Wide Sandals for Kids