Best Running Shoes for Kids with Extra Wide Feet — Available in Extra Wide Widths (XW)!

March 30, 2023 Extra Wide Shoes Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

Has your child started to show an interest in running but you can’t seem to find a single pair of actual running shoes that are wide enough for your child’s extra wide feet? Whether children are ready for their first 5K, to joining the track and field or cross-country team, their feet need the correct type of footwear to take them there. The best running shoes for kids with extra wide feet provide extra depth, rounded toe-boxes, and should be available in extra wide widths.

Be Careful About Fitting Your Child in Running Shoes that Are Too Narrow

Children can run safely at any age as long as they’re excited to do so and don’t experience pain while running. The issue is that children with extra wide feet always have a harder time finding running shoes that fit, and running in a pair of shoes that are too narrow will lead to discomfort and pain.

I have seen several children develop blisters on the back of their heels and small toes from running in shoes that were too narrow. Below you can find some images of the two most common places in which children develop blisters when running:

This can be discouraging for your child who might simply give up on running due to feeling uncomfortable.

Key Features of Extra Wide Running Shoes for Kids

1️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to help prevent your children’s toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another or the side of the running shoes. Let me show you the difference between one of the running shoes I recommend and a different style. These shoes are the same length and width, but as you can see they have very different toe-boxes.

shoes-with-round-toe-boxes-for-kids-with-flat-feet

2️⃣ Extra Depth: Some children in addition to having extra wide feet have a high instep. It’s important for your kids’ running shoes to provide extra depth to allow your child’s feet to sit deeply inside the shoes and prevent the top part of their feet from rubbing against the top part of the running shoes:

Best Running Shoe Brands for Kids with Extra Wide Feet

Both of the shoe brands below manufacture running shoes in extra wide widths (XW). They are my go-to running shoe brands for children with extra wide feet and high insteps:

➡️ New Balance

➡️ Saucony

Worst Running Shoe Brands for Kids with Extra Wide Feet

The 3 running shoe brands below are among the most popular shoe brands for children in terms of style. However, none of these 4 shoe brands offer their shoes in extra wide widths and they tend to only fit children with narrow or medium feet:

➡️ Under Armour

➡️ Nike

➡️ Adidas

➡️ Asics

How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online

I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource I will also help you determine whether your child has a high instep or not.

The instep is the top part of the foot and when it’s high, it makes it a lot more challenging to find shoes that fit. Below there is an image of a child with a high instep. As you can see there is a lot of extra foot volume that needs to be fitted inside the shoes.

Best Running Shoes for Kids with Extra Wide Feet – Supportive, Lightweight, and Comfortable

Make sure that you order these shoes in the wide or extra wide (XW) width. 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.

Little Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 3)

  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
  • Padded tongue and collar
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 860 V13 by New Balance on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 860 V13 by New Balance on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Lace-up closure
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style TR14 LTT  by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
  • Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
  • Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Cohesion TR14 LTT by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
  • Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
  • Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Big Kid Shoe Sizes (3.5 to 7)

  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Kinvara by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
  • Padded tongue and collar
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Kinvara by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Foam padding placed around your ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
  • Comfort sockliner molds to your foot with padding in the heel for ultimate cushioning at heel-strike
  • Engineered mesh for structure, stretch and enhanced breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Lace-up closure
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Ultra Heel design hugs the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
  • Firm heel counter
  • Supportive heel for active kids
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Lace-up closure
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Kinvara 14 by Saucony on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Lace-up closure
  • Lightweight mesh upper
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Arishi Fresh Foam by New Balance on Amazon
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • Lightweight mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
  • Cushioned footbed
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

The Importance of Lacing Your Kids Running Shoes Correctly

Shoes with laces help provide better support and stability than shoes with an alternative closure. I actually recommend using a specific shoe lacing technique that my coworker who has over 20 years of shoe fitting experience taught me. This shoe lacing technique can help prevent heel slippage as it secures the feet against the back of the shoes.

