Do you have a toddler with a high instep and does it seem almost impossible to find shoes that fit? Do you feel like you are always shoving the shoes on your toddler’s feet and when you remove the shoes there are imprints on the top part of the feet? I know which are the best shoes for toddlers with high insteps since I have been fitting children’s shoes for the last 10 years.
I have helped hundreds of toddlers with high insteps find the perfect pair of shoes for their feet, and I believe I will be able to help your child as well!
What Is the Instep of the Foot?
The instep is the top part of the foot, and when it’s high, it makes it a lot more complicated to find shoes that fit. Below is an image to help you visualize where the instep of the foot is located:
As you can see in the image below there is a lot of extra foot volume to be fitted inside of the shoes.
Most toddlers tend to have wide or extra wide feet, but if in addition to having wide feet, they have a high instep, then the selection of shoes to choose from gets very limited. Some parents are just happy to be able to find at least one pair of shoes that fits.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Toddlers with High Insteps?
There are 3 key features that the shoes I recommend provide that make them ideal for toddlers with high insteps:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: Shoes that provide extra depth allow the toddler’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, which helps prevent the top part of your toddler’s feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: Shoes that come with a rounder toe-box help prevent your toddler’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe with a rounder toe-box versus one with a pointier one:
3️⃣ Oversized Openings: This feature makes it easier for parents to slide their toddler’s feet on and off the shoes. The last thing that you want is to have to struggle every time you have to put your toddler’s shoes on.
The issue is that most parents are confused as to how they can find shoes that provide these 2 features since shoes don’t come labeled as with a “round toe-box”, or “extra deep”. The good news is that I know which toddler’s shoes provide these 2 features from having fitted them before.
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. This experience has afforded me many insights into children’s shoes and the way they fit. Our store specializes in fitting shoes for children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well.
From my experience fitting thousands of kids, I have become familiar with the best shoe brands for toddlers with high insteps and the best styles among those brands.
Are you the type of parent who stresses way too much over your kids’ shoes? Ordering a whole bunch of different shoes from different shoe brands and testing which one fits better is just too frustrating, time-consuming, and doesn’t even guarantee you that your toddler will end up wearing the correct shoe size. There is a better way, I promise!
Be Careful About Fitting Your Toddler in the Wrong Pair of Shoes!
If you provide your toddler with a high instep with a pair of shoes that are too shallow, you will notice how your toddler will refuse to keep the shoes on, and the constant pressure on the top part of the foot can lead to foot pain. The other downside to providing your toddler with shoes that don’t accommodate their instep is that they might create foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns on the top of the toes.
I want to clarify that I don’t think that there is a particular children’s shoe brand that you can label as being better for toddlers with high insteps. I believe that among each shoe brand certain shoes are better than others when it comes to fitting high insteps.
There are regular sneakers that will fit your toddler’s high instep, and I will help you find them. In addition, there are also other shoe styles such as Mary Janes, boots, sandals, that will fit the shape of your toddler’s high instep, but in this article, I am going to cover the best everyday sneakers for toddlers with high insteps.
Shoe styles that provide extra depth, come with a rounder toe-box, and open nice and wide are the most effective ones in fitting toddlers with high insteps. However, we still need the shoes to provide the correct amount of support and be lightweight and flexible at the same time. It’s also important for your toddler’s shoes to be breathable since toddler’s feet tend to sweat a lot.
Before I show you a selection of the best shoes for toddlers with high insteps, I want to make sure that you know your toddler’s exact foot size, otherwise, you won’t know what shoe size to order.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Toddler’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!
I always recommend parents take their toddlers to have their feet measured at their local specialized children’s shoe store, but the issue is that most of these stores have been closing down. I created a resource that showcases the best-fitting children’s shoe stores by state:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where To Go for Proper Fittings
How to Retrieve Your Toddler’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to find a store in your area, then take a look at an article I wrote where I describe the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your toddler’s foot size from home. Go to the link below:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot length and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Now that you know what features the toddler’s shoes that I recommend provide, let’s take a look at a selection of the best shoes for toddlers with high insteps.
I only review shoes that I have fitted before since that is the only way for me to tell how well-made and supportive they are, and how they fit. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Shoes for Toddlers with High Insteps ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The shoes below fit the shape of toddlers with medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) feet and a high instep. Please choose the shoe width accordingly.
Boys
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper
- Alternative closure for easy on and off adjustability
- Lightweight EVA midsole for cushioning
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- APMA Certified
- Traction pods on the outsole for serious grip
- EVA midsole for lightweight feel
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Leather and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Girls
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Leather and mesh upper
- Two adjustable hook-and-loop closures for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- No-sew saddle construction for mid-foot support
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Leather and mesh upper
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your toddler’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
These are the deepest toddler’s shoes with the roundest toe-boxes that I have fitted before. There are no other shoes that are deeper than the ones I just recommended.
I recommend shoes with velcro closure for toddlers because I know how most parents don’t want to deal with constantly having to tie their toddler’s shoelaces. However, shoelaces will allow you to open up the shoes nice and wide, meaning that you should consider trying this option if the velcro options don’t work for your toddler.
It’s important for your toddler’s shoes to be wide enough at the front to provide plenty of room for their toes. Always make sure that your toddler’s shoes don’t constrict toe movement, since babies and toddlers move their toes as a way of exercising their feet.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
If you happen to be looking for a different shoe style for your toddler with high instep, please send me an e-mail and I will help you find them. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
If you are looking for a pair of seasonal shoes or dress shoes for your toddler with a high instep I suggest that you take look at the article below:
Best Shoes for Toddlers with High Instep – The Top 6 Sneakers, Dress Shoes, Sandals, and Boots!
I have helped several older children with foot issues from not wearing the correct type of shoes in their younger years.
How Fast Do Toddler’s Feet Grow?
Toddler’s feet tend to grow very quickly, usually every 31/2 to 4 months. Please keep a close eye on your toddler’s feet since shoes that are too short or too narrow can hamper your toddler’s walking and cause problems, such as ingrown toenails.
I want to emphasize that expensive shoes don’t automatically translate into better shoes. Some of the best children’s shoes that I have fitted before and reasonably priced. It also all comes down to how the shoes fit the shape of your toddler’s feet.
You can buy a shoe that provides several features, but if they don’t fit the shape of your child’s feet correctly, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.
Socks play a key role in keeping a toddler’s feet healthy. If you happen to need a pair of socks for your toddler, please refer to the article below:
The Best Seamless Socks for Toddlers – Breathable, Comfortable, and Durable!
Have you found a particular shoe that has been effective in accommodating your toddler’s high instep? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
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