Best Shoes for Toddlers with High Instep – The Top 6 Sneakers, Dress Shoes, Sandals, and Boots!
A high instep means that the middle part of your toddler’s foot is higher than usual, which can make standard shoes uncomfortable or even painful. Do you feel like you try several different shoes but they are all too difficult to get on and off, leaving red marks on the top of your toddler’s feet? The best shoes for toddlers with high instep are the ones that provide two key features: extra depth and oversized openings. The deeper the shoes are, the deeper your toddler’s feet will fit inside the shoes.
What is the Instep of the Foot?
The instep is the top middle portion of the foot (between the toes and the ankle). This can cause difficulties with shoe fitting as there is less space between the foot’s top and the shoe’s upper. I also like to describe the instep as the total amount of foot volume that needs to be fitted inside a shoe. Let’s take a look at an image of a toddler with a high instep:
Is Having a High Instep the Same as Having a High Arch?
The instep and the arch are unrelated. Having a high instep doesn’t mean that a child will automatically have a high arch. I have seen children with flat feet have high insteps. The image below may help you visualize where the instep and the arch are located:
How to Figure Out if Your Toddler Has a High Instep?
I can tell whether a child has a high instep or not simply by looking at their feet. Below I have listed some of the most common signs of a high instep to see if your toddler likely has a high instep:
- Having difficulty getting the shoes on and off.
- Noticing red marks on the top part (the instep) of your toddler’s feet. I would say that red marks on the instep of a child’s foot are the most common sign that the child has a high instep.
- Having a difficult time pulling straps to match the end of the velcro:
- Noticing your child is constantly removing his or her shoes:
What Shoes Are Good for Toddlers with High Instep?
By focusing on key features like extra depth, oversized openings, and deep toe boxes, you can find shoes that offer comfort for your little one.
1️⃣ Extra Depth: Let’s take a look at two shoes that are the same length and width but provide different levels of depth. Do you notice how the shoe on the right is a lot deeper than the shoe on the left? This greater depth is ideal for toddlers with high insteps.
2️⃣ Wider Opening: The shoes that I recommend have oversized openings that help prevent you from struggling every time it’s time to put your toddler’s shoes on and off.
3️⃣ Deep Toe Box: A deep toe box provides ample space for the toes, which is essential for toddlers with high insteps. This feature prevents pinching and allows for natural toe movement.
Top Shoe Recommendations for Toddlers with High Instep
Toddlers with a high instep often require shoes that provide more depth and flexibility to accommodate their unique foot shape. Here are some of the best shoe options available for toddlers with high insteps, combining comfort, support, and style. 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.
Boys
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Rave Run V2 Hook by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- 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 whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Wind Shield a/C by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper
- Alternative closure for easy on and off adjustability
- Lightweight EVA midsole for cushioning
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Girls
- Order the shoe style RaveRun by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Rave Run V2 Hook by New Balance on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 NEW-B by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic/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 Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- 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 whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Kya by See Kai Run on Zappos
- Leather and mesh upper
- Two adjustable hook-and-loop closures for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
The increasing scarcity of specialized children’s shoe stores (even before the pandemic) can make it difficult for families to know where to get their children’s feet properly fitted. For those families who don’t have a specialized or independent shoe store in their area, I created a virtual shoe fitting service that helps them retrieve their toddler’s shoe size from home.
Get in Touch for a Personalized Suggestion
You can reach out via email if you are unsure about which specific shoe might work best for your child’s high instep. I am happy to provide you with specific shoe recommendations tailored to your toddler’s unique foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide)
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
In the meantime, you should read a couple of additional resources that describe the best dress shoes, sandals, and winter boots for toddlers with high insteps.
Have you found a specific shoe style or brand that has worked well for your toddler’s high instep? Let us know in the comments section below so other families can benefit from your experiences.
Thank you!!!!! This is incredibly helpful!!! ??
Hello Laura,
I am happy to help!
Any recommendations for a very high instep with wide feet? We bought the New Balance shoes (wide width) and it took me 2 weeks to even get him to let me put them on because he hates shoes so much due to all our failed attempts to find him something especially in the midst of a pandemic. He is 18 months old. They worked great for the first couple months, but this week I noticed that he was pulling them off and when I looked they even left a red mark on top of his foot and he was only sitting in his car seat, not even walking. We live in an area with 0 kids shoe stores and everything is bought online and sadly it gets very hard. Thanks!
Hello Nicole,
What specific New Balance shoe style did you try? There are certain styles that are a lot wider and deeper than others. I also suggest trying the shoes in an extra wide width (XW) instead of a wide width(W).
If you send me your son’s exact shoe size I can provide you with specific shoe recommendations.
I will measure his foot length tonight for you as it has been a while and I want to get width too. Is there a way to measure instep also? I had bought him the New Balance Kid’s Airplane V1 hook and Loop Running Shoe in wide width as the Velcro closure fully opens allowing us to easily open it and loosely close it around the top of his foot. I did have him wear them for hours today at doctor appointments and did not note any readiness although towards the end of the appointments he seemed to be not walking as straight in them. Maybe it is a sizing issue at this point? I will write you tonight or tomorrow with his measurements. Appreciate all your help! We will be looking for spring/summer recommendations too soon. The boots we have we don’t love, but they are okay as he barely wears them anyhow – maybe 30-45 minutes once a week outside as it is too cold in Minnesota for him to really play outside much at 18 months old.
Hello Nicole,
The only way to tell if a child has a high instep or not is by looking at the feet. You can take a look at this resource as it explains how to figure out if a child has a high instep or not: How to Figure Out If Your Child Has a High Instep – Find Out with Just Two Images of Your Child’s Feet
Thank you so much for these recommendations. My 15 month old wore extra wide stride rite sandals this summer (called soft motion Elijah sneakers, but they have openings so more of a sandal.) When it came time for fall shoes, I tried extra wide stride rite sneakers but they still didn’t fit. I searched something like “toddler feet wide depth” and saw your post. I got him the new balance you recommended and they worked! Now he has them in two colors. I’m a little worried about finding winter boots because I think he needs the extra wide, but I may try the see Kai run pair you recommended. Please update this post if you find any more winter styles that would work for a high instep. Thanks again!
Hello Ana,
I am happy to hear that the shoes worked well for your son! I am constantly updating posts when a new shoe style is released that works well for a specific foot shape or foot condition.