Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of cool shoes for extra wide feet.
Do you have a child with extra wide feet who always complains about not being able to wear “cool” or “fashionable” shoes? Do you feel like your child is limited to certain shoe brands and has very few shoe styles to choose from among those brands?
Children with extra wide feet are usually stuck with the same shoe season after season. They beg their parents to buy them a pair of Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour shoes but none of these shoe brands cater to children with extra wide feet. There are certain styles among these shoe brands that might fit a child with wide feet but they won’t fit a child with extra wide feet.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have been fitting children’s shoes for the last 10 years and I have seen the disappointment on their faces when they stare at a wall full of shoes and I only bring 2 or 3 styles out for them to try. I get it, I also wouldn’t want to be limited to the shoes I can wear.
I always try to take into account the child’s fashion sense, but I never compromise foot healthy by fitting a child in a pair of shoes that are too narrow.
Parents need to understand that not all children can wear all shoes. If you fit your child with extra wide feet in a pair of shoes that are too narrow your child might end up developing bunions, blisters, calluses, painful tendonitis and even inflammation of the growth centers of the bones. Proper fit is imperative!
I have helped several children who were experiencing foot and leg pain due to wearing shoes that were too narrow, so I never let a child walk out of the store wearing shoes that don’t fit.
If you don’t have a local shoe store to take your child to be properly fitted for shoes, you can take a look at a selection of “cool” and “stylish” sneakers that I have put together for children with extra wide feet. The shoes below can fit children with extra wide feet and high insteps as well. Just so you know the instep is the top part of the foot, and when it’s high it makes it a lot more complicated to find shoes that fit. Take a look at the image below for clarification purposes:
As you can see there is a lot of extra foot volume that needs to be fitted inside of the shoes.
The shoes I recommend below provide extra depth to accommodate children with extra wide feet and high insteps. In addition, the shoes open up nice and wide so your child can easily slide his/her foot inside of the shoes.
Children who have extra wide feet are usually limited to certain shoe brands such as New Balance and Stride Rite, since they manufacture shoes that are labeled as extra wide (XW). There is one additional shoe brand called Tsukihoshi that has certain styles capable of fitting children with extra wide feet.
Cool Shoes for Extra Wide Feet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tsukihoshi manufactures shoes in bright and fun colors and it has certain styles that are capable of fitting the shape of children with extra wide feet. Most parents don’t know much about this shoe brand but I can tell you that most of the styles are supportive, lightweight, flexible, and extremely breathable.
TSUKIHOSHI
These shoes don’t come labeled as extra wide (XW), but they all fit really wide and are capable of fitting children with extra wide feet and high insteps. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather/mesh upper
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather/mesh upper
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather/mesh upper
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Breathable mesh upper
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather/mesh upper
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Waterproof
- Velcro closure
- Machine washable
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Heel Stabilizer – Long heel counter provides stability
- Velcro closure
- Machine washable
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Generous toe box provides room for healthy foot development
- Adjustable hook-and-loop strap
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Waterproof
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s foot size (fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Wide toe boxes, cushioned arch support for growing feet, and long heel counter for added stability
- Non-marking EVA/TPR provides flexibility and shock-absorption
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
These shoes provide excellent comfort and children love them because of the round and wide toe boxes which allow natural splaying of toes for balanced landing and maximum comfort. Parents appreciate the deodorizing insole – infused with natural green tea extracts – that keeps the shoes smelling fresh. If the shoes start developing a smell you can safely throw them in the washing machine.
If your child is tired of wearing New Balance or Stride Rite shoes then I recommend that you give Tsukihoshi shoes a try!
NEW BALANCE
New Balance is my go-to shoe brand for children with extra wide feet, so when children see me walk out of the stockroom with those white and red shoe boxes they already know what’s coming to them. I understand that your child might be tired of having to wear New Balance shoes, but the selection I have put together has bright colors and they are the coolest styles among this brand.
Make sure that you choose the extra wide (XW) width when choosing your child’s shoe size.
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
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Suede/mesh upper
- Velcro closure
- EVA-cushioned midsole
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’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
- Lace-up closure
- Suede/mesh upper
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 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
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’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
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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 widths
- 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 and wide widths
- Suede and mesh uppers
- Padded tongue and collar offer a snug, comfy fit
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Dual-layered EVA midsole for cushioning
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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 and wide widths
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning
- TPU heel clip for stability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Suede/mesh upper
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Lace-Up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
STRIDE RITE
Stride Rite has a selection of “cool” shoes that are capable of fitting a child with extra wide feet, but the ones I recommend are available in little kid sizes only.
Make sure that you choose the extra wide (XW) width when choosing your child’s shoe size.
Babies and Toddlers Who Are Learning How to Walk
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Foam padding placed around the ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Double-strap Mary Jane with hook and loop closure and faux-buckle detail
- Soft memory foam footbeds and flexible, rounded soles for natural movement
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- v
Toddlers and Little Kids Who Are Already Walking
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Light-ups
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and hook and loop closure
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- Extra padding around the heels to prevent blisters
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
I wish there was a larger selection of cool shoes for children with extra wide feet, but unfortunately, there are very few shoe brands that cater to those needs. Some of the most popular and trendy shoe brands such as Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas don’t manufacture any shoes for kids with extra wide feet.
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes I indicate whether you need to order a half a size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
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
I have seen children develop blisters and calluses on their feet from wearing shoes that were too narrow.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If you will be ordering your kids’ shoes online you need to be 100% sure of your child’s foot size. If you are unsure of your child’s foot size please refer to the following article:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
What is the coolest pair of shoes that you found for your child’s extra wide feet? Share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.
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