Kids’ Shoes in Extra Wide Width – The Top 3 Sneakers for Extra Wide Feet!

Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes that can fit your child’s extra wide feet? Do you try several different shoe styles and shoe brands but they all end up being too narrow for your child’s feet? Finding a pair of shoes for a child with extra wide feet can surely be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially nowadays when companies are having a hard time restocking their shoes. I am going to show you a list of the best kids’ shoes in extra wide width based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

One of the reasons I love fitting children’s shoes is that it allows me to work with children, and I take what I do very seriously since I truly believe that wearing the correct type of shoes can be life-changing.

If you are in a rush, you can go directly to the selection of kids’ shoes in extra wide width.

The Challenges of Extra Width Feet

I recently found out why parents have such a hard time finding shoes for their kids with extra wide feet. While I was at the shopping mall, I went to check out what type of shoe selection some of the most popular stores such as Nordstrom, Footlocker, and Finish Line had. The selection of shoes that they offered was very limited, but what surprised me the most was that not a single of those stores offered kids’ shoes in extra wide widths (XW).

That’s when I decided to go to a local New Balance store, since New Balance manufactures some of the best shoes for kids with extra wide feet. To my surprise, the New Balance store did not have a single kids’ shoe style available in extra wide widths.

How was it possible that the best shoe brand for kids with extra wide feet did not offer a single shoe style in extra wide widths? It is true that most people shop online now, but some families still like to have their children’s shoes properly fitted at their local shoe store.

My point is that I understand why parents all across the country struggle to find shoes for their kids with extra wide feet. The good news is that stops today since I am going to provide you with a selection of the best kids’ shoes in extra wide width.

Keep in mind that providing your child with shoes that are too narrow can lead to your child developing several foot issues that range from blisters, calluses, and corns to general foot and leg pain.

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

One of the most common mistakes that 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 child’s extra wide feet. It is true that a shoe that is labeled as extra wide has higher chances of fitting an extra wide foot, however, there are other three key features that your kids’ shoes must provide:

1️⃣ Extra Depth: I can’t emphasize enough how important this feature is. Shoes that provide extra depth allow the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, preventing the top part of the child’s feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let’s take a look at the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t. Do you notice how the New Balance shoe on the right is a lot deeper than the Nike shoe on the left?

2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to prevent your child’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Do you notice how much rounder the toe-box of the New Balance shoe is compared to the Saucony one?

3️⃣ This feature makes it easier for parents and children to get their shoes on and off. Children with chubby feet have a hard time slipping into shoes that don’t easily open. You will notice that the shoes I recommend open up widely, which makes it easier for children and parents to get the shoes on and off.

I guess my point is that finding a pair of shoes that are labeled as extra wide is complicated enough since most shoe stores don’t seem to carry them. However, finding a pair of shoes that provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes is even harder, since shoes don’t come labeled that way.

The good news is that I know which shoe styles provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes from having fitted them before, and I will describe them shortly.

How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Measurements

I don’t want you to waste a lot of time and money by having to return your kids’ shoes back and forth, so let me ask you this question: Are you 100% sure that you know your child’s exact foot size? If you do, then go ahead and scroll down to see a selection of the best shoes for kids with extra wide feet. However, if you are not totally sure then I recommend that you start by reading another article that I created that is going to show you the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home.

In this 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.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best kids’ shoes in extra wide width. All of the shoe styles described below can be used for everyday wear as they are supportive, lightweight, and durable.

I only review shoes that I have fitted before, as 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 fitDisclosure: 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 Kids’ Shoes in Extra Wide Width 

These are my go-to shoe styles for kids with extra wide feet. In addition to being available in extra wide widths, these shoes provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes, which makes them ideal for children with high insteps.

Parents love how these shoes come with supportive outsoles but they are lightweight and flexible at the same time.

All of these shoes listed under “Little and Big Kid sizes” are capable of accommodating an orthotic, just remember to remove the original insole of the shoes before placing the orthotic inside.

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 size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.

*A half a size bigger translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.

*A whole size bigger translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.

If after trying any of these shoes you still feel like the shoes are not wide enough for your child’s extra wide feet, do not jump the gun and return them just yet. These are the best kids’ shoes in extra wide width, and there are no other shoe choices out there that are wider than these shoes. What I recommend doing is trying to stretch the shoes by using a shoe stretcher.

Additional Resources for Children with Extra Wide Feet

There are other resources available that I created that describe the best sandals, boots, and dress shoes for children with extra wide feet.

Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?

I have written other articles that describe the best dress shoes and seasonal footwear for kids with extra wide feet. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly via email if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe style to fit the shape of your child’s extra wide feet, it’s highly likely that I have fitted that shoe before and I will help you find it.

Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well in accommodating the shape of your child’s extra wide feet? Please share your findings in the comments section below so other families can benefit from your experiences.