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

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of extra wide Mary Jane shoes for kids.

Are you having a hard time finding a pair of Mary Jane shoes for your child with extra wide feet? Do you feel like you try several pairs on your child’s feet but always end up empty-handed? Have you noticed red marks or indentations on the top of your child’s feet?

Finding a pair of Mary Jane shoes for children with extra wide feet can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially if you don’t know what shoe brands and what shoe styles to look for.

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes

I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now that focuses on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoe brands for children with extra wide feet.

Since I am experienced in fitting orthotics – which take a lot of space inside the shoes – I am familiar with every single children’s shoe style that comes in wide (W) and extra wide widths (XW).

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

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

There are 2 key features that the Mary Jane shoes I recommend provide:

✅ 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.

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

I decided to create an article about the best extra wide Mary Jane shoes for kids because parents seem to have a really hard time finding them.

Do Mary Jane shoes actually come in extra wide widths? Yes, there are certain Mary Jane styles that I have fitted before that come labeled as extra wide (XW). The selection is very small, but the good news is that I will help you find them.

I will provide you with a selection of the best Mary Jane shoe styles shortly, but first, let’s make sure that you know your child’s exact foot size.

Before I describe the best Mary Jane shoe styles for children, I want to make sure that you are 100% sure of your child’s foot size. If you don’t know your child’s exact foot size you won’t be able to order the correct size online.

I always recommend parents to take their toddler to their local fitting children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most fitting 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 resource that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state:

The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores In The United States – Where To Go For Proper Fittings

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

If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:

How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width

In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.

I only write reviews of shoe styles that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best extra wide Mary Jane shoes for kids. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.

The Best Extra Wide Mary Jane Shoes for Kids ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Keep in mind that most of these styles are only labeled as wide (W), but they will also fit the shape of a child with extra wide feet. If the shoe is not labeled as wide (W) it’s because it provides extra depth and rounder toe-boxes. 

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.

In addition to providing extra depth and rounder toe-boxes, these are 3 additional important features these Mary Jane shoes provide:

✅ Supportive Outsole: These Mary Jane shoes all come with a substantial outsole that helps reduce the impact that your kids’ feet and legs take every time they come in contact with the ground.

✅ Firmer Heel Counter: This is the back part of the shoe that helps protect and support your child’s heels.

✅ Good Traction: All of the Mary Jane styles that I describe below provide good traction to reduce the likelihood of your child slipping and falling.

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.

Parents seem to have one common question: Will my child be able to wear these Mary Jane shoe styles as their everyday shoes?

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 everyday 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.

Now that you know which are the best extra wide Mary Jane shoes for kids, you are ready to make the most informed decision.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

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.