Slip On Shoes for Toddlers with Wide Feet – Extra Depth and Oversized Openings

I have been fitting children’s shoes for the last 10 years, and wide feet in toddlers are incredibly common. Most toddlers that I help at the shoe store either have wide or extra wide feet, so it’s a challenge to find shoes that fit well as most mainstream brands don’t seem to consider wide feet in their shoe design. The good news is that after having fitted hundreds of toddlers shoes, I became familiar with the best shoe brands and styles that fit wide feet.

The feature that parents love the most about slip-on shoes is how it gives children the independence to put the shoes on and take them off by themselves. However, if the slip on shoes are too narrow then your toddler will have a very hard time getting the shoes on and off.

Challenges of Finding Slip On Shoes for Toddlers with Wide Feet

It’s hard to find slip on shoes that work well for children with wide feet as most of them don’t open up widely or have round toe-boxes. Slip on shoes that are too narrow might end up creating several foot issues such as blisters, calluses, corn, or ingrown toenails.

Providing your toddler with well-fitting shoes is essential for healthy foot development. Some toddlers in addition to having wide or extra wide feet have high insteps. The instep is the top part of the foot and when it’s high, it makes it a lot more challenging to find shoes that fit:

For example, do you usually notice red marks or indentations on the top part of your toddlers’ feet?

This is usually the first sign that the shoes are either not wide or deep enough. If you always struggle getting your toddler’s shoes on and off that’s another sign that your toddler might have a high instep.

What Makes the Slip On Shoes I Recommend Ideal for Toddlers with Wide Feet?

The slip on shoes that I recommend provide 3 key features that make them ideal for toddlers with wide feet:

1️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes

The slip on shoes that I recommend come with a rounder toe-box, to prevent your toddler’s toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another. This feature helps prevent your toddler from developing blisters, calluses, or corns. Below you can find two slip on shoes that are the same size in length, but the shoe on the right has a rounded toe-box compared to the shoe on the left. I will provide you with a link to that specific slip on shoe shortly.

2️⃣ Extra Depth

The slip on shoes that I recommend provide extra depth, which is going to allow your toddler’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent the top part of their feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Below you can find two slip on shoes that are the same size in length, however, do you notice how the shoe on the right is a lot deeper compared to the shoe on the left?

3️⃣ Oversized Openings

This feature allows for easy on and off. One common complaint that many families have is that they always have a hard time getting their toddler’s slip on shoes on and off. The slip on shoes that I recommend open up widely to easily insert your toddler’s feet.

Additional feature: Lightweight and flexible. All of the slip on shoes that I recommend are lightweight and flexible at the same time. Toddler’s shoes should mainly be to protect, not support or cushion. If your toddler has a foot problem or foot condition then he/she might require a more substantial or supportive shoe.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best slip on shoes for toddlers with wide feet. 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.

Best Slip On Shoes for Toddlers with Wide Feet

Please note that slip on shoes are not the best choice for toddlers with wide feet because of the simple fact that they don’t open as wide as shoes with velcro straps or laces. With that said, the slip on shoes below are the ones that work best for toddlers with wide feet as they provide round toe-boxes, extra depth, and oversized openings.

Be Careful About Sizing Up!

Most parents buy their children’s shoes on the larger side to accommodate their wide feet. While sizing up might seem like an easy solution, you don’t want your toddler tripping over their feet. I always emphasize to parents that they won’t be able to provide their kids with the same amount of growing room in a slip on shoe as they would in any other type of shoe. The main reason for this is that slip on shoes don’t come with any type of closure to hold your child’s feet in place.

Keep in mind that what might work for a toddler with wide feet might not work as well for another. Some parents buy certain shoe styles because a friend or a family remember recommended them. My shoe recommendations are from having fitted and tested those shoes on several different toddlers with wide feet.

Find Out How to Order Your Toddler’s Correct Shoe Size Online

Most parents of toddlers who have wide feet and order their shoes online have to end up buying shoes in multiple sizes and most of the time they end up returning them all. To help you save time and money I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your toddler’s exact shoe size in two simple steps.

That resource will retrieve your toddler’s exact foot length and shape, so you can have a better idea of what shoe size to order.

Should Children Wear Socks with Slip On Shoes?

Yes, as socks act as a barrier between your toddler’s tender skin and the shoes. They will also help prevent the formation and buildup of bacteria inside the shoes.

How Often Should You Replace Your Toddler’s Shoes?

If you provide your toddler with the correct amount of growing room to begin with, you should expect to replace the shoes every 3 to 4 months. This should be used as a guideline as every toddler grows at a different rate.

Looking for Other Shoe Recommendations?

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly at my email if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes to accommodate your toddler’s wide feet. My e-mail address is:

fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com

In the meantime, you can access a different resource I created where I describe the best everyday sneakers for toddlers with wide feet.

Do you know of any other great shoe brands or shoe styles for toddlers with wide feet? Let me know in the comments section below!