Do you have a child with narrow feet and you are having the hardest time finding a pair of shoes that fit? Finding a pair of narrow shoes can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially if you don’t know which shoe brands and which shoe styles fit narrower than others. I will show you a list of the best shoes for kids with narrow feet based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
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, where we focus on fitting children with “complicated” foot shapes such as narrow feet, but we provide regular shoe fitting as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes for kids with narrow feet.
Most kids’ shoe companies manufacture shoes in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) widths, but these shoe companies fail to address the needs of children with narrow feet.
As far as sneakers are concerned, there is no single shoe style available in narrow widths (N). The good news is that certain shoes fit narrower than others, and I will help you find them.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Narrow Feet?
1️⃣ Narrow Heel Counters: Do you know where the heel counter is located? The heel counter is the back part of the shoes that helps prevent the heels from coming out of the shoes.
Let me show you the difference between two shoes that are the same size in length and width but have very different heel counters. Do you notice how the shoe on the right has a narrower heel counter and a narrow toe-box compared to the shoe on the left?
2️⃣ Narrow Toe-Boxes: This feature prevents too much foot movement inside the shoes. Your child needs to have enough room at the front of the shoes to prevent the toes from getting cramped. However, too much extra room can compromise your toddler’s stability and the constant friction and rubbing between the feet and the shoes can lead to blisters, calluses, and corns.
Let me show you the difference between two shoes that are the same size in length and width but have very different toe-boxes. Do you notice how the blue shoe on the right has a narrower toe-box compared to the shoe on the left?
3️⃣ Narrow Platforms: The shoes that I recommend also provide narrower platforms to help accommodate the overall shape of your child’s narrow feet.
Always make sure that the shoes that your kids wear are not too wide for their feet. If the shoes are too wide, they can make your child more prone to developing blisters, calluses, and corns, as well as foot and leg pain.
Which are the Best Shoe Brands for Kids with Narrow Feet?
➡️ As far as everyday sneakers are concerned, Asics and Saucony are my go-to shoe brands for children with narrow feet. You might even have tried these shoe brands for yourself!
These shoe brands make good supportive shoes that are lightweight and flexible at the same time.
These two shoe brands are the best-fitting shoe brands for kids who have narrow feet. In my experience, about 90% of the time that children come in the store having narrow feet, they end up leaving wearing a pair of either Asics or Saucony shoes.
➡️ As far as dress shoes, boots, and sandals are concerned, Naturino and Ricosta manufacture shoes that are ideal for children with narrow feet.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best shoes for kids with narrow feet. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out what additional features it provides and the size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room.
Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- 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 half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- 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 half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro straps
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lightweight and flexible
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort to child’s feet
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lightweight and flexible
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort to child’s feet
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lightweight and flexible
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort to child’s feet
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- GEL Technology – Cushioning provides excellent shock absorption
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable insoles
- Rearfoot GEL technology cushioning system
- Breathable
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Infused gel for extra cushion and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- 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
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Removable Insoles
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL® Technology Cushioning System lessens the amount of shock during impact
- Order this shoe a whole a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Your kids will notice an immediate difference when they try any of the shoes described above, since they will fit the shape of their narrow feet a lot better than any other shoe style.
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should 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.
*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.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
If you are having trouble finding a different pair of shoes for your child’s narrow feet, please contact me directly at my e-mail:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
What About Dress Shoes, Sandals, and Boots?
If you want to see a selection of dress shoes, sport shoes, or seasonal shoes for kids with narrow feet, please refer to the article below:
Kids’ Narrow Dress Shoes – The Best Dress Shoes for Children with Narrow Feet!
The Best Sandals for Narrow Feet – Find the Secret Here!
Waterproof Boots for Kids with Narrow Feet – Narrow Heel Counters and Narrow Toe-Boxes!
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
If you don’t know your child’s foot size you won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online.
The issue is that most children’s shoe stores have been closing down, and we are left with big retailers that don’t know how to properly fit children’s shoes. That is the reason why I created a resource where you can check if you have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in your area:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Store 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 find a children’s shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created where I describe 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
I always recommend parents to provide their children with shoes with shoelaces instead of velcro closure, since shoelaces will hug your kids’ feet better and fill any remaining gap around the ankles.
Tying Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet – 3 Simple Steps!
One of my co-workers who has been working at the children’s shoe store for over 30 years, taught me the perfect way to tie shoes for kids who have narrow feet.
I actually use this method to tie my shoes, even though I don’t have narrow feet. I use this method because I love how it secures my heels and allows my feet to get the most support and stability out of the shoes. I always tie my shoes this way when I am running on the treadmill or playing soccer.
Let me show you how simple this shoe tying method is:
1️⃣ Start with leaving the two eyelets (shoe holes) of the shoe open:
2️⃣ Go through the top hole first:
3️⃣ Go through the holes you left open:
You are all done!
How Can you Tell If the Shoes you Ordered Fit Properly?
