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

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? Many families in online forums such as Reddit or Quora complain about how frustrating and time-consuming it can be to find sandals for their child’s extra wide feet. 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. 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:

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?

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. 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.

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 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.

Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)

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• Order the sandal style Hurricane by Teva on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want

• Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort 

• Rigid at the toe box

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

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• Order the sandal style Hurricane by Teva on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want

• Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort 

• Rigid at the toe box

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

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• Order the sandal style Cyrus by See Kai Run on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• Generous toe box and EVA molded footbed promotes healthy foot development 

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

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• Order the sandal style Pale II by See Kai Run on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• 2 points of adjustability

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all-day comfort

• Rigid at the toe box

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

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• Order the sandal style Aru by Stride Rite on Zappos

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet

• 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want

• 100% leather 

• Flexible grooves on the outsole for a barefoot feel

• Convenient alternative closure for a snug fit and easy on/off 

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

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• Order the sandal style Knotch Creek by Keen on Amazon

• Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (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

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

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• Order the sandal style Cyrus IV by See Kai Run on Zappos

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• Generous toe box and EVA molded footbed promotes healthy foot development 

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

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• Order the sandal style Billie by See Kai Run on Amazon

• 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 

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

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• Order the sandal style Archie by Stride Rite on Amazon

• 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

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

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• Order the sandal style Summer Time by Stride Rite on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• 100% leather

• Padded heel collar for comfort

• Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort 

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

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• Order the sandal style Lucky Brand on Amazon

• 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

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

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• Order the sandal style Eco-Tide by FootMates on Zappos

• 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

• I suggest that you get this sandal 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 sandal style Hurricane by Teva on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want

• Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort 

• Rigid at the toe box

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

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• Order the sandal style Hurricane by Teva on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want

• Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort 

• Rigid at the toe box

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

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• Order the sandal style Newport Adaptive by Keen on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• Adjustable back strap

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

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• Order the sandal style Newport Adaptive by Keen on Amazon

• Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Water-friendly and machine washable

• Adjustable back strap

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

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• Order the sandal style Seaturtle 2 by Kamik on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Triple velcro straps for easy on and off

• Quick drying moisture wicking lining

• Vegan-friendly

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

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• Order the sandal style Seaturtle 2 by Kamik on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Triple velcro straps for easy on and off

• Quick drying moisture wicking lining

• Vegan-friendly

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

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• Order the sandal style Elle by Keen on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)

• Rounded toe-boxes and extra deep

• Double adjustable velcro straps

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

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• Order the sandal style Arizona by Birkenstock on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot

• Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting

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

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• Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Amazon

• Fits medium and wide feet

• EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort

• Machine washable

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

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• Order the sandal style Newport H2 by Keen on Amazon

• Fits medium and wide feet

• This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support

• Machine washable

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

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• Order the sandal style Rio by Birkenstock on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot

• Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting

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

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• Order the sandal style Milano by Birkenstock on Zappos

• Fits medium and wide feet

• Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot

• Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting

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

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 Crocs An Option As Well?

Sure, as long as your child wears them for short periods of time and what they are meant to be worn: short distance walking. For example, Crocs are fine to wear them 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.

If you happen to need a pair of dressier sandals to accommodate the shape of your child’s extra wide feet I got you covered as well.

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. If after looking at that list 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 and shape from home.

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 Us – 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 the search of 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.

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.