Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes to accommodate your child’s hammer toes? Do you feel like your child is developing blisters because you can’t seem to find shoes to accommodate the hammer toes? One of the most effective ways to treat and prevent hammer toes is by wearing shoes that are the correct size and provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes. I have put together a list of the best shoes for hammer toes based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
Most people believe that only adults can get hammer toes, but they are wrong. Many parents have asked what are some of the reasons why hammer toes develop. Hammer toes are the result of birth defects, ill-fitting shoes, or pressure from bunions.
The Importance of Getting the Correct Shoe Size
The most common cause of hammer toes in children is wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Wearing shoes that are too short or too narrow is believed to be the number one cause of hammer toes.
If your kids have wide or extra feet and are wearing shoes that are too narrow for their feet, they may develop a problem called hammer toes. This condition may be present at birth or develop over time from wearing ill-fitting shoes.
What Are Hammer Toes?
You might be asking yourself, what are hammer toes? The term hammer toe describes a buckling of any of the toe joints, and they vary in severity. Hammer toes normally happen on the second toe. However, any of the other three smaller toes can be affected as well.
Why is it important to prevent hammer toes? If your child has hammer toes and is not wearing shoes that are wide enough, the problem will worsen, and it may even lead to needing surgery.
Another problem with hammer toes is that corns often form between curled toes or on top of buckled joints where the shoes rub. If the shoes keep rubbing where the corns are, the irritated skin might become open wounds and create an infection.
To prevent or help treat your child’s hammer toes, we need to find shoes that don’t make your kids’ toes overlap or rub against one another.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Preventing Hammer Toes?
In addition to being labeled as wide (W) and extra wide (XW), there are two key features that the kids’ shoes I recommend provide:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of your kids’ toes from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference in depth between one of the shoes I recommend and a different style:
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature helps prevent your kids’ toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another:
You might be wondering…
How are you going to provide your child with shoes that provide these two features if shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep” or with “rounder toe-boxes”? I will help you find them!
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years now. This is a specialized shoe store that focuses in helping children with “complex” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. We carry some of the most supportive children’s shoes and orthotics, and I am familiar with which shoe brands and which shoe styles are wider than others.
Mild to moderate cases of hammer toes can be treated with the correct pair of shoes. Surgery is a last resort only for symptoms that are extremely severe and after you have tried proper shoes and orthotics.
I will provide you with a selection of the best shoes for kids with hammer toes shortly, but I want to make sure that you know your child’s exact foot size first to be able to order your kids’ shoes online safely.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Get it Right!
I always recommend parents take their children to their local children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most 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 how to figure out your child’s foot size from home, you are ready to take a look at the best shoes for hammer toes. I only review 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 Shoes for Hammer Toes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best shoes for children with hammer toes. These shoes are available in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) widths. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
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
- 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
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Double velcro straps for easy on and off adjustability
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (accommodates high insteps)
- 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
- 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 (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- 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, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro 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
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- 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
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added 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
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added 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 (fits high insteps)
- 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 (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Breathable textile lining is effective in protecting your child’s feet from micro-organisms
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a comfortable fit
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Durable rubber outsole designed to withstand wear-and-tear
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- 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 feet (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- 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 feet
- Lace-up closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 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, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 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 child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Mesh upper is lightweight and breathable
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and padded heel increases comfort
- Firm heel counter
- Supportive heel for active kids
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Make sure that you provide your child with a pair of socks that is 100% seamless. This feature allows your kids’ toes to spread out comfortably without rubbing or overlapping against one another. If you don’t know where to find seamless socks for children, go to the link below:
Seamless Socks for Kids – Stop the Struggle of Putting Socks On!
Stop the Pain From Hammer Toes – Follow These 5 Steps!
I recommend starting with the first step and then if the condition doesn’t improve keep moving to the next steps:
1️⃣ Always start by looking for the correct type of shoes. Shoes with extra depth that come in wide or extra wide widths are ideal.
2️⃣ Take time to stretch your kids’ toe muscles as often as possible throughout the day to loosen tight muscles and ligaments.
3️⃣ Provide your child with a pair of orthotics that come with a toe raise. This type of orthotic helps to separate your kids’ toes and prevents them from overlapping with each other.
4️⃣ Provide your child with over-the-counter products that help alleviate the pain from hammer toes.
5️⃣ One fun exercise you can do with your child is putting marbles on the floor and telling your child to grab them with their toes.
If you live in an area with warm weather I suggest that you provide your child with a pair of open-toed sandals.
The best type of summer shoes for kids with hammer toes are the ones that come with an adjustable strap at the front. This way you can control and adjust the amount of pressure on your kids’ toes. You can actually adjust the strap so that it doesn’t put any pressure on your kids’ hammer toes.
The Best Summer Shoes for Kids with Hammer Toes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Certain water sandals offer great support to your kids’ feet and will prevent your kids’ toes from rubbing against one another. Below you can find a selection of the best sandals for kids with hammer toes.
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
In each of the descriptions of the sandals, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Many parents have asked me if there are any home remedies or products to reduce their kids’ pain from their hammer toes. There are certain products you can buy that will guide your kids’ toes into proper alignment. For example, toe straighteners will help to position crooked toes or toes that are overlapping with each other.
Orthotics, gel separators, and toe caps are some of the most recommended products to keep your kids’ toes separated and provide relief from pain and discomfort.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to take the appropriate steps to correct your child’s foot condition as soon as possible. Hammer toes are a correctable condition, but if not treated properly, they will lead to more serious problems such as foot deformities and joint problems, and your child might end up needing surgery.
Do you happen to be dealing with hammer toes yourself? I recently created an article that describes the best shoes for women with hammer toes. Go to the link below:
The Best Shoes for Women with Hammer Toes – Deep Shoes with Round Toe-Boxes
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
Do you have a child with hammer toes? Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well to treat this condition? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can benefit from them.
Was the list taken down? It doesn’t show any shoes.
Hello BP,
The list of children’s shoes recommended to help treat and prevent hammer toes is now showing. Please check again and let me know if you have any questions.