With your child’s shoes on, check if there is too much extra space (extra material) in the front part of your child’s shoes. Do you notice in the picture below how there is a lot of extra space in the front of the shoes? This means that the shoes are too wide for the child’s feet.
You can also check if the shoes that your child is wearing are too wide by checking if there is too much extra space around the ankles. Take a look at the image below. Do you notice how there is too much extra space around the ankles? I can fit two of my fingers around that area.
Why Shoe Companies Don’t Manufacture Children’s Shoes in Narrow Widths?
Why are shoe companies not offering kids’ shoes in narrow widths? The main reason is that most parents are not aware that their children have narrow feet, and they end up buying shoes that are too short (to compensate for the width) or they just allow their kids to walk around in shoes that don’t fit properly.
One of the most common mistakes I see parents make when purchasing shoes for their kids is to ask them: “How do the shoes feel?”
Asking kids to report on how shoes feel is just not enough to make sure they fit properly! Your child might think the shoes feel good until presented with another pair that feels better!
Now that you know which are the best shoes for kids with narrow feet, you can make a better and more informed decision. Shoes that are too wide might lead to discomfort and cause your child’s feet to move too much inside the shoe, which may create all sorts of foot problems such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
Do You Also Have Narrow Feet and Can’t Seem to Find Shoes that Fit?
In addition, are you having a hard time finding a pair of narrow shoes for yourself? There is a great resource that describes the best shoes for women with narrow feet and you can find it here:
Narrow Shoes for Women – The Best Shoe Styles for Women With Narrow Feet
Do you have a child with narrow feet? Have you found a particular shoe style or shoe brand that has worked well for your kids’ narrow feet? If you can’t find a particular shoe style for your child with narrow feet leave me a comment section below with your child’s shoe size and I will help you find it.
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When I was a kid, my shoes would also bother me. They always gave me pain and issues, and at one point I even had an ingrown toenail that was literally hell on earth.
If I had these shoes as a youngster, it probably could’ve avoided so many future foot issues. My daughter has a very narrow foot, and I ordered a pair of the Asics shoes you recommend and she loves them! She says it fits perfectly daddy! Thank you man
You are welcome! Besides fitting narrow feet, Asics is top of the line when it comes to footwear. She is also getting excellent support and structure for her everyday activities.
I hope you are wearing the correct shoe size now!
Great article!
Taking care of your feet is VERY important. Especially for the little people, because they aren’t fully aware of the unique proclivities of their feet. I know of a person that has corns on their feet, to this day, because their mother didn’t buy them the proper footwear!
I happened to grow up on the other end of the spectrum(HUGE feet), but I’m sure the struggle was no better for those who had narrow feet. I have a kid that doesn’t has a narrow feet but needs good supportive shoes. Do you have a selection of page that the describes the best shoes in terms of support for children?
Noody,
I have also spoken with several parents that ttold me how they wished they would have started taking care of their feet at an earlier age. You can find out which are the most supportive shoes for children in this post: The Best Kids Sneakers – Learn About The Best Shoes For Children Ages 3 Through 10
I also describe in that post which shoes come in medium, wide, and extra wide widths!
My daughter wears a 4.5 on Nike’s. She needs some boots fir the winter and I cannot find any anywhere. Do you know of any narrow boots?
Hello Delia,
I am assuming that you are referring to a big kid size 4.5 and not a toddler size 4.5
There are certain winter boot styles that are really effective in fitting a child with narrow feet. Please find my recommendations below:
Winter Boot for Narrow Feet: Option 1
Winter Boot for Narrow Feet: Option 2
Let me know if you need help figuring out what size to order for your daughter.
I hope this helps!
My child has the narrowest feet that you will ever see. Even when we try to not leave as much growing room for her, the shoe still feels to wide on her feet. I ordered a pair of the shoes that you recommend and hopefully it will solve the problem because it has been very time consuming trying to find shoes for her! Thank you!
Trust me, the shoes I recommend, are the narrowest that you will ever find. You daughter will notice a difference immediately!
Juan,
Just a quick note, your information about fitting kids shoes properly is really good. With present methods of selling kids shoes in big box stores and off an open display, I had worried that my grandkids were being fitted poorly.
Will pass on information to the great Moms of these wonderful kids I call mine. Thank you for having information so relative to growing families. Know experience is important in these matters.
I will feel comfortable recommending your site.
Thanks
Sami
Sami,
I am glad you found my website informative. My goal is to have every single answer a parent might have when it comes to taking care of their kids’ feet. I have a long way to go, but I will get there. Please let me know anytime you might have a specific question about your grand kids’ feet.
I wish my mother had seen this when I was younger. I had very narrow feet as a child (still do) and it was always difficult to find shoes that fit me and fit comfortably. My son seems like he will carry on that trait, so I am bookmarking this for a list of shoes that will fit him well. Thank you for this information! Most people neglect to think about us narrow-footed people! 🙂
Also, I didn’t realize I could tie my shoes a different way, this is awesome!
Jasmine,
Tying the shoes the way I describe will make a huge difference in the way your son shoes feel. You should trying your running shoes this way to experience the difference for yourself! You will be amazed!
