Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on February 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of the best shoe brands for kids with wide feet.
Are you having a hard time finding shoes for your child’s wide feet? Do you know which are the 3 most popular shoe brands for children with wide feet?
Some children have high insteps in addition to having wide feet, which makes the whole process of finding shoes that fit a lot more complicated. Do you know what the instep of the foot is? The instep is the top part of the foot:
When children have high insteps, there is a lot of extra foot volume that needs to be fitted inside the shoes:
I have fitted several different shoe brands for children with wide feet, but 3 particular ones have proven to be the most consistent ones when it comes to manufacturing shoes for children with wide feet.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have been fitting children’s shoes and orthotics for the last 10 years in a store that specializes in children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. I am familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are wider than others from having fitted them before.
For the last 5 years, I have been helping parents find the perfect pair of shoes for their children online.
The best shoe brands for children with wide feet are:
✅ New Balance
✅ Saucony
✅ Stride Rite
Among these 3 shoe brands, certain shoes fit deeper and wider than others, and those are the styles I will recommend shortly.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Kids with Wide Feet?
Most parents make the common mistake of assuming that a shoe that is labeled as wide (W) or extra wide (XW) will automatically fit the shape of their child’s wide feet. In addition to fitting the shape of your child’s wide feet, the shoes need to also be able to accommodate the shape of your child’s instep. Children with high insteps require shoes that provide extra depth, to prevent the instep of their feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes.
For children with wide feet, there are 2 key features that the shoes must provide to fit the shape of their feet perfectly:
✅ Extra Depth: Shoes that provide extra depth allow the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, and prevent the top part of the child’s feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. This feature also helps prevent the top part of the child’s toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
✅ Round Toe-Box: This feature helps prevent your kids’ toes from overlapping and rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides a rounder toe-box versus one that doesn’t:
How Do You Find Shoes with Extra Depth and Rounder Toe-Boxes?
Parents are often confused about how they are supposed to find shoes that provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes if shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep” or with “rounder toe-boxes”.
I know exactly which shoes provide these 2 features as I have fitted them before. At the shoe store that I work for we fit a lot of children with wide feet and high insteps. We also fit a lot of children with foot issues who need to wear orthotics inside their shoes. Orthotics take a lot of extra space inside the shoes, so I have become familiar with which shoes are deeper and wider to accommodate an orthotic.
I will provide you with a selection of the best shoes among these 3 popular children’s shoe brands. In addition, I will also show you which shoe brand is more appropriate depending on your child’s walking stage and foot condition.
✅ Stride Rite provides the best shoes for babies and toddlers who are still learning how to walk.
✅ Saucony makes some of the most affordable, yet supportive and lightweight shoes for toddlers who are already walking.
✅ New Balance is the best choice for older children who have a foot condition that requires them to wear more supportive and substantial shoes. This shoe brand is also the most effective one when it comes to fitting children with high insteps.
Now let’s take a look at the best shoe brands for kids with wide feet, and the best styles among each brand.
Stride Rite: The Best First Walking Shoes for Babies with Wide Feet
I have noticed that most babies who are learning how to walk have wide or extra wide feet. This doesn’t mean that their feet are always going to be wide or extra wide, as they might be carrying a little extra baby fat that might go away as they keep growing. However, some children’s feet stay wide for the rest of their lives.
Stride Rite makes shoes in wide and extra wide widths that come with a round toe-box and that provide extra depth. I have fitted some of the widest babies’ feet in Stride Rite shoes, and those are the styles I will describe below.
Another awesome feature that Stride Rite shoes provide unrelated to the width of the shoes is how the shoes come with sensory pods in the bottom of the sole of the shoes, which allows your baby’s feet to get a better feeling of the ground and feel more confident and stable when taking those first steps.
The Best Stride Rite Shoes for Wide Feet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best wide Stride Rite shoes for babies and toddlers. Please choose the wide width option (W). Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Seamless construction
- Removable insoles
- Oversized opening and pull tab on the back offer easy on and off
- Order this shoe the same size as your baby’s foot size (shoe fits long)
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Black patent leather upper with full leather lining and insole
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your baby’s current foot size
All of these shoe styles come with sensory pods in the soles to help your baby balance better.
Saucony: The Best Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet
If you have a toddler at home with wide feet who is already walking and needs a pair of shoes, Saucony makes some of the best styles that cater to these needs.
Saucony makes certain shoes that are specifically targeted to toddlers who are already walking or still in the learning walking stage, since their shoes are lightweight, flexible, breathable, and durable.
These shoes also come with a more substantial and supportive outsole, since toddlers who are already waking put more pressure on their feet and legs. Saucony makes some of the best shoes for toddlers at an affordable price.
The Best Wide Saucony Shoes for Children ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best wide Saucony shoes for toddlers. Please choose the wide width option (W).
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
New Balance: The Best Shoes for Kids with Foot Issues and Orthotics
New Balance is my go-to shoe brand for older children with wide feet or children of any age who have a foot condition and need a pair of orthotics to be fitted inside the shoes.
New Balance makes the deepest shoes with the roundest toe-boxes. This shoe brand is ideal for any child who has extra wide feet and high insteps.
In addition to fitting a child with wide or extra wide feet and a high instep, New Balance shoes are supportive, lightweight, and flexible.
The Best Wide New Balance Shoes for Children ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best wide New Balance shoes for children. Please choose the wide width option (W).
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Suede/mesh upper
- Velcro closure
- EVA-cushioned midsole
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Suede/mesh upper
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 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
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Suede and mesh uppers
- Padded tongue and collar offer a snug, comfy fit
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Dual-layered EVA midsole for cushioning
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning
- TPU heel clip for stability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Suede/mesh upper
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Lace-Up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online?
Follow the instructions on this article to retrieve your child’s exact foot length and shape:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
I presented you with the best shoe brands for kids with wide feet. Please keep in mind that while there might be some other children’s shoe brands available in wide and extra wide widths, none of them compare to the quality and support that Stride Rite, Saucony, and New Balance shoes provide.
You have probably heard of other shoe brands such as Pediped, See Kai Run or Sperry (just to name a few), but the 3 shoe brands that I recommend provide several important features in addition to fitting children with wide feet.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you can’t seem to find a particular shoe for your child with wide feet. I am always explaining to parents how it doesn’t matter how wide their kids’ feet are, there is always at least one particular shoe style out there that will fit the shape of their kids’ feet perfectly, and I will help you find it:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Do you agree with my selection of the best shoe brands for kids with wide feet? Is there any other shoe brand that has worked well for your child’s wide feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
Hi Juan Pablo,
My grandson has extra wide feet and we always have such a hard time finding shoes that fit. We used to struggle every time it was time to put his shoes on, since the shoes won’t even go in his feet. I just wanted to say thank you because we ordered a pair of the shoes that you recommend and they fit the shape of his extra wide feet perfectly. You were right that the key was to find shoes that provide extra depth. I really appreciate what you do for many families who don’t have a children’s shoe store in their area.
Hello Mariah,
Shoes that provide extra depth are the best kind for children with extra wide feet and high insteps. I am glad to hear that the shoes worked out for your grandson’s feet!