies that manufacture the shoes recognize that children’s feet come in all different shapes and sizes, and no matter how wide or extra wide your child’s feet are, you will find a pair that works.
3️⃣ They are Breathable
Shoes that don’t provide good ventilation might lead to bacteria building up inside of the shoe, which can make the shoes fall apart faster and make your child more prone to developing foot infections.
Affordable Kids’ Shoes that are Made to Last
Make sure that you click on the specific model that you like (no matter if it’s a boy’s or girl’s color) as the shoe is probably available in several different colors. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases. This allows us to create free content and resources for many families around the world.
The list below is constantly updated by me as soon as I find out a certain style that has gone one sale.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper
- Alternative closure for easy on and off adjustability
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style 520v8 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Rave Run v2 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style 455v2 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Synthetic and mesh upper provides incredible breathability
- No-sew tip for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Arishi v4 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Synthetic and mesh upper provides incredible breathability
- No-sew tip for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Rave Run V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Rave Run V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style 680 V6 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Made2play Eliza by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Shoe style Ryder II by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Bumper toe
- Padded collar and tongue
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wind Shield by Saucony
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Double velcro straps
- Water-repellent upper for protection from the element
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Cohesion 14 by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Heel Grid system for stable cushioning in the heel.
- Padded collar and tongue
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style 545 Bungee by New Balance
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Double velcro straps
- Leather and textile upper
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wind Running by Saucony
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Eva midsole delivers a cushioned and lightweight feel
- Lace-up closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Arishi V2 by New Balance
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Lace-up closure
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Jazz by Saucony
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Lace-up closure
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Propel V3 by New Balance
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Lace-up closure
- Synthetic upper with mesh vamp and no-sew overlays for lightweight breathability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Jazz by Saucony
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Lace-up closure
- Cushy memory foam footbed for comfort and stability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Lace-up closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Are You a Fan of New Balance Shoes? – Check Out Their Outlet Store
Did you know that New Balance has an outlet store that has some of their shoes up to 65% off? They run out of sizes pretty quickly but sometimes families get lucky and find the specific shoe size that their child needs.
The Wrong Shoe Size Can Make Your Kids’ Shoes Fall Apart Faster
Did you know that having your child walk around in shoes that are too small or too big can make the shoes wear down faster? You can fit your child in shoes that are made of high-quality materials, but if the shoes are not fitted properly, your child will end up destroying the shoes.
For example, if you fit your child with wide feet in a pair of shoes that are too narrow, you will be creating pressure points. That constant friction between your child’s toes and the shoes can lead to the shoes falling apart (as well as foot issues).
Do You Know Your Child’s Exact Foot Shape?
Some parents have no idea what their child’s foot shape is. I have noticed that some parents believe that their children have wide feet when in fact they have extra wide feet. When I ask some parents whether their child has a high instep or not they have no idea of what part of the foot I am referring to. It’s important for your child to wear shoes in the correct size to prevent foot issues such as blisters.
The Importance of Buying Kids’ Shoes from Reputable Shoe Brands
There have been several cases of shoe companies manufacturing children’s shoes using toxic materials. Even today, there are still a few companies that can’t or won’t put in place strong quality control that protects children’s health.
If you are unsure about which shoe might work best based on your child’s foot shape or if you are having a hard time finding a different type of shoe for your child don’t hesitate to contact me:
Be Aware: Shoes Made by Popular Shoe Brands Are Not Always Better!
Some families assume that children’s shoes made from popular shoe brands such as Nike, Under Armour, or Adidas, automatically translate into higher quality and better shoes for their kids. Believe it or not, several children’s shoes made by these shoe brands are too flimsy and unsupportive, and always wear down faster than expected. I have seen several cases in which the front part of the shoes started peeling simply because the shoes were made of low-quality materials. Some examples are shown below:
Most families don’t like to spend too much money on their children’s shoes as there’s a good chance that their child will wear them out even before they get a chance to outgrow them. In my experience, if the child is fitted in a pair of well-made shoes that are the correct size, you won’t have to worry about the shoes falling apart faster than expected.
The reality is that most toddlers can outgrow their shoes in as fast as 3 to 4 months, while for older children you are looking to replace their shoes every 4 to 6 months. These guidelines should be taken as an estimate since every child grows at a different rate.
Let me know in the comments section below if you have a favorite shoe brand or if there is a specific shoe model that is affordable and has worked well for your child’s feet!