A thank you so much for writing the article. My daughter has extremely narrow foot and I can never find shoes for her. Do all the naturino sandle run narrow or just the one you posted.
Hello Lori,
Your comment couldn’t come at a better time, since I just finished writing a post about the best summer sandal for kids’with narrow feet! Most of the Naturino sandals run narrow, but in this post I descirbe the best styles for kids’that have really narrow feet: The Best Sandals For Narrow Feet – Find The Secret Here!
I just found this post. Thanks so much for the tips! My daughter has an average width forefoot and a narrow heel. Would Asics still be the brand you’d recommend or should I look elsewhere?
Yes, Asics are the shoes I will recommend for a child with a narrow heel and a medium width foot. I always use Asics shoes to fit children with narrow heels, since they fit the best. You will see what a difference it will make!
Are there any shoes you can recommend that can be used as school shoes? I have awful trouble as my child has a E fitting according to clarks and the current ones in his size are marking his feet so need to go back.
Hello Melissa,
When it comes to kids shoes we don’t use E, EE, EEE… It’s much simpler than that! When you refer to your kids shoe width you have 4 options: narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide. I actually wrote a post where I describe the best shoes for school that also come in wide and extra wide widths. You can find that post here: The Best Back To School Shoes – Ring The Bell, School’s In!
My own son’s feet are XX Narrow (Clarks UK C width fitting), he’s 12 at the moment and his width seems to proportionately reduce as his foot length (shoe size) increases!
Another day trawling around in the rain not finding anything even remotely narrow enough for his feet 🙁
Hello Nevine,
I want to help you but I need a little more information. Are you looking for a pair of everyday sneakers for your son or for something that he can wear during the rainy days?
If you are looking for everyday sneakers please consider providing him with shoes that come with shoelaces instead of velcro closure. This will hug their feet much better and he will feel much more stable and secure when waling or running around. There is a shoe brand named Asics that tend to fit children with narrow feet the best.
If you are looking for something he can wear in the rainy days Naturino is the shoe brand you want to go for. Here is an example I have fitted before:
Naturino Waterproof Boots for Boys: Option 1
Naturino Waterproof Boots for Boys: Option 2
I hope this clarifies!
My 2.5 year old daughter has very narrow feet. I am always very obsessed with finding most comfortable (and cute) for her. I do the same for myself. When she was first walker soft robeez and moccasins worked great. Then I discovered old soles brand and their easy joggers. Loved them, got total probably 6-8 pairs from size 3 to size 6. Also Saucony sneaker was my go to (discovered by accident). Now with this summer coming up I am struggling to find good sandals. Have 2 pairs of stride rite (mary jane Haylie and fisherman Tulip sandal) and they seem to fit her well, but I just want another option.
Hello Loreta,
It seems like you know your kids’ feet quite well. The tulip sandal has been around for a long time and it’s a great choice because it has a rubber sole and it’s white so you can easily match her outfits. If you are looking for a narrow dressy sandal for your daughter, you should definitely try the Naturino brand. I actually wrote a post about the best narrow sandals for kids, and you can find it here: The Best Sandals For Narrow Feet – Find The Secret Here!
Thank you, I will have to check your new post. I have silver and gold in tulip (I like metalics:)). I was searching for naturino all weekend, but not much luck with sizing (either starts at 7.5, 8 or sold out). She also has small feet, size 6. I liked tulips for closed toes as she is at daycare every day and very active while there or on a weekends, but she is at the age now where she wants pretty flowers and open toe (even between the toe as she sees other girls at school wear it).
Hello Loreta,
Your girl is probably a fashionista! It seems like you are covered when it comes to dressy sandals. Your daughter will be fine in open toed sandals, just keep in mind they are not as versatile as your closed toed ones. Here you can see some Naturino sandals in the smaller sizes, just so you get an idea:
Naturino Toddler Dressy Sandals
Hi! I really hope you can help. My daughter has a narrow heal and regular width foot and small feet. She measures as a Stride Rite Little Kids 4.5 M. I have not had luck finding sandals that fit her and she needs a pair for an upcoming wedding where she is a flower girl. She wears “Little Kids Stride Rite Soft Motion Ripley” sneakers with socks without issue. I’ve tried Stride Rite Sandals “SRtech Lilly” size 4.5m, “SRtech Tulip” 4.5w, and “Summertime” 5m and 5w. The 4.5m and w are too tight on the front of her feet and instantly leave marks without her even getting a chance to walk. And the size 5s swim on her like and extra inch of space lengthwise and her heel is off completely to the outer edge. Any suggestions. Thank you so much.
Hello Meghan,
The styles that you have tried are all dressy, so I am assuming you are looking for a dressy sandal for your daughter. I am also assuming that you want a sandal that is closed-toe, to protect your daughter’s toes. Below you can find the sandal I recommend for your daughter! I have fitted this style before and it tends to fit very well for kids with narrow heels!
