Best Stride Rite Shoes for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet
Are you struggling to find shoes that comfortably fit your toddler’s extra wide feet? If a friend or family member recommended Stride Rite shoes, you’re on the right track—this trusted brand is a favorite among parents of toddlers with wide or extra wide feet. However, not all Stride Rite models are created equal—some provide a much better fit than others. As a professional shoe fitter with years of hands-on experience, I’ve helped hundreds of families find the perfect pair. In this guide, I’ll share the best Stride Rite shoes for toddlers with extra wide feet, featuring styles with round toe-boxes, extra depth, and wide openings to keep your toddler’s feet comfortable and healthy.
Is getting your toddler’s shoes on a daily battle? If you’re seeing red marks or deep indentations on the top of their feet, it’s a clear sign the shoes don’t fit properly.
The Convenience of Oversized Openings
One of the key features to look for in toddler shoes is oversized openings. This design makes putting on and taking off shoes much easier, reducing the hassle for both parents and children. It’s especially beneficial for toddlers who are learning to put on their shoes independently. These openings provide an excellent opportunity for children to practice and develop their motor skills.
Key Features of Extra Wide Stride Rite Shoes for Toddlers
Key Feature One: Extra Depth. Shoes with extra depth provide ample room for the foot to rest comfortably without being squished. This feature is particularly important for toddlers with extra wide feet and high insteps as it prevents unnecessary pressure on the foot, allowing for natural growth and movement.
Key Feature Two: Round Toe-Boxes. Round toe-boxes are essential for providing enough space for the toes to spread naturally. This design helps prevent common issues such as blisters and calluses, ensuring that your toddler’s feet remain healthy and comfortable. The toes are crucial for balance and coordination, and having adequate space allows them to function properly.
Key Feature Three: Extra Wide Widths Available. Stride Rite offers a variety of shoes with extra wide widths, catering specifically to toddlers with wider feet. This availability ensures that you can find a shoe that fits perfectly, supporting your child’s foot development during their crucial growth years. The brand’s commitment to offering various width options demonstrates an understanding of the diverse needs of growing children.
Are Your Toddler’s Feet Wide or Extra Wide?
Let’s clarify one common misconception about children’s shoes: There’s wide and then there’s extra wide, and Stride Rite offers both sizes! Several families assume that their children have wide feet when in fact they have extra wide feet. If your toddler has extra wide feet a pair of wide shoes might not cut it, you will need the extra wide width, which is not the same.
Determining the width of your toddler’s feet is crucial in selecting the right shoe. Use my virtual shoe fitting service to retrieve exactly what shoe size you should order online.
Best Extra Wide Stride Rite Shoes for Toddlers in 2025
Check the description below each recommended Stride Rite shoe to see its key features and the right size to allow for growing room. A few styles may only come in wide widths, but they offer an exceptionally roomy fit. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Wes and Soft Motion by Stride Rite
These Stride Rite extra wide toddler shoes are designed with extra wide widths, flexible soles, and a roomy round toe-box—perfect for toddlers with extra wide feet and high insteps.
Key Features
- Order the shoe Wes by Stride Rite on Zappos or the Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
2. Thompson by Stride Rite
These extra wide Stride Rite shoes are perfect for toddlers who need a wide toe box. The shoe features a flexible sole and a rounded toe design to support natural movement, making it a favorite among parents and podiatrists alike.
Key Features
- Order the shoe Thompson Sneaker on Amazon
- Available in wide widths
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
3. Shoe Style Artie and Adalyn by Stride Rite
The Stride Rite wide shoes provide excellent width options (wide and extra wide) and a comfortable fit. Their design includes flexible outsoles and cushioned insoles, which are essential for active toddlers.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Artie and Adalyn by Stride Rite on Amazon or Zappos
- Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
4. Shoe Style Elliott by Stride Rite
These extra wide Stride Rite booties offer excellent support and a comfortable fit, making them a top choice for toddlers with extra wide feet.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon or Zappos
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- I suggest getting this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
5. Shoe style Archie and Kiki by Stride Rite
These Stride Rite extra wide sandals are crafted to provide maximum comfort for wide feet. With their breathable materials and secure fit, they offer the support and flexibility needed for a growing child.
