The Best Shoe Brands for Kids with Extra Wide Feet – Extra Depth, Rounder Toe-Boxes, and Extra Wide Widths!

April 11, 2023 Extra Wide Shoes Juan Valenzuela 0 - Comments

If you have a child with extra wide feet you are probably aware of how frustrating and time-consuming it can be to find shoes that fit. Most parents find themselves trying several different shoe styles just to end up empty handed. I have helped hundreds of children find shoes to accommodate the shape of their fabulously large, thick feet with high insteps, and I am sure I will be able to help your child as well. I am going to show you the best shoe brands for kids with extra wide feet based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.

How Does an Extra Wide Foot Look Like?

Let’s take a look at some examples of children with extra wide feet who I helped find the perfect pair of shoes for their feet:

Some children have extra wide feet with a high instep, which makes it even harder to find shoes that properly fit. Do you know what the instep of the foot is? The instep is the top part of the foot, and when it’s high, it requires a shoe that is really deep to prevent it from rubbing against the top part of the shoe. See the image below for clarification purposes and notice how much extra foot volume needs to be fitted inside the shoes.

I have found that there are certain children’s shoe brands that tend to be more consistent when it comes to fitting a child with extra wide feet.

Common Errors Usually Made by Parents

The most common mistake that I see parents make is to assume that once they provide their children with a shoe that is labeled as extra wide (XW), that shoe style will automatically fit the shape of the child’s extra wide feet. There are other two key factors that your kids’ shoes need to provide and I will explain them shortly.

Best Shoe Brands for Kids with Extra Wide Feet

If you have tried extra wide shoes in different shoe brands for your little one but still feel like the shoes are not wide enough for their feet, there are two shoe brands that have proven to be the best ones when it comes to manufacturing shoes for children with extra wide feet.

New Balance 

Specifically for toddlers and older children. I have found that New Balance makes some of the deepest shoes with the roundest toe-boxes, in addition to being labeled as extra wide. There are 2 specific shoe styles that I have found to be the most effective ones from New Balance, and I will describe them shortly.

Stride Rite

Specifically for babies. I want to clarify that I have found Stride Rite baby’s shoes to be effective for babies with extra wide feet, but not for toddlers or older children. With that said, Stride Rite definitely makes some of the widest babies’ shoes, but please keep in mind that there are only a few shoe styles that will work for your babies’ extra wide feet, and I will also describe them shortly.

I want to clarify that not all shoes from these two shoe brands will fit a child with extra wide feet. There are specific shoe styles among those two brands that fit a lot wider than others and those are the ones I recommend.

Shoes for Kids with Extra Wide Feet – Two Key Features!

1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, preventing the top part of the child’s feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. I want you to be able to visualize the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t. Do you notice how the shoe on the right is a lot deeper compared to the shoe on the left?

2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature prevents the child’s toes from overlapping one another or rubbing against the side of the shoes. Let’s compare the difference between a shoe that provides a round toe-box versus one that doesn’t. These shoes are the same length and width, but do you notice how the shoe on the right has a rounder toe-box compared to the shoe on the left?

In addition to finding shoes that are labeled as extra wide, provide extra depth and a round toe-box, it’s important to provide your child with the correct shoe size, otherwise, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.

How to Figure Out Your Child’s Exact Foot Size

I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will help you retrieve your child’s shoe size from home. In that resource you will find out whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also be able to determine whether your child has a high instep or not.

Now that you know your child’s exact foot size, let’s take a look at the best widest shoes among New Balance and Stride Rite. 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 Shoe Brands for Kids with Extra Wide Feet: New Balance

New Balance is my go-to shoe brand for children who have extra wide feet, high insteps, or need an orthotic to be fitted inside the shoes.

  • Available in laces and velcro
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Available in laces and velcro
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on Amazon
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
  • Velcro closure
  • Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
  • Extra Deep
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on Amazon
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
  • Velcro closure
  • Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
  • Extra Deep
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 on Zappos
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
  • Velcro closure
  • Leather and mesh upper
  • Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
  • Extra deep
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 on Zappos
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
  • Velcro closure
  • Leather and mesh upper
  • Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
  • Extra deep
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
  • Velcro closure
  • Leather and mesh upper
  • Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
  • Extra deep
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
  • Velcro closure
  • Leather and mesh upper
  • Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
  • Extra deep
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style DynaSoft v5 by New Balance on Amazon
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Velcro closure
  • ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
  • AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
  • Fresh Foam midsole cushioning
  • TPU heel clip for stability
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 880V12 by New Balance on Amazon
  • Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
  • Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style 527 by New Balance on Zappos
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
  • Suede/mesh upper 
  • Fits orthotics
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
  • Leather and suede upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
  • Fits orthotics
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Lace-up closure
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
New-Balance-shoe-for-children-with-flat-feet
  • Available for big kids
  • Lace-up closure
  • Fits children with medium or wide feet
  • Suede and mesh upper
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size

Children can wear any of these shoe styles as their everyday pair of sneakers since these shoes are supportive, lightweight, flexible, and durable.

Best Shoe Brands for Babies with Extra Wide Feet: Stride Rite

Stride Rite is my go-to shoe brand for babies who are learning how to walk. Most babies have wide to extra wide feet, since they still carry some fat pad on their feet. You can find a breakdown of the best extra wide shoes for babies below:

Boys

  • Order the shoe style SRT SM Artie by Stride Rite on Zappos
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
  • APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Wes by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
  • Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
  • APMA approved
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style SM Adam by Stride Rite on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
  • Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
  • Foam padding placed around the ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Martin by Stride Rite on Zappos
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
  • Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
  • Oversized opening and pull tab on the back offer easy on and off
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Soft Motion Wally by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
  • APMA approved
  • Oversized opening for easy-on
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Soft Motion Kylo by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
  • Machine washable
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • 100% leather made
  • Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
  • Lace-up closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

Girls

  • Order the shoe style SM Adalyn by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
  • APMA approved
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Zips Runner by Stride Rite on Zappos
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Padded tongue and collar
  • APMA approved
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Sm Lucianne by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • The footbed is crafted with Ortholite memory foam for enhanced, superior comfort
  • Oversized opening for easy on-and-off, also suitable for wider feet 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite on Zappos
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
  • APMA approved
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Thompson by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Available in medium and wide widths
  • Oversized opening for easy on and off
  • Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
  • APMA approved
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Zappos
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • 100% leather made
  • Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
  • Lace-up closure
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Order the shoe style Soft Motion Baby by Stride Rite on Amazon
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
  • Over-sized opening for easy on/off
  • APMA approved and built for first-time walkers 
  • I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

These shoe styles all come with sensory pods on the soles to allow your baby to get a better feel off the ground and feel more confident and stable when taking those first steps.

Do you feel like you always have a hard time getting your child’s shoes on? Do you notice imprints on the top of your child’s feet every time your child takes the shoes off? Those are some of the most common signs that your child’s shoes are not wide enough.

Child with imprints on the top part of his foot from wearing shoes that were fitted too narrow.

How to Check if the Shoes Are Wide Enough for Your Child’s Feet?

With your child’s shoes on, have your child stand up and look straight ahead. Inspect the widest area of the shoe, which is where the pinky toe (small toe) ends. Do you notice a small bump around that area? This is a sign that the shoes are not wide enough. Take a look at the image below for clarification:

Are Any Other Extra Wide Shoe Choices Available?

Still not sure which shoe style is best for your child’s extra wide feet? Feel free to contact me via email if your child’s shoe size (length and width), along with any photos you might have of your child’s feet and I will send you specific shoe recommendations.