Sandal for Girls with Narrow Heels: Option 1
Sandal for Girls with Narrow Heels: Option 2
Hi,I’m at my wits end,my daughter is 10 years old and is a uk 4.5 measuring between a D & E fitting,she doesn’t like trainers & really can’t find anything for her,she is living in flip flops and for the rest of the year it’s full price adult uggs,it’s getting harder as she is getting older,it’s always been difficult the last start rite she had cut her heels badly,but she’s at the age where she wants to be fashionable,I just don’t know what I can do for her,her sister is the same now 13 and a uk adult 6.5!
Hello Andrea,
Narrow feet are always the HARDEST to fit! Have you tried the Naturino brand for your daughter? It tends to fit kids with narrow fit the best, even their flats! Here is one of their flats as an example:
Ballet Flat for Narrow Feet
Why are you buying adult uggs for her? Take a look at this post: Women And Kids Shoe Size Conversion Chart – Save Big Buying Kids Shoes!
I hope this helps!
I’ve always had trouble finding my daughter shoes narrow enough to fit. She will try on every pair of shoes and no matter the size, they flop off her feet. She was measured as being a 2.5 but even 1’s and 2’s were flopping off. Smart fit used to have a style that worked but they stopped making it. We finally found a pair at Walmart with crisscross elastic bands that held the shoes on her feet. She also has flat feet so they t hard finding shoes that fit and will fit her orthotics. (She likes ballet flats)
Angela,
Orthotics wont fit in ballet flats. You will be able to fit orthotics in a pair of mary jane shoes, but never a ballet flat (they are too flismy to hold the orthotic in place).
For kids with narrow feet, Naturino shoes are one of the best options. I wrote a post where I describe the best shoes with arch support and you can find that post here: Dress Shoes With Arch Support – The Best Kids Dress Shoes With Support!
This is a wonderful article with many good tips and recommendations. I am so glad I stumbled upon this article. My daughter has narrow feet and I have found puma sneakers run narrow than most but I like your sneaker recommendations better as I have had a shoe sales person tell me the same. Can you suggest a narrow winter boot or fur boot brand(s)?
Dear Coleen,
I wrote a psot where I describe the best boots for children with narrow feet. There is a shoe brand you might want to start getting familiar with called Naturino. This brand makes fashion/winter boots and most of them are waterproof, so you are getting a functional boot. I just wrote a post about the best boots for children with narrow feet and you can find it here:
Narrow Boots For Kids – The Best Boots For Kids With Narrow Feet!
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Hello, I’m looking for a narrow y’all boot for my 4 year old. I’m looking for something for everyday as we’re moving to South Dakota from Mississippi in two weeks! I’d prefer something like a riding boot style. Is there a brand that is more narrow and stylish? Help!
Hello Tara,
I actually wrote an article where I describe the best narrow boots for kids, and you can find it here: Narrow Boots For Kids – The Best Boots For Kids With Narrow Feet!
If you have any questions after reading that article please let me know, but I think it cover everything you need to know!
I have narrow feet myself and was always a nightmare for my mom to find a shoes for me and now I find myself in the same situation with my daughter everything is too loose she complain. I understand because I know how much uncomfortable it is not have shoes that fits right but this is driving me crazy. She has nothing to wear and the sneakers has to be used with too socks. I need help with the best Brends for my toddler girl. She need boots, sandals and “fancy” shoes (church). Please help us….
Thanks
Hello Claudia,
Yes, narrow feet are some of the hardest to fit in my experience. When you say that she needs boots are we talking about fashion or winter boots?
I wrote a post where I describe the best narrow boots for kids which are fashionable, yet warm and waterproof.
Narrow Boots For Kids – The Best Boots For Kids With Narrow Feet!
When it comes to sandals please take a look at this post:
The Best Sandals For Narrow Feet – Find The Secret Here!
For narrow dress shoes refer to:
Kids Narrow Dress Shoes – The Best Dress Shoes For Children With Narrow Feet!
Those articles should answer all your questions. However, if you are unsure about how a particular shoe style FITS (long, short) pleaase let me know and I will be able to help you. When it comes to narrow shoes there is a shoe brand you want to start getting familiar with called Naturino.
I hope this helps!
I am looking for narrow slip on shoes that don’t require socks. We live in southern California and socks are such a pain.
Hello Tanni,
There is one style made by the shoe brand named Native that will fit a child with narrow feet, but you will have to compromise in the growing room since you want a slip on shoe.You will not be able to leave as much growing in slip on shoes, since there is nothing holding your kids’ feet. I describe those shoes in a post called:
Native Shoes – The Must Have Shoe For The Summer
Please make sure you choose the style that is called the “Jefferson” since it’s the style that fits the narrowest.
I hope this helps!