Is it Worth Investing in a Pair of Running Shoes?

First of all, I want to emphasize how more expensive running shoes don’t necessarily translate into better shoes for your child. Most running shoes I have fitted are reasonably priced and provide excellent comfort and support at the same time.

I understand how several families hesitate to buy running-specific shoes because the price is higher for a shoe that their child may quickly outgrow. I believe that investing in a pair of running shoes is a wise decision, for several reasons.

1️⃣ Running shoes provide significantly better support and comfort than your child’s everyday sneakers. That being said, the running shoes I recommend can be used for running as well as for everyday walking. Let me show you the difference in support between one of the running shoes I recommend and a different style:

supportive-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet

2️⃣ Running shoes provide targeted cushion to specific areas of the foot which helps prevent injuries that range from ankle rolls and shin splints, to blisters and general foot and leg pain. It’s important for your kids’ running shoes to provide targeted cushion around your child’s heels to prevent blisters around that area.

3️⃣ Running shoes also provide better traction which helps prevent children from slipping and falling.

Best Running Socks for Kids with Extra Wide Feet – Seamless and Breathable

I have fitted certain running socks that are breathable, seamless, and comfortable. These socks are going to reduce the friction between your kids’ feet and the shoes. Below you can find a selection of the best running socks for kids:

  • Order these socks made by New Balance on Amazon
  • 97% Polyester, 3% Spandex 
  • Extra cushion and padding provides shock absorbing protection in high impact areas
  •  Light compression to reduce foot fatigue
  • Zone mesh design coupled with a lightweight polyester blend increases ventilation to control moisture and keep feet cool and dry
  • Smooth toe seam
  • Machine washable 
  • Order these socks made by Adidas on Amazon
  • 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex 
  • Cushioned heel and toe for comfort
  • Reinforced heel and toe for durability
  • Mesh top of foot for breathability
  • Moisture-wicking yarn keeps feet dry from sweat 
  • Order these socks made by Adidas on Zappos
  • 93% Polyester, 3% Natural Latex Rubber, 2% Spandex, 2% Nylon
  • Cushioned heel and toe for comfort
  • Size callout added to bottom of foot
  • Moisture-wicking yarn keeps feet dry from sweat
  • Moisture-wicking yarn keeps feet dry from sweat 
  • Order these socks made by Balega on Amazon
  • Hand-linked seamless toe eliminates abrasion across the top of the foot 
  • Reinforced microfiber heel and toe
  • Soft plush cushioning for comfort and protection  
  • Heel tab helps prevent the sock from slipping into your running shoe 
  • Order these socks made by Adidas on Amazon
  • 98% Polyester, 2% Spandex 
  • Cushioned heel and toe for comfort
  • Reinforced heel and toe for durability
  • Mesh top of foot for breathability
  • Moisture-wicking yarn keeps feet dry from sweat
  • Order these socks made by Puma on Zappos
  • 98% Polyester, 2% Cotton
  • Soft cushioned comfort 
  • Reinforced heel and toe for durability
  • Mesh top of foot for breathability
  • Machine washable 

One of the best features of these socks is that they hug the child’s foot and keep the sock in place while running. These socks are going to allow your child to get the most out of their run as they help maximize comfort and performance.

How Can You Check If Your Kids’ Running Shoes Are Fitting Correctly?

One way you can check whether your kids’ running shoes are wide enough is by checking if your child’s small toe is being pressed against the side of the shoes. If you notice a small bump that is your child’s small toe being pressed against the side of the shoes from the shoes being too narrow.

Do You Need Specific Shoe Recommendations?

If you are unsure whether your kids’ running shoes are the correct size or if you need a different type of running shoe to fit your child’s extra wide feet, feel free to contact me directly via email:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com 

Have you found a specific running shoe that has worked well for your child’s extra wide feet? Let us know in the comments section below so other families can benefit from your findings.