Best Toddler Shoes for Extra Wide Feet and High Instep – Extra Deep Shoes with Rounder Toe-Boxes!

March 2, 2023 Extra Wide Shoes Juan Pablo Valenzuela 2 - Comments

Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes for your toddler with extra wide feet and high instep? Are you always struggling to get your toddler’s shoes on and off? Finding a pair of shoes for a toddler with extra wide feet and a high instep can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. The good news is that I know which are the best toddler shoes for extra wide feet and high instep from having fitted them before.

While most parents want to be able to choose from a broad selection of shoes, if your child has extra wide feet and a high instep, the selection of shoes to choose from is very limited.

What Is the Instep of the Foot?

Most parents are not aware of what the instep of the foot is. The instep is the top part of the foot, and when it’s high it makes it more challenging to find shoes that fit. Struggling to get your toddler’s shoes on and off and not being able to pull the velcro straps all the way are common signs of having a high instep. Below you can see an image of a toddler with a high instep:

This is an image of a toddler with a high instep. The instep is the total amount of foot volume that needs to be fitted inside the shoes.

Some parents want to fit their toddlers in the latest trendy or most popular shoe brands such as Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour. The fact is that toddlers with extra wide feet and high insteps are not able to fit into any of these 3 shoe brands.

My main concern is when I hear parents say that they were able to fit their toddler’s extra wide feet and high instep in a pair of Nike shoes. I soon come to realize that those parents bought the shoes two full sizes too big to accommodate the shape of their toddler’s extra wide feet. You need to stop doing this as you are compromising your toddler’s stability, making your child more prone to tripping and falling.

What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet and High Insteps?

Is always helpful to find shoes that are available in extra wide widths (WX). However, finding a shoe that is labeled as extra wide and trying it on hoping that it will be wide and deep enough for your toddler’s feet is simply not enough.

In addition to being labeled as extra wide, your toddler’s shoes must provide the following 2 key features:

1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the toddler’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, preventing the top part of their feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

Notice how the New Balance shoe on the right is a lot deeper compared to the Stride Rite shoe on the left. These shoes are the same length, but as you can, see they will fit very differently.

2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature helps prevent your toddler’s toes from overlapping one another or rubbing against the side of the shoes. Some shoes are labeled as extra wide, but they don’t come with rounder toe-boxes.

Notice how the New Balance shoe on the right has a rounder toe-box compared to the Nike shoe on the left. These shoes are the same length and width, but as you can see, they will fit very differently.

I am going to show you a selection of toddler shoes that provide all of these features, but you must make sure that you order the shoes in the correct size, otherwise your toddler won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.

Are You Sure of Your Toddler’s Exact Shoe Size?

If you usually order your toddler’s shoes online, you will need to know exactly what shoe size to order. I always recommend parents to take their toddlers to be fitted for shoes at their local children’s shoe store. The issue is that most of these stores have been closing down. Even before we were hit by the pandemic, most specialized children’s shoe stores were already closing down. This is a shame because most parents don’t have local shoe stores to take their children to be properly fitted for shoes.

I created a resource that helps parents accurately determine their child’s correct foot length and width, as well as instep height. My service is 100% free and all that you need is a measuring tape or a ruler and 2 pictures of your child’s feet. I have already helped hundreds of families figure out their child’s exact foot length and foot shape, and I will be happy to help you as well.

Remember that shoes that are too long might compromise your toddler’s stability and shoes that are too short might cramp your toddler’s toes together and lead to foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns. Shoes that are too narrow can also lead to ingrown toenails. We need to fir your toddler’s shoes just right!

Be Careful About Fitting Your Toddler in Narrow Shoes

You have no idea how many toddlers can develop blisters from wearing shoes that are too narrow. The most common place they get blisters is on their small toe (pinky toe):

Toddler with a blister on his small toe.

If the shoes are not deep enough you might notice indentations or red marks on the top part of your toddler’s feet (instep):

Red marks on the top part of a toddler’s feet.

I know how frustrating and time-consuming it can be to find a shoe for a toddler who has extra wide feet and a high instep. In an effort to make things a little easier for parents I have put together a selection of the best toddler shoes for extra wide feet and high instep.

Best Toddler Shoes for Extra Wide Feet and High Instep

All of the shoes I recommend are available in extra wide widths (XW), so make sure that you order your toddler’s foot width accordingly. 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 in medium, wide and 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 medium, wide, and 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
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • 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
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • 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
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide 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 whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Wind Shield a/C by Saucony on Amazon
  • Available in medium, wide, and 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
  • Available in medium, wide, and 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
  • Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • 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 medium, wide and 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 medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • 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 medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits 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
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • 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
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide 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 whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Kya by See Kai Run on Zappos
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
  • 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 medium, wide and 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
  • Available in medium, wide, and 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 medium, wide and 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

Contact Us – Get a Personalized Recommendation! 

These are the deepest toddler’s shoes with the roundest toe-boxes that I have fitted before. There are no other shoes that are deeper than the ones I just recommended. With that said, if there is another specific shoe style that you would like to try for your toddler feel free to reach out to me and I will let you know whether that shoe might be worth trying or not:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

One important factor that I wanted to add is how the type of socks that you provide for your toddler also plays a key role in keeping the feet healthy.

What Are the Best Socks for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet?

I always suggest parents look for seamless socks for their toddlers, especially when they have a toddler with wide or extra wide feet. Seamless socks prevent the toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another, and it allows toddlers to freely move their toes.

Did you know that babies and toddlers tend to move their toes as a way of exercising their feet? It’s important that you don’t constrict this movement through footwear that is too narrow or socks that cramp the toes.

We sell seamless socks at the shoe store that I work for, so I am familiar with which styles are better than others. Keep in mind that certain sock companies claim to sell seamless socks when in fact their socks are not 100% seamless.

Taking care of your toddler’s feet from an early stage will save you from many headaches down the road.

Additional Resources for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet

Over the years I have created several free resources for toddlers with extra wide feet and high insteps. Some of those resources describe the best dress shoes, sandals, and boots.

Remember that finding a shoe that is labeled as extra wide is simply not enough when trying to accommodate an extra wide foot with a high instep.

Let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions or if you found a specific shoe that worked well in accommodating your toddler’s extra wide feet and high instep. I am sure other families will find your feedback helpful.