The Best Summer Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet – Keen, Stride Rite, Merrell, or See Kai Run?

April 3, 2023 Summer Shoes Juan Pablo Valenzuela 2 - Comments

Are you having a hard time finding a pair of summer shoes for your kids with wide feet?  Have you noticed imprints on the top part of your child’s feet when you take the sandals off? If your child has wide feet, I recommend getting your kids’ sandals early in the season, as there are only a couple of sandals that are capable of fitting a child with wide feet. If you wait too long, those specific styles might be gone. Let me show you a list of the best summer shoes for kids with wide feet!

I am sure that you have heard of the shoe brands Keen, Stride Rite, Merrell, and See Kai Run before. These shoe brands make some of the most popular summer sandals for kids, but they have only a few of their styles that are capable of fitting children with wide feet. The good news is that I know exactly which styles fit wider than others and I will help you find them.

The sandals that I recommend in this article provide the correct amount of support that is essential for the healthy growth and development of children’s feet. Many summer shoes and flip flops don’t provide the support, motion control and cushioning that children need when they are playing which can lead to foot, ankle and knee injuries. I have also noticed how children often wear flip flops that are too big or too small, increasing the risk of injury.

Best Summer Shoe Brands – Keen, Stride Rite, Merrell, or See Kai Run?

These are the 4 most popular summer shoe brands for kids. It’s hard to choose one among these four, as even though Merrell and Stride Rite manufacture sandals that are actually available in wide (W) and extra wide widths (XW), Keen and See Kai Run manufacture certain styles that are capable of fitting children with wide feet as well.

I believe that each one of these 4 shoe brands has a particular style that works perfectly for children with wide feet, so I am going to provide you with the best sandals styles from each one of these 4 shoe brands. However, let me first show you the 3 key features that the sandals that I recommend provide. 

Sandals for Kids with Wide Feet – 3 Important Features 

1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature is one of the most important ones to fit the shape of a child’s wide feet. Sandals that provide extra depth allow the feet to fit deeply inside the sandals and prevent the top part of the child’s feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the sandals. The issue is that sandals don’t come labeled as “extra deep”, so the only way to tell whether a sandal is deep or not is by having fitted the sandal before.

2️⃣ Rounder Toe–Boxes: This feature helps prevent your child’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Sandals with rounder toe-boxes prevent blisters, calluses, and corns. Sandals also don’t come labeled with a “rounder toe-box”, so the only way to tell whether a sandal is deep or not is by having fitted the sandal previously.

3️⃣ Wide Widths Available: Sandals that are available in wide (W) or extra wide (XW) widths are always more effective in accommodating the shape of a child with wide feet.

In addition to providing those 3 important features, the kids’ sandals that I recommend below are:

  • Lightweight
  • Flexible
  • Supportive
  • Dry-Fast
  • Good Traction

Do you prefer to shop at your local shoe store? I have put together a list of the best children’s shoe stores by state.

Find Out How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape Online

If after looking at that resource you still can’t find a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I wrote where I describe how to measure your kids’ foot size from home. In that article, I help parents determine their child’s exact foot shape (wide, extra wide, high instep)

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best summer shoes for kids with wide feet. 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. 

The Best Summer Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet

The sandals below are the best styles among Keen, Stride Rite, Merrell, and See Kai Run. Look below the image of each sandal to check if it’s available in wide (W) or extra wide (XW) widths.

These sandals are available in several color options, so if your child likes a specific color, please make sure to click through and see if they have the desired color.

Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)

  • Shoe style Hurricane by Teva
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want
  • 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
  • Shoe style Hurricane by Teva
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want
  • 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
  • Sandal style Cyrus by See Kai Run
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Water-friendly and machine washable
  • Generous toe box and EVA molded footbed promotes healthy foot development 
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Pale II by See Kai Run
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • 2 points of adjustability
  • Water-friendly and machine washable
  • EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all-day comfort
  • Rigid at the toe box
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Aru by Stride Rite
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want
  • 100% leather 
  • Flexible grooves on the outsole for a barefoot feel
  • Convenient alternative closure for a snug fit and easy on/off 
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Knotch Creek by Kee
  • Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
  • Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
  • Soft fabric lining and anti-odor footbed promotes a healthy foot environment
  • M Select GRIP for superior non-marking traction
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Cyrus IV by See Kai Run
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Water-friendly and machine washable
  • Generous toe box and EVA molded footbed promotes healthy foot development 
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Billie by See Kai Run
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • FlexiRun EVA foam outsole is ultra-lightweight and flexible with durable traction pattern for outdoor wear 
  • Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability 
  • Water-friendly and machine washable 
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Archie by Stride Rite
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Fisherman sandals with hook and loop closure
  • Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and hook and loop closure
  • Slip-resistant traction with sensory pod technology to help feel the ground underneath
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Summer Time by Stride Rite
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • 100% leather
  • Padded heel collar for comfort
  • Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort 
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Lucky Brand
  • Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Supportive footbed
  • Adjustable buckles at the front and velcro strap at the back for easy on and off
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Eco-Tide by FootMates
  • Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Lightly padded insole
  • Waterproof leather and corrosion-resistant buckles make the shoes ideal for use in warm weather conditions
  • Hook-and-loop with adjustable buckle closures for a secure fit
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size

Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)

  • Shoe style Hurricane by Teva
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want
  • 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
  • Shoe style Hurricane by Teva
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • 3 points of adjustability so children can make the sandals as tight or loose as they want
  • 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
  • Sandal style Newport Adaptive by Keen
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Water-friendly and machine washable
  • Adjustable back strap
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Newport Adaptive by Keen
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Water-friendly and machine washable
  • Adjustable back strap
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Seaturtle 2 by Kamik
  • Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
  • Quick drying moisture wicking lining
  • Vegan-friendly
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Shoe style Seaturtle 2 by Kamik
  • Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
  • Quick drying moisture wicking lining
  • Vegan-friendly
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Elle by Keen
  • Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
  • Rounded toe-boxes and extra deep
  • Double adjustable velcro straps
  • Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Arizona by Birkenstock
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot
  • Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting
  • Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Newport H2 by Keen
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
  • Machine washable
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Newport H2 by Keen
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
  • Machine washable
  • Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Rio by Birkenstock
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot
  • Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting
  • Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
  • Sandal style Milano by Birkenstock
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot
  • Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting
  • Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size

All of the sandals that I recommend are lightweight, flexible, durable, won’t overheat the feet, can get wet, dry fast, and your kids will be able to put them on and off by themselves.

Most sandals are available in whole sizes only. This means that if your child measures a foot size 10 1/2, then you need to provide your child with a shoe size 11 to allow for growing room. If your child measures a foot size 10, then you also need to get the shoe size 11 — as sandals are not available in half sizes — always round up.

Sandals for Wide Feet – Parents Reviews

Other families already tried these sandals before, so let’s see what they have to say about them.

wide-sandals-review
wide-sandals-review
wide-sandals-review

Are Any Other Sandal Choices Available?

Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having trouble finding a pair of shoes to accommodate the shape of your child’s wide feet, it’s highly likely that I have fitted that shoe before and I will help you find it: [email protected]

What Are the Best Sneakers for Kids with Wide Feet?

I created a different article that describes the best wide sneakers for kids.

Finding a pair of wide summer shoes for your child can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially if you don’t know which sandals fit wider than others. All of the sandals that I recommend are the best choices for kids with wide feet, so let’s keep your child’s wide feet healthy during the summer season!