Best Toddler Sandals for High Instep and Wide Feet – Must-Have Feature: Extra Depth

Are you having the hardest time finding a pair of deep and wide sandals to fit the shape of your toddler’s “complicated” foot shape? Have you noticed red marks on the top part of your toddler’s feet when you take the sandals off? If you find yourself checking out a bunch of different children’s stores and ordering multiple shoes online before finding one that fits, seems comfortable, and is good quality, you came to the right place. I have been fitting children’s shoes for many years and I know exactly which sandals will work best for a toddler with wide feet and high insteps.

How Does a High Instep Look Like?

Let’s start by clarifying what the instep is. The instep is the top part of the foot, and when it’s high, it makes it really hard to find shoes that fit. Seasonal footwear such as sandals are even harder to find.

Most of the time having a high instep is a bigger problem than having wide feet. Below there is a picture that will help you visualize where the instep of the foot is located. When toddlers have high insteps, there is a lot of extra foot volume that we need to fit inside the shoes:

I always recommend parents look for sandals that provide extra depth, as this allows the foot to fit deeply inside the sandals and prevents the top part of the foot from rubbing against the top part of the sandals.

What Makes the Sandals I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet and High Insteps?

1️⃣ Extra Depth

Let me show you the difference between a sandal that provides extra depth versus one that is too shallow. Both of these sandals are the same length and width, but they fit very differently. The sandal on the right is going to be capable of accommodating a toddler with a high instep, and that is one of the sandals I recommend below.

2️⃣ Rounded Toe-Boxes

Do you notice how the sandal on the right has a rounder toe-box compared to the sandal on the left?

3️⃣ Oversized Openings

This feature will allow parents to easily slide their child’s feet inside the sandals:

In addition to accommodating the shape of your toddler’s wide feet and high instep, the sandals that I recommend are supportive, lightweight, flexible, and durable.

Do You Have a Specialized Children’s Shoe Store in Your Area?

Let’s start by checking if you don’t have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in your area. If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to find a store in your area, then proceed to take a look at a free virtual fitting service I wrote where I describe the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your toddler’s exact foot size from home.

Now that you know your toddler’s exact foot size, let’s take a look at the best toddler sandals for high instep and wide feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.

Best Toddler Sandals for High Instep and Wide Feet – Extra Deep and Oversized Openings

Boys

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• Order the sandal style Psyclone XLT1 by Teva on Zappos

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports

• Rubber outsole for great traction

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Cyrus IV by See Kai Run on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• Generous toe box and EVA molded footbed promotes healthy foot development 

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support

• Machine washable

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Bare Steps H20 by Merrell on Zappos

• Available in medium and wide widths

• 100% Leather 

• 2 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off

• Outsole with rounded edges to follow the natural shape of a child’s foot 

• Flexible grooves on the outsole for a barefoot feel 

• Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Jude IV by See Kai Run on Zappos

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• High heel design provides better support and helps with lateral movements

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Cyrus IV by See Kai Run on Zappos

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability 

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style SRT Archie Sandal by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Fisherman sandals with hook and loop closure

• Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and hook and loop closure

• Slip-resistant traction with sensory pod technology to help feel the ground underneath

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Girls

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• Order the sandal style Hurricane XLT 2 by Teva on Zappos

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports

• Rubber outsole for great traction

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Cyrus IV by See Kai Run on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all-day comfort

• Dual hook-and-loop straps at back and instep allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability 

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)

• This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support

• Machine washable

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Summer Time by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• 100% leather

• Padded heel collar for comfort

• Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort 

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Whitney by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Lightly padded insole

• Waterproof leather and corrosion-resistant buckles make the shoes ideal for use in warm weather conditions

• Hook-and-loop with adjustable buckle closures for a secure fit

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Bare Steps Sandal by Merrell on Zappos

• Available in medium and wide widths

• 100% Leather 

• 2 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off

• Outsole with rounded edges to follow the natural shape of a child’s foot 

• Flexible grooves on the outsole for a barefoot feel 

• I suggest that you get this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the sandal style Billie FlexiRun Water by See Kai Run on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• FlexiRun EVA foam outsole is ultra-lightweight and flexible with durable traction pattern for outdoor wear 

• Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability 

• Water-friendly and machine washable 

• I suggest that you get this sandal a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

How to Figure Out What Sandal Size to Order? – Round Up!

Keep in mind that most sandals are not available in half sizes, so if your toddler happens to be “in between sizes” please order the larger size to allow for growing room. For example, let’s take a look at the following scenarios to help you figure out what sandal size your toddler needs:

• If your toddler measures a foot size 6, then you should order the sandal in a size 7.

• If your toddler measures a foot size 6 1/2, then you should order the sandal in a size 7 as well.

Two Common Signs that Your Toddler’s Sandals Don’t Fit

I want you to pay close attention and check if your toddler’s pinky toe (small toe) is being pressed against the side of the sandals. This can lead to your toddler developing a blister which might turn into a corn, which is really hard to get rid of. This is a sign that your toddler’s sandals are too narrow.

I also want you to pay close attention and notice whether you see imprints on the top of your toddler’s feet when you take the sandals off. Please take a look at the image below for clarification purposes. This is a sign that your toddler’s sandals are not deep enough.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

Please feel free to send me pictures of your child’s feet if you are unsure of whether the sandals or shoes are fitting correctly. I will be able to let you know in less than 24 hours: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

Also do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a different pair of shoes to fit the shape of your toddler’s high instep and wide feet, as it’s highly likely that I have fitted them before, and I will help you find them.

What Are the Best Sneakers for Toddlers with High Insteps?

Here is a different resource that describes the best everyday sneakers for toddlers with high insteps.

Have you found a specific sandal that worked well for your toddler’s high instep and wide feet? Please share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.