Narrow Boots for Older Kids – Comfortable and Stylish!
Are you having a hard time finding a pair of narrow boots for your older kid? As kids get older, you will find that it is harder to buy them shoes that they like and agree to wear, especially if your kid is right before turning to the teenage years. However, I accept the challenge and will show you my go-to selection of narrow boots for older kids.
To set things straight, by older kids we refer to big kids, who are between 6-12 years old and have bigger feet. Note that there is no difference in sizing by gender at these ages, meaning, boys and girls use the same sizing system, unlike sizes for women and men, which vary quite considerably.
Big kids with narrow feet, should wear shoes (boots) that feel secure and that provide them with stability. No one wants to constantly be slipping out of their shoes, I’m sure you can relate to how uncomfortable it can be to wear shoes that don’t fit!
If you are in a rush, you can go directly to the selection of narrow boots for older kids.
Why Shoe Companies Don’t Manufacture More Boots for Kids with Narrow Feet?
You may be wondering why there are limited options for kids with narrow feet in general. This is due to the fact that shoe companies believe that there isn’t enough demand for it. The cost of mass-produced shoes is kept low by producing only the most common styles (medium width). The fewer variations there are, the less the production costs for shoe companies. So, for kids with narrow feet like yours, it gets harder to find shoes that fit. However, I have rounded up some key information to keep in mind.
Narrow Boots for Older Kids’ – My Shoe Fitting Experience
Let me briefly share with you a bit about my 10+ years of experience helping kids’ with narrow feet. I have fitted and tested many different shoe brands and styles, and over the years I became familiar with which shoes fit better than others. Some big kids’ shoes are available in narrow (N) widths, but there are other shoes that even though they are not available in narrow widths fit like a narrow shoe size. I can also help you identify which shoes fit more narrowly than others.
The Challenges of Buying Your Kids’ Shoes Online
Many parents report that they usually have to order multiple shoes online before finding one that fits their kid with narrow feet and that also feels comfortable, and is made of good quality. I understand that it can be challenging to find shoes for children with narrow feet, but it’s critical to make sure that your kids’ shoes fit properly, as shoes that are too wide or too narrow can create blisters, calluses, and ingrown toenails. First, let’s cover some basic but important information.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Size – Order the Correct Shoe Size Online!
Ensuring you know the right foot length is the first step to finding the correct shoes for your big kid with narrow feet. Thereafter, with accurate measurements, you’ll have a reliable reference point for shopping online, and this will give you a broader range of choices for any kind of shoes. Certainly, if you identify a brand that consistently fits their measurements (length and width), it will be much easier to shop online without the hassle of having to go to a store and have them try on many pairs.
To this end, I created a different article to assist parents in determining their kids’ shoe size at home effectively and with ease. This easy-to-follow method allows parents to accurately determine their child’s correct foot length and width, as well as instep height. To follow my 2-step approach, you can read the article where I explain how it works in more detail.
Remember, poorly fitting shoes can cause irreversible damage to your big kid’s feet. Measure their feet at least every five to six months. Whenever in doubt, or between sizes, always opt for the bigger size.
Top 3 Characteristics to Look for in the Boots for Your Big Kid’s Narrow Feet
Aside from having properly measure your big kid’s feet, there are 3 characteristics to look for in the boots you choose, which make them ideal for children with narrow feet:
1️⃣ Narrow Heel Counters: This characteristic will help prevent your kids’ heels from moving up and down as they walk. This is one of the most common reasons why children experience blisters around their ankles. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
2️⃣ Narrow Platforms: This characteristic will help accommodate the overall shape of your child’s narrow feet, increase comfort, and prevent your child’s feet from moving excessively inside the boots.
3️⃣ Narrow Toe-Boxes: This characteristic will help prevent your child’s feet from moving too much inside the boots. Let me show you the difference between a pair of boots that come with a narrow toe-box versus a pair of boots that come with a rounder and wider toe-box:
Now we are ready to go over the selection of the best narrow boots for older kids. Consider 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 and how they fit. 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.
