Best Shoes for Kids with High Insteps and Narrow Feet – Extra Depth and Narrower Heels!
Struggling to find the perfect pair of shoes for your child with a high instep and narrow feet? A high instep can make it tough for standard shoes to provide a comfortable fit. Plus, narrow feet need shoes with a snugger fit to prevent slipping and discomfort. Finding the right shoes for these specific foot shapes is essential to ensure both comfort and support. With many years of experience fitting several children with high insteps and narrow heels, I’ve gained in-depth knowledge of the best shoe brands and styles that work for these unique foot shapes.
The Challenges of Finding Shoes for High Insteps and Narrow Feet
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.
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
When selecting shoes for children with high insteps and narrow feet, certain features are crucial to ensure a comfortable and supportive fit.
1. Narrow Platforms and Narrow Heel Counters
2. Extra Depth and Oversized Openings
How to Identify Your Child’s Exact Shoe Size
One of the biggest challenges parents face is determining the correct shoe size for their child. This is crucial, especially when ordering shoes online. This is the reason why I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.
Shoes that don’t fit properly can lead to a host of issues down the line, including blisters, calluses, or more severe conditions such as foot deformities. 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
Having fitted countless pairs of shoes over the years, I’ve curated a list of my top picks for the best kids’ shoes that cater to high insteps and narrow feet.
1. Shoe Style Elliott by Stride Rite
Designed with a narrower fit in mind, these shoes offer ample support and cushioning. They are also suitable for kids who have high insteps as the shoes provide extra depth.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers
- You can order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon or Zappos
- Choose the medium width
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
2. Shoe Style Falcotto by Naturino
These double Velcro strap sneakers offer a narrow fit with extra depth to accommodate high insteps. These narrow shoes for kids are crafted with high-quality materials and focus on ensuring a comfortable fit.
Key Features
- Available for little kids
- Order the shoe style Falcotto by Naturino on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits narrow feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
3. Shoe Style Cohesion by Saucony
These shoes provide excellent cushioning and support, ensuring comfort during long periods of wear. The design includes a narrower platform, which helps keep the foot secure without being too tight.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos or Amazon
- Choose the medium width
- Also available with laces on Zappos and Amazon
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
4. Shoe Style GT-1000 by Asics with Velcro
The GT-1000 by Asics is a popular choice for kids with high insteps and narrow feet. The narrow heel counter helps prevent heel slippage.
Key Features
- Available for little kids
- Order the shoe style GT-1000 by Asics on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits narrow feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
5. Shoe Style GT-1000 by Asics with Laces
This is the same shoe as the one above but it is available with laces instead of Velcro closure.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids.
- Order the shoe style GT-1000 by Asics on Zappos or Amazon.
- Fits narrow feet.
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size.
6. Shoe Style Gel-Noosa by Asics
The Gel-Noosa by Asics is a popular choice as its known for its vibrant colors and appealing design. This shoe combines style with functionality as it features a narrow heel counter and a snug fit, making it ideal for kids with high insteps and narrow feet.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Gel-Noosa by Asics on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits narrow feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
7. Shoe Style Assert 10 by Under Armour
These Under Armour shoes are ideal for kids with high insteps and narrow feet as they provide narrow heel counters and narrow platforms.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Gel-Noosa by Asics on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits narrow feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
8. Shoe Style Contend by Asics
Asics Contend shoes are known for their durability and support. Designed for active kids, these shoes offer a snug fit with a narrow heel counter.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Contend by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
9. Shoe Style Cumulus by Asics
Asics’ Cumulus line is known for its comfort and support, making it a top choice for narrow feet and high insteps. These shoes offer a snug fit with a focus on cushioning, making them ideal for everyday wear.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Gel-Noosa by Asics on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits narrow feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
10. Shoe Style Gel-Excite by Asics
The Gel-Excite offers excellent shock absorption, which is beneficial for active kids who are always on the move. These shoes feature a narrow design and extra depth, making them suitable for children with slim feet and high insteps.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Gel-Excite by Asics on Amazon
- Fits narrow feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Recognizing the Signs of Narrow Feet and High Insteps
To identify if your child has high insteps or narrow feet, observe their feet when standing and walking. Look for signs of shoes fitting awkwardly, such as:
- Red marks or indentations on the top part of the foot
- Difficulty getting shoes on or off
- Excessive space on the sides of the shoes
Contact Me for Specific Shoe Recommendations
For personalized recommendations, feel free to contact me via email or through the comments section below. My experience as a passionate shoe fitter helping families ensures that I can provide tailored advice to meet your child’s specific needs. Finding the perfect fit may take time, but the benefits of investing in quality footwear are immeasurable, setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthy foot development.
