Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on April 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of the best shoes with a wide toe box and narrow heel.
Does your child have a “complicated foot” shape? Have you gotten your child’s feet measured and were told that your child has a wide foot at the front and a narrow heel?
It can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience to find shoes for kids with wide feet and narrow heels. If you have been told that your child has a wide foot with a narrow heel and you have been struggling to find shoes that fit, I will show you which shoes are capable of accommodating that particular foot shape.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have been fitting children’s shoes and orthotics for the last 10 years at a shoe store that specializes in fitting children with foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. We need to carry top-quality shoes that are available in a variety of widths and sizes, as that’s the only way we can guarantee to fit every single child.
I am familiar with most children’s shoe brands and shoe styles and I know which shoes fit better than others.
Parents seem to have one question in common: Do kids’ shoes with a wide toe-box and narrow heel exist?
Yes, they actually do. It’s very complicated to find shoes that fit children who have a wide forefoot and narrow heels; as often times shoes that are wide at the toe are wide at the heel and vice versa. However, there are a few shoe styles that will accommodate your child with that particular foot shape, and I will show them to you shortly.
Let me show you an example of a shoe with a wide toe-box and a narrow heel. Do you notice how the heel of the shoe is narrower and well-padded? This is an example of a shoe that can accommodate the shape of a child with a wide foot at the front and narrow heels.
Now let’s take a look at what 4 important features the shoes must provide to keep your kids’ feet and legs healthy:
✅ Support: Supportive shoes minimize the impact that your kids’ feet take every time they come in contact with the ground. A supportive shoe comes with a substantial outsole and a firm heel counter.
✅ Lightweight/Flexible: The shoes need to be supportive, but lightweight and flexible at the same time. This helps prevent your child’s feet and legs from easily getting tired.
✅ Traction: A shoe that provides good traction helps prevent your child from slipping and falling, especially when they are walking around slippery surfaces.
✅ Breathable: A breathable shoe helps prevent the buildup of bacteria that causes foot odor.
Now that you know what features the shoes I recommend provide to keep your children’s feet and legs healthy you are ready to take a look at the best shoes with a wide toe box and narrow heel. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Shoes with Wide Toe-Box and Narrow Heel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best children’s shoes that come with a wide toe box and a narrow heel. The shoes below will fit a child that has narrow, medium, or wide feet (choose the width accordingly).
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- 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
- 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
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Velcro closure for easy on/off and adjustability
- Machine washable
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Cushy lightweight EVA midsole for comfort
- Cushy lightweight EVA midsole for comfort
- APMA approved
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium feet
- Breathable mesh and synthetic upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning in the heel
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Leather and mesh upper for durability & breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
These are everyday shoes that can be worn for your child’s daily activities. Please keep in mind that if your child’s heels are really narrow, a pair of shoes that come with shoelaces is going to make a huge difference as it will lock your kids’ heels by pushing them against the back of the shoes.
These shoes are also supportive, lightweight, flexible, and breathable, which will keep your kids’ feet and legs healthy. But remember, you must provide your child with the correct shoe size if you want him or her to get the full benefits that the shoes have to offer.
What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes I indicate whether you need to order a half a size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!
You won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online if you don’t know your child’s exact foot size to begin with.
I always recommend parents to take their children to their local kids’ shoe store, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that fit. Start by taking a look at a resource I created where I describe the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores In The United States – Where To Go For Proper Fittings
If after looking at that resource you don’t find s store in your area then take a look at 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
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size 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.
Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy – Provide Them with Good Socks!
I have spoken with several parents who have asked me if it’s okay to allow their children to wear their shoes without socks, as children can get pretty fussy about wearing socks. It’s important to understand that socks play a huge role in keeping your kids’ feet healthy, as they act as a barrier between kids’ feet and the shoes, as well as prevent the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes.
While I can’t get into too much detail about the key role that socks play in keeping your children’s feet healthy, there is another post I wrote that explains everything that you need to know about children’s socks:
The Importance of Wearing Socks – Grippers or No Grippers?
I understand that some children don’t allow their parents to put socks on as they can’t tolerate how they feel. However, there are certain types of socks that are seamless and are great for kids with wide or extra wide feet as they help prevent the toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another.
I have helped numerous children who feel every lump and seam of socks, and if that is the case for your child, you should try a pair of seamless socks. The article below describes the best seamless socks for kids:
Seamless Socks for Kids – Stop the Struggle of Putting Socks On!
Are Any Other Shoe 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 for your child. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well for your child’s particular foot shape with wide feet and narrow heels? Please share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.
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