Do you have a child that is overweight and you are having a hard time finding a pair of shoes that are supportive and wide enough to fit the shape of his or her feet? Overweight children put a lot of extra stress on their feet and legs when they walk or exercise, and this can lead to several foot issues as well as foot, knee, and back pain. I have put together a list of the best shoes for overweight kids based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
We need to find a pair of supportive shoes that are also lightweight and flexible. The shoes need to be labeled as extra wide (XW) and provide 2 other key features that I will explain shortly.
Several parents have contacted me concerned about how their kids have fabulously large, thick feet and are unable to fit into any footwear other than Crocs or slippers. Believe me when I tell you that I understand your frustration with repeated attempts to find a pair of shoes that will fit the shape of your child’s feet.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Overweight Kids?
Finding shoes for an overweight child can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience if you don’t know what shoe styles to look for. The most common mistake that most parents make is to assume that to fit the shape of the feet of an overweight child they need to find a pair of shoes that is labeled as extra wide (XW). There are other 2 key features that your kids’ shoes must provide:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows your child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of your child’s feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Shoes that provide extra depth are also easier to get on and off. Below you can see the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth and one that doesn’t:
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature prevents your child’s toes from overlapping each other or rubbing against the side of the shoes. Below you can see the difference between a shoe with a round toe-box and one with a pointier one:
The issue is that most parents are confused as to how they are supposed to find shoes that provide these two features if shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep” or with “rounder toe-boxes”. The good news is that I know exactly which shoe styles provide these 2 features and I will describe them shortly.
3️⃣ Extra Wide Widths: The shoes must come labeled as extra wide (“XW”, or “EE”). Don’t settle for shoes that “fit wider” than others, and always make sure that the shoes are labeled as extra wide.
4️⃣ Substantial Outsoles: The shoes must provide a substantial outsole with arch support to minimize the impact that your child’s feet and legs take when they become in contact with the ground. Let me show you the difference between a shoe with a supportive outsole and a shoe with an unsupportive outsole:
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 that focuses on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. Over the years I became familiar with the best shoes for kids with extra wide feet.
If your child starts getting involved in physical activity, the last thing that you want is for your child to be discouraged from feeling pain in the feet, knees, hips, and lower back.
When walking, children impact the ground at 2 times their body weight, but when they are running or exercising that impact increases to 3 times their body weight. That impact that your child receives is the #1 cause of foot, leg and back pain. That is the reason why shoes play such a big role in protecting and supporting your children’s feet.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best shoes for overweight kids. All of these shoes provide excellent support, which reduces the impact that your kids’ feet and legs take every time they become in contact with the ground.
I only write reviews of shoe styles 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. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Shoes for Big Kids ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best shoes for big kids. These shoes are available in different widths such as medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW), but for this particular case, I recommend that you choose the extra wide width.
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 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.
These shoes can also accommodate the shape of your child’s high instep.
I am always explaining to parents that it doesn’t matter how many features a particular shoe style provides, if the shoes are not fitted properly, your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.
This leads me to this next question: Are you 100% sure that you know your child’s exact foot size?
I always recommend parents take their kids to be properly fitted for shoes at the local fitting shoe store that they trust, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that fit. The issue is that not all parents have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in their area. That is the reason why I created a resource where I describe the best-fitting children’s shoe stores by state. Go to the link below:
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 find a kids’ shoe store in your area, then proceed to read 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
In that article, I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has wide or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
I want you to remember one thing: It doesn’t matter how wide your kids’ feet are, there is always at least one particular shoe style out there that will fit the shape of your kids’ feet perfectly, and I will help you find it.
Before you leave, I wanted to tell you that socks play a key role in keeping your kids’ feet healthy. Socks act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes, and they will prevent the formation and build-up bacteria inside the shoes.
If your children have extra wide feet, I recommend that you provide them with a pair of seamless socks, as they won’t constrict toe movement and will allow your children to freely move the toes. Seamless socks also prevent your kids’ toes from overlapping one another. While I can’t get into too much detail about the best seamless socks for big kids in this article, you should refer to the articles below:
The Best Seamless Socks for Girls – End your Morning Battles with Seamless Socks
The Best Seamless Socks for Boys – End your Morning Dressing Battles with Seamless Socks!
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe style for your child’s feet. I have likely fitted it before and I will help you find it. My e-mail address is: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Have you found a particular shoe that has worked well for your overweight child? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
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Based on your advice a while back I switched my son to a 680v5 from New Balance. He is not longer complaining of leg and foot pain! Thank you so very much. I have two new questions for you…
1. He is currently wearing a big kid size
7XW. The largest size…. what shoe do we change to when he grows out of these????
2. Is there a GOOD sandle for a child with this size foot that gives good support like the 680v5? ((Or do I just make him always wear athletic shoes?))
Thank You again for your help. When I didn’t understand my child’s pain you helped me find the solution!
Hello Amanda,
I am glad that your child’s foot pain has been greatly reduced! I am always telling parents that something so simple such as providing their children with the correct pair of shoes can have such a positive impact.
1. I actually wrote an article where I describe the best shoes for children in men’s shoe sizes and you can find it here:
Boys In Men’s Shoe Sizes – The Best Shoes For Your Child With Large Feet!
2. Yes, there is a sandal that is my to-go sandal for children who have foot pain. Have you ever heard of Keen sandals? Here is their more supportive style:
Supportive Sandal for Boys
Supportive Sandal for Boys
I hope this helps!
Thank you!
I’ll look those up.
Sandals:
Do keens come in XW?
Or better yet is there a supportive men’s sandal you recounted XW?
Hello Amanda,
The Newport style by Keen is the widest there is and I have fitted children with extra wide feet in that style. Here is the men’s version and how they look like:
Keen Newport Style for Extra Wide Feet
Keen Newport Style for Extra Wide Feet
I hope this helps!