Hi there, If the Asics pre contend does not fit (too wide) do you have another running shoe recommendation? My son’s foot is sooooooo narrow that outside of Clarks leather school shoes (C width in Australia) it is an absolute struggle to find shoes to fit. He is a very active kid and while the pre contend 3 fit ok the 4 has way too much movement in the forefoot and his foot just moves around. He needs plain black runners for school and while last year the Adidas Alta fit this year it is just way to wide. Short of sending him in black vans or converse (which do not meet school code nor are ideal for running) I’m running out of options. I’m more than happy to look at international brands and shipping! Thank you in advance for any advice.
Hello Naomi,
I was wondering if your son already knows how to tie his shoes. I always recommend parents with children with narrow feet to go the extra mile and help or teach their kids’ how to tie their shoes. It makes a tremendous difference in the way the shoes FIT and FEEL. If your child is already wearing tie shoes, take a look at a post I wrote where I describe the best method to tie shoes for children who have narrow feet or need orthotics in their shoes:
How To Tie Shoes With Orthotics – Stop Heel Slippage
Also, if your son is already wearing tie shoes, try putting a tongue pad inside the shoe to push his heels back (secure them), and making the whole shoe feel snugger. You can learn about how and where to put tongue pads in shoes here:
Leather Shoe Tongue Pads – Stop Heel Slippage
Don’t send your child to school in Converse or Vans (they don’t provide enough support and they don’t fit narrow).
There is one shoe style that comes in all black that will fit a child with a medium to a narrow foot very well (apply the shoe tying technique), and you can find that shoe here:
Black Shoes For Kids – The best All BLACK Back To School Shoes For Kids!
Make sure you select the medium width.
Please let me know if this clarifies!
So pleased I found this post as both my son’s (aged 11 and 13) have exceptionally narrow feet (d width in u.k.) Other than that they are normal feet with good arches etc. But there is literally no choice for them at all. Twice shoe fitters described my eldest son’s feet as ‘girlish’ poor thing!
He is also extremely extremely ticklish so he really cannot bear them being measured or handled too much (plus its a source of huge embarrassment to him when he tries to control himself due to the tickling whilst measuring business)
I have asked for Asics before and they are definitely better then startrite or clarks but I was wondering if you know any other brands to try and also if you have come across specifically boys who are unbearably ticklish in their feet.
Thank you so so much 🙂
Hello Natalie,
I have waited on several children who were ticklish when it was time to measure their feet or try the shoes on. Does your boy feels every bump and lump when putting the shoes and socks on? First things first, have you ever thought of providing him with a pair of seamless socks? They are great for children who feel every bump and lump. You can learn about those type of socks here:
Seamless Socks For Kids – Stop The Struggle Of Putting Socks On!
Are you looking for a pair of everyday shoes for him to wear? Are Asics still too wide for his feet? Does he know how to tie his shoes?
Please get back at me with that information and I will be able to give you better advise. Thank you.
Thankyou, great you replied! He has never complained about seams and bumps in his shoes before but I will ask him. He is generally all over ticklish not just his feet (even there its not just his soles either but the tops of his feet too which I know is extreme) his tummy is probably the worst!
Asics are definitely better and we have previously tried lacing the shoes better according to your advice which I have to say was also a great help. Also insoles.
Most shoes only go down to an E fitting though and he is a D. Twice before shoe fitters have exclaimed that girls would be happy to have feet like his which was hardly helpful to his embarrassment. We can live with the Asics as they are actually a good shoe but I guess maybe I am being fussy in wanting to one day find everyday shoes that actually fit him.
He seems shy about his feet being seen in flip flops or bare and I think that could be because they do look girlishly narrow but obviously flip flops are ideal on narrow feet as they are widthless if that is even a word!
Thankyou for any thoughts on any of these points!
Nat,
I don’t know why the shoe fitters made a comment like that, considering that all feet are different. I would recommend he uses a pair of keens sandals in the summer. Have you heard about these type of sandals? They will cover most of his feet (considering he is shy about them), and they provide excellent support so they can be worn for most of the day. You can learn more about them here:
Keen Sandals For Children – The Best Summer Sandal
Please emphasize to your child that there is nothing wrong with his feet being narrow. I have seen hundreds of boys with narrow feet, and hundreds of girls with extra wide feet. It really does’t mean anything. I hope you find that article helpful!
Gosh this answer is so helpful thankyou. Have you honestly seen hundreds of boys with narrow feet? I presume very narrow feet with extremely ticklish soles is a combination that isn’t quite as common, but would e fascinated to know.
I am looking up with interest the Keens suggestion thankyou. Nat x
Yes I have. The shoe store that I work for is extremely busy and we see a lot of children every day. Good luck and please let me know if you have any other questions.
sorry to read all my fellow moms struggling so hard. we had ever such similar experiences in case of point a boy rather than a girl with highly sensitive and highly narrow width feet. we tie them for a narrow fit and use inserts to pad out the shoe. in summer months sliders are out of the question as his slim feet just slide right out or right thro. so its basically regular flipflops as another lady said. personally I find it cute. enjoy your sensitive narrow slim sons is how I think. just know their limits in the tickles.
Hello Emma,
I have seen a lot of boys who have narrow feet and like you said there is nothing to worry about, since there is at least one pair of shoes out there that will fit the shape of his feet perfectly.
