Are you having a hard time finding a pair of sandals for your child with extra wide feet? Do you feel like you try several different sandals but you always end up empty-handed? Finding a pair of sandals for extra wide feet can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially if you don’t know what shoe brands and styles to look for. Some children have high insteps in addition to having extra wide feet, which makes the whole process of finding a pair of sandals that fit a lot more complicated.
What is the Instep of the Foot?
The instep is the top part of the foot, and when it’s high, there is a lot of extra foot volume that needs to be fitted inside of the shoes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now that focuses in helping children with “complicated” foot shapes such as extra wide feet as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I got familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are better than others.
Unfortunately, there are only a few sandals styles that are capable of fitting the shape of a child with extra wide feet. The good news is that I will help you find them!
I have fitted several children with extra wide feet in the correct types of sandals, and I believe I will be able to find a pair of extra wide sandals for your child’s feet as well.
Images of Children with Extra Wide Feet – Do They Look Familiar?
Let’s take a look at a couple of examples of children with extra wide feet:
What Makes the Sandals I Recommend Effective for Kids with Extra Wide Feet?
Keep in mind that for the sandals to fit a child with extra wide feet they need to provide 3 key features:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the sandals and prevents the top part of your kids’ feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the sandals. Let me show you the difference between a sandal that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature helps prevent your child’s toes from overlapping each other or rubbing against the side of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a pair of sandals with a rounder toe-box versus one with a pointier toe-box:
3️⃣ Oversized Openings: The sandals that I recommend have an easy-to-wear fit with an adjustable two-strap alternative closure. These two velcro straps allow parents to open up the sandal widely, so they can easily slide their child’s feet inside the sandals.
The sandals that I am about to review are the best sandals for kids who have extra wide feet and high insteps. Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best sandals for extra wide feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Sandals for Extra Wide Feet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some of these sandals are available in wide (W) and extra wide (XW) widths, so please make sure that you order the correct shoe width. If the sandal is not available in wide widths is because it fits really wide.
Many of the sandals featured below come in several color options, so if your child likes a specific model, please make sure to click through and see if they have the desired color.
Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Two adjustable velcro straps
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Two adjustable velcro straps
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Supportive footbed
- Adjustable buckles at the front and velcro strap at the back for easy on and off
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- FlexiRun EVA foam outsole is ultra-lightweight and flexible with durable traction pattern for outdoor wear
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- High heel design provides better support and helps with lateral movements
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 100% leather
- Padded heel collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- High heel design provides better support and helps with lateral movements
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lightly padded insole
- Waterproof leather and corrosion-resistant buckles make the shoes ideal for use in warm weather conditions
- Hook-and-loop with adjustable buckle closures for a secure fit
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Fisherman sandals with hook and loop closure
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and hook and loop closure
- Slip-resistant traction with sensory pod technology to help feel the ground underneath
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all-day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 3 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 3 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
- Soft fabric lining and anti-odor footbed promotes a healthy foot environment
- M Select GRIP for superior non-marking traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
- Soft fabric lining and anti-odor footbed promotes a healthy foot environment
- M Select GRIP for superior non-marking traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Quick drying moisture wicking lining
- Vegan-friendly
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Rounded toe-boxes and extra deep
- Double adjustable velcro straps
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- 3 adjustable buckle straps for easy on and off
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- 3 adjustable buckle straps for easy on and off
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Sandal Size Should You Order?
All of these sandals fit “short”, which means that you need to get a whole size longer (3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters) than the size that your child measures in the standard shoe measuring scale (Brannock device) to allow for growing room.
I haven’t found other types of sandals that fit wider than the ones I recommended, but if you happen to have different recommendations please let me know in the comments section below.
Are the Sandals I Recommend Supportive?
These sandals all come with a substantial outsole that minimizes the impact that your kids’ feet and legs take every time they come in contact with the ground. I love the fact that these sandals are supportive but lightweight and flexible at the same time. They are also breathable and come with a rubber toe-box that makes them practically indestructible.
If you happen to need a pair of dressier sandals to accommodate the shape of your child’s extra wide feet please refer to the article below:
Best Dress Sandals for Kids with Extra Wide Feet – Stylish, Extra Deep, and with Rounder Toe-Boxes!
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!
I always recommend parents to take their children to their local children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most stores have been closing down and parents need to end up buying their kids’ shoes online.
