Many parents of toddlers with extra wide feet have the hardest time finding dress shoes that are wide enough for their feet. Most dress shoes are hard to put on and take off their toddler’s feet, and they usually leave red marks on the top part of their feet. I will show you a list of the best extra wide dress shoes for toddlers based on my 10 years of shoe fitting experience.
Do All Toddlers Have Wide Feet?
I have noticed that most toddlers have either wide or extra wide feet. Some of their feet might remain wide for the rest of their lives, while some others might stretch out as they grow.
You might be wondering why are shoe companies not manufacturing more toddler shoes in wide and extra wide widths if most toddlers have wide feet? The answer is that there is not enough demand for the shoes because most parents are not aware that their toddlers have extra wide feet. The cost of mass-produced shoes is kept low by producing only the most common styles (medium widths). The fewer variations there are, the less the cost is for shoe companies. So, for kids with extra wide feet like yours, it gets harder to find shoes that fit.
My Experience Helping Children Find the Perfect Pair of Shoes
I worked for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years where I handled approximately one hundred shoe fittings/try ons per week. I have tested and fitted most children’s shoe brands, so I know which shoe styles from each brand work better than others. Over the years I became familiar with the best dress shoes for toddlers with extra wide feet.
I never needed a degree or a certification to fit children’s shoes, but I had a moral obligation to provide children with the best-fitting shoes. I suggest that you take the time and effort to make sure that your toddler wears the correct types of shoes in the correct size to prevent foot issues.
Children’s feet are constantly developing, and what happens to their feet during their childhood will affect their physique as they grow older.
How Does an Extra Wide Foot Looks Like?
Below you can find some examples of toddlers with extra wide feet. Do these images look familiar?
There are not two pairs of feet alike, so every child has a unique foot shape. Our goal should be to make sure that the shoes that your toddler wears are comfortable and don’t constrict toe movement.
What Dress Shoes Work Best for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet?
I have fitted several toddlers with extra wide feet in the correct pair of dress shoes, and I believe that I will be able to help your toddler as well. The dress shoes that I recommend provide two key features that makes them ideal for toddlers with extra wide feet:
1️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes
This feature is going to prevent your toddler’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the dress shoes. Do you notice how the dress shoe on the right has a rounder toe-box compared to the dress shoe on the left? I will provide you with a link to this shoe shortly.
2️⃣ Extra Depth
This feature allows your toddler’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of the foot from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let’s take a look at the difference between a dress shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t. Do you notice how the dress shoe on the right is a lot deeper than the shoe on the left? I will also provide you with a link to the shoe below.
Are Toddler Dress Shoes Available in Wide or Extra Wide Widths?
Most shoe companies don’t manufacture their dress shoes in extra wide widths (XW). However, I have fitted certain dress shoes that are available in wide widths (W) and capable of accommodating an extra wide foot.
What Shoe Brands Manufacture Dress Shoes for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet?
My go-to shoe brands that manufacture dress shoes in wide widths (W) and can accommodate the shape of an extra wide foot are:
- Stride Rite
- Footmates
- Hush Puppies
- Sperry
This doesn’t mean that all of the dress shoes among these 4 shoe brands will work well for your toddler’s extra wide feet. There are specific styles among each one of these shoe brands that work a lot better than others.
Let’s take a look at the best extra wide dress shoes for toddlers. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Extra Wide Dress Shoes for Toddlers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Boys
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Ideal for toddlers who are learning how to walk
- APMA approved and built for toddlers
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Lace-up design
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Padded insole
- Dual goring at vamp
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Slip-on design
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Padded tongue and collar provide additional comfort and cushioning
- Genuine leather
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% genuine leather upper
- Velcro closure
- Alternative closure with fixed lace for easy on/off and adjustability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Padded tongue and collar provide additional comfort and cushioning
- Memory foam insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Lace-up design
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Padded tongue and collar provide additional comfort and cushioning
- 100% Synthetic
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Girls
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Ideal for toddlers who are learning how to walk
- APMA approved and built for toddlers
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Flex Fit system includes additional insole that can be removed as your child grows
- Oversized opening
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium and wide feet
- Oversized openings
- 100% leather
- Soft leather uppers with a black patent finish and scalloped topline edging
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Oversized openings
- Antimicrobial linings for odor prevention
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Adjustable buckle closure with hidden elastic
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Ankle strap with hook-and-loop closure
- Leather lining for a soft feel
- Lightly padded leather insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Adjustable buckle secures the perfect fit every time
- Lightly padded leather insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Leather lining for a soft feel
- Lightly padded leather insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with wide and extra wide feet
- Oversized openings
- Antimicrobial linings for odor prevention
- Order this shoe a half 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 toddler’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 toddler’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 toddler’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
Are You Unsure of Your Toddler’s Exact Foot Length and Shape?
I suggest that you take your toddler to your local shoe store where a shoe fitter will measure the feet and determine your toddler’s exact foot shape (wide, extra wide, high instep). If you are unsure whether you have a specialized children’s shoe store in your area take a look at the resource I created below:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where to go for Proper Fittings
If after looking at that resource you don’t find a good fitting shoe store in your area I suggest that you use a resource I created that helps determine a child’s exact foot length and shape from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
What Socks Should Toddlers Wear with their Dress Shoes?
Toddlers should always wear socks with their dress shoes to prevent foot issues such as blisters and corns. Dress shoes are not made of the same soft material that sneakers are, and socks will act as a barrier between your toddler’s feet and the shoes.
I suggest fitting your toddler in socks that are seamless and made from high-quality cotton so they feel super soft and comfortable. Below you can find a selection of good dress socks for toddlers:
- Made with premium ultra soft breathable cotton
- Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam
- Machine washable
- 75% Combed Cotton, 23% Nylon, 2% Lycra Elastane
- Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam
- 75% Cotton, 22% Polyester, 3% Spandex
- Knit in pointelle pattern design knee high socks dress up any outfit
- Pretty bow on the side of socks add an extra cute flare
- Machine washable
- Premium ultra soft breathable cotton
- Ultra smooth toe for added softness
- Machine washable
- 75% Combed Cotton, 23% Nylon, 2% Lycra Elastane
- Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam
- Machine washable
- 87% Cotton, 12% Nylon, 1% Spandex
- Reinforced heel and toe provides long lasting wear
- Ultra smooth toe for added softness
- Ribbed leg for optimal fit and support
- Machine washable
What are the Best Sneakers for Toddlers with Wide Feet?
If you are having a hard time finding a pair of everyday sneakers for your toddler’s extra wide feet I suggest that you take a look at the resource below:
The Best Sneakers for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet – Deep and Supportive!
Let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions or if you are having a hard time finding a specific pair of shoes for your toddler’s extra wide feet.
Help me make this resource even better by adding your favorite dress shoe recommendations for toddlers with extra wide feet.
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