What is the Difference Between Wide and Extra Wide Shoes? – Get the Right Shoe Width for Your Child!
Are you unsure whether your child needs wide or extra wide shoes? It’s a common issue—many parents mistakenly buy wide (W) shoes when their child actually needs extra wide (XW). The difference matters more than you might think. Shoe widths exist for a reason, and choosing the wrong one can lead to discomfort, blisters, and foot pain. In this guide, I’ll break down the key differences between wide and extra wide shoes for kids, and explain why getting the right width—especially for children with very wide feet or those who wear orthotics—is essential for proper foot development and all-day comfort.
What is the Difference Between Wide and Extra Wide Shoes?
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Wide (W): Shoes labeled as wide have a broader base and more room in the toe box. They cater to children whose feet are wider than average. The added space helps in preventing any pinching or squeezing of the foot, which can be uncomfortable and even painful over time. Wide shoes are designed to provide a more comfortable fit without compromising on style or support, making them ideal for children who need a little extra room in their shoes.
Extra Wide (XW): Extra wide shoes provide even more space, accommodating children with significantly wider feet or special foot conditions. These shoes are specifically engineered to address the needs of children whose feet cannot fit into standard or even wide shoes. Extra wide shoes often come with additional features, such as adjustable straps or laces, to ensure a secure fit while providing the necessary room for comfort.
Can you see the difference? Choosing the correct shoe width for your child isn’t just about comfort—it’s key to preventing painful foot issues like blisters, calluses, and pressure marks. The right fit can make a world of difference in your child’s day-to-day comfort and foot health.
High Instep Considerations
A high instep can also affect shoe fit. If your child has a high instep, they may require wide or extra wide shoes even if their foot isn’t particularly wide. This is because a higher instep can create additional volume in the shoe, necessitating more space. Shoes with adjustable closures, such as Velcro or laces, can help accommodate a high instep more effectively.
Find Out If Your Child Needs Wide or Extra Wide Shoes
The most accurate way to find out if your child has wide or extra wide feet is by getting a proper measurement at a trusted kids’ shoe store. But if you don’t have one nearby—or just aren’t sure who to trust—I’ve got you covered. I created a free virtual fitting service that can help you determine your child’s exact foot width from the comfort of your home.
Best Shoe Brands for Kids with Wide or Extra Wide Feet
When it comes to extra wide feet, I find myself recommending New Balance shoes about 90% of the time. That’s because they consistently offer the roomiest, roundest toe-boxes and deeper interiors than most other brands. This extra depth allows your child’s feet to sit more comfortably inside the shoe, helping prevent any rubbing or pressure on the top of the foot.
In addition to New Balance, I also recommend Stride Rite, Ikiki, and See Kai Run. While some of these brands don’t always label their shoes as wide or extra wide, many of their styles still offer a surprisingly generous fit that works well for kids with wider feet.
My Top Wide and Extra Wide Shoe Recommendations in 2025
Finding the right shoes for your child’s wide or extra wide feet can be challenging, but here are my top recommendations for 2025. If you notice that a specific shoe is not available in wide or extra wide widths that means that specific style fits naturally wide. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. New Balance Kids’ 574 NEW-B Hook & Loop. These New Balance wide shoes for kids offer extra depth, wide toe boxes, and cushioned midsoles, providing both comfort and support. The wide Velcro straps allow you to open the shoe widely for easy on and off.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Also available with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, and Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
2. See Kai Russell and Robyne. These See Kai Run wide shoes feature extra depth and wide toe boxes for children with wide feet and high insteps. The double Velcro straps allow for easy on and off.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style Robyne by See Kai Run on Zappos or Amazon
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
3. Shoe Style 990v6 by New Balance. These are the best New Balance shoes for wide feet and they are available with Velcro or laces. The downside that many parents complain about is the high price tag.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- You can order the 990v6 with laces on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Also available in pink and navy blue
- There is also a Velcro version of these shoes available in navy blue and pink
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
4. Ikiki Shoes. These shoes are a fantastic option for kids with wide feet and high insteps. Designed with a roomy toe box and adjustable straps, they provide a comfortable, secure fit without squeezing or putting pressure on the top of the foot.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style by Ikiki on Amazon
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- Wide opening to make it easy to put on and take off shoes
- Synthetic Vegan Leather
- Squeaks can be turned on/off with a switch
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
5. See Kai Run Lucia Mary Jane. This Mary Jane features extra depth and a roomy toe box that provides ample space for growing feet, while the adjustable hook-and-loop strap ensures a secure, customized fit without pressure on the top of the foot.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers and little kids
- Order the shoe style Lucia by See Kai Run on Amazon or Zappos
- Not available in wide or extra wide widths but fits naturally wide
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Durable cotton drill upper, comfy leather insole, and recycled mesh lining keep feet fresh
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
6. Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance. These wide and extra wide New Balance shoes provide extra depth, oversized openings, and round toe-boxes, making them an ideal choice for kids with wide feet and high insteps.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the shoe style 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website or Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Also available with laces on Zappos and Amazon
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
7. Shoe Style Rave Run v2 by New Balance. These New Balance extra wide shoes provide extra depth and round toe-boxes. Parents like that these shoes are offered at an affordable price point.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Rave Run by New Balance on Zappos, Amazon, or the New Balance website
- Available in wide and extra wide widths
- Breathable mesh upper
- Padded collar and tongue
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
8. Shoe Style Cross Em Up by Adidas. These Adidas wide shoes are a great option for kids who love stylish footwear from a well-known, popular brand—without compromising on comfort and fit.
