Sandals for Extra Wide Feet – The Best Summer Sandal for Kids with Extra Wide Feet!

Many families in online forums such as Reddit or Quora complain about how difficult it can be to find sandals for children with extra wide feet. For example, do you always struggle to get your kids’ sandals on and off? Some children have high insteps in addition to having extra wide feet, which makes the whole process of finding sandals a lot more complicated. But, no worries, I am a shoe fitter with many years of experience and I know exactly which are the best sandals for extra wide feet.

Does Your Child Have a High Instep As Well? – Let’s Find Out!

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 sandals. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:

If you usually notice indentations on the top part of your child’s feet that might be a sign that your child has a high instep:

Child with imprints on the top part of his foot from wearing shoes that were fitted too narrow.

Let’s take a look at a couple of images of children with extra wide feet that I helped find the perfect pair of sandals for their feet. Let’s see if you can relate to some of these images.

Images of Children with Extra Wide Feet – Do They Look Familiar?

Key Features of Extra Wide Sandals for Kids

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. Some of them might even have more than two points of adjustability. The velcro straps allow parents to open the sandals widely, so they can easily slide their child’s feet inside the sandals.

By the way, in 2024, Keen released a sandal that is adaptable and has a velcro strap on the back, which makes it really easy for children to slide their feet in and out of the sandals. This is an awesome feature, especially for children with extra wide feet.

Sandal with a velcro strap on the back for easy on and off.

Best Sandals for Extra Wide Feet – Extra Deep, Round Toe-Boxes, and Oversized Openings

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 naturally wide. 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.

Are Crocs An Option As Well?

Sure, as long as your child wears them for short periods of time and for what they are meant to be worn: short-distance walking. For example, Crocs are fine to wear to the beach or at the swimming pool. If you rather provide your child with a pair of Crocs there is a different resource that covers the safest and most comfortable styles.

Are the Sandals I Recommend Supportive?

These sandals all come with a stable base of support 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.

Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!

Parents should 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 list that showcases the best-fitting children’s shoe stores by state.

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.

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:

Contact Me to Get a Personalized Recommendation

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

By the way, if you are also in search for everyday sneakers for your child’s extra wide feet there is a different resource I suggest you read. In that resource, I showcase the best extra wide sneakers for kids.

Sandals for Kids with Wide or Extra Wide Feet – Watch Video!

In this video, you will be able to better visualize what features your kids’ sandals should provide to accommodate a wide or extra wide foot, while ensuring comfort and support. Throughout the video, I provide demonstrations of each sandal’s features, highlighting what makes them suitable for kids with wide or extra wide feet. I also share practical tips on how to ensure the right fit and comfort for your child, emphasizing factors like toe box width and extra depth.

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.