Are you having a hard time finding shoes for your child’s extra wide feet? Do you feel like you try a whole bunch of different shoe styles on your child’s feet but they all end up being too narrow? I have put together a selection of the best children extra wide shoes based on my 10 years of shoe-fitting experience.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now that focuses on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes (such as extra wide feet) as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes for children with extra wide feet.
Are Children’s Shoes Available in Extra Wide Widths?
Yes, there is actually a large selection of children’s shoes available in extra wide widths (X-Wide). However, one of the most common mistakes that parents make is to assume that by getting their children a shoe style that is labeled as extra wide (X-Wide), that shoe style will automatically fit the shape of their child’s extra wide feet.
I have helped several children with extra wide feet find the perfect pair of shoes for their feet. Let me show you some examples of children with extra wide feet:
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Kids with Extra Wide Feet?
In addition to being labeled as extra wide, there are other 3 key features that the shoes I recommend provide to fit the shape of your child’s feet.
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of the feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Shoes that provide extra depth also prevent children from getting blisters on their toes, by preventing the top part of their toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth and one that doesn’t:
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: Shoes with round toe-boxes help prevent your child’s toes from rubbing against the side of the shoes or overlapping one another. Let me show you the difference between a pair of shoes that provides a rounder toe-box versus one that doesn’t:
3️⃣ Oversized Openings for Easy On and Off: This feature makes it easier for parents and children to get their sneakers on and off. Children with extra wide feet have a hard time slipping into shoes that don’t easily open. You will notice that the shoes I recommend open up widely as shown in the image below:
How are you going to find these shoes if shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep” or with “rounder toe-boxes”? I will help you find them!
What Are the Best Shoe Brands for Children with Extra Wide Feet?
Some of the most popular shoe brands that manufacture shoes for children with extra wide feet are New Balance, Saucony, See Kai Run, and Stride Rite. However, I have found that New Balance shoes tend to fit much wider than Saucony or Stride Rite shoes.
Before I show you a selection of the best children’s extra wide shoes, I want to make sure that you know your child’s exact foot size. If you don’t know your child’s foot size, you won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Get it Right!
I always recommend parents take their children to their local children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most stores have been closing down. I created a resource that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where to Go for Proper Fittings
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online – In 2 Simple Steps!
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
If your children have extra wide feet and they are not wearing shoes that are too narrow for their feet, this will lead to blisters, calluses, corns, and ingrown toenails, among other foot problems.
I only write reviews of shoes that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best children extra wide shoes. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Children Extra Wide Shoes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out what features each model provides and the size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- 100% Suede
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
*A half a size bigger translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
*A whole size bigger translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
If none of these shoes are available in your child’s shoe size or if you need the shoes to be made of a specific color don’t hesitate to email me at:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
How to Make Sure Your Kids’ Shoes Are Not Too Narrow?
Once the shoes arrive and you try them on your child’s feet, I want you to check if you notice a small bump on the side of the shoes. Take a look at the image below which shows a child wearing a pair of shoes that are too narrow. That bump that you notice on the side of the shoe is the small toe being pressed against the side of the shoe by the other toes.
Did you know that socks play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet healthy? They act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, preventing the buildup of bacteria and the formation of blisters.
The Best Socks for Kids with Extra Wide Feet
Socks for children with extra wide feet do exist, and they will allow your kids’ toes to freely move inside the shoes, and prevent your kids’ toes from rubbing against one another. Socks that are too tight can make your child’s toes rub against one another, and this constant friction can lead to blisters and corns.
The type of socks that I recommend for children are seamless socks. These types of socks are also great for children who feel every bump and lump, since they are also made from high-quality and soft materials. Below you can find a selection of the best socks for children with extra wide feet:
- Made with premium bamboo (naturally moisture wicking)
- Seamless
- Machine wash
- Made with premium bamboo (naturally moisture wicking)
- Seamless
- Machine wash
- 80% Rayon from Bamboo, 10% Polyester, 5% Nylon, 5% Spandex
- Cushioned sole to keep your child’s feet comfortable
- Machine wash
- Made with premium bamboo (naturally moisture wicking)
- Soft and durable
- Premium breathable,super soft and comfortable fabric
- Medium thickness suitable for all seasons
- Machine wash
- Bamboo socks are naturally moisture wicking so that your child’s feet stay dry
- Cushioned sole to keep your child’s feet comfortable
- Machine wash
Avoid Buying Your Kids’ Shoes at Target, Footlocker, or Payless!
Unfortunately, most parents don’t know that their children have wide or extra wide feet. This might be because they buy shoes at the store without their children being physically there, estimating the shoe size the child might need. If you go to a shopping mall and pay close attention to the stores that sell shoes, I can guarantee you that you won’t find shoes that come in different widths.
Those stores are filled with brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour, which are great shoe brands but they don’t manufacture shoes in all different widths. Their focus is on more stylish shoes rather than functional shoes.
I noticed how Footlocker carries New Balance shoes but they don’t offer them in different widths. This came up as a surprise to me since one of the reasons why New Balance shoes are so popular is because they manufacture shoes that can accommodate children with wide and extra wide feet.
