Best New Balance Shoes for Toddlers with Wide and Extra Wide Feet

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Last updated: September 28, 2026 · By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter

Has your child’s doctor, a family member, or a friend recommended New Balance for your toddler? Maybe your toddler has wide or extra wide feet and most shoes feel tight. “What are the best New Balance shoes for toddlers?” is one of the most common questions parents ask me as a certified children’s shoe fitter. New Balance is one of the few brands that makes toddler shoes in wide and extra wide widths, and these are the styles I recommend most.

Why So Many Toddlers Need Wider Shoes

Many toddlers have wide or extra wide feet. That doesn’t mean their feet will stay wide; at this age, they often carry some baby fat that makes their feet wider and chubbier. Some toddlers also have high insteps, where the top of the foot sits higher than usual.

Toddler with extra wide feet standing barefoot.
A toddler with extra wide feet.
An extra wide toddler's foot with high insteps.
A toddler with wide feet and a high instep.

I’ve helped many families of toddlers like these find New Balance shoes that fit, and I’m confident one of the styles below will work for your toddler too. Not sure whether your toddler has a high instep? See how to tell if your child has a high instep.

Does New Balance Make Wide Toddler Shoes?

Yes. Unlike most brands, New Balance makes many toddler styles in wide and extra wide widths. That gives toddlers’ toes room to wiggle and grow, which reduces the risk of rubbing and blisters, and leaves room for feet that swell slightly during play. The extra room doesn’t come at the expense of fit: the styles I recommend still hold the heel snugly while leaving plenty of space in the toe box.

What Makes These New Balance Shoes Work for Wide Feet

Round Toe Boxes

Toddlers wiggle their toes constantly; it’s how they strengthen their feet and improve balance. A round toe box gives the toes room to spread instead of squeezing them together.

Two shoes of the same length and width: the New Balance (right) has a rounder toe box than the Nike (left).

Extra Depth

Extra depth lets the foot sit deep inside the shoe, so the top of the foot (the instep) doesn’t rub against the top of the shoe. If you notice red marks on the top of your toddler’s feet, their current shoes probably aren’t deep enough.

Two shoes of the same length and width: the New Balance (right) is much deeper than the Stride Rite (left).

Lightweight and Flexible, with a Stable Base

These shoes have a supportive sole but stay light and flexible, which helps toddlers balance and move naturally.

A New Balance toddler shoe with the right amount of flexibility.

Best New Balance Shoes for Toddlers with Wide Feet

Not every New Balance shoe that comes in a wide width actually fits a wide toddler foot well. Some are still too shallow on top or too narrow at the toes. These five are the ones I’ve seen fit wide and extra wide toddler feet comfortably again and again, with round toe boxes, extra depth, and a secure fit at the heel. If your toddler has extra wide feet, start with the 574, Arishi v4, Rave Run v2, or 990v6, which all come in extra wide. If your toddler also needs extra support for flat feet or overpronation, the 990v6 is my top pick. Check each shoe’s Key Features to see which widths it comes in; most also come in a variety of colors.

Disclosure: some links in this post are affiliate links — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

574 by New Balance

A classic, supportive everyday shoe that comes in every width, including extra wide, in both Velcro and lace versions.

Key Features

  • Order on Amazon or the New Balance website
  • Also available with laces on the New Balance website or Amazon
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • Ideal for mild to moderate cases of pronation
  • Firm heel counters
  • APMA Seal of Acceptance
  • Sizing tip: Order a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size

Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance

A lightweight, cushioned sneaker with a roomy fit, a great choice for active toddlers with wide or extra wide feet.

Key Features

  • Order on the New Balance website or Amazon
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • Ideal for mild to moderate cases of pronation
  • Semi-firm heel counters
  • Sizing tip: Order a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size

Rave Run v2 by New Balance

A breathable, easy-on shoe with a bungee lace and top strap, so toddlers can slip it on quickly.

Key Features

  • Order on the New Balance website or Amazon
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • Breathable mesh upper
  • Padded collar and tongue
  • Sizing tip: Order a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size

990v6 by New Balance

The most supportive New Balance shoe for toddlers, and a great choice for wide feet that also need extra support.

Key Features

  • Order with laces on the New Balance website or Amazon
  • Velcro version also available on the New Balance website or Amazon
  • Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
  • Ideal for moderate to strong cases of pronation
  • Firm heel counters, stable base of support, and semi-straight lasts
  • Removable insoles
  • Sizing tip: Order a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size

2002 by New Balance

Support close to the 990v6 at a more budget-friendly price, for toddlers with medium or wide feet.

Key Features

  • Order on the New Balance website or Amazon (wide widths available only on the New Balance website)
  • Fits medium and wide feet
  • Ideal for moderate to strong cases of pronation
  • Firm heel counters, stable base of support, and semi-straight lasts
  • Sizing tip: Order a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size

Need a Specific Recommendation?

If you’re not sure which New Balance shoe is best for your toddler, email me with your toddler’s foot shape and size, and I’ll suggest the styles most likely to fit. Found a New Balance shoe that works well for your toddler? Share it in the comments below so other families can benefit.

How to Order the Right Size

Shoes that are too small can cause blisters, calluses, corns, and ingrown toenails, and they restrict the toe wiggling toddlers need to strengthen their feet. Shoes that are too big make it harder for toddlers to stay stable.

Baby wiggling his toes as a way of exercising his feet.
Toddlers wiggle their toes to exercise their feet, so shoes need room for the toes to move.

My guide to measuring your kid’s feet helps you find your toddler’s size and width at home, so you know whether to order medium, wide, or extra wide.

FAQ

Does New Balance make extra wide shoes for toddlers?

Yes. The 574, Arishi v4, Rave Run v2, and 990v6 all come in extra wide widths for toddlers.

Is New Balance the best brand for toddlers with wide feet?

In my experience, it’s the best-fitting brand for wide and extra wide toddler feet. Stride Rite, See Kai Run, and Saucony are other good options.

Are laces or Velcro better for toddlers?

Laces give a more secure fit and better support, but Velcro is easier for busy families. The 574 and 990v6 come in both.

Will my toddler always have wide feet?

Not necessarily. Many toddlers have wide feet because of baby fat, and their feet often slim down as they grow. Measure your toddler’s feet each time you buy new shoes.