The Best Sneakers for Toddlers with Narrow Feet – The Top 3 Choices!
Do you feel like every single shoe that you try on your toddler’s feet is too big and wide? Most shoe brands don’t make narrow shoes for toddlers as most toddlers tend to have wider feet. The best sneakers for toddlers with narrow feet provide narrow platforms and narrow heel counters to prevent heel slippage. While there are no toddler sneakers available in narrow widths I am going to show you which specific styles fit narrower than others.
Why Shoe Companies Don’t Manufacture Kids’ Shoes in Narrow Widths (N)?
The answer is simple and it is because of the lack of demand. I have seen how most toddlers have medium, wide, or extra wide feet, and just a few have narrow feet. Most toddlers might still carry some baby fat from when they were babies, and that’s why if you pay close attention you will notice how most toddlers’ shoes are only available in medium (M), wide (W), or extra wide (XW) widths.
Helping Kids with Narrow Feet: My Practical Experience
I understand how frustrating and time-consuming it can be to find a pair of shoes for a toddler with narrow feet. I know this because I have been fitting children’s shoes for the last 10 years, and narrow feet are the hardest to fit.
The challenge is to find shoes that fit narrower and are also lightweight, flexible, and provide the correct amount of lateral support. Toddlers who are learning how to walk tend to grab onto furniture and move side to side, but if the shoes slip off easily, that can cause discomfort and affect your toddler’s ability to walk or run freely.
Good Shoes for Toddlers with Narrow Feet – Two Key Features
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 compared to the shoe on the left which has a rounder one?
2️⃣ Narrow Platforms: This feature helps prevent too much foot movement inside the shoes and helps fit the overall narrow shape of your toddler’s feet. Let me show you the difference between two shoes that are the same size in length and width but have very different platforms.
Are Shoes with Laces Better Than Shoes with Velcro Closure?
It is a fact that shoes that come with shoelaces are always more effective in fitting the shape of a toddler with narrow feet. I understand that most parents prefer to provide their toddlers with an alternative shoe closure such as Velcro, as toddlers don’t know how to tie their shoes, so I will provide you with both options.
Top Sneakers for Toddlers with Narrow Feet
These shoes are made of soft leather, which allows the foot to breathe naturally and prevents the formation and buildup of bacteria inside the shoes. The shoes also have padded collars that provide extra comfort and help prevent your toddler’s heels from coming out of the shoes. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
Girls
- Order the shoe style Falcotto Hack VL AW22 by Naturino on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Adam VL by Primigi on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Klip 2 VL by Falcotto on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lightweight and flexible
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort to child’s feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Sasha VL by Falcotto on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Falcotto Flaurry VL by Naturino on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Padded collars
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Falcotto Sasha VL by Naturino on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lightweight and flexible
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort to child’s feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Boys
- Order the shoe style Falcotto Gazer by Naturino on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Falcotto Adam VL by Naturino on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Kolde VI by Primigi on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Padded collars
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Althidon 2 VL by Naturino on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Padded collar and tongue for superior comfort
- Dual hook-and-loop strap for a snug fit
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Hack VL by Falcotto on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lightweight and flexible
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort to child’s feet
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Falcotto Amantea VL by Naturino on Zappos
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Natural leathers
- Padded collars
- Double velcro straps
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Are Any Other Narrow Shoe Choices Available?
These are the best sneakers for toddlers with narrow feet. If you happen to try any of these shoes and they still feel too wide on your toddler’s feet please do not hesitate to contact me and I will send you other specific shoe recommendations:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
We might have to try a shoe with laces instead of velcro closure to help secure your toddler’s feet.
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
Dr. Dananberg, who was featured in “Podiatry Today” magazine advises that “Measuring of feet can be helpful and it will lead to figuring out the correct shoe size, but parents must be cautious that the fit of shoes varies from one shoe company to another”. I created a virtual shoe fitting service that will show you the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out exactly what shoe size you should order online.
Be Careful About Fitting Your Toddler in Shoes That Are Too Wide
If your toddler has narrow feet and you buy a pair of shoes that are too wide, their feet will move too much inside the shoes. This constant friction and rubbing between the feet and the shoes might lead to the formation of all sorts of foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
Water Shoes for Toddlers with Narrow Feet
During the summer, most children develop foot issues such as blisters, especially if they are wearing sandals that are too wide for their feet. I created a different resource that showcases a list of narrow sandals for toddlers.
Have you found a particular shoe brand or shoe style that has worked well in fitting your toddler’s narrow feet? Please share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.
