What is the Difference Between Medium and Wide Shoes? – Finding the Perfect Shoes for Your Child!
Did you know that kids’ shoes are available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths? Wearing the correct shoe width is essential for your kids to perform at their best, no matter the activity. You will also be keeping your kids’ feet healthy and avoiding all sorts of foot problems. One common question parents ask me is: What is the difference between medium and wide shoes? I will answer this question based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
If your kids have wide feet and you are fitting them in a pair of medium width shoes, you are probably cramping their toes against the side or the front of the shoes, which can lead to foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
It is important to understand that getting the correct shoe width is just as important as getting the correct shoe length. Also, please stop saying that your child can’t wear a certain type of shoe because his or her feet are too wide or too narrow! Shoe companies make shoes in different widths for a reason!
The majority of the American population is walking around wearing the wrong shoe width. If parents don’t know the difference between medium and wide widths shoes, then how can they possibly be providing their children with the correct shoe size?
The most common mistake parents make is ordering a larger shoe size every time their kids’ shoes feel too tight around the width area. If you try a shoe for your child in the medium width, and the shoe feels too tight around the widest part of the foot, then instead of buying longer shoes, try the same shoe in a wider width.
What Is the Difference Between Medium and Wide Shoes?
The difference between a medium width shoe and a wide width shoe is 1/8 of an inch. This can make all the difference in preventing your kids’ toes from overlapping one another or rubbing against the side of the shoes.
Medium VS Wide Width Shoes – Is There a Big Difference?
It is important to understand the difference between medium and wide widths shoes. Some parents believe that the difference between a medium width shoe and a wide width shoe is insignificant. Those parents are wrong!
It actually does make a huge difference if you fit your kids’ wide feet in a pair of shoes that come in wide widths. Your child will feel so much more comfortable running around and you will keep their feet healthy by preventing foot issues.
Take a look at the picture below where I show two insoles of the same shoe length. The left insole comes from a medium width shoe (M) and the right one comes from a wide width shoe (W).
The difference seems quite clear, and that extra room in the width will make such a big difference in the way your kids’ shoes will feel!
You probably heard before that certain shoe styles run wider or narrower than others, but if your child has wide feet, some shoes actually come in wider widths (W).
What Shoe Companies Manufacture Kids’ Shoes in Wide Widths?
New Balance, Saucony, and Stride Rite are the best shoe brands for children with wide feet as they offer the best selection when it comes to wide widths shoes.
While it’s definitely true that there are only certain shoe styles that will work if your child has wide or extra wide feet, not providing your child with certain types of shoes like dress shoes, cleats, or sandals because their feet are too wide or too narrow is a big mistake.
There is always at least one particular dress shoe, sandal, or cleat style that will fit the shape of your child’s feet perfectly, and I will help you find it.
Which is the Best Place to Get Your Kids’ Shoes? – Try Them On!
I always recommend parents take their kids to their local children’s shoe store, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that fit properly. However, several parents don’t have a shoe store in their area that they trust, and they are forced to buy their kids’ shoes online.
Start by taking a look at a resource I created where I describe the best children’s shoe stores by state.
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to find a good fitting kids’ shoe store in your area, then you can take a look at a different resource that I created where I help families retrieve their child’s exact foot length and shape from home.
While there are several wide widths shoes available for kids, some of them provide better support and structure than others, and will also be more durable and last longer.
I only review shoes that I have fitted before, and some of them are deeper and have rounder toe-boxes than others, which makes a huge difference when you fit them on your child’s 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 Wide Widths Shoes for Kids
Below you can find a selection of the best wide width shoes for children. Take a look at the description below each shoe to find out the features the shoe provides and the size you should order to allow for the correct amount of growing room.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- 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
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- 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
- Shoe style Original Jazz Lite 2.0 by Saucony
- Available in medium and 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
- Shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony
- 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
- Shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Removable insoles
- Lightweight and flexible
- Extra wide toe box allows natural splaying of toes for better balance, comfort, and foot health
- Long heel counter provides stability
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style 2510 by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Heel stabilizer provides lateral stability
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 650
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 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
- Shoe style 574 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam by New Balance
- 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
- Shoe style Sr Thompson by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Recycled material linings to help reduce odor
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Winslow by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Toe cap reinforcement and bumptoe protection against stumbles
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Step-stabilizing design with comfy Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh 574 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- See Kai Run shoe style Robyne
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 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
- See Kai Run shoe style Robyne
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 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
- Shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Mesh and suede upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Mesh and suede upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Stitched-on toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Nitrel v5 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Stitched-on toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Russell by See Kai Run
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Double velcro straps
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Robyn by See Kai Run
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Double velcro straps
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Velocity by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Heel stabilizer provides stability
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style 3584 Rainbow by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your child’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style Fresh Foam 650 Bungee by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- 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
- Shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- 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
- Shoe style Arishi v4 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- 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
- The New Balance shoe style RaveRun is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Available in laces
- No-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- The New Balance shoe style RaveRun is available for little and big kids
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Available in laces
- Leather and mesh upper
- No-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- 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
- Shoe style Axon by Saucony
- 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
- New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam 880v12
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 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
- Shoe style 480 V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Leather and mesh upper for durability & breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style 327 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- FuelCell foam delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- New Balance shoe style FuelCell Propel v5
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- 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
- Shoe style 574 by New Balance
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- 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
- New Balance shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi v4
- Fits children with medium, wide, or 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
Now that you know the difference between medium and wide widths shoes, you can provide your child with the correct pair of shoes.
