Have you noticed your toddlers’ toes overlapping each other? Has your toddler developed blisters or corns due to the constant rubbing between their toes? I will show you how to prevent your toddler’s overlapping toes from getting worse based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Do Your Toddler’s Toes Overlap One Another? – Be Proactive!
One of the first thoughts that comes to parents’ minds is how bad it is and whether they need to take action or not. Most parents hope that this condition goes away on its own and that they won’t have to do surgery to correct it. In most cases, the toes will straighten out as the toddler becomes a little older and begins to learn to walk.
If you notice that your toddlers’ gait changes and that the toes are overlapping one another I recommend taking action immediately. Please do not take the “wait and see approach” that some medical professionals seem to recommend since this can only lead to your toddler’s foot condition getting worse. If you leave your toddler’s toes untreated, this condition can cause extreme irritation, blisters, calluses, and corns.
I cannot tell you how many parents regret having waited for their toddlers to “outgrow” their foot condition. Just so you know, this condition can affect any toe, but it’s most common in the second and little toe. There is nothing that you could have done to have prevented this condition, since the two reasons why overlapping toes occur are genetics and the position of the baby in the womb.
Let me show you an example of how this condition will look like if left untreated:
How to Prevent Your Toddler Overlapping Toes from Getting Worse
I have found a particular toe separator that has proven to be extremely effective when it comes to treating overlapping toes. This product is going to help straighten your toddler’s toes without surgery, at an affordable price. There are a lot of different products on the market but this toe separator has proven to be the most effective for toddlers with overlapping toes.
The Best Gel Toe Separator for Toddlers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This toe separator is going to help correct your toddler’s overlapping toes without surgery by straightening your toddler’s toes with gentle pressure. Parents love this gel toe-separator because it will keep your toddler’s toes in the correct position.
- Each piece can be worn on either foot, they are not right/left specific.
- This gel toe-separator can be washed by hand in normal temperature water and can be dried naturally.
Keep in mind that this toe separator is only going to be effective if worn in the correct type of shoes. I also got you covered in this area since I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have helped many children with “complex” foot shapes as well as foot and leg conditions find the perfect pair of shoes for their feet.
This experience has afforded me many insights into children’s shoes and the way they fit. Our store specializes in shoes for children with foot and leg problems, and provides regular shoe fittings as well. Due to my experience in fitting thousands of kids, I became familiar with the best shoe brands for toddlers with overlapping toes and the best styles among those brands.
The Importance of Wearing the Correct Type of Shoes
Shoes that are too narrow at the front contribute to the development of overlaps, which is the main reason why this condition gets worse. Narrow shoes will squeeze your toddler’s toes together and make them more prone to rubbing against one another.
The most effective way to stop this condition from getting worse is by making sure that you provide your toddler with the correct type of shoes. You don’t need to provide your toddler with orthopedic shoes, just regular everyday sneakers that provide these 2 key features:
1️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to prevent your toddler’s toes from rubbing against one another. It takes more than just ordering your toddler’s shoes in a wide (W) or extra wide widths (XW) to get the shoes with a rounder toe-box. There are certain shoe brands and shoe styles that provide rounder toe-boxes and will prevent your toddler’s toes from rubbing against one another.
Let me show you the difference between a shoe with a rounder toe-box versus one with a pointier one. These shoes are the same length and width, but fit very differently:
2️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the toddler’s feet and toes from fitting deeply inside the shoes, preventing the toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
The issue is that most parents don’t know how to find deeper shoes with rounder toe-boxes as shoes don’t come labeled that way. The good news is that I know exactly which shoe styles provide these 2 features from having fitted them before.
Before I provide you with a selection of the best shoes for a toddler with overlapping toes, I want to make sure that you are 100% sure of your toddler’s foot size.
How to Figure Out Your Toddler’s Exact Foot Size – Get it Right!
I always recommend parents take their toddlers to their local shoe store to be fitted for shoes, so let’s start by making sure that you don’t have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in your area. While most specialized children’s shoe stores have been closing down, there are still certain stores that do a great job fitting children’s shoes. 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
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to find a store in your area, then take a look at another article I wrote where I describe how to figure out your toddler’s foot size in 2 simple steps 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.
Keep in mind that if you don’t know your toddler’s foot size, you can’t possibly know what shoe size to order. You will end up wasting a lot of time and money by having to constantly return the shoes.
Now that you know your toddler’s exact foot size, you are ready to see a selection of the best shoes to help prevent your toddler overlapping toes from getting worse. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Shoes that Prevent Overlapping Toes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These shoes are capable of fitting toddlers with medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) feet.
Boys
- 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 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
- 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 (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Leather and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Girls
- 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 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- No-sew saddle construction for mid-foot support
- 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
- 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
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Leather and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’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 size or a whole size bigger than your toddler’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
If your toddler happens to have narrow feet please contact me directly and I will find you an alternative:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Toddler Socks for Overlapping Toes – Seamless and Breathable!
Finally, I also wanted to let you know that the type of socks that you provide for your toddler plays a key role in keeping their feet healthy, especially if your toddler has overlapping toes. Socks that are too short can make your toddlers’ toes more prone to overlapping and rubbing against one another. On the other hand, socks that are too long are going to end up bunching up below your toddler’s feet and create discomfort, so you need to make sure that your toddler wears the correct sock size.
In addition to providing your toddler with the correct sock size, you need to find a pair of socks that are seamless to allow your toddler to spread and move the toes comfortably. While I can’t get into too much detail about which are the best seamless socks for toddlers with overlapping toes, there is another article I wrote which explains this in more detail and explains how to order the correct sock size:
The Best Seamless Socks for Toddlers – Breathable, Comfortable, and Durable!
Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well for your toddler’s overlapping toes? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
Can’t believe that you are recommending kids shoes with huge heels and thick padded soles. Wider toe box -yes ! But not those soles which wreck kids gait and arch. There are so many barefoot kids shoe brands out there that offer flat and flexible shoes which are best for kids feet- Splay, Wildling, Tikki, Vivobarefoot etc. I’m guessing you are probably paid by Nike though to recommend their foot-deforming ‘shoes’
Hello Luna,
First of all, none of the shoes I recommend in this article are made by Nike. Before you jump to conclusions please make sure that you read the whole article. I don’t usually recommend Nike shoes for toddlers because their shoes tend to fit on the narrower side and are not available in different widths such as wide (W) or extra wide (XW) widths.
If you prefer minimalist shoes for your children that’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with those shoes, the same way that there is nothing wrong with shoes that are more substantial and supportive than minimalist shoes.
Yuppie Karen thinks she knows best because her little Fintan wears them. 🙂