Mary Jane Shoes for Kids with High Insteps – Extra Deep, Stylish, and Durable!

Is the top part of your child’s feet high and you can’t seem to find a single pair of Mary Jane shoes that go on your daughter’s feet? If every single pair of Mary Jane shoes that you try fits too narrow and leaves red marks or indentations on the top of your daughter’s feet you came to the right place. I am going to show you a list of the best Mary Jane shoes for kids with high insteps whether you need them for a dressier or casual occasion.

Do You Know Where the Instep of the Foot Is Located?

Children with high insteps usually have a hard time finding shoes that fit for the simple fact that there is extra foot volume that needs to be fitted inside of the shoes. Below you can find an example of where the instep of the foot is located. The image below shows you the extra foot volume that needs to be fitted inside of the shoes:

The Biggest Issue for Kids with High Insteps

The biggest issue that children with high insteps have when trying to fit in a pair of Mary Jane shoes is that the strap usually rubs against the top part of their feet (instep). Let me show you an image for better visualization purposes:

To prevent this from happening we need to fit that child in a pair of Mary Jane shoes that are deeper.

Key Features of Mary Jane Shoes for Kids with High Insteps

Extra depth is the key feature that the Mary Jane shoes I recommend provide. This feature is going to allow your child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent the top part of their feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let me show you a clear example of what I mean by extra depth. Take a look at the image below, these shoes are the same size, but do you notice how the shoe on the top is a lot deeper compared to the shoe below?

In addition to fitting the shape of your child’s high instep, the Mary Jane shoe styles that I recommend provide the following features:

1️⃣ Stable Base of Support: This feature is going to support your kids’ feet when running around. The substantial outsole of the Mary Jane is going to minimize the impact that your kids’ feet take when they come in contact with the ground. This feature is also important as it makes the shoes more durable.

2️⃣ Targeted Padding: The Mary Jane shoes I recommend provide extra padding around the heels to increase comfort and prevent your child from developing blisters.

3️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible: Your kids’ Mary Jane shoes need to be supportive but they need to be lightweight and flexible at the same time to prevent your kids’ feet from easily getting tired.

How to Retrieve Your Daughter’s Exact Foot Length and Shape

I am going to provide you with a selection of the best Mary Jane shoes for kids with high insteps, but you won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online if you don’t know what your child’s foot size is to begin with.

I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource you will find out whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also be able to determine whether your child has a high instep or not.

Now that you know your child’s exact foot size, you are ready to take a look at the best Mary Jane shoes for kids with high insteps. 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.

Best Mary Jane Shoes for High Insteps – Stylish and Extra Deep

These are the deepest Mary Jane shoes that I have fitted before. Some of these styles are available in different widths such as wide (W) so make sure to look at the description below the image.

Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)

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• Order the shoe style Soft Motion Makayla Mary by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Available in medium and wide widths

• APMA approved and built for toddlers

• Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure

• Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style SRT Nell Mary Jane by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Available in medium and wide widths

• Leather made with classic T-strap styling, perforated details and easy hook and loop closure

• APMA approved and built for toddlers

• Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Holly by Stride Rite on Zappos

• Available in medium and wide widths

• Patent leather upper

• Oversized openings

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Susie by See Kai Run on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• Breathable leather lining feels great against the foot

• Padded collar

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Harper Mary Jane by Footmates on Amazon

• Available in medium and wide widths

• Removable, dual insoles in Medium and Wide are provided for customized fitting

• Padded collar for comfort

• Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather lined foot-bed for all-day comfort

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Flex Estella Mary Jane by Pediped on Amazon

• Fits medium and wide feet

• The Flex Fit System provides additional inserts that can be inserted for a snug fit and can then be removed for room as your child’s foot grows

• Padded collar for comfort

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Ella Mary Jane by Keds on Amazon

• Available in medium and wide widths

• 100% leather

• Durable rubber outsole

• Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Cordaline Dress by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Available in medium and wide widths

• Premium leather 

• Durable rubber outsole

• Removable contoured footbed plus “fit check” insole to show when a new size is needed

• I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)

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• Order the shoe style Sr Ainsley Mary Jane by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Available in medium and wide widths

• 100% leather

• Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort 

• APMA approved

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style BTS Sherry by FootMates on Zappos

• Available in medium and wide widths

• Classic Mary Jane kids crafted from a smooth leather upper with a perforated design at the top for breathability

• Flexible rubber outsole

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Mary Jane Flat by See Kai Run on Amazon

• Fits wide and extra wide feet

• 100% leather

• Padded collar for comfort

• Patent leather uppers with scalloped topline edging

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Reese Mary Jane by Hush Puppies on Amazon

• Available in medium and wide widths

• 100% leather

• Padded collar for comfort

• Cushy memory foam footbed for all day comfort and support 

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Reese by Hush Puppies on Zappos

• Available in medium and wide widths

• 100% leather

• Padded collar for comfort

• Cushy memory foam footbed for all day comfort and support 

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style Reese Sport Mary Jane by Hush Puppies on Amazon

• Available in medium and wide widths

• Durable and genuine leather upper

• Padded collar for comfort

• Anti-stink lining with memory foam footbed for all-day comfort and support

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

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• Order the shoe style 56083 by Cienta on Zappos

• Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide

• Textile lining and a cushioned textile footbed with a removable insole

• Durable rubber outsole

• I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

All the Mary Jane shoes I recommend come with a velcro strap instead of a buckle so your child can easily put them on and take them off:

Are Any Other Mary Jane Shoe Choices Available?

Please do not hesitate to contact me if none of the shoes above match the style that you are looking for: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com 

In the meantime, you should check an additional resource I created where I describe a list of deep sneakers for children with high insteps.

How to Check If the Mary Jane Shoes Fit Correctly

Once the Mary Jane shoes arrive make sure that your daughter puts them on and have her walk around the house. With the Mary Jane shoes on, slide your finger around the widest part of the shoe (as shown below) and make sure that there is not too much pressure between the shoes and your daughter’s instep. If there is no space for you to slide your finger then that’s a sign that the Mary Jane might be too narrow.

Should Your Child Wear Socks with Her Mary Jane Shoes?

Children can wear Mary Jane shoes with a pair of socks, tights, or nothing. However, I suggest that your daughter wears socks with her Mary Jane shoes as this will increase comfort and prevent your daughter’s heels from rubbing against the back of the shoes. Socks act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, preventing the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes as well as irritation and infection.

I hope you found this information helpful and please do not hesitate to ask your questions in the comments section below if you are having issues finding a different pair of shoes to accommodate the shape of your child’s high instep.