Cheers, and keep your kids’ feet healthy!
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child. My e-mail address is:
Are the Shoes that Your Child Is Wearing Too Narrow? – Let’s Find Out!
Okay, let’s say you bought your child a medium width shoe and he has been complaining about his/her shoes feeling too tight.
Your immediate response is:
➡️ You just need to break them in!
➡️ Shoes always feel tight at first!
My advice to you is to take your kids’ complaints seriously and start by checking the widest part of the shoe. Let’s take a look at the picture below which shows a shoe that is too narrow for a child’s foot. Do you notice how there is a small bump in the widest part of the foot?
That means that your kids’ toes are being cramped inside the shoe, and the small toe is being pressed against the side of the shoe. The small toe will rub against the shoe, which can lead to the formation of blisters, calluses, or corns.
Let’s say the shoe in the picture is a kids’ shoe size 10 in a medium width. What do you think most parents would do in this situation?
They would get a longer shoe and try a shoe size 10 1/2 or 11! However, the child already has sufficient growing room in size 10. The longer size might take the pressure away from the small toe, but now the shoes are way too long for your kids’ feet. The right thing to do is to try the same size shoe in a wider width.
Does your child normally get medium width shoes or wide width shoes? Have you found a particular shoe style that worked well for your child’s feet? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so we can all benefit from them!
I am glad I found this site. I am a son and he sometimes seems unable to fit into some of the shoes, because my son has a wider foot. Finding a shoe for him sometimes really frustrating because some shoes are either too tight or too long.
I think this will help me make my choices. However, when I am in a shop, is there a way to communicate with the staff on what kind of shoe I want? Will she/he understand the terms I use?
Hell Michael,
I am glad that you found the post informative. The most common mistake parents make is to try longer shoes when a child complains about the shoes feeling too tight. This takes away the pressure in the width, but it leads to the child wearing a shoe that is too long, which will end up compromising his or her stability.
If you are in a shoe shop they will probably understand when you explain them that your child has a wide foot and needs a wider shoes.
I hope this clarifies!
Thank you for providing your thoughts and suggestions on this, I definitely fall under the category of parents who have no clue about correct shoe width for their kids. My kid just recently started mentioning that his new shoes are to tight. As alternative I started looking for shoes without shoes strings and are adjustable. Do you think that approach will be ok?
Hello Alewishes,
I dont think that is the right approach. If your child is complaining about his or her shoes feeling too tight, I will start by making sure the shoes are not too narrow. Remember that shoes are available in different widths such as wide and extra wide.
Even if your kids’feet don’t appaear to be wide, he or she might have a high instep, and require a wider shoe. If you are not sure what the instep of the foot is, you can find more information about children with high insteps here:
The Best Shoes for High Instep – Stop Getting the Wrong Shoe Size for Your Child!
I hope this helps!
What a wealth of information! I have noticed the notations of “medium” or “wide” on children’s shoes before but I do not think I have ever seen “narrow” or “extra wide”. Possibly I just have not been paying attention. My son has always worn “medium” shoes so far, so I have just always focused on that classification.
However, my son is being fitted with orthotics to help correct how he walks. His orthotics will be ones which go into his shoes and fit around the bottom of his foot — what recommendations do you have for a situation like this to ensure that his shoes fit the way that they should?
Kristin,
It is extremely important to choose the correct type of shoes if your son will be wearing an orthotic. I wrote a post where I explain and describe the best kids shoes for a child that needs orthotics. You can find that post here:
Shoes with Removable Insoles for Orthotics- Make Sure You Get the Right Fit
That article covers everything you must know if your child wears orthotics.
Hi Juan
Really informative article! I have 2 kids of my own and one of my daughters of 8 years old loves playing soccer, and I understand that getting the correct shoes is vital in a sport as it can lead to injuries. She is constantly complaining about her feet that move inside her shoes when she suddenly needs to stop from a sprint and I always thought how is that possible as the shoes fit perfectly length wise.
Does that mean that those specific shoes are too wide for her feet then? Never thought of it, please advise!
Hello Mornay,
The shoes are either too wide for her feet, or she might not be tying the shoes tight enough. Make sure you teach her how to properly tie her shoes, and then ask her if her feet still move too much inside the shoe.
I wrote an article where I describe the best way to tie your kids shoes and you can find it here: How To Tie Your Kids Shoes – Stop Heel Slippage!
Hope that helps!
I completely agree with what you are saying regarding the importance of correctly fitting shoes for children. It’s just a shame that lower income families, who rely on cheaper department stores for purchasing footwear, cannot afford to visit specialty footwear stores for custom fitted shoes.
Thanks for the great article, I’m going to do some research on the availability of lower priced footweat that has different foot widths available.
Joanne,
Families who take their kids to department stores to be fitted for shoes end up paying more money for shoes since they don’t only need to replace them faster, but they are also creating all sort of foot problems by letting their kids walk and run around in shoes that don’t fit.