I created a map that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state, so I suggest you start by taking a look at that map:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where To Go for Proper Fittings
If after looking at that map 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
Do you happen to need a pair of extra wide sandals for yourself? I actually wrote an article where I describe the best extra wide sandals for women. Go to the link below:
Extra Wide Sandals for Women – They Do EXIST!
Find Out If Your Kids’ Sandals Are Too Narrow
If you fit your child in a pair of sandals that are too narrow you might end up creating all sorts of foot issues to their feet such as blisters, calluses, and corns. The first sign that your child is wearing sandals that are too narrow is if you notice imprints on the top of your child’s feet:
Another sign is if you notice the pinky toe (small toe) being pushed against the side of the sandals like the one in the image below:
Are Any Other Sandal Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes to fit the shape of your child’s extra wide feet. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Let me know if you have any thoughts and comments about any of these sandals, and most importantly, if you have tried any of these sandals for your child before, I would love to hear how you liked them.
Once I open each shoe they all show a M width. My son is an XW. Will the M fit work for him?
Also. He is a 6 1/2 XW big kid
Biggest size I found was 6 M big kid.
Will these work for him or do I need to shop men’s shoes?
He is only 8 but he’s big for his age and has bigger feet!
Sorry to be troublesome.
Thank You!
Hello Amanda,
The sandals don’t come labeled as XW (Extra Wide), but the regular width fits really wide. I have fitted children with extra wide feet in these sandals before. I am not 100% sure they will work for his feet but you should definitely try them. I will recommend that you order the size 6, because they fit very long. If the 6 is not long enough, let me know and I would recommend a pair of men sandals for him (please keep in mind there might be a big price jump between kids and men’s shoes).
I hope this helps!
Where is the info. on the sandal? On a page about socks for wide feet there’s no list either? What am I missing here? Thanks.
Hello AK,
Please try refreshing your page and it should be working fine now.
Hi Juan,
So nice to have found a blog dedicated to kids shoes! I find it so hard to get proper fitting shoes. I was wondering – could you reccomend a sandal for an early walker (14 month boy) for extra wide feet? (We currently have a tsikahoshi sneaker in size 7 that you reccomend on your website and the fit is perfect).
Thank you,
Hannah
Hello Hannah,
I am glad that you found the website informative. Here you can find my recommendations for your boy with extra wide feet:
Stride Rite Sandal: Option 1 Make sure that you select the “W” (wide width) option. I have fitted boys with extra wide feet in this sandal before, because it runs really wide.
Stride Rite Sandal: Option 2 make sure you select the “XW” (extra wide) option.
Are these the types of sandals you had in mind? Let me know, otherwise I can help you find something different.
Juan
Hi Juan,
Thank you so much. I love the first one but unfortunately they are not sold in Canada. I’ve ordered the option 2 (Im worried the sole isn’t flexible enough?)
What are your thoughts on this fisherman sandal: https://amzn.to/3IZycbW
Kind regards,
Hannah
Hello Hannah,
I will choose the second option (Stride Rite). PLAE shoes fit wide but I am not sure if they fill fit an extra wide foot. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Hello Juan,
THanks again for your response. I have one last question about two more brands: Momo baby and also Livie & Luca – do either of these fit wide?
Thanks again and kindest regards,
Hannah
Hello Hannah,
I have never fitted the shoe brand “Momo baby” but I have fitted “Livie & Luca” and the shoes will fit a child with wide feet but NOT with extra wide feet.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
My son is eight. His foot is 8.25 inches; extra wide. Jambu sandals worked once for him. And following years each pair gave him hot spots. He wears Nike and New Balance wide tennis shoes. What sport sandal would you recommend for him?
Hi Tanya –
I am not sure if you are looking for a closed toed or an open toed sandal so I am providing you with both options below:
Water Play Sandal for Extra Wide Feet: Option 1
Water Play Sandal for Extra Wide Feet: Option 2
You can also try the Newport style made by Keen: Option 3
I hope this helps!
Thank you so very much. Between the closed-toe options, which do you think is widest?
Hi Tanya –
Do you know if your son has a high instep? If he has a high instep then I recommend the Keen style as it’s a little bit deeper. Otherwise I recommend the Merrell one.
If I were you I will keep an eye on his Nike sneakers, they are not really effective in fitting children with wide or extra wide feet.
Sorry – yes, my mistake. He’s been wearing solely New Balance, not Nike!