Best Shoes for Kids with High Insteps and Narrow Feet – Extra Depth and Narrower Heels!
Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes for your child with a high instep and narrow feet? Do you feel like all of the shoes that you try are either too tight on the top part of your child’s feet or too wide around the ankles? I am going to show you a list of the best shoes for kids with high insteps and narrow feet based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
The Challenges of Finding Shoes for “Complicated” Foot Shapes
Finding a pair of shoes that provide extra depth to accommodate the shape of your child’s high instep and that can accommodate the shape of your child’s narrow feet at the same time can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience. You might find yourself trying several different shoes only to end up empty handed.
If you are unsure where the instep of your child’s foot is located, take a look at the image below for clarification purposes. As you can see there is a lot of extra foot volume that needs to be fitted inside the shoes:
Key Shoe Features for Kids with High Insteps and Narrow Feet
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of the child’s feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. The image below shows the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
2️⃣ Narrower Heels: This feature helps prevent your child’s heels from moving up and down the shoe. One of the most common reasons why children get blisters around the heels is when there is constant friction between the heels and the shoes.
3️⃣ Narrower Toe-Box: This feature allows the top part of the shoe to fit the shape of your child’s narrow feet. Too much extra space in the front of the shoes allows for too much foot movement which usually leads to blisters, calluses, and corns.
The image below shows the difference between a shoe with a narrow heel counter and a narrow toe-box versus a shoe with a round heel counter and a wider toe-box.
My Take on Kids’ with High Insteps and Narrow Heels
From my 10+ year experience fitting hundreds of kids’ with high insteps and narrow heels, I have become familiar with the best shoe brands and the best styles among those brands. The most common problem parents find when trying to find a pair of shoes for their kids with high insteps and narrow feet is that once they find a shoe that is deep enough to accommodate the child’s high instep, that same shoe style is too wide around the ankles, and vice versa.
How to Identify Your Child’s Exact Shoe Size
Most specialized children’s shoe stores have been closing down, and parents don’t know where they can have their children’s feet properly measured. Some parents take their children to be fitted for shoes at big retailers such as Nordstrom’s, Payless, or Stride Rite — most Stride Rite stores have closed down — The issue is that most salespeople who work at those stores are not properly trained on how to measure children’s feet.
This is the reason why I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot length and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
I want you to know that I only review children’s shoes that I have fitted before since that is the only way for me to tell how well-made and supportive they are, and how they fit. 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.
Best Shoes for Kids with High Insteps and Narrow Feet
Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)
- Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Amantea by Falcotto on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Padded collar and tongue for superior comfort
- Dual hook-and-loop strap for a snug fit
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Adam VI by Falcotto on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 39476 by Primigi on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Padded collars
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Falcotto Klip 2 by Naturino on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Padded collars
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Falcotto Adam VL by Falcotto on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Gazer by Falcotto on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lightweight and flexible
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort to child’s feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Order the shoe style GT-1000 by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style GT-1000 by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Contend 8 PS by Asics on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style GT-1000 11 PS by Asics on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Contend 8 by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Contend 8 by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Novablast 2 GS by Asics on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable insoles
- Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system
- Breathable
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style GEL-Noosa Tri 15 GS by New Balance on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Infused gel for extra cushion and support
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Gel-Noosa TRI by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style GEL-Cumulus 25 GS by Asics on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Contend 8 by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style JOLT 4 Grade by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL® Technology Cushioning System lessens the amount of shock during impact
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
You will notice how most of these shoes come with shoelaces instead of velcro closure since shoelaces provide these 3 advantages:
1️⃣ They open-up widely so you can easily insert your child’s feet inside the shoes.
2️⃣ They secure your child’s heels and eliminate any gaps around the ankles by pushing your kids’ heels against the back of the shoe.
3️⃣ They fit the shape of your child’s narrow feet better.
In addition to providing extra depth and providing a narrow toe-box and heel counter, these shoe styles provide good everyday support, are lightweight, flexible, durable, and breathable.
Apply This Amazing Shoe Lacing Technique!
If you choose any of the shoes that come with shoelaces, then there is a particular shoe tying technique that you can use to make sure your child’s heels are pushed back against the back of the shoes, which will eliminate any remaining gap around your child’s ankles. There is another article that describes this shoe tying technique in more detail.
My main goal is to help parents find the perfect pair of shoes for their children since shoes that don’t fit properly can cause several foot issues and lead to foot, knee, hip, and back pain.
Contact Me for Specific Shoe Recommendations
I have written several other articles for children with high insteps, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a pair of sandals, dress shoes, or boots for children with high insteps. It’s highly likely that I have fitted them before and I will help you find them. Please contact me directly through the comments section or via email and I will be able to provide you with a solution.
Have you tried any of the shoe styles that I recommend in this article? Is there any other shoe that has worked well for your child with a high instep and narrow feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
