Are you having a hard time finding a pair of Mary Jane shoes that can fit your child’s wide feet? Do you always have a hard time getting your child’s Mary Jane shoes on and off and they usually leave imprints and indentations on the top part (instep) of your child’s feet? The best Mary Jane shoes for kids with wide feet provide extra depth and rounded toe-boxes, and I will show you a selection of wide Mary Jane shoes I have put together based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been helping children find the perfect pair of shoes for their feet for over the last 10 years. I work for one of the most popular shoe stores in the country where I handle approximately one hundred shoe fittings/try ons per week. There are a lot of families who visit the shoe store who struggle to find shoes for their children’s wide feet.
Do Shoe Companies Manufacture Mary Jane Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet?
Yes, certain shoe brands manufacture Mary Jane shoes in wide (W) and extra wide (X-Wide) widths. Some examples are Stride Rite, Hush Puppies, and Footmates. There are other shoe companies that while they don’t sell Mary Jane shoes in different widths, their shoes fit naturally wide. Some examples of these shoe companies are See Kai Run and Tsukihoshi. Their shoes are not labeled as wide or extra wide but provide round toe-boxes and extra depth, which makes them ideal for children with wide feet.
What Makes the Mary Jane Shoes I Recommend Ideal for Children with Wide Feet?
You will notice that some of the models that I recommend are available in wide and extra wide widths. The other models that I recommend provide 3 key features that makes them ideal for children with wide feet:
1️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes: This feature helps prevent blisters, calluses, and corns, especially around the pinky toe (small toe). Certain shoe companies manufacture their shoes with rounded toe-boxes instead of pointier ones, and I know exactly which shoe brands these are. I’ll show you the difference between a Mary Jane shoe with a narrow toe-box versus a Mary Jane shoe with a rounded one:
2️⃣ Extra Depth: This is a key feature if the top part of your child’s feet is “tall”. The top part of the child’s feet is called the instep, and when it’s “high” or “tall”, it makes it a lot more challenging to find shoes that fit well. Take a look at the image below that shows the difference between two Mary Jane shoes that are the same size in length and width, but provide different levels of depth:
3️⃣ Oversized Openings: This is not a must-have feature, but it will save parents and children a lot of time. If you usually struggle to get your child’s shoes on and off, it’s important to find a style that opens up easy and wide. You will notice that all of the Mary Jane shoes that I recommend open up nice and wide for easy on and off.
One more thing before I show you the best Mary Jane shoes for kids with wide feet. I have noticed that several families who visit the shoe store believe that their children have wide feet when in fact, they have extra wide feet, this is actually very common. I have also noticed that some families have no idea whether their children have high insteps or not. These are all factors that will help you determine the final shoe size that your child should wear.
My Free Resource Will Help You Get or Confirm Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I created a free resource that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s exact foot size from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
It is always advisable to visit your local shoe store to get a proper shoe fitting if that is possible. However, if you don’t have any near follow the instructions on the previous link! You can check if you have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in your area by reading the article below:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where to go for Proper Fittings
Without further ado, let’s take a look at a list of the best Mary Jane shoes for kids with wide feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Mary Jane Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet – Comfortable, Stylish, and Durable!
Take a look at the description below each Mary Jane shoe that I recommend to find out the features each shoe provides, the foot shape it can accommodate (wide, extra wide, high instep), and the size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room.
Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)
- Available in medium and wide widths
- APMA approved and built for toddlers
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Leather made with classic T-strap styling, perforated details and easy hook and loop closure
- APMA approved and built for toddlers
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Patent leather upper
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current AFO size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable leather lining feels great against the foot
- Padded collar
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable, dual insoles in Medium and Wide are provided for customized fitting
- Padded collar for comfort
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather lined foot-bed for all-day comfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- The Flex Fit System provides additional inserts that can be inserted for a snug fit and can then be removed for room as your child’s foot grows
- Padded collar for comfort
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% leather
- Durable rubber outsole
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Premium leather
- Durable rubber outsole
- Removable contoured footbed plus “fit check” insole to show when a new size is needed
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% leather
- Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Classic Mary Jane kids crafted from a smooth leather upper with a perforated design at the top for breathability
- Flexible rubber outsole
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Patent leather uppers with scalloped topline edging
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Cushy memory foam footbed for all day comfort and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Cushy memory foam footbed for all day comfort and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Durable and genuine leather upper
- Padded collar for comfort
- Anti-stink lining with memory foam footbed for all-day comfort and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- Textile lining and a cushioned textile footbed with a removable insole
- Durable rubber outsole
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Can’t Decide Which Mary Jane Might Work Best for Your Child’s Wide Feet?
If you tell me your child’s exact foot shape (wide, extra wide, high insteps), whether your child is dealing with a foot condition (flat feet, foot pain), and the country that you are contacting me from I can provide you with specific Mary Jane shoe recommendations. You can contact me via e-mail to:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Are There Certain Socks that Work Best with Mary Jane Shoes?
A lot of parents are confused as to whether children should wear socks with Mary Jane shoes or they should be allowed to go without them? I strongly suggest that children wear socks with their Mary Jane shoes in a practical and fashionable sense as well.
The correct type of socks will not only help prevent foot issues and foot odors, but it will also increase your child’s comfort. In addition’ it’s important that the socks cover at least your kids’ ankle area to prevent the formation of blisters. You can access a selection of the best Mary Jane socks for children by going to the link below:
Best Kids’ Socks for Mary Jane Shoes – Stylish and Comfortable!
Have you found a specific Mary Jane shoe style that is not listed here and worked well for your child’s wide feet? I hope you share your findings as many families of children with wide feet will benefit from your experiences. Don’t forget to contact us if you have any questions or concerns: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
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