Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of slip on shoes for wide feet.
Have you been looking for a pair of slip-on shoes for your child with wide feet? Do you feel like every time you try a slip-on shoe your child complains that it feels too tight? There are only a few slip-on shoes that are capable of accommodating the shape of a child’s wide feet, but the good news is that I will help you find them.
Why am I so sure I will be able to help you find that particular shoe style that you are having a hard time finding for your child?
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now that focuses on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes for kids with wide feet.
Shoes that are too narrow will make your child uncomfortable and they will also lead to several foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
One common mistake that I see parents make when their kids complain about the shoes feeling too tight is trying a larger shoe to compensate for the width. Please stop doing this as you will end up compromising your children’s stability and making them more prone to falling and hurting themselves.
What Makes the Slip-On Shoes I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet?
The slip-on shoes I recommend provide extra depth, which is going to allow your children’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. The shoes also come with a rounder toe-box, to prevent your kids’ toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another.
Let me show you the difference between one of the slip-on shoes I recommend and a different style. These shoes are the same size, but as you can see they will fit the shape of a child’s wide foot very differently.
Rounder Toe-Boxes
Extra Depth
I always emphasize to parents that they won’ 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.
Slip-on shoes provide several advantages and the most popular one is how they allow your children to easily put the shoes on and take them off by themselves. I will provide you with a selection of the best kids’ slip-on shoes for wide feet shortly, but first, let me show you what features the slip-on shoes I recommend provide.
Slip-On Shoes for Wide Feet – The 5 Most Important Features!
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.
One thing I want you to consider is that slip-on shoes are not meant to be worn as everyday shoes. The main reason is that they don’t provide the same amount of support or stability as regular sneakers do, so I always recommend parents limit their children to wear them for a maximum of 4 hours a day and then switch back to their sneakers.
These are the 3 most important features that the slip-on shoes I recommend provide:
✅ Firm Heel Counter: The heel counter of the shoe is the back part of the shoe that provides ankle and heel support, and the firmer it is the better.
✅ Good traction: The outsole of the shoe must provide good support and traction, so your kids can feel stable and secure when walking or running around.
✅ Flexibility: Flexible shoes prevent the child’s feet to not get tired easily when walking or running around.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best slip-on shoes for wide feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
I only write reviews of shoes that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit.
The Best Slip-On Shoes for Wide Feet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Fits medium and wide feet
- FlexiRun EVA foam outsole is ultra-lightweight and flexible
- Removable recycled mesh sockliner allows air movement and keeps feet fresh
- Machine washable and water-friendly
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Alternative closure features a gore band across the instep for easy on and off
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Alternative closure features a gore band across the instep for easy on and off
- Lightweight IMEVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Removable, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Metallic leather and textile upper with padded collar and tongue
- Machine washable and water-friendly
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Soft EVA molded footbed for all day cushioning and comfort
- Knit upper for superior comfort
- Laceless, elastic closure provides easy wear and slip-on convenience
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in wide widths
- Slip on with elastic twin gore for easy on/off
- Ortholite Memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Alternative closure features a gore band across the instep for easy on and off
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Ground Contact EVA outsole with rubber pods
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Alternative closure features a gore band across the instep for easy on and off
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Ground Contact EVA outsole with rubber pods
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Vegan Leather
- Supportive and lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Stretch-Fit with 4 Way Stretch
- Air-Cooled Memory Foam
- Machine washable and water-friendly
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Cushy memory foam footbed for comfort
- Contoured cushion heel
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Soft EVA molded footbed for all day cushioning and comfort
- Knit upper for superior comfort
- Machine washable and water-friendly
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
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.
Keep in mind that 50% of the time I fit a child in a pair of slip-on shoes I end up fitting a tongue pad inside the shoe to prevent the heel from slipping off the shoes. A tongue pad is an adhesive-backed pad that is placed in the tongue of the shoe and pushes the kids’ heels back to secure them against the back of the shoe.
If your children are complaining about their shoes slipping off, start by trying a tongue pad. Your child will notice a difference right away. While I can’t get into too much detail about which are the best tongue pads for shoes there is another article I wrote where I describe them in more detail. Please go to the link below:
Leather Shoe Tongue Pads – Stop Heel Slippage
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Get it Right!
You won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online if you don’t know your child’s foot size is to begin with.
I always recommend parents to take their children to their local fitting children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most fitting stores have been closing down and parents need to end up buying their kids’ shoes online. There is nothing wrong with this, but you must know your child’s exact foot size to know what size to order.
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 Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If after looking at that resource 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 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.
Now that you know which are the best wide slip-on shoes for children you are ready to make the most informed decision.
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 slip-on shoe that has worked well for your child’s wide feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
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