Best Narrow Shoes for Kids in 2024 – Sneakers, Sandals, Boots, and Dress Shoes!
Has your local children’s shoe store closed down and you don’t have a good place to take your child to be fitted for shoes? Have you noticed that all of the shoes that you try on your child’s feet look too big and there are gaps around the ankle area? Finding the correct types of shoes for a child who has narrow feet can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially if you don’t know what shoe brands and shoe styles are narrower than others. The good news is that I will show you a list of the best narrow shoes for kids in 2024 based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.
If you are in a rush you can go directly to the selection of the best narrow shoes for kids in 2024.
My Take on Fitting Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet
I have worked for the same children’s shoe store for over 10 years, and we specialize in helping children with complicated foot shapes (narrow, extra wide, high instep), as well as foot conditions such as (flat feet, rolled ankles, low muscle tone).
Children with narrow feet are the hardest to fit. It takes a great deal of time and patience as I have to try several different shoe styles until I find the perfect one. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoe brands and shoe styles for kids with narrow feet.
What Are My Favorite Shoe Brands for Kids with Narrow Feet?
My go-to shoe brands for children with narrow feet are:
- Naturino
- Asics
- Saucony
Keep in mind that among these shoe brands, certain styles fit a lot narrower than others. What I mean by this is that not all Asics, Naturino, and Saucony shoes are effective for children with narrow feet, just certain styles.
Why Is It So Hard to Find Shoes for Children with Narrow Feet?
Quite simply because there isn’t enough demand for it. I believe that there are a lot of children out there with narrow feet, but most parents are not aware that their kids have narrow feet.
The cost of mass-produced shoes is kept low by producing only the most common styles (medium width). The fewer variations there are, the less the cost is for shoe companies. So, for kids with narrow feet like yours, it gets harder to find shoes that fit.
What Makes the Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Kids with Narrow Feet?
There are 2 features that the shoes I recommend provide that make them the best choice for children with narrow feet:
1️⃣ Narrow Toe-Boxes: The toe-box is the front part of the shoes and a shoe with a round toe-box will allow for too much foot movement inside of the shoes. Having too much extra room inside of the shoes can create constant friction between your child’s feet and the shoes, which can lead to blisters, corns, and ingrown toenails.
Let me show you the difference between two shoes that are the same size in length and width but have very different toe-boxes. Do you notice how the shoe on the right (Naturino) has a narrower toe-box compared to the shoe on the left (New Balance)? I will provide you with a link to that specific shoe shortly.
2️⃣ Narrow Heel Counters: Do you know where the heel counter is located? The heel counter is the back part of the shoes that helps prevent heel slippage.
Let me show you the difference between two shoes that are the same size in length and width but have very different heel counters. Do you notice how the shoe on the right(Asics) has a narrower heel counter compared to the shoe on the left (New Balance)? I will also provide you with a link to this specific shoe shortly.
Where Can You Find Shoes that Provide These 2 Important Features?
You can visit your local shoe store or buy them online. If you prefer to shop online you must be 100% sure of your child’s foot length and shape. Keep in mind that your child’s foot shape and size might change quickly, so it’s important that you measure your child’s feet regularly. Depending on your child’s age you can expect to replace shoes every 4 to 5 months.
Read This Before Buying Your Kids’ Shoes Online
To prevent you from wasting time and money by having to return the shoes back and forth it’s important that you know your child’s exact foot length and shape. Your child’s foot shape won’t translate to your child’s actual shoe size (as shoes can fit true to size, short, or long), but I will tell you how each shoe style fits so you can adjust the final shoe size that you order.
If you need to retrieve your child’s exact foot size (length and shape) to order the correct shoe size online take a look at the resource on this.
Now that you know what 2 features your kids’ shoes must provide and how to figure out your child’s exact foot length and shape, let’s take a look at a selection of the best narrow shoes for kids in 2024.
Best Narrow Shoes for Kids in 2024
All of the shoes that I recommend on the links below provide the 2 important features that I mentioned before, and they are also supportive, lightweight, flexible, and affordable.
Sneakers
Best Sneakers for Toddlers with Narrow Feet
Best Sneakers for Little/Big Kids with Narrow Feet
Sandals
Best Sandals for Toddlers with Narrow Feet
Best Sandals for Little/Big Kids with Narrow Feet
Boots
Best Boots for Toddlers with Narrow Feet
Best Boots for Little/Big Kids with Narrow Feet
Dress Shoes
Best Dress Shoes for Toddlers with Narrow Feet
Best Dress Shoes for Little/Big Kids with Narrow Feet
Are Shoelaces Better than Velcro Closure?
When it comes to fitting the shape of a child with narrow feet, shoes with shoelaces are a lot more effective than shoes with velcro closure. The shoelaces are capable of “hugging” the child’s feet a lot more effectively.
If you decide to provide your child with a pair of shoes with shoelaces I strongly suggest that you apply the shoe lacing technique below.
How to Tie Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet
1️⃣ Start with leaving the two eyelets (shoe holes) of the shoe open as shown in the image below:
2️⃣ Go through the top hole first:
3️⃣ Go through the holes you left open:
This specific shoe lacing technique will secure your child’s feet and prevent heel slippage by securing your child’s heels against the back of the shoes.
How to Check If Your Kids’ Shoes Are Fitting Correctly
Once you receive the shoes, make sure that you have your child test them out inside the house, that way you can return them in case they don’t fit.
1️⃣ With your child’s shoes on, check if there is too much extra space (extra material) in the front part of the shoes. Do you notice how in the picture below there is a lot of extra space in the front of the shoes? This means that the shoes are too wide for your child’s feet:
2️⃣ You can also check if the shoes that your child is wearing are too wide by checking if there is too much extra space around the ankles. Do you notice in the picture below how there is too much extra space around the ankles? I can fit two of my fingers around that area:
Are Your Kids’ Feet Always Going to Stay Narrow?
Children’s feet grow and change shape very quickly. Whether your children’s feet will remain narrow really depends on each child, but it is possible that your child’s feet change from being narrow to a regular width. In most cases, children’s feet remain narrow into adulthood.
Are You Having a Hard Time Finding a Specific Pair of Shoes for Your Child’s Narrow Feet?
Let me know in the comments section below or through email if you need help finding a pair of specific shoes for your child’s narrow feet.
Final Remarks and Recommendations
Finding a pair of shoes for a child who has narrow feet can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. I have noticed throughout the years that some boys with narrow feet have some anxieties when it comes to their feet. It’s important to emphasize that all feet are different and the most important thing is to find shoes that are comfortable to wear.
If you happen to try any of the shoes that I recommend in the correct size and they still seem too wide for your child’s feet, I suggest that you try a pair of tongue pads. The tongue pad will help secure your child’s feet against the back of the shoes, eliminating any remaining gaps.