Just looking at some of the comments my son is also shy about his bare feet and his aren’t even that narrow. So I think those parents who are stressing about their sons being shy for having very narrow feet don’t realise that any boy with even slightly narrow feet can be shy about them. Another point is that all children are ticklish whatever they are prepared to admit to.
Thank you for sharing. It’s normal for some boys to be shy about having narrow feet, but the important thing is to emphasize how it doesn’t make a difference.
Always love the comments on this board! ? Sweetest comments
Thank you for stopping by Dorothy! 🙂
? Hardly ever get called Dorothy! Not many people know that Dot is short for Dorothy! Just quickly, which brands do fittings in a d for boys which I realise is quite skinny?
Hello Dorothy,
Are you looking for an everyday shoe for your child? If you are then I will recommend Asics or Saucony. Those two shoe brands tend to make the narrowest shoes for children.How old is your child? Does he know how to tie his shoes? The reason I ask is because shoelaces make a huge difference for children who have narrow feet.
He is 11. I do tell him to tighten his shoe laces although I do think he finds it cooler to be like his friends so he doesn’t like the look of them tightly fastened. The other boys tend to have a lot of the laces area visible especially on trainers.
I understand. The tighter he makes the shoelaces the more stable and secure he will feel specially when running around. He will also get more support from the shoes. I understand he is at an age when they start caring more about fashion than anything else! I still wanted to let you know that he can really benefit from making the shoelaces tight. Good luck!
Thank you Juan. Much appreciated. I got him to read this stream. I think he is now paranoid about being tickled because of the other comments. ???
He has nothing to worry about 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I have been hunting for sneakers for my 4 year old with narrow feet! So glad to find this post. Her toes hit the size 9 line so I’ve been looking for size 9.5. I have only found asics in size 10. I know saucony has smaller sizes. Do you know which styles run more narrow?? Thank you so much in advance!!
Kate,
Certain Asics shoe styles don’t come in half sizes but keep in mind that Asics shoes tend to run really small, so a size 10 might work for her feet. Saucony shoe styles all come in half sizes, so you can definitely go for the 9 1/2 there. Both brands make shoes that run on the narrow side but remember that each shoe style is different. If you find a particular shoe style that you like but you are unsure about how it fits please let me know and I will be able to help you.
Could it be an idea to write a post specifically about boys who have especially narrow feet? I only ask because it seems like parents of boys with narrow feet or even those boys themselves have particular anxieties. I don’t mean it in any way sexist it’s more about the special sensitivities around the issue that seem more common with boys. Hope I don’t sound at all bad as I in fact find your posts very helpful and well written and a boy specific post could help even more.
Dorothy,
That is actually a great idea and you make a very valid point on how there are special sensitivities around this issue with boys.
Looking forwards to reading! X
Hello Dorothy,
Thank you for your patience. I just finished the article today and you can find it here: Narrow Fit Shoes For Boys – The Best Everyday Shoes For Boys With Narrow Feet
Please let me know if you have any questions.
You are a star! ?
I am happy you find it informative! Thank you.
any updates to this article? I’m an adult with such small feet that I’m forced to buy children’s shoes. I used to buy ASICS and they would fit great. In early 2018 I was dismayed to find that most of their size 2 shoes are now wider, even though marked medium, and for the most part they have elastic laces across the vamp area, and velcro at the top where they meet the ankle. the elastic is too loose and my foot rolls, so badly that the tendons in my ankle are badly stressed. They have no arch support and very little sole padding. I would think twice before I buy any velcro shoes if you (or your child) have narrow feet, and three or four times before buying ASICS any more. They were good but they have gone the route of cheap production and the “one size fits most” mentality.
Hello Sue,
The article gets updated monthly with any new shoe styles recommendations I might have. When I recommend a particular shoe brand it doesn’t mean that all of their shoe styles will fit the same way, that is the reason why I provide a specific selection of shoes.
For example, New Balance is a great shoe brand for children and adults with wide and extra wide feet, but some of their shoe styles will fit much wider than others.
There is still a good selection of Asics that come with shoelaces, and I always recommend shoelaces over velcro closure for parents and children with narrow feet.
The styles I recommend in this article are the ones I have fitted before and I am aware of the type of structure and support they provide.
Have you ever tried the shoe brand named Saucony? The Saucony shoe styles I recommend in this article will also fit a person with narrow feet.
You should also consider investing in an insert or an orthotic for extra support or maybe a heel cup to reduce the stress around your ankles.
I hope this helps!
Ahhh! I’m going crazy! My daughter is sensitive and the littlest thing makes her complain about her athletic shoes. I can’t find a shoe that she feels comfortable in and I am wondering if perhaps she has narrow feet? She complains about nearly every shoe she tries in the arch area and opposite the arch area. Is that common with narrow feet?
Hello Wendy,
When you mention the opposite of her arch area do you mean the top of her feet? The top part of our feet is called the instep. It’s really hard for me to assess her feet without looking at them. There could be several reasons why your daughter is complaining about pain:
– She might be flat footed and she is experiencing foot pain in that area.
