Editor’s Note: This post has been updated and revised for accuracy on April 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of the top 3 best sneakers for kids with wide feet in 2022.
Do you have a child with wide feet and you always have a hard time finding shoes that fit? Are you always worried that the shoes might be pinching your child’s toes and your child might develop foot issues such as blisters?
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have put together a selection of the best shoes for kids with wide feet in 2022 based on my 10 years of experience fitting children’s shoes. I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses on children with foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. This experience has afforded me many insights into children’s shoes and the way they fit.
Due to my experience in fitting thousands of kids, I became familiar with the best shoe brands for children with wide feet and the best styles among those brands.
One of the most common mistakes that I see parents make is to assume that a shoe that is labeled as wide (W) or extra wide (XW) is going to automatically fit the shape of a child with wide feet. It’s important to choose the correct shoe width, but there are 2 other key features that the shoes must provide:
✅ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of the feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. In addition, this feature is going to prevent your child’s toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a sneaker that provides extra depth versus one that is too shallow:
✅ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature is going to prevent your child’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a sneaker that provides a rounder toe-box versus one that provides a pointier one:
I get contacted daily by families from all over the world who want to know which are the best type of shoes for their children with wide feet. Children’s feet come in all different shapes and sizes, and some children might have a more “complicated” foot shape such as wide feet with a high instep.
Please note that shoes that are too narrow can lead to several foot issues that range from blisters, calluses, and corns to general foot and leg pain.
There is only a few selection of shoes capable of accommodating the shape of a child with wide feet, but the good news is that I know exactly which shoe styles these are from having fitted them before.
I have been helping parents find the perfect pair of shoes for their children online for the last 5 years, and I can help your child too. There have been 3 shoe styles that have proven to be the best choices for children with wide feet. In addition to being available in wide (W) and extra wide (XW) widths, the shoes provide extra depth and rounder toe-boxes.
These shoes are parents’ favorites and will help keep your child’s feet and legs healthy. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 3 best kids sneakers for wide feet in 2022. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
#1 New Balance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The New Balance shoes listed below are ideal for children who have wide feet and high insteps. Parents love how New Balance shoes are durable and affordable at the same time.
✅ Extra Depth: This allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of their feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. This feature is also going to prevent the top part of your child’s toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes.
✅ Rounder Toe-Box: The rounder toe-box is going to allow your child to freely wiggle his/her toes and prevent them from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes.
✅ Supportive: This feature is going to reduce the impact that your kids’ feet take when they come in contact with the ground.
✅ Lightweight and Flexible: Kids’ shoes need to be lightweight and flexible to help them feel more stable and prevent their feet and legs from easily getting tired.
✅ Breathable: This feature is going to allow your child’s feet to breathe and prevent the feet from sweating excessively.
Additional features:
- Velcro Closure or Shoelaces.
- Removable Insoles.
- Accommodates Orthotics.
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
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Suede/mesh upper
- Velcro closure
- EVA-cushioned midsole
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’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
- Lace-up closure
- Suede/mesh upper
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- 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
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’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
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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 widths
- 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 and wide widths
- Suede and mesh uppers
- Padded tongue and collar offer a snug, comfy fit
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Dual-layered EVA midsole for cushioning
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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 and wide widths
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning
- TPU heel clip for stability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Suede/mesh upper
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Lace-Up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
In each of the descriptions of the shoes I indicate whether you need to order a half a size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
#2 Stride Rite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stride Rite manufactures certain shoe styles that provide round toe-boxes, extra depth, and are available in wide and extra wide widths. Let me show you what features have made the Stride Rite shoes that I recommend the second-best choice for kids with wide feet:
✅ Extra Depth: Shoes that provide extra depth allow the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent the top part of their feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes.
✅ Rounder Toe-Box: The rounder toe-box is going to allow your child to freely wiggle his/her toes and prevent them from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes.
✅ Supportive: This feature is going to reduce the impact that your kids’ feet take when they come in contact with the ground. This is a very supportive style which makes it ideal for children who are dealing with foot pain or need an orthotic to be fitted inside their shoes.
✅ Durable: This is one of the most durable shoe styles that I have fitted before. This shoe style comes with a reinforced suede material on the side which is going to prevent your child from poking a hole in the shoes.
Additional features:
- Velcro Closure or Shoelaces.
- Removable Insoles.
- Accommodates Orthotics.
Babies and Toddlers Who Are Learning How to Walk
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Foam padding placed around the ankle collar and under the tongue for an incredibly comfortable fit and feel
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Double-strap Mary Jane with hook and loop closure and faux-buckle detail
- Soft memory foam footbeds and flexible, rounded soles for natural movement
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- v
Toddlers and Little Kids Who Are Already Walking
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Light-ups
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and hook and loop closure
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- Extra padding around the heels to prevent blisters
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
In each of the descriptions of the shoes I indicate whether you need to order a half a size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
#3 Saucony ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Saucony manufactures shoes that are available in medium (M), wide (W), and extra wide (XW) widths.
Parents love how affordable and durable Saucony shoes are. I recommend these specific styles for children with wide feet but please note that they won’t fit children with high insteps. I also don’t recommend this shoe style for children who wear orthotics.
Let me show you what features have made this shoe style the third-best choice for kids with wide feet:
✅ Lightweight and Flexible: This shoe style is very lightweight and flexible which makes it perfect for toddlers who are learning how to walk or fully walking.
✅ Breathable: This feature is going to allow your child’s feet to breathe and prevent the feet from sweating excessively.
✅ Affordable: This shoe style is one of the most affordable ones considering how versatile and well-made it is.
Additional features:
- Velcro Closure or Shoelaces.
- Removable Insoles
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit children with high insteps.
- Doesn’t accommodate orthotics.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- 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 and wide widths
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Velcro closure for easy on/off and adjustability
- Machine washable
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Cushy lightweight EVA midsole for comfort
- Cushy lightweight EVA midsole for comfort
- APMA approved
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Shoe Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium feet
- Breathable mesh and synthetic upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning in the heel
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 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
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Leather and mesh upper for durability & breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
In each of the descriptions of the shoes I indicate whether you need to order a half a size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If you want to be 100% sure about what shoe size to order online, I suggest that you follow the instructions in the article below:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
These are the best 3 sneakers for kids with wide feet in 2022. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you are having trouble finding a particular shoe style to fit the shape of your child’s wide feet: fittingchldrensshoes@gmail.com
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