Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on February 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of cute shoes for toddlers with wide feet.
Are you having a hard time finding a pair of cute shoes to accommodate the shape of your toddler’s wide feet? Do you feel like you are limited to the same specific shoe brands and styles over and over again? Finding a pair of cute shoes for toddlers with wide feet can sometimes be a challenging and time-consuming experience, but it doesn’t always have to be!
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for the last 10 years. We focus in helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot conditions, and we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes for toddlers with wide feet.
Most parents are not aware that the same way that there are wide and then there are extra wide feet, there are wide shoes (W) and then there are extra wide shoes (XW).
Common Mistakes that I See Parents Make!
- One common mistake that I see parents make is to assume that their toddlers have wide feet when in fact they have extra wide feet.
- Another common mistake that I see parents make is to assume that once they find a shoe that is labeled as wide (W) or extra wide (XW), that shoe will automatically fit the shape of their toddler’s wide feet. This is not always true, as I have fitted shoes in wide widths that fit wider than shoes in extra wide widths.
Some toddlers also have high insteps, which makes the whole process of finding a cute pair of shoes that fit a lot more challenging. Do you know what the instep of the foot is? The instep is the top part of the foot and when it’s high it makes it harder to find shoes that fit.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If you are unsure of your toddlers’ exact foot shape, I strongly suggest that you take a look at a different article I wrote where I help parents determine their children’s exact foot shape and length for free:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Examples of Toddlers with Wide Feet – Can You Relate?
These are just some examples of families who contact me asking for help to find shoes for their toddlers’ wide feet:
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet?
In addition to being labeled as wide (W) and extra wide (XW), the shoes I recommend provide 2 key features that most parents ignore:
✅ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to help prevent your toddler’s toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes:
✅ Extra Depth: This feature is going to prevent the top part of your toddler’s feet (instep), from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. This feature also makes it easier for parents to get their toddler’s shoes on and off.
Why Are Cute Shoes for Toddlers So Hard to Find?
Unfortunately, most shoe companies manufacture their shoes in standard widths (M) because it saves them money. To manufacture shoes in wide (W) and extra wide widths (XW) they require different setups on their machinery and different designs.
Fortunately, there are still a few shoe brands that understand that children’s feet come in all different shapes and sizes.
I have been working a lot behind the scenes to be able to provide parents of toddlers with wide or extra wide feet with fashionable shoe choices, and I will show you a list of these shoes shortly.
Stay Away from Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas Shoes!
My main concern is when I hear parents say that they were able to fit their toddler’s wide or extra wide feet in a pair of Nikes, Under Armour, or Adidas 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 wide feet.
Parents need to be careful about getting the shoes too big because they can compromise their’s toddler’s stability, making the child more prone to tripping and falling.
Just because you were able to slide a pair of shoes inside your toddler’s feet that doesn’t mean that the shoes are wide enough for their feet.
Parents of Toddlers with Wide Feet – I Understand Your Frustration!
Most families who come to the shoe store simply want to find a pair of shoes that is wide enough for their toddler’s feet.
These families just want to be able to find a shoe that is easy to get on and off without feeling that they are shoving the shoes on their toddler’s feet.
That being said, there are several families who want to be able to provide their toddlers with fashionable shoe choices (in particular if they have a girl). Girls want to be able to wear cute Mary Jane and sandals that are wide enough for their feet!
Let me show you a list of cute shoes I have put together that hopefully you will find fashionable enough for your toddler. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Cute Shoes for Toddlers with Wide Feet
Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out whether that specific style can accommodate wide or extra wide feet. All of the shoes below are capable of accommodating toddlers with high insteps.
Many of the shoes featured below come in several color options, so if you want the shoes to be made of a specific color, please make sure to click through and see if they are available in that specific color.
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lined with genuine leather and removable molded EVA
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Flexible and lightweight design allows for maximum mobility and promotes healthy foot development
- Roomy toe box allows the child’s feet to develop strength naturally
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Padded collar for comfort
- Cushioned insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Waterproof
- Velcro closure
- Machine washable
- Removable insoles
- Order this boot half a 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 a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Slip-on shoe
- EVA outsole with rubber pods
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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)
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% genuine leather upper
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Alternative closure with fixed lace for easy on/off and adjustability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- 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)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Side zipper closure for easy on and off
- Lightweight outsole for maximum flexibility
- Rounder toe-boxes to prevent your kids’ toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
What Shoe Size Should You 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?
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are looking for a different type of cute shoes for your toddler’s wide feet. I will be happy to help you find them:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Parents of toddlers with wide feet always have a hard time getting their toddler’s feet inside the shoes. The shoes I recommend open up widely which allows parents to slide the child’s feet inside the shoes without any issues.
How Often Do Toddlers Outgrow Their Shoes?
Toddlers usually outgrow their shoes pretty quickly so don’t be surprised if you have to replace your toddler’s shoes 3 ¼ to 4 months after you bought them (even if you left the correct amount of growing room).
Do not attempt to leave extra growing room with the hope that your toddler will be able to wear the shoes longer. Bigger shoes can compromise your toddler’s stability and make your toddler’s feet more prone to developing foot issues.
Socks for Toddlers with Wide Feet
I usually recommend seamless socks for toddlers with wide feet as they don’t constrict toe movement and prevent the toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another.
Your toddler’s socks should also be breathable. If you want to find out about the best socks for toddlers with wide feet, I suggest that you take a look at a different article I wrote called:
The Best Seamless Socks for Toddlers – Breathable, Comfortable, and Durable!
Let me know in the comment section below if you have found a specific shoe brand or shoe style that has worked well for your toddler’s wide feet. I am sure other families will find your feedback helpful.
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