– The shoes might be too wide or too narrow for her feet.
Feel free to send me a picture of her feet to my email fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com, that way I can help you better.
Hello. Can you recommend any type of shoe or boot for narrow feet? My girl lives in sneakers because we have such a hard time finding any other type of Mary Jane, ankle boot, or fun shoe for girls. Thank you! 🙂
Hello Dara,
Next time please provide me with your daughter’s shoe size. Have you ever heard of the shoe brand Naturino or Garvalin? They both make narrow fitting shoes. Here are some of the styles I have fitted before that fit narrow:
Mary Jane Shoe Style for Narrow Feet: Option 1
Mary Jane Shoe Style for Narrow Feet: Option 2
Narrow Boot for Girls: Option 1
Narrow Boot for Girls: Option 2
I hope this helps!
I need narrow dress shoes for my 8 year old daughter. It’s so frustrating.
Hello Tiffany,
Finding narrow shoes for kids can be very frustrating and time-consuming. Take a look at this resource:
Kids Narrow Dress Shoes – The Best Dress Shoes for Children with Narrow Feet!
I hope this helps!
Hi!
My 7 year old daughter has narrow feet and she wears sacony. She doesn’t want to always sneakers and wants more stylish shoes and boots. What other brands do you recommend for fashion boots and non sneakers.
Thanks,
Eve
Hello Eve,
When it comes to shoe brands that manufacture fashion boots and Mary Jane shoes for girls with narrow feet, you should look into Naturino and Ricosta. If you provide me with your daughter’s shoe size I can send you specific recommendations since there are certain shoe styles that will fit narrower than others.
what is a good option for narrow feet in water shoes for kids?
Hello Beth,
Are you looking for a dress or a functional water play type of sandal? Are you looking for a boy or a girl? Next time please provide me with your child’s gender and his/her shoe size.
Functional Sandal: Option 1
Functional Sandal: Option 2
Dress Sandal for Girl: Option 1
If you provide me with your child’s gender and shoe size I can send other specific sandal recommendations.
Hi! My daughter has narrow feet and always has had luck with Asics and Saucony for running shoes, Keen for sandals, and Naturino (usually discounted at Nordstrom Rack) for short boots + everyday shoes. She’s now size 31, 32 (US size 13 or 1) and I am having trouble finding good everyday shoes for her (i.e. not running shoes). Are there other brands I should be looking at? Thanks for your guidance.
Hi Rhalee,
Yes, those shoe brands that you mention are the most popular ones for children with narrow feet, but there are other shoe brands that have certain styles that can accommodate the shape of a narrow foot.
Some of the other shoe brands you might want to try are Ricosta, Primigi, and Agatha Ruiz de la Prada.
If you need helping finding specific shoe styles from these brands please let me know and I can send you specific shoe recommendations. Are you looking for Mary Jane shoes for your daughter?
Hello Juan
I have a nephew that has narrow feet and we always have a hard time finding shoes that fit. I got him a pair of the Asics shoes you recommend and I was quite amazed at how well they fit the shape of his feet.
I am going to be sharing your article with friends as most people don’t know where to get their children’s shoes nowadays.
Hello
Asics is one of my go-to shoe brands for children with narrow feet. I am glad the shoes worked out for your nephews’ feet!
I tried the Asics pair for my daughter and they are fitting the shape of her narrow feet perfectly. Finally she doesn’t complain that her heels move up and down or that her swim dance inside the shoes. I wasted a lot of time and money trying different shoes so I will stick to your suggestions from now on.
Make sure that she ties the shoes correctly and if you haven’t already apply this shoe lacing technique: How to Tie Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet
I’m aware that narrow width feet for girls must be fairly common but what about boys? I find it a struggle finding shoes that a) fit my son and b) he is happy to wear. I clams up when I have asked him how he feels about having narrow feet or having to wear shoes in the narrowest of widths so I suspect he has some sort of unhappiness about them. He outright refuses to be bare foot in front of friends or people he knows. I wonder if in your experience you have ever detected in a boy any sort of unhappiness about having feet which are visibly narrow? And how have or would you handle this if you had the opportunity to discuss it with such a client (such as a 12 year old boy). Forever grateful to the thoughtful professionals in this world!
Hi Claire,
I hope you are well. That’s a very interesting point you brought up, and other parents have actually mentioned that certain boys with narrow feet have particular anxieties. There are some special sensitivities around the issue that seem more common with boys and parents have expressed this in other articles that I have written about children with narrow feet:
Narrow Fit Shoes for Boys – The Best Everyday Shoes for Boys with Narrow Feet
Certain boys might be shy about having narrow feet but we must emphasize to them how we all have different foot shapes and how feet are not alike. The important thing is to wear shoes that fit so we can perform well in our daily activities and have fun.
Very good way of putting it Juan and a clever thing to reassure them that everyone is different! Why do you think there’s a prevalence of boys this age who are so sensitive about having narrow feet? And have you ever sensed any kind of sensitivities of this nature or similar whilst measuring?
