Extra Wide Shoes for Toddlers – The Best Extra Wide Shoes for Your Kids’ Feet!
Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes for your toddler with extra wide feet? Do you feel like you try several different shoes but you always end up empty-handed? Finding a pair of shoes for a toddler with extra wide feet can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience if you don’t know what shoe brands and what shoe styles to look for. The extra wide shoes for toddlers that I will show you in this article provide extra depth, rounded toe-boxes, and are available in extra wide widths.
If you provide your toddler with a pair of shoes that are too narrow, you might end up creating all sorts of issues with their feet, such as blisters, calluses, and corns. The most simple way to avoid all of those foot issues is to provide your child with the correct type of shoes.
I have fitted some of the widest toddler’s feet in the correct pair of shoes. Take a look at some images of toddlers with extra wide feet:
The most common mistake that I see parents make is to assume that once they find a shoe that is labeled as extra wide (XW), that shoe is going to automatically fit the shape of their toddler’s extra wide feet.
Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time, you can go straight to the selection of extra wide shoes for toddlers.
What Makes the Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet?
There are three key features that your toddler’s shoes must provide:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature will allow your toddler’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent the top part of their feet (instep), from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Deep shoes also prevent the top part of your toddler’s toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes. Let’s take a look at the image below to visualize the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t.
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature helps prevent your toddler’s toes from overlapping each other or rubbing against the side of the shoes. Let’s take a look at the image below to visualize the difference between a shoe with a round toe-box versus one with a narrow toe-box.
3️⃣ Oversized Openings: This feature allows parents to easily slide their toddler’s feet inside the shoes:
In addition to fitting the shape of your toddler’s extra wide feet, the shoes must be supportive, lightweight, flexible.
There are 3 shoe brands that provide shoes in extra wide widths for toddlers, but among these 3 shoe brands, there are certain styles that will fit wider than others. I will describe these 3 shoe brands in more detail shortly.
I will provide you with a selection of the best extra wide shoes for toddlers shortly, but let’s first get familiar with which shoe brands make toddlers’ shoes in extra wide widths and how you can figure out your toddler’s foot size from home.
The Best Shoe Brands for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet
There are 3 shoe brands that have proven to be the most consistent ones when it comes to manufacturing shoes for toddlers with extra wide feet:
1️⃣ New Balance
2️⃣ Saucony
3️⃣ Stride Rite
In addition to offering shoes in extra wide widths (XW), there are certain shoe styles from these shoe companies that provide extra depth and that also come with rounder toe-boxes.
All of these shoe brands provide shoes that actually come in extra wide widths. This means that if you ever go to a children’s shoe store and the salesperson tells you that they don’t have any toddler’s shoes in extra wide widths but they have shoes that “fit wider than the others”, please don’t settle for that.
To order the correct shoe size online, you must know your child’s exact foot size to begin with. This leads me to this next question:
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!
I always recommend parents take their children 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 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.
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 shoe size from home.
In that article I help parents determine their toddler’s exact foot size and whether the toddler has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your toddler has a high instep or not.
Now that you know how to figure out your toddler’s foot size from home and which are the best shoe brands for toddlers with extra wide feet, you are ready to take a look at a selection of the best extra wide shoes for toddlers.
I only review shoes that I have fitted before since that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. 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 Toddlers
I have fitted all of these shoe styles before and I know that they are supportive, lightweight, and flexible. Your toddler will also outgrow the shoes before they wear them out since they are also extremely durable. Below you can find a selection of the best extra wide shoes for toddlers who are already walking.
Boys
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style M2P Journey 2 by Stride Rite
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Rave Run V2 Hook by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- See Kai Run shoe style Robyne
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Saucony shoe style Ride 10
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Wind Shield a/C by Saucony
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper
- Alternative closure for easy on and off adjustability
- Lightweight EVA midsole for cushioning
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- New Balance style 990v6
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Girls
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style M2P Journey 3.0 by Stride Rite
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Rave Run V2 Hook by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 574 NEW-B by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic/mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- See Kai Run shoe style Robyne
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Saucony shoe style Ride 10
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kya by See Kai Run
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Leather and mesh upper
- Two adjustable hook-and-loop closures for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 574 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Those are the deepest shoe styles for toddlers with extra wide feet. You are going to notice that the list of shoes that I recommend is New Balance heavy, and this is simply because New Balance manufactures the deepest shoe styles with the roundest toe-boxes.
If your toddler is still learning how to walk I suggest that you take a look at the list below.
Best Extra Wide Shoes for Toddlers Learning How to Walk
Below you can find a selection of the best extra wide shoes for toddlers who are learning how to walk. These shoes are also available in extra wide (XW) widths.
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
Socks for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet – Seamless and Breathable!
Socks play a key role in keeping your toddler’s feet healthy since they act as a barrier between their feet and the shoes.