Narrow Boots for Older Kids – Comfortable and Stylish!
Girls
Insulated Boot (Rain or Snow)
- Shoe style Puffy by Tundra
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Water-resistant
- Front zipper for easy on and off
- Fuzzy fleece lining and insole provide superior warmth and comfort
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Insulated Boot (Rain or Snow)
- Shoe style Puffy by Tundra
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Water-resistant
- Front zipper for easy on and off
- Fuzzy fleece lining and insole provide superior warmth and comfort
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Fashion Boot
- Shoe style Lydell Mini by Sam Edelman
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Heel measures approximately 0.5″
- Lace-up closure
- Soft and warm inner
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Hiking Boot
- Shoe style Ridge Flex Mid WP by Keen
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane that will keep your feet kid’s feet dry and comfortable in wet terrains
- High-abrasion rubber tip for added durability and protection
- A padded collar and tongue help to reduce irritation and discomfort
- Lace-up closure
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Fashion Boot
- Shoe style 23826 by Primigi
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- 100% leather
- Side-zip closure
- Cushioned Insoles
- Lightweight
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Insulated Boot (Rain or Snow)
- Shoe style Hudson by Tundra
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Water resistant technology to keep dry on rain or snow
- Two functional hook & loop closure on top of shaft
- Cushioned Insoles
- Lightweight
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Fashion Boot
- Shoe style Galaxy by MARCOREPUBLIC
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Vegan-friendly, using no animal products
- Soft interior lining
- Cushioned insole padded footbed
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Insulated Boot (Rain or Snow)
- Shoe style Belleville by Tundra
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Water-resistant
- Side-zip closure
- Cushioned Insoles
- Lightweight
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Boys
Hiking /Winter Boot
- Shoe style 28936 by Primigi
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Waterproof
- Double velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue
- Supportive outsole
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Hiking Boot
- Shoe style Chameleon 7 by Merrell
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- 100% leather
- Rubber outsole
- A padded collar and tongue help to reduce irritation and discomfort
- Lace-up closure
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Hiking/Winter Boot
- Shoe style Terrex Hyperhiker by Adidas
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- EVA midsole provides lightweight cushioning with every step
- Traxion outsole maximizes grip in all directions with lugs designed for rugged terrain
- Padded collar and tongue
- Supportive outsole
- Lace-up closure
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Hiking Boot
- Shoe style Targhee Mid by Keen
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane that will keep your feet kid’s feet dry and comfortable in wet terrains
- High-abrasion rubber tip for added durability and protection
- A padded collar and tongue help to reduce irritation and discomfort
- Lace-up closure
- Order this boot half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Looking for Other Recommendations? – Get a Personalized Suggestion
Keep in mind that if you have any questions or need any assistance, you can contact me via email and I will get back to you as soon as possible with different shoe recommendations.
Helpful Tips for Kids with Narrow Feet
If the boot feels a little wide, you can also use a leather insole (or thicker socks in the winter) to pad out the interior and if the boots have laces, then cinch the laces as tight as possible for less movement and a snugger but comfortable fit.
Both laced boots and adjustable buckles are also a good choice for big kids with narrow feet. These boots offer additional flexibility, you will just need to make sure to make the necessary adjustments.
Additional Resources for Children with Narrow Feet
If you are looking for a pair of everyday sneakers to help accommodate the shape of your child’s narrow feet you should take a look at the post with many of options.
Another awesome resource that a lot of families of children with narrow feet have found helpful, is the one on how to tie shoes for kids with narrow feet.
Take into consideration that while we are all always trying to economize, saving money by purchasing a pair of low-quality boots is just false economy. Investing in a pair of good supportive boots will end up saving you a lot of time and money in the future.
Thank you for reading! We hope you found helpful this post on narrow boots for older kids. Please feel free to share this post with your community on social media as well as your experiences in the comments section below.