Extra Wide Sandals for Boys – They Do Exist!

Have you tried several sandals for your boy but every single pair feels too tight and leaves imprints and red marks on the top part of his feet (instep)? Extra wide sandals for boys are not easy to come by, but I know which shoe brands manufacture sandals that are available in extra wide widths. The sandals should also provide extra depth to allow your child to easily get the sandals on and off. If you are tired of returning your kids’ sandals back and forth, you have come to the right place.

Images of Children with Extra Wide Feet – Do They Look Familiar?

Several parents send me pictures of their children with extra wide feet and high insteps wondering to know how they are supposed to find sandals that are wide enough for their kids’ feet. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples of children with extra wide feet:

What Makes the Sandals I Recommend Effective for Kids with Extra Wide Feet?

There are three key features that the sandals I recommend provide that increase the chances of fitting the shape of a child with extra wide feet:

1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the sandals and prevents the top part of their feet and toes from rubbing against the top part of the sandals. Let me show you the difference between a pair of sandals that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t.

2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature prevents the child’s toes from overlapping one another or rubbing against the side of the sandals. Below you can see the difference between a pair of sandals that provides a rounder toe-box versus one that provides a pointier one.

3️⃣ Oversized Openings: This makes it easier to get your kids’ sandals on and off.

A shoe fitter holding a pair of kids' sandals with oversized openings and three points of adjustability.

Most Common Mistakes Parents Make! – Compensating Width with Length

One of the most common mistakes that I see parents make is to provide their children with sandals that are extra long to compensate for the width. As soon as the child complains that the shoes feel too tight parents start trying larger shoes until the child says the shoes don’t feel tight anymore. If you provide your children with a pair of shoes that are too large, you will end up compromising your child’s stability and making your child more prone to falling.

You will notice how some of these sandals are labeled as wide (W) or extra wide (XW), while some others do not. If the sandal is not labeled as wide or extra wide it means that they fit naturally wide. 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 Sandals for Boys – Extra Deep and Round Toe-Boxes

Many of the sandals featured below come in several color options, so if your child likes a specific model, please make sure to click through and see if they have the desired color. By the way, all of the sandals below have quick-drying capabilities as when children’s feet get wet for prolonged periods of time, they are more susceptible to developing foot issues such as blisters.

It doesn’t matter how many features a particular shoe style provides, if the shoes are not fitted properly which involves getting the correct shoe length and the correct shoe width, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.

How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online

I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home.

Sandals that are too narrow create a mixture of friction and pressure that usually leads to a myriad of foot issues that range from blisters, calluses, and corns, to general foot pain. In addition, when kids’ feet get wet and are continually rubbed against the sandals, irritation and inflammation often occur. The result is pain, swelling, and redness.

How Can You Tell If Your Kids’ Sandals Are Too Narrow?

  • Check if there are imprints on the top part of your kids’ feet when you take the sandals off. This is the first sign that the sandals that your child is wearing might be too narrow:
  • Are your kids’ toes cramped against the side of the sandals? This is the second sign that the sandals might be too narrow:

Contact Me for a Personalized Shoe Recommendation

Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of extra wide shoes for your child. My e-mail address is: 

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

Do You Also Need a Pair of Sneakers for Your Child’s Extra Wide Feet?

I created a different resource that has a list of extra wide sneakers for boys. You will learn about the best shoe brands and styles.

Have you found another summer sandal 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.