Are you having a hard time finding a pair of basketball shoes for your child’s wide feet? Do you feel like you try several different pairs but you always end up empty-handed? Finding a pair of basketball shoes for a child with wide or extra wide feet can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, but the good news is that I will help you find them. The best wide basketball shoes for kids provide round toe-boxes, extra depth, and they are available in wide widths (W).
There is a small selection of basketball shoes available for kids with wide or extra wide feet, and most styles are made by the shoe companies Adidas and New Balance. The good news is that I know which models among these two shoe brands fit wider than others, and I will show them to you shortly.
Allowing your child to play basketball in a pair of shoes that are too narrow might lead to all sorts of foot issues to their feet such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience
I have been fitting children’s shoes and orthotics for the last 10 years, working for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses on helping children with “complex” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings. Over the years I got familiar with the best shoe brands for kids with wide feet.
What Makes the Basketball Shoes I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet?
The basketball shoes I recommend provide 2 key features:
1️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: The basketball shoes I recommend provide a rounder toe-box that is going to prevent your kids’ toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between the basketball shoe I recommend and another basketball shoe. These shoes are the same length, but do you notice how the shoe on the right has a much rounder toe-box?
2️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to sit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of the foot (instep), from rubbing against the top part of the shoes.
3️⃣ Available in wide widths (W): Make sure that when you order the basketball shoe I recommend you select the wide width option (W).
Did you know that the risk for injury is higher in sports with more jumping and quick direction changes such as basketball?
When children are playing a particular sport, they are stressing out their feet and legs at a whole different level. They are also making movements that they don’t normally do, such as side to side movements quick direction changes and sudden stops. There is also a lot of jumping involved in basketball, and the shoes must be supportive enough to minimize the impact that your kids’ feet take every time they come in contact with the ground.
Before I show you the best wide basketball shoes for kids, I first want to show you what features the basketball shoes I recommend provide.
Wide Basketball Shoes for Kids – 3 Additional Features to Protect Your Child’s Feet
In addition to providing rounder toe-boxes and extra depth, the basketball shoes I recommend provide the following 3 important features:
1️⃣ Firm Heel Counters: This part of the shoe that provides ankle support and minimizes the impact that your kids’ feet take every time they come in contact with the ground.
2️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible: These features prevent your kids’ feet and legs from easily getting tired.
3️⃣ Shoelaces vs Velcro Closure: Shoelaces provide better support and stability to your child compared to Velcro shoes. The reason for this is that shoelaces hug the child’s feet better, and they help push the kids’ heels back, securing them against the back of the shoe.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best wide basketball shoes for kids. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Wide Basketball Shoes for Kids ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The basketball shoes below are capable of fitting children with medium, wide or extra wide feet, please choose the wide width option (W).
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Mid cut
- Lace-Up closure
- Cushioned midsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Extra padding around the ankles
- Lace-Up closure
- Rubber outsole provides excellent grip
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
- Firm heel counter
- Velcro closure
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Mid cut
- Lace-up closure
- Cushioned midsole
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths (fits high insteps)
- 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
One important tip I like to give to parents is to always make their children try their basketball shoes on with the same exact type of socks that they will wear on the court.
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
In each of the descriptions of the basketball shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room. Also, keep in mind that basketball socks tend to be cushioned and padded which will take some extra room inside the shoe.
What are Parents Saying About these Basketball Shoes?
Can These Basketball Shoes Fit Children with High Insteps?
The basketball shoes I recommended are also capable of fitting children with high insteps. The instep is the top part of the feet, and when it’s high it makes it a lot more complicated to find shoes that fit. The image below shows you where the instep of the foot is located. As you can see there is a lot of extra foot volume to be fitted inside the shoes.
The basketball shoes that I recommended provide everything your children need to perform comfortably when playing basketball. They are lightweight, flexible, have a firm heel counter – for better lateral movement, excellent traction, and they are available in wide widths (W).
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I always recommend parents take their children to their local children’s shoe store that they trust. The issue is that most stores have been closing down and parents end up buying their kids’ shoes online. There is nothing wrong with this, but you must know your child’s exact foot size to know what size to order.
Start by taking a look at a resource that I created that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores In The United States – Where To Go For Proper Fittings
If after looking at that article you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
Basketball Socks for Kids – Let’s Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy!
Basketball socks play a key role when it comes to keeping your kids’ feet healthy. They act as a barrier between your kids’ feet and the shoes and prevent the buildup of bacteria inside the shoe and the formation of blisters.
When it comes to specific basketball socks, they play a key role as they cushion the child’s feet in targeted areas of the feet to prevent the constant friction between the court and the shoes.
There are specific basketball socks that provide better cushioning and breathability, and I have put together a selection of the best basketball socks for kids below:
- 77% Polypropylene, 17% Nylon, 3% Elastic , 3% Lycra Spandex
- Moisture wicking
- Arch and ankle compression
- Machine washable
- 80% cotton and 15% nylon
- Strategically placed cushions to target impact areas for increased comfort
- Breathable and thick enough to protect feet from impact
- Machine washable
How to Tie Your Kids’ Basketball Shoes – It Makes a Difference!
I always try to emphasize to parents to never underestimate the importance of properly tying their kids’ shoes. When your kids’ shoes are tied properly, they will provide better stability and support to your kids’ feet.
The other benefit of properly tied shoes is that they will keep your kids’ ankles locked, supporting them and protecting them from injuries.
Before your child is ready to head out to the basketball court, make sure you use all the eyelets (holes) of the shoes for maximum support and stability. If your child doesn’t know how to tie his/her shoelaces yet, make sure you double knot them so they don’t become untied on the field.
There is an article I wrote where I explain the most effective way to tie your kids’ basketball shoes. Go to the link below:
How to Tie Your Kids’ Sport Shoes – Let’s Support and Protect Your Kids’ Feet!
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Now that you know which are the best wide basketball shoes for kids you are ready to make a better and well-informed decision. I am always stressing to parents how it doesn’t matter how wide their kids’ feet are, there is always at least one particular shoe style out there that will fit the shape of their kids’ feet perfectly, and I will help you find it. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Not providing your child with sport specific shoes, especially as they get older and the intensity is higher will lead not only to foot and ankle problems, but leg, hip, and back pain as well.
Have you tried this particular basketball shoe style that I recommend for kids with wide or extra wide feet? Is there any other basketball shoe style that you can recommend for children with wide or extra wide feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
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