Key Features
- Order the shoe Archie and Kiki on Amazon or Zappos
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- Leather upper
- Foam padding placed around the ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
6. Shoe Style Martin by Stride Rite
The shoe features a wide toe box and plush cushioning, making it perfect for everyday wear. Parents often highlight the shoe’s ability to maintain its shape and support even after prolonged use, underscoring its durability.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Martin by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Not all Stride Rite shoes in extra wide widths made this list—some simply don’t fit as generously as the ones I recommend. While an extra wide size often works for toddlers with very wide feet, models lacking extra depth or a fully foldable tongue may still feel too tight.
Additional Features of These Stride Rite Shoes
Soft, Safe, and Supportive Materials
These Stride Rite shoes are crafted from soft, child-friendly materials and designed with flexible, rounded rubber outsoles that mimic the natural shape of a toddler’s foot.
Built-In Sensory Response Technology
Stride Rite’s Sensory Response Technology enhances proprioception—helping toddlers develop coordination and balance by improving how their joints and muscles communicate with the brain during movement.
Sizing Up Is Not the Solution! – Avoid Trips and Falls!
While sizing up might seem like an easy solution, you don’t want your toddler tripping over their feet. Many parents might think that sizing up will accommodate wider feet, but this is a misconception. Sizing up can lead to trips and falls as the shoe becomes too long, causing discomfort and potential injury. A shoe that is too long can also alter the natural gait of a child, leading to improper walking habits that are difficult to correct later. Instead, focus on finding shoes specifically designed for extra wide widths.
Do I Have to Buy Multiple Pairs of Shoes for My Toddler?
Not necessarily. By choosing shoes designed for extra wide feet, you can avoid the need for multiple pairs. These shoes provide the necessary support and comfort, reducing the need for frequent replacements. A well-fitting shoe can adapt to different activities, making it versatile enough for both indoor and outdoor play.
Bonus Resource: Extra Wide Shoes for Toddlers from Other Brands
While Stride Rite is a fantastic choice, there are other brands worth considering when searching for extra wide shoes for toddlers. Exploring multiple brands allows you to find the best fit and style for your child’s needs. Brands like New Balance, See Kai Run, and Ikiki, also offer a range of options designed to fit wider feet comfortably. These brands focus on creating shoes that support foot health and provide the necessary width for growing feet.
Personalized Shoe Recommendations
If you’re unsure about which shoes are best for your child, don’t hesitate to contact me via email for personalized shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape. With my expertise, I can guide you in choosing the right pair that meets your child’s needs. Personalized recommendations take into account more than just size; they consider your child’s activity level, foot shape, and any specific concerns you might have.
How Often Should You Resize Your Toddler’s Feet?
Did you know that poorly fitting shoes can lead to joint misalignment, restrict healthy foot development, and limit natural movement? Toddlers’ feet grow fast—sometimes seemingly overnight! Based on my experience, it’s best to measure your toddler’s feet every 3 to 3½ months to ensure the right fit. Regular check-ins help you stay ahead of growth spurts and keep those little feet comfortable and supported.
Do You Have a Good Fitting Children’s Shoe Store in Your Area?
If you’re unsure where to start, my guide of specialized children’s shoe stores by state can be a valuable resource. These stores often employ knowledgeable staff who can provide personalized shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s unique foot shape.
In-store fittings offer the advantage of trying on multiple pairs to find the best fit. Additionally, these stores may carry exclusive brands and styles not available in larger retail chains. I like to make the analogy that when a child needs glasses, most parents won’t buy them off the shelf instead of going to an optician.
Fit Should Always Remain Your Top Priority
My philosophy is to try to always find the best-fitting shoe possible. It doesn’t really matter all of the features that a shoe provides, if the shoes are not fitted properly, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.
Hi there, my daughter just got measured at a Fit Zone and came up as 7.4E for both of her feet (one foot is almost D/E and the other lower end E) but she was wearing a pair of socks when she did it. What size Stride Rite Mary Janes should I get? 8W? Thanks!
Hello Katherine,
So your daughter’s foot size is a size 7 extra wide. Mary Jane shoes tend to fit a little longer than sneakers, so I suggest a shoe size 7.5 extra wide. Some Stride Rite Mary Jane shoes are available in extra wide widths (X-Wide). If you can’t find the extra wide widths then probably get the size 8 wide but make sure it’s not too long.