Hi Claire,
I work for a children’s shoe store where I probably see around 200 hundred children a week. This means that I have seen children with all different foot shapes, from extra narrow to extra wide. Most children couldn’t care less about their foot shapes. However, as they get older they might start worrying about this a little more.
I have seen children with narrow feet get upset only when they can’t buy the shoes they want. I always try to work around this by inserting an extra insoles inside of the shoes or fitting a tongue pad to make the shoe snugger.
If a child doesn’t want to wear flip flops because of having narrow feet then I would go ahead and fit that child in a pair of closed toe sandals. There are always alternatives to help children be comfortable with the shoes they are wearing.
I hope this helps.
That helps a great deal thank you Juan. How did you know about the flip flop thing?
Hi Claire,
There was another parent who mentioned something about their boy being shy about wearing flip flops so I recommended a closed toe sandal. I am glad you found the information helpful and let me know if you have any other questions.
In all honesty I think a flip flop suits a narrower foot don’t you?
Hi Claire,
Children with narrow feet can definitely wear flip flops, but for those who are shy about their feet they can wear a pair of closed toe sandals as an alternative.
Just out of interest, what would make flip flops more uncomfortable than any sort of sandal for a child shy about his feet?
Children who have narrow feet can benefit from wearing a closed toe sandal as they usually come with a velcro strap or a bungee cord that holds their feet in place, providing them with better stability. Flip flops don’t offer any sort of closure and they don’t hold the foot in place so children sometimes have a hard time adjusting to them.
Interesting and helpful and I must add that I’ve never met an online adviser about anything from any store who’s been as interactive and informative as you. Thank you!
Hi Claire,
It is my pleasure. I am here to answer any questions parents might have about their children’s feet and shoes.
Is there any advice you could offer for a tween boy with high arches as well as narrow fit? School shoes are the biggest challenge.
I wanted to respond to Claire (above) as well because although my tween does not appear to have a hang up about anyone seeing his feet he hates them being touched. I do not know if that is related but perhaps her child is just particularly sensitive on his feet. He is very sensitive when having them measured but only because of the intolerable handling of his feet and not because of their appearance. Just thought that might be it if you ask him.
Hello,
Yes, there are certain school shoes that can fit the shape of a child with high arches and narrow feet. If you tell me your son’s shoe size I can send you specific shoe recommendations.
Thank you for sharing your own experiences.
Thank you. He is a size 5.5 E (but sometimes D) in U.K. sizes.
I believe that you are located in the United Kingdom, correct? We need a pair of back to school that come with a narrow heel counter, a narrow toe-box, and that provide extra depth to accommodate your son’s high arch.
Below are my recommendations:
Option 1
Option 2
Once the shoes arrive I suggest that you apply this shoe lacing technique:
How to Tie Shoes for Kids with Narrow Feet – Make their Shoes Fit and Feel Better!
I hope this helps.
Thank you. I have looked those up and I will show him the lacing suggestion. Fab fab blog.
Good luck and keep me posted.
Question just popped in to my head – can you sometimes tell my looking if a child has narrow feet? My husband worked in a shoe manufacturer first as a designer and then as a sales manager and spent the second half of his career working in children’s shoe retail. He used to be able to guess (although he would always fit by careful measurement and fitting) many a time without even seeing the child’s feet, just by features like their bone structure. He used to also predict arch structure from the cheek bone and jaw structure. He said it wasn’t a perfect predictor but he was very accurate. I noticed this post specifically because of the mention of narrow feet as it was narrow feet he could more reliably predict as he said he could just tell by the overall child. Fascinates me how specialists in different trades can develop such astute skills.
Hello Rochelle,
It is very interesting what you mention about your husband. I don’t think I am such an expert like your husband as I have never been able to tell the child’s foot shape by looking at their bone structure. I am able to tell if a child has narrow feet by simply looking at their feet without having to use the Brannock Device (standard foot measuring tool). I would love to be able to speak with your husband one day, it seems like he has a lot of experience in the shoe industry.
Sorry to inform you he sadly passed away quite sometime time ago. I think I’ve shared what is immediately to mind but I will write again if I ever think of anything else. Feel free to make any suggestions of any observations you can remember thinking in case that prompts any further memories from me. He said that proper fitting was a dying skill which was sadly prophetic. Do ask or prompt me with anything though.
Hello Rochelle,
I am sorry to hear that. Thank you for sharing those valuables experiences. I will be in touch.
My DS has the same problem especially with school shoes. His school is very strict with school shoes and because he has such narrow feet (E or even D sometimes in UK start rite and clarks) he is very restricted. I would raise this issue with the school but DS is adamant I don’t make any issue of it to draw attention to his predicament. No idea why DS doesn’t want me drawing attention to the issue though as I’m sure he can’t be the only one?
At the children’s shoe store that I work for I have seen several boys with narrow feet. Some boys are more self-aware about their narrow feet while some others pay less attention to this.