Lacing Shoes with Narrow Heel and Wide Toe Box – Learn How to Do it in Less Than 30 Seconds!

Do you have a child with a foot that is wide at the front but narrow at the heels? Children who have feet that are wide at the front but narrow at the heels usually experience a lot of heel movement which leads to heel slippage, and that constant movement and rubbing between the feet and the shoes usually lead to the formation of blisters. My coworker who has over 20 years of shoe fitting experience taught me the most effective way of lacing shoes with narrow heel and wide toe box.

The method you use to tie your kids’ shoes has a direct impact on keeping your child’s feet and legs healthy.

My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!

I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store where I have been fitting children’s shoes for the last 10 years now, helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot conditions. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoe lacing techniques for kids.

Did you know that to provide your child with the full benefits that the shoes have to offer – such as support and stability – you must tie the shoes properly? Lacing your kids’ shoes properly provides your kids with better support and stability and hence prevents them from developing foot issues such as the formation of blisters, calluses, and corns. Additionally, properly lacing your kids’ shoes help prevent foot injuries such as ankle sprains.

Now we can take a look at the simplest, yet most effective way to lace shoes for kids with a wide foot at the front and narrow heels.

How to Lace Shoes for Kids with Narrow Heels and Wide Forefoot

1️⃣ Start by lacing each end of the lace over one of the eyelets closest to your child’s toes and skip the second eyelet (shoe hole) as shown in the image below. The green arrows are pointing at where the widest part of the child’s feet is, so by using this shoe lacing technique we are taking that pressure away from your child’s small toe.

2️⃣ Lace the usual crisscross pattern but leave the two top eyelets (shoe holes) open.

3️⃣ Go through the top hole first as shown in the picture below.

4️⃣ Go through the two holes that you left open as shown in the picture below.

This shoe lacing technique will prevent your kids’ heels from coming up the shoes, and you should try this method in your shoes to see how it feels.

I always remind parents to make sure their children always loosen the shoelaces before putting their shoes on, especially if they have narrow heels. When children shove their feet inside the shoes without undoing the shoelaces, they stretch out and soften the heel counter of the shoe, making the shoes less supportive and wider around the heel area.

What are Good Shoelaces for Kids?

There is a particular type of shoelace that tends to stay tied better than the regular ones. You won’t have to worry about having to re-tie your kids’ shoelaces all the time or worry about the shoelaces becoming untied.

This type of shoelace is durable and comes with intermittent bumps that help the shoelaces stay tied better. Below you can find the best shoelaces for kids. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.

What Shoelace Size Should You Order?

Count how many eyelets (shoe holes) your child’s shoes have and order the laces based on that number:

Do you want to learn what is the most effective way to tie your kids’ shoes depending on whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet? There is another article I wrote where I describe each shoe tying method in more detail. Go to the link below:

The Best Way to Tie Shoes – The Proven Method to Make Your Shoes Feel Better!

Have you ever tried this shoe lacing technique before? Are you familiar with another good lacing technique for kids with a wide foot at the front but a narrow heel? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.