Shoes for Ingrown Toenails – Prevent Your Child From Getting an Ingrown Toenail
Did you know that one of the most common causes of ingrown toenails in children is wearing shoes that are too tight or too small? Improper footwear puts constant pressure on the toes—especially the big toe—leading to pain, swelling, and in many cases, ingrown toenails. The good news is that the right shoes can make a big difference. I’ll share a curated list of the best shoes for ingrown toenails—featuring soft soles, extra depth, and wider toe boxes to relieve pressure and reduce irritation. If your child is already dealing with an ingrown toenail, the right pair of shoes can make a big difference—helping relieve pressure, reduce pain, and prevent the condition from worsening.
What Are the Causes of Ingrown Toenails?
The most common cause is wearing shoes that are too tight. Shoes with narrow toe boxes can force toenails to grow abnormally.
- Hereditary factors
- Cutting your kids’ toenails too short: Make sure you always cut your children’s toenails straight across, and never curved or too short
- Poor foot hygiene practices
Key Features of Good Kids’ Shoes for Ingrown Toenails
These features work together to ensure your child’s feet are well-supported, comfortable, and free from painful toenail issues. Choosing shoes with these characteristics makes a real difference in preventing and managing ingrown toenails.
Spotlight: New Balance Shoes for Ingrown Toenails
Many families ask me if New Balance is the best brand for treating ingrown toenails—and it’s a great question! New Balance is known for making some of the widest and deepest shoes for kids, which can be incredibly helpful in relieving pressure on sensitive toes. That said, there are other trusted brands with specific styles that work just as well. Up next, I’ll share my top shoe recommendations to help keep your child’s feet comfortable and ingrown toenail-free.
The shoes below are made from soft, breathable materials to help prevent irritation and offer flexibility, allowing the feet to move comfortably. It’s important to avoid stiff or rigid shoes that can exacerbate symptoms. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Top Picks in 2025: Best Shoes for Ingrown Toenails
These shoes are ideal because they have the roundest toe-boxes, guaranteeing that the big toe will not get squeezed against the shoe or the other toes.
1. New Balance Kids’ 574 NEW-B Hook & Loop. These New Balance shoes for ingrown toenails offer extra depth and wide toe boxes.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Also available with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, and Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
2. See Kai Russell and Robyne. These See Kai Run shoes for ingrown toenails feature extra depth and wide toe boxes.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos or Amazon
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
3. Shoe Style 990v6 by New Balance. These are the best shoes for ingrown toenails and they are available with Velcro or laces. The downside that many parents complain about is the high price tag.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- You can order the 990v6 with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Also available in pink and navy blue
- There is also a Velcro version of these shoes available in navy blue and pink
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
4. Ikiki Shoes. These shoes are a fantastic option for kids with ingrown toenails. Designed with a roomy toe box and adjustable straps, they provide a comfortable, secure fit without squeezing or putting pressure on your child’s big toe.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style by Ikiki on Amazon
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- Wide opening to make it easy to put on and take off shoes
- Synthetic Vegan Leather
- Squeaks can be turned on/off with a switch
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
5. See Kai Run Lucia Mary Jane. This Mary Jane features extra depth and a roomy toe box that provides ample space for growing feet, while the adjustable hook-and-loop strap ensures a secure, customized fit without pressure on your child’s toes.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style Lucia by See Kai Run on Amazon or Zappos
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Durable cotton drill upper, comfy leather insole, and recycled mesh lining keep feet fresh
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
6. Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance. These wide and extra wide New Balance shoes help prevent ingrown toenails by providing extra depth, oversized openings, and round toe-boxes.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the shoe style 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website or Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Also available with laces on Zappos and Amazon
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
7. Shoe Style Rave Run v2 by New Balance. These New Balance extra wide shoes for kids with ingrown toenails provide extra depth and round toe-boxes. Parents like these shoes because they are offered at an affordable price point.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Rave Run by New Balance on Zappos, Amazon, or the New Balance website
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- Breathable mesh upper
- Padded collar and tongue
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
8. Shoe Style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance. These New Balance shoes with deep toe-boxes are ideal for preventing ingrown toenails. Families appreciate how these shoes are available in wide and extra wide widths and offered at a reasonable price.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website or Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Also available with laces on the New Balance website, Zappos, and Amazon
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
9. Shoe Style M2P Journey 3.0 Adapt by Stride Rite. These Stride Rite wide shoes provide extra depth and round toe-boxes to help prevent putting pressure on your child’s big toe.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey Adapt by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- APMA approved
- Leather upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Choosing shoes with low heels is key to promoting even weight distribution across your child’s feet, which helps take pressure off the toes and reduces the risk of irritation. Steer clear of high heels or elevated platforms—they can throw off balance and increase strain, making discomfort from conditions like ingrown toenails even worse. Prioritizing flat, supportive shoes helps keep little feet comfortable and pain-free.
Get Personalized Shoe Recommendations
Personalized shoe recommendations can make all the difference when it comes to your child’s comfort and proper fit. I’d be happy to suggest specific styles based on your child’s unique foot shape—whether narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide. If your child is already dealing with an ingrown toenail, let me know so I can recommend shoes that offer extra space and protection to help relieve pressure and promote healing. Feel free to contact me via email, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
How Can You Find the Perfect Shoe Size Online?
