Extra Wide Dress Shoes for Toddlers – Stylish, Comfortable, and Affordable!

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.

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: 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.

The Best Extra Wide Dress Shoes for Toddlers

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 don’t have 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.

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:

What Are the Best Sneakers for Toddlers with Wide Feet?

I created a different resource that describes the best everyday extra wide sneakers for toddler that can also accommodate and high insteps.

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.