Key Features
- Available for little and big kids
- Order the shoe style Cross Em Up Select by Adidas on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
9. Shoe Style Fresh Foam Arishi v4 by New Balance. These New Balance shoes with deep toe-box are ideal for kids with high insteps and wide feet. Families appreciate how these shoes are available in wide and extra wide widths and offered at a reasonable price.
Key Features
- Available for toddlers, little, and big kids
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website or Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Also available with laces on the New Balance website, Zappos, and Amazon
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
10. Shoe Style M2P Journey 3.0 Adapt by Stride Rite. These Stride Rite wide shoes provide extra depth and extra long Velcro straps to make sure they accommodate your child’s wide feet and high insteps.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style M2P Journey Adapt by Stride Rite on Zappos or Amazon
- Available in extra wide widths
- APMA approved
- Leather upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Socks for Kids with Wide or Extra Wide Feet
Socks are often overlooked, but they play an essential role in ensuring a good fit. For wide or extra wide feet, choose socks that are made from stretchy materials to accommodate the foot’s width without constriction. The right socks can prevent issues such as blisters and discomfort, which often arise from wearing socks that are too tight.
Reach Out for Specific Shoe Recommendations
If you’re unsure about which shoes are best for your child’s wide or extra wide feet, don’t hesitate to reach out for specific shoe recommendations tailored to your child’s foot shape and instep height. As a shoe fitter with extensive experience, I am here to help you find the perfect fit for your child’s needs.
I was unsure about whether my child needed wide or extra wide shoes. Your post made it really clear. I realized I was providing him with shoes that were too narrow, even though they said wide widths. Now I know he actually needs extra wide shoes, thank you man! This was really helpful! Are there any wide baseball cleats for kids? Do shoes companies make them?
Hello Bassam,Baseball cleats in wide widths for kids do exist and New Balance is the shoe company that makes wide baseball cleats for kids. I actually wrote a post about them and you can find them here:
Wide Width Baseball Cleats – They Do Exist!
Remember that when children are playing sports they are stressing their feet and legs at a whole different level. Wearing the correct type of shoes is important not just to prevent foot problems, but also to allow your kids to perform at their best.
My kids have very wide feet and it is hard to find shoes that come wide enough for them. I am glad you provide a selection of shoes that come in extra wide widths. Do shoe companies make soccer shoes in extra wide? My kids had to stop wearing cleats because they always complained about them hurting their feet.
Hello Katie,There is only one soccer shoe style that comes in wide and extra wide widths. I wrote a post about this shoe that you can find here:
Wide Soccer Cleats for Kids – The Best Wide and Extra Wide Soccer Cleats for Children!
It is important to provide our children with soccer cleats that are wide enough for their feet, or they will end up with calluses, blisters, or corns since there is a lot of friction when playing soccer.
That’s a great piece of advice about checking that your kids toes aren’t bulging out to the side as it’s an easy thing to notice even if you are not a shoe-fitting expert
I recently bought New Balance training shoes for my kids without realizing that they had extra wide options. Pleased to hear that you can buy extra wide shoes from well known companies that look great and that kids will want to wear. I am ordering from your website as a way of saying thanks for the info man!
Hello Kristian,
I knew the images where going to clarify a lot, and yes, you don’t have to be a shoe fitting expert to realize when you are fitting your kids in shoes that are too narrow. Your child will be so much more comfortable in a pair of extra wide widths shoes, as long as he or she has an extra wide foot.
Juan Pablo,
You have just made my day with this information about children’s feet and shoes. As adults we don’t buy shoes that are to narrow for our feet, so why would we do this to our children? Is it due to people thinking that their kids out grow their shoes before they really ever start to wear them, because to me your feet are one of the most important features of our body that helps us to develop our posture and back muscles, and also are ability to run correctly for speed and agility.
Excellent source of information! Thank you
Kelly
Hello Kelly,
I agree with you that our feet are one of the most important parts of our body, and we must take care of them! The earlier we start taking care of our feet, the better! We will prevent further injuries down the road and keep our kids feet healthy.
It is important to know that children shoes come in wide and extra wide widths, and no matter how wide your kids feet are, there is a particular shoe that will fit him or her just perfectly, I have fitted even the widest feet out there, so if you are having a hard time finding a particular shoe style for your child, don’t hesistate to contact me!
I kept buying wide shoes for my child that has wide feet, but he still complained about them being too tight! I thought there was nothing else to do until I order one of the shoes you recommend and magic happened! The extra wide widths fit him perfectly and he stopped complaining about his feet hurting. Thank you Juan Pablo!
Hello Collins.Most parents are not even aware that shoe companies make kids’ shoes in extra wide widths! Did you notice what a difference it makes when you provide your child with the correct pair of shoes? Now your child can run and play comfortably without complaining about his or her feet hurting!Did you know that they make kids soccer and baseball cleats in wide and extra wide widths? I wrote a post where I describe the best soccer cleats for children with extra wide feet, and you can find it here:
Wide Soccer Cleats for Kids – The Best Wide and Extra Wide Soccer Cleats for Children!