Best Resources for Children with Extra Wide Feet
I am going to leave you with some of my most popular articles that describe the best shoes for children with extra wide feet:
Extra Wide Children Dress Shoes – Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy!
Sandals for Extra Wide Feet – The Best Summer Sandal for Kids with Extra Wide Feet!
Extra Wide Boots for Kids – Finding an Extra Wide Boots that Fits!
Finding extra wide shoes for children that are extra deep and come with rounder toe-boxes can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience if you don’t know what shoe styles to look for. I made things easier for you and showed you the best children’s extra wide shoes.
Do You Have Extra Wide Feet and Have a Hard Time Finding Shoes that Fit?
Are you looking for a pair of extra wide shoes for yourself? I suggest that you take a look at the resource below:
Extra Wide Tennis Shoes for Women – The Best Shoes to Fit your Extra Wide Feet!
Is there another shoe brand or shoe style that you can recommend for a child with extra wide feet? Please share your experiences below so other parents can benefit from them!
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Hi Juan,
I signed up to your email list. I come from a part of the world where parents don’t even know that shoes come in extra wide widths. They don’t pay too much attention to the shoes the child wears, until something is wrong with their feet.
I love the information about getting the right size of kids socks that allow easy movement of the toes. I will also get the right size of shoes to prevent ingrowing toe nails. I don’t have a kids’ shoe store where I live but I ordered shoes for my kids’ based on your recommendation!
Thanks again. I will follow up with you to tell you how they worked out!
Please let me know how the shoes work out, and if you have any particular question feel free to email me. Extra wide shoes are hard to find everywhere, since shoe manufactures are making less and less of them. It is important for the shoes to be wide enough in order to prevent foot problems!
This is a great read. I’ve always believed (and in many ways, still do) that corns and blisters are cause more by kids that wear shoes that no longer fit them.
That said, there is definitely a market for extra wide shoes, especially among females. From reading the reviews on the shoes you posted, those are some great options. If I hear someone complaining about their corns, I will definitely refer them to your site!
Where can I find wide and extra wide shoes for kids’?
Oliver,
Corns and blisters area caused from wearing the wrong shoe size.I wrote a post where I describe the best kids’ shoes that come in wide and extra wide. You can find them here: Children Extra Wide Shoes – Prevent Blisters, Calluses, And Corns!
I greatly appreciate the information I learned from you article. I did not realize that different shoe companies ran wider than others. I will be getting my son New Balance shoes now that I know they are larger in width than other shoes. My son has the widest feet and always complain about his shoes feeling too tight! Thank you for this info!
No problem! Your child probably needs an extra wide width shoe for his feet. In this post you can find the best children’s shoes for kids’: The Best Kids Sneakers – Learn About The Best Shoes For Children Ages 3 Through 10
My son will not wear anything but wide shoes. He doesn’t really have extra wide feet, he just likes the “feel” of them a lot more. Says they are much more comfortable. That being said, it sometimes can be challenging finding shoes he likes that come in wide. Or shoes that just aren’t so narrow. I will say that New Balance is one brand that does carry wide shoes. Sometimes he wants a different brand, but you will find they have them.
Besides New Balance, Saucony is another brand that makes wide and extra wide kids’ sneakers. I wrote a post where I describe the best shoe brands for children. The post is called: The Best Shoe Brands For Kids- The 5 Most Durable And Affordable Brands
New Balance is my number one choice, but Saucony is also one of the most popular shoe brands for children. They make wide and extra wide shoes so your child will love the roomy fit.
This is really great information so thank you for sharing! As someone who has a kid with extra wide feet and always used to buy longer shoes because I couldn’t find them wide enough, I am so HAPPY I cme across your website.
It’s great that so many shoe companies are now making wide fitting shoes for children. I was scared of the short and long term consequences of a child wearing shoes that are too narrow is too great not to provide him with the correct shoe width.
I ordered him two pair of sneakers from your website and he loves them! He even said that they are the most comfortable shoes that he has ever worn!
I am also glad that your child is wearing the correct pair of shoes now. It will make a huge difference when he runs, plays and walks! AND it will prevent several types of foot issues! Also, they make wide soccer cleats and wide baseball cleats for when your child starts playing sports.
I have a three year old son with extra wide flat feet as well as sensory issues. I’ve had shoes fit for him expertly at a local shoe store known for fitting shoes. my son refuses to wear them as his sensory issues make it feel too tight for him.he walks around with Crocs all day which i cant imagine being good for his feet. Help! What do I do?
Hello Rebecca,
You can´t have your child walk around in Crocs all day. They offer no support or stability (an accident waiting to happen).Did you take a look at my post about kids with sensory issues? In that post I describe a particular shoe style that comes in extra wide and it´s very deep (meaning your kids´foot won´t rub against the shoe). You can find that post here: Shoes For Kids With Sensory Issues – Let´s Find Some Magical Shoes
And don´t forget about his socks, since they play a key role in the way the shoes feel. Here I explain that in more detail:Socks For Wide Feet – The Best Wide Socks For Kids
Please let me know if you have any other questions! I hope everything works out!
Hi,
I’m so glad that I came across your website. I have been struggling to find any shoe that will fit my 1.5 year old’s foot. The issue is the thickness of his actual foot from the bottom of his foot to the top. It is so thick that shoes either don’t go on, or I get his foot in and then can’t velcro anything shut because his foot is too chubby. I’ll try New Balance next, but I’m not sure if that will be any better.
Hello Karley,
I believe your son has a high instep. This means that you don’t only need wider shoes, you also need deeper shoes. The deeper the shoes the better, since his foot will sit more comfortably inside the shoe.
Have you been trying shoes in wide or extra wide widths?
Definitely try New Balance, it will make a huge difference. The shoes I describe all come in extra wide and are also the deepest styles.
I hope this helps!
Hello,
My nephew is 2 and has a very wide AND tall foot. By the time a pair of shoes fits the width of his foot, his foot still seems to tall but the length (toe to heel) of the shoe is too long. Based on the length, his foot was determined to be between a size 5 and size 6 (toddler). However, the width of height of his feet have not fit correctly into any of the size 6 shoes that we have tried. We are hoping to find a pair of shoes that will fit him correctly.
Hello Heather,
By “tall foot” I assume that you mean your nephew has a high instep. I think you are having the issue of the shoes being too long because you are compensating the width with the length. Did you try any of the shoe styles in an extra wide width before?
Try any of these two shoe styles below (they come in wide and extra wide widths and they are very deep to accommodate your nephew’s high instep).
New Balance Deep and Wide Shoe – Option 1
Saucony Deep and Wide Shoe – Option 2
Saucony Deep and Wide Shoe – Option 3
I hope this helps!
I am trying to find a boat-style shoe for my daughter who wears size 3 extra wide in New Balance (she is really between a 2.5 and 3). Any suggestions?
Hello Pat,
I am not 100% sure it will work for your daughter’s feet because there are other factors such as how high her instep is. Below you can find the widest boat-style shoe available:
Boat Shoe for Wide Feet
I would recommend you get her the shoe size 3 W
I hope this helps!
We were originally using striderite extra wide but starting when he needed a size 10 they weren’t wide enough. We now use new balance in wides and he is happy he has more than 3 choices of colors/style. Any recommendations on snow boots? If he wants to play in snow we have to wrap grocery bags around his feet with duct tape. They keep him dry but are slick and now that he’s 3 he wants snow boots like every one else.
Hello Jessica,
New Balance shoes are great for children with extra wide feet! When it comes to snow boots, there is a particular style from Kamik that actually comes in wide widths and will fit a child with extra wide feet.
Snow Boots for Kids with Extra Wide Feet: Option 1
If that style doesn’t work, there is another style made by Bogs that might also fit your child with extra wide feet:
Snow Boots for Kids with Extra Wide Feet: Option 2
I hope this helps!
Hola. ¿Cómo estás? Soy Alberto del Departamento de Prensa. Muchas gracias por atenderme.
He pensado que podría interesarte cómo podemos hacer que tu empresa aparezca en más de 50 periódicos digitales como noticia (No será un anuncio) por una única cuota al mes sin permanencia. Las noticias no se borrarán
Periódicos de gran autoridad mencionarán la web de tu empresa para lograr una mejor reputación y posicionamiento web.
Este servicio incluye tanto la redacción de la noticia como el análisis de las palabras clave.
Si pudieras proporcionarme un teléfono, me encantaría programar una llamada para hablar contigo, resolver cualquier duda sin compromiso y explicar cómo puedes disfrutar del *mes gratuito* sin permanencia.
¡Muchas gracias!
Hola Alberto,
Para este tipo de consultas le sugiero que mande un email: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Gracias y saludos.
Buenas tardes, encantado de saludarte. Soy Jose
Quería escribirte porque me ha parecido interesante comentar contigo la posibilidad de que tu negocio aparezca cada mes en periódicos digitales como noticia para posicionar en los primeros lugares de internet, es decir, con artículos reales dentro del periódico que no se marcan como publicidad y que no se borran.
La noticia es publicada por más de cuarenta periódicos de gran autoridad para mejorar el posicionamiento de tu web y la reputación.
¿Podrías facilitarme un teléfono para ofrecerte un mes gratuito?
Gracias
Buenas Tardes Jose,
Para esta clase de comentarios por favor comuníquese a este email: customerservice@fittingchildrenshoes.com
Dear Juan,
Thank you so much for the assistance you provided in sizing my granddaughters shoe size. There are not stores here in my area of Washington state that we can take her to get a precise measurement. The information you sent was right on. We ordered her one of the pairs you recommended and she is on cloud 9 to finally have a shoe she can put on out of the box and go running away. I am sure that I will begin saving money as I have brought so many pairs of shoes that didn’t fit and ended up donating them to local clothing banks. We will be getting her out of her Crocs which have been the only shoes we have found to fit her “fat feet”. Nothing wrong with the Crocs, just nice to have another choice.
Hello Cheryl,
I am happy to help and to hear that the shoes worked well for your granddaughter.