Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects up-to-date information on Hallux Valgus deformity.
Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes to accommodate your child’s bunions? Do you feel like you try a whole bunch of different styles but you always end up empty handed?
Finding a pair of shoes for a child with bunions can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience if you don’t know what shoe styles to look for. That is the reason why I have put together a selection of the deepest and widest shoes that will help treat and prevent your child’s bunion from getting worse.
I am always explaining to parents how the most effective way to treat and prevent bunions is from wearing the correct type of shoes. I strongly suggest that you don’t leave this condition untreated, as it can lead to further complications for your child’s feet and toes.
Surgery should only be a last resort for children who have persistent and significant pain.
The only time that surgery is recommended is if the child is facing a considerable amount of pain since chances are that the bunion will return even after surgery. Most of the time, a child who has a bunion also has flat feet or overpronation. If your children are pronating excessively, they might be putting excessive pressure on their big toe, preventing its normal function.
The proper term for a bunion is Hallux Valgus. You might be asking yourself: Why did my child develop a bunion? It is believed to be caused by genetics and is hereditary. If your child has developed a bunion, you shouldn’t worry too much. While a bunion can be extremely painful, wearing the correct type of shoes is the most effective way to stop the pain and eliminate discomfort.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Hallux Valgus?
There are only certain types of shoes that will accommodate a bunion. Most parents make the common mistake of thinking that providing their children with an extra wide shoe will automatically reduce the pressure on the bunion. There are actually 2 other key features that the shoes must provide:
✅ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the toes from rubbing against the top part or side of the shoes. Let’s visualize the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t.
✅ Rounder Toe-Box: This feature prevents your children’s toes from being pressed against the side of the shoes. Let’s visualize the difference between a shoe that provides a round toe-box versus one that doesn’t.
While there is only a small selection of shoes that provides those two features and that are also available in wide and extra wide widths, the good news is that I will help you find them.
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 children with foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. We carry some of the most supportive children’s shoes and orthotics, and I am familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are better than others.
Let’s see if you knew these facts about Hallux Valgus and how they can affect your children’s feet:
- Did you know that hallux valgus occurs more often in girls than in boys?
- Did you know that shoes that are too short may also contribute to the development of bunions in children? Genetics remains the number one cause.
- Did you know that kids with flat feet tend to have higher occurrences of bunions?
The biggest issue of dealing with a bunion is that the pain will not only come from the bunion itself since this condition will indirectly affect other parts of your feet. Your child will change his/her walking gait and this will affect the toes.
Let me prove it to you.
The person below developed blisters and calluses on her toes as a result of having to adjust her walking gait because of the bunion.
I will provide you with a selection of the best shoes to help treat and prevent a Hallux Valgus deformity, but first I want to show you how you can figure out your child’s exact foot size from home.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Toddler’s Foot Size? – Get it Right!
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.
Like I mentioned before, purchasing a pair of extra wide shoes for your child and hoping that the shoes won’t rub on the bunion is simply not enough. We must find shoes that come in extra wide widths that are also deep enough for your kids’ feet to fit comfortably in the shoe. This will prevent the bunion from rubbing against the shoe.
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 shoes for Hallux Valgus deformity.
The Best Shoes for Hallux Valgus Deformity ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you will find the best shoes for Hallux Valgus deformity that are available in wide (W) and extra wide (XW) widths. These are also the deeper shoes that come with the roundest toe-boxes. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- 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
- 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
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- 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
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered 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
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered 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
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- 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
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- 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
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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 whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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 whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered 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
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered 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
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- 100% Suede
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Shoe Size Should You 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.
The Best Socks for Children with Bunions – Seamless Socks!
If your child has developed a bunion, wearing the correct type of sock can also help reduce the pain.
Socks are important because they act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, preventing the formation and build-up of bacteria inside the shoes.
There are certain types of socks that are seamless and will allow your kids’ toes to freely move, preventing them from overlapping or rubbing against one another.
While I can’t get into too much detail about which are the best seamless socks for children in this article, you should refer to another article I wrote where I describe them in more detail. Please go to the link below:
The Best Seamless Socks for Girls – End your Morning Battles with Seamless Socks
The Best Seamless Socks for Boys – End your Morning Dressing Battles with Seamless Socks!
Seamless socks are also great for children with sensitive feet who feel every bump and lump.
Shoes play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet and legs healthy. Providing your children with the correct type of shoes will end up saving you a lot of time and money in the future.
Always take your children seriously when they complain about foot or leg pain. Remove their shoes immediately and look for redness around their feet and make sure the big toe or the small toe are not being pressed against the sides of the shoes.
There will be certain cases in which even after trying the widest shoes, your child still will feel like his/her bunion is being pressed against by the shoes.
Have you ever heard of something called a shoe stretcher? I have used a shoe stretcher for children who suffer from foot conditions such as bunions, hemihypertrophy, or six toes. Shoe stretchers are extremely effective in helping stretch the shoes in the widest area. I describe how shoe stretchers work in more detail in another article. Go to the link below:
Do Shoe Stretchers Work? – The Solution to Kids with Wide and Extra Wide Feet
Now that you know which are the best shoes to accommodate your child’s bunions, you are ready to make the most informed decision.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are ever having trouble finding a particular shoe style for your child’s feet. It doesn’t matter how narrow or wide your kids’ feet are, there is always at least one particular shoe style out there that will fit the shape of your child’s feet perfectly, and I will help you find it:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Do you have a child who has developed a bunion? How about you, parents, are you suffering from a bunion? Have you found shoes that helped relieve the pain? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so we can all benefit from them!
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Thank you for all this information, my grandkids are all different when it comes to shoes! This information has shed some light on some of the issues we are having with keeping shoes on their feet. My six-year-old granddaughter only likes to wear boots!
Sherri.
Some children love to wear a certain type of footwear and they won’t take them off! It is important that he alternates her boots with her everyday sneakers, or she won’t get the everyday support that she needs! Explain to her that she can still wear the boots to the shopping mall or when you are going to dinner, but when she is running around it’s important that she wear her sneakers to prevent foot injuries.