Imagine dealing with an ingrown toenail and slipping on a pair of shoes that are too narrow—your toes would be cramped, the pressure unbearable, and the pain nearly impossible to ignore. Now imagine that pain on your child’s feet. That’s why getting the right shoe size is absolutely essential. Shoes that are too short or too tight can worsen the condition and even throw off your child’s walking gait. To help families avoid this, I created a virtual shoe fitting service that makes it easy to measure your child’s exact shoe size from the comfort of home—no guesswork, just the perfect fit.
What Socks Work Best for Children with Ingrown Toenails?
Choosing the right socks is just as important as the right shoes. Seamless socks are excellent for children with ingrown toenails, as they prevent irritation and friction. They also allow the toes to move freely inside the socks and prevent any sort of pressure between the toes.
It’s important to check your child’s feet regularly—many kids won’t mention any discomfort, even if they’re dealing with an ingrown toenail. Left untreated, an ingrown toenail can lead to serious complications, including infections that reach the bone. Watch for warning signs like redness, swelling, tenderness, or pus, which may indicate that the toenail is already infected.
I’ve spoken with many parents whose children struggled with ingrown toenails for years. They had seen podiatrists, tried home remedies, and applied topical antibiotics—yet the issue kept coming back. When I explained how much impact the right pair of shoes can have, they were surprised they hadn’t considered it sooner. The truth is, proper footwear is often the missing piece in both treating and preventing this painful condition.
I’m glad I stumbled across your article and was super excited to see you list different shoes but quickly disappointed realizing that the shoes are for babies/toddlers and smaller kids. My daughter is 9 and has bigger feet. She can wear a size 5 to nearly 6 in women’s shoes. Do you have any recommendations for that size?
Hello Kresta,
You should read a post I wrote where I describe shoes for her size. You can find that post here:
Women and Kids Shoe Size Conversion – Save Big Buying Kids’ Shoes!
I hope that helps!
My daughter has been struggling with ingrown toenails for a year now. The doctor said that it was caused by her wearing shoes that were too narrow, so we took her to a kids’ shoe shop but we didn’t even liked how they measured her feet and the shoes still seemed tight on her. I m glad I came across your website. I ordered a pair from your recommendations, hopefully they will work!
They will work. But don’t forget about the importance of socks. Have you ever worn socks that were too small for your feet? If you had, you will notice how much pressure you will feel between your toes, specially the big toe. Get your daughter seamless socks as soon as possible. You can find them in this post: Seamless Socks for Kids – Stop the Struggle of Putting Socks On!
I am so glad I stopped by your website. My child was suffering from an ingrown toe nail for the longest time. I got her a pair of the shoes you recommend with seamless socks, and after two months of wearing them she doesn’t complain anymore! I felt like I had to drop you a line telling you THANK YOU so much!
Abrielle,
You are welcome! I am glad she is not suffering from her ingrown toenail anymore! Wearing the correct type of shoes and socks can make all the difference!
Hi Juan,
This is exactly what I was looking for! Son of my friend is suffering from this problem for a long time – every 2-3 months she is bringing her son to doctors to take the nail off. It is really terrible for the boy as he is anactive basketball player. I will share this post with her as all the time we thought the reason was wrongly cut nail or nail growing wrong.
As I got to know after reading your post – it can also be due to wrong fit of the shoes and I guess it could be very relevant to him as sportsman as maybe his trainers are of inappropriate fit. Perhaps this problem can be solved much easier and less painful.
Thanks a lot for this valuable information – I think anyone who has suffered or is suffering from this problem will evaluate it a lot.
You should advise your friend to check the shoes that the child is currently wearing. There is a possibility that they might be too narrow, specially since he is a basketball player and there is a lot of friction between his feet and the hard floor of the basketball court.
I created a post where I describe the best basketball shoes for kids’ and there are some that are wider than others. The post is called:
The Best Basketball Shoes for Kids- Avoid Damaging their Feet And Knees
Hello Juan
My child keeps complaining about his big toe hurting, especially when trying to play soccer.Thank you for a very informative article on ingrown toenails and how important it is for children to have the right size and type of shoe.Is a rounded toe-box better than a squared toe, or does it make a difference?
I also like how you cover what socks to wear and how to treat ingrown toenails.
Wendy,
Always try to get your child shoes with a rounder toe-box rather than a pointy or square one. The rounder toe-box will guarantee that there is no pressure on your child big toe from the shoe. If you don;t have a children shoe store in your area, you can choose from the shoes I display in the post. I have fitted them before and they have the roundest toe -boxes, and they are also very deep.
Hi Juan,
I can relate to what you just describe in this article. I have suffered from ingrowing toe nails for over five years. I under went 5 minor surgeries before I became free.
Though that’s at the expense of my toe nail. I did not have a choice but to ask for a procedure to deaden it. So right now I don’t have any right toe nail anymore. The pain was so much that I could not bare it any longer. Going through this, I don’t want my kids to experience what I went through.
I didn’t know that certain shoes have wider toe-boxes, even in the same size length and width.How can I know when you post new articles? I have already read several of them and I love the information you provide.
Anu.
Anu,
Ingrown toenails are extremely painful. I experienced them as a kid because I wasn’t wearing the correct pair of shoes. Always make sure you are taking your children to have their feet properly measured at your local children’s shoe store. If you don’t have one in your area, I provided you with the shoes that come in wide and extra wide widths, as well as the roundest toe-boxes.
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