Extra Wide Shoes for Babies – Finding an Extra Wide Shoe that Fits!
Are you having a hard time finding a pair of extra wide shoes for your baby? Do you always feel like you try several shoes but you always end up empty-handed? Most babies have wide or extra wide feet, which can make it complicated to find shoes that fit, especially if you don’t know what shoe brands and what shoe styles to look for. I will show you a list of the best extra wide shoes for babies based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Babies move their toes as a way of exercising their feet, and if you provide them with shoes that are too narrow you can constrict this toe movement and you might end up creating all sorts of issues to their feet such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
There are only a few shoe styles that will fit the shape of a baby with extra wide feet, but the good news is that I will help you find them.
If you are in a rush, you can go directly to the selection of extra wide shoes for babies.
Your baby’s first pair of shoes must fit the shape of their feet perfectly to allow them to take their first steps with confidence and prevent foot issues. Shoes that are too long or too wide will compromise your babies’ stability and make them more prone to falling, and shoes that are too short or too narrow will create all sorts of foot issues for your baby’s feet.
Some of the best shoe brands that manufacture shoes for babies with extra wide feet are:
1️⃣ Stride Rite
2️⃣ See Kai Run
3️⃣ Pediped
This doesn’t mean that all shoe styles from those 3 shoe brands will fit the shape of your baby’s extra wide feet. There are only certain styles that are capable of fitting extra wide feet among those brands, and I will show them to you shortly.
What Makes the Baby Shoes I Recommend Effective for Extra Wide Feet?
➡️ Extra Depth: Shoes that provide extra depth allow your baby’s feet to sit deeply inside the shoes and prevent the top part of the feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
➡️ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature helps prevent your babies’ toes from overlapping against one another or rubbing against the side of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a pair of baby shoes that provides a round toe-box versus one that doesn’t:
Your babies’ shoes should also be soft, flexible, lightweight, and available in extra wide widths. However, just choosing a shoe that is labeled as extra wide doesn’t mean that will fit the shape of your baby’s feet automatically.
Before I show you a selection of the best extra wide shoes for babies, let me show you the most effective way to figure out your baby’s foot size from home.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Baby’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!
I always recommend parents take their babies to their local children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most stores have been closing down and parents need to end up buying their babies’ shoes online. There is nothing wrong with this, but you must know your baby’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.
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.
Babies only need to wear shoes when you take them outside to play, but when they are walking around the house I recommend that you allow your baby to go barefoot for healthy foot development.
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 shoes for babies. 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 Shoes for Babies
Below you can find a selection of the best extra wide shoes for babies. Make sure that you choose the extra wide width (XW) option.
Boys
- Shoe style SRT SM Artie by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style 2510 Racer by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Heel stabilizer provides lateral stability
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your baby’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style Wes by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style SM Adamby Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Foam padding placed around the ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Stevie II by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Rubber outsole is flexible yet durable and provides the needed traction for first steps
- Padded heel and tongue keeps the baby’s feet comfortable
- Wide openings make on and off quick and easy
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Martin by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Oversized opening and pull tab on the back offer easy on and off
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kennedy by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style SM Zip Runner by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
Girls
- Shoe style SM Adalyn by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Zips Runner by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Susie Mary Jane by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Black patent leather upper with full leather lining and insole
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Stevie II by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Rubber outsole is flexible yet durable and provides the needed traction for first steps
- Padded heel and tongue keeps the baby’s feet comfortable
- Wide openings make on and off quick and easy
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Thompson by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Shoe style StevieII by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Rubber outsole is flexible yet durable and provides the needed traction for first steps
- Padded heel and tongue keeps the baby’s feet comfortable
- Wide openings make on and off quick and easy
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
One of the most common mistakes that I see parents make is to assume that once they get their child’s foot size, that size will automatically translate into their kids’ shoe size. For example, let’s say your baby measures a foot size 4 but that particular shoe style fits “short”, that means that to allow for growing room you will have to provide your baby with a shoe size 5 instead of a 4 ½. On the other hand, if your baby measures a foot size 4 but the shoe style fits “long”, you will have to provide your baby with the same size that he/she measured (since the shoes already run long).
These are the widest baby shoes that I have fitted before as in addition to being available in extra wide widths they provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes.
Additional Resources for Babies with Extra Wide Feet
If you need a different type of shoe for your baby’s extra wide such as sandals or dress shoes I got you covered as I have created many resources over the years for children with extra wide feet.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
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 shoes for your baby. My e-mail address is:
Extra Wide Shoes for Babies – The 5 Most Important the Features!
These are the 5 important features that the baby shoes I recommend provide:
1️⃣ Sensory Response Technology™: This new technology helps mimic barefoot walking by having sensory pods on the outsole. This technology also allows your baby to feel the ground, which is a key feature to help your baby maintain good balance and feel more stable with every step he/she takes.
2️⃣ Flexibility: The shoes that you provide for your baby must come with a thin moldable rubber outsole to allow your baby for natural movement. The sole must also be able to protect your baby’s feet especially when they are walking and playing outside.
3️⃣ Breathability: Did you know that baby’s feet sweat approx. 2-3 times more than an adult’s foot? That is the main reason why the shoes must come with a breathable mesh lining to keep your baby’s feet dry, cool and healthy.
4️⃣ Wide opening: This is actually a really important feature since you don’t want to have to struggle every time you have to put your baby’s shoes on.
5️⃣ Padding: The shoes that you provide for your baby must come well-padded especially around the heels of the shoes since that will minimize rubbing. This will also prevent the formation of blisters.
Some parents contact me asking what shoe size their child should wear based on their age, and while I always explain to them that the most effective way to get their child’s correct shoe size is to measure it with the Brannock device (standard foot measuring tool). Below is a set of guidelines you can use:
- 0-3 months: Size 1
- 3-6 months: Size 2
- 6-9 months: Size 2.5, 3
- 9-12 months: Size 3.5, 4
- 12-18 months: Size 4.5, 5
- 18-24 months: Size 5.5, 6
The Best Socks for Babies – Keep Your Baby’s Feet Healthy!
Did you know that socks play a key role in keeping your baby’s feet healthy? Socks act as a barrier between your baby’s feet and the shoes, and they prevent the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes as well as the formation of blisters.
The type of socks that I recommend for babies are 100% seamless, as they will allow your baby to freely move his/her toes, remember that babies are always wiggling their toes as a way of exercising their feet.
I have found seamless socks to be the most effective when it comes to keeping babies’ feet healthy, as they allow the baby’s toes to move without any constrictions. That is the reason why I put together a selection of the best seamless socks for babies:
- Socks made by Epeius
- 76% combed cotton, 21% polyester and 3% spandex
- Seamless cable/ribbed knit knee high socks for babies
- Breathable
- Machine wash
- Socks made by SeriSimple
- Smooth toe seam provides less irritation and bulk for sensitive toes and feet
- Made of 82% bamboo and 18% elastane
- Socks made by Jefferies
- 73% Cotton, 23% Nylon, 4% Spandex
- Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam
- Machine wash
- Socks made by Jefferies
- Seamless smooth toe provides optimal comfort and less irritation
- Stay-up top prevents slipping on legs
- Machine wash
I provided you with a selection of the best extra wide shoes for babies and also the best fitting socks for their feet, and now you are ready to make a better and well-informed decision.
Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well for your baby’s extra wide feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
