Extra Wide Mary Jane Shoes for Kids – They Do Exist!

Does your child have extra wide feet and you can’t seem to find a single pair of Mary Jane shoes that fit? Have you noticed red marks or indentations on the top of your child’s feet? There are certain extra wide Mary Jane shoes for kids that provide extra depth, round toe-boxes, and oversized openings (for easy on and off). Some of these shoes are even available in extra wide widths (X-Wide).

Most Common Mistakes Parents Make

The most common mistake that I see parents make is assuming that once they provide their children with a pair of Mary Jane shoes that are labeled as extra wide (XW), that shoe will automatically fit the shape of their child’s extra wide feet. You need the Mary Jane shoes to provide three additional features.

What Makes the Mary Jane Shoes I Recommend Effective for Extra Wide Feet?

1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows your children’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of their feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Mary Jane shoes with extra depth are ideal for children with high insteps.

2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: Mary Jane shoes with rounder toe-boxes help prevent your children’s toes from rubbing against the side of the shoes or from overlapping one another.

3️⃣ Oversized Openings: This feature is going to make it easier for parents and children to get the Mary Jane shoes on and off:

Mary Jane shoes with oversized openings for kids who wear AFOs.

Are Mary Jane Shoes Available in Extra Wide Widths?

Yes, there are certain Mary Jane styles that I have fitted before that come labeled as extra wide (XW). The ones that I recommend and are not available in extra wide widths fit naturally wide.

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

Most fitting children’s shoe stores have been closing down and parents need to end up buying their kids’ shoes online. There is nothing wrong with this, but you must know your child’s exact foot size to know what size to order. I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.

Can the Mary Jane Shoes I Recommend Fit High Insteps?

Yes, as they all provide extra depth. The instep is the top part of the foot, and when children have high insteps there is a lot of extra foot volume that we need to fit inside the shoes:

Child with a high instep.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best extra wide Mary Jane shoes for kids. 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.

Best Extra Wide Mary Jane Shoes for Kids That Fit High Insteps

Take a look at the description below each Mary Jane shoe I recommend to find out if it comes labeled as wide or extra wide. If the shoe is not labeled as wide (W) it’s because it provides extra depth and rounder toe-boxes. 

How to Tell If Your Kids’ Mary Jane Shoes Are Too Narrow?

There is an easy and effective way to check if your kids’ Mary Jane shoe styles are too narrow. Slide your finger around the top part of your child’s feet (instep) where the front part of the Mary Jane shoe meets with your kids’ feet. Take a look at the image below for clarification purposes:

You should be able to comfortably slide your finger around this area. If you can’t fit your finger, then it means that the Mary Jane shoe is too narrow.

Can Mary Jane Shoes Be Worn As Everyday Sneakers?

Yes, because the styles that I recommend all provide good support and they are all made from high-quality materials which makes them very durable. However, Mary Jane shoes should never replace your child’s every day sneakers. For activities such as physical education class or when your child is playing a particular sport, a pair of everyday sneakers is required to keep your child’s feet and legs healthy. There is a different resource I created that has a list of the best every day extra wide sneakers for girls.

Contact Me to Get a Personalized Recommendation! 

Do not hesitate to contact me if you ever have trouble finding a particular shoe style for your child’s extra wide feet, I have likely fitted it before and I will help you find it: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com 

Have you tried another Mary Jane shoe style that has worked well for your child’s extra wide feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.