Are you having a hard time finding a pair of dress shoes for your toddler with wide feet? Do you always struggle to get your toddler’s dress shoes on and notice imprints on the top part of his/her feet? Finding a pair of dress shoes for your toddler with wide feet can be a frustrating experience, but I have put together a list of the best dress shoes for toddlers with wide feet based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Finding the perfect pair of dress shoes for your toddler with wide feet takes a lot more than just choosing a dress shoe labeled as wide (W) or extra wide (XW).
What Makes the Dress Shoes I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet?
The dress shoes that I recommend provide two important features:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature is going to allow your toddler’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent the top part of the foot from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference in depth between two shoes that are the same length and width. Do you notice how the dress shoe on the right image is deeper compared to the dress shoe on the left?
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to prevent your toddler’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes.
The issue is that shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep”, or with a “round toe-box”, and the only way to know if a pair of dress shoes provide those features is by having fitted them before.
Believe me when I tell you that I can save you a lot of time and money, as I know which dress shoes are better than others in terms of fit, materials, and support.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been working at a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now, and I know which shoe brands and which shoe styles are better than others. The store specializes in helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot conditions. Over the years I became familiar with the best dress shoes for toddlers with wide feet.
Before I show you a selection of the best dress shoes for toddlers with wide feet, let me first show you what features these dress shoes provide and how to make sure that you are providing your toddler with the correct shoe size.
Wide Dress Shoes for Toddlers – 3 Important Features!
The two most important features that a pair of dress shoes must provide for a toddler with wide feet are extra depth and rounder toe-boxes. There are 3 additional important features that you must look for in your toddler’s dress shoes:
1️⃣ Support: This feature allows your toddlers to run and play comfortably, and minimize the impact that their feet receive every time they come in contact with the ground.
2️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible: It’s important for the shoes to be supportive, but they must be lightweight and flexible at the same time to prevent your toddler’s feet and legs from easily getting tired.
3️⃣ Durable: It’s important for your toddler’s dress shoes to be durable in order to make sure that they outgrow them before they destroy them.
One thing that I am always emphasizing to parents is that it doesn’t matter how many features a particular shoe style provides, if the shoes are not fitted properly, your toddler will not get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. What’s even worse, you will end up creating issues to your toddler’s feet such as blisters, calluses, or corns.
Do you Know You Toddler’s Exact Foot Size?
I can help you retrieve your toddler’s exact foot length and shape online, but it’s better to take children to be properly sized and fitted for shoes at your local children’s shoe store. If you don’t happen to have a children’s shoe store in your area that you trust, then you should start by reading an article I wrote called:
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.
By the way, if you are unsure whether you have a good fitting children’s shoe store in your area, you should take a look at a different resource where I describe the best fitting children’s shoe stores in the United States. I break down these shoe stores by state:
The Best Kids Shoe Stores in the United States – Where to go for Proper Fittings!
The stores that I describe in that resource are all fitting shoe stores, not big retailers such as Payless or Nordstrom’s.
Facts About Toddlers with Wide Feet – Take Note!
Below are some interesting facts about toddlers with wide feet:
➡️ Wide and extra wide feet in toddlers are common.
➡️ Shoe width is the most important part of fitting a shoe. It doesn’t matter how much room your toddler has in the front of the shoes, if the shoes are too narrow then you will have to replace the shoes faster than you expected it.
➡️ Wearing shoes that are too narrow puts toddlers at risk for developing serious foot deformities such as blisters, corns, and bunions.
➡️ Don’t purchase shoes assuming that they will stretch with wear.
Now that you know what features good dress shoes provide and how to find out your toddler’s exact foot size, let me show you a selection of the best dress shoes for toddlers with wide feet.
I have fitted all of the shoes that I recommend below, as that’s the only way for me to tell the quality of the shoes and how they fit. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Dress Shoes for Toddlers with Wide Feet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best dress shoes for toddlers with wide feet.
Boys
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Ideal for toddlers who are learning how to walk
- APMA approved and built for toddlers
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Lace-up design
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Padded insole
- Dual goring at vamp
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Slip-on design
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Padded tongue and collar provide additional comfort and cushioning
- Genuine leather
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% genuine leather upper
- Velcro closure
- Alternative closure with fixed lace for easy on/off and adjustability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Padded tongue and collar provide additional comfort and cushioning
- Memory foam insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Lace-up design
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Padded tongue and collar provide additional comfort and cushioning
- 100% Synthetic
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Girls
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Ideal for toddlers who are learning how to walk
- APMA approved and built for toddlers
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Flex Fit system includes additional insole that can be removed as your child grows
- Oversized opening
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium and wide feet
- Oversized openings
- 100% leather
- Soft leather uppers with a black patent finish and scalloped topline edging
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Oversized openings
- Antimicrobial linings for odor prevention
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Adjustable buckle closure with hidden elastic
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Ankle strap with hook-and-loop closure
- Leather lining for a soft feel
- Lightly padded leather insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Adjustable buckle secures the perfect fit every time
- Lightly padded leather insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with medium or wide feet
- Leather lining for a soft feel
- Lightly padded leather insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits toddlers with wide and extra wide feet
- Oversized openings
- Antimicrobial linings for odor prevention
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the dress 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.
*A half a size bigger translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
*A whole size bigger translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
Socks or No Socks with Your Toddler’s Dress Shoes?
I always recommend parents put on socks every time their toddlers are wearing shoes. Socks play an important role in keeping your toddlers’ feet, especially for toddlers whose feet are still developing.
Socks act as a barrier between your toddler’s feet and the shoes, and they prevent the formation and buildup of bacteria inside the shoes.
Because your toddler’s feet are soft, socks help cushion your toddler’s feet and prevent the shoes from rubbing against your toddler’s feet — as this can lead to blisters and other foot issues.
If you have been looking for a pair of good quality and seamless socks for your toddler, you can find below a selection of the best toddler dress socks:
- Made with premium ultra soft breathable cotton
- Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam
- Machine washable
- 75% Combed Cotton, 23% Nylon, 2% Lycra Elastane
- Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam
- 75% Cotton, 22% Polyester, 3% Spandex
- Knit in pointelle pattern design knee high socks dress up any outfit
- Pretty bow on the side of socks add an extra cute flare
- Machine washable
- Premium ultra soft breathable cotton
- Ultra smooth toe for added softness
- Machine washable
- 75% Combed Cotton, 23% Nylon, 2% Lycra Elastane
- Seamless toe linking construction eliminates bulky toe seam
- Machine washable
- 87% Cotton, 12% Nylon, 1% Spandex
- Reinforced heel and toe provides long lasting wear
- Ultra smooth toe for added softness
- Ribbed leg for optimal fit and support
- Machine washable
All of the socks that I describe in that article are seamless and breathable. Seamless socks are great, especially for those toddlers who feel every bump and lump in the socks.
What are the Best Sneakers for Toddlers with Wide Feet?
Below you can find an article that describes the best everyday sneakers for toddlers with wide feet:
The Best Sneakers for Toddlers with Extra Wide Feet – Deep and Supportive!
Is there a particular dress shoe style that you have tried and can recommend for your toddler with wide feet? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.
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