If your toddler has extra wide feet, it’s important that you find a pair of socks that won’t constrict their toe movement. Toddlers like to move their toes as a way of exercising their feet.
Did you know that there are certain types of socks that are seamless? These are the type of socks that you want to provide for your toddler with extra wide feet since they help prevent the toes from getting cramped and overlap one another.
While I can’t get into too much detail about which are the best seamless socks for toddlers in this article, there is another article I wrote where I provide a selection of the best seamless and most breathable socks. All of the socks that I describe in that article are 100% seamless.
I provided you with a selection of the best extra wide shoes for toddlers, and now you are ready to make the most informed decision.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, and please don’t forget that it doesn’t matter how wide your kids’ feet are, there is always at least one pair of shoes out there that will fit the shape of their feet perfectly, and I will help you find them. My e-mail address is: [email protected]
Additional Resources for Children with Extra Wide Feet
I have created several resources over the years for toddlers with extra wide feet that range from dress shoes, to sandals, and winter boots.
Have you found another shoe brand or shoe style that has worked well for your toddler’s extra wide feet? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.
My grandson has 6 perfect little toes on Both feet and they only offer XX Wide up to another size 4 or 5. He is outgrowing his size 5 and I am looking for another brand of shoes for extra extra wide feet. Any ideas?
Hi Debbie,
When it comes to fitting the shape of a child with six toes New Balance makes certain shoes that provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes. If you are looking for an alternative shoe brand I recommend either See Kai Run or Saucony, but there are only certain styles among those brands that will work.
I hope this helps.
Our son just turned 19 months. He’s still not walking on his own. He can cruise around furniture and stand on his own for a short amount of time. He’s sometimes able to take 2 or more steps on his own but he always ends up falling. We recently just had him fitted for some surestep smo orthotics. We went around town today looking for extra wide shoes in stores. We didn’t have any luck. We were looking for a toddler size 5 in extra wide. Reading your article I think we should get him a pair of New Balance shoes. Another problem we have right now with him is he likes to untie his shoes and take them off. With the orthotics on will it make it harder for him to take the shoes off? I’m thinking the orthotics will make for a snugger fit. Your suggestion on New Balance shoes looks to be all velcro. I checked the Amazon links for them and it doesn’t look like anyone has a toddler size 5 extra wide in stock. Can you provide us with some more recommendations? His shoes so far have been shoelaces. Do the velcro shoes tighten pretty good? Hopefully, he doesn’t figure out how to undo them and take them off his feet. I don’t know if they make toddler shoes in extra wides that have the no tie bungees. I would think the bungees would tighten better and be harder for him to get off. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and any additional shoe recommendations you could provide to me.
Thanks
Hello Dan,
If you read any of my articles about children’s shoes for orthotics you will notice that I recommend shoes with shoelaces instead of Velcro closure, since shoelaces provide better support and stability. The shoes and the orthotics will play a key role in helping your child takes those first steps with confidence, so you need to make sure they are fitted perfectly.
There are certain shoe styles that are labeled as extra wide and that also provide extra depth to allow the orthotic to fit deeply inside the shoes. Here are my recommendations:
Extra Wide Shoes for Orthotics: Option 1
Extra Wide Shoes for Orthotics: Option 2
Always remove the original sole of the shoes before placing the orthotics.
Please follow up with me either via email or the comments section in case you have any questions of how the shoes are fitting your child’s feet.
Thank you for this article. New Balances have been great for my extra wide width toddler. I struggle with dress shoes. It’s impossible for me to find any. The regular width ones just don’t cut it. Do you have any suggestions?
Hello Rachel,
Yes, I have fitted certain dress shoes that have worked well for children with extra wide feet. Next time please provide me with your toddler’s foot/shoe size, since it makes it easier for me to send you specific shoe recommendations. You can find my recommendations below:
Extra Wide Dress Shoe for Toddler: Option 1
Extra Wide Dress Shoe for Toddler: Option 2
If your toddler wears a shoe size 8 1/2 or smaller, then I can send you different recommendations. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
I have a child with a sixth toe on her right foot, that requires extra wide width, but her left foot is average width with five toes. Should I put a filler of some sort in her left shoe (cotton, etc) if it is that unnecessarily wide for the foot? Thanks for any wisdom on the subject!
Hi Angela,
There are two things you can do. The first option is to insert a tongue pad inside her left shoe, which will push her heels back, securing them against the shoe and fill any remaining gap inside the shoe. You can learn more about tongue pads here: Leather Shoe Tongue Pads – Stop Heel Slippage
I recommend providing your daughter with a pair of shoes that come with shoelaces instead of Velcro closure, that way she can make the shoe tighter, specially on her left foot.
The second option is to provide your daughter with two different shoe sizes. There are certain stores that will give you the second pair at 50% off the regular price.
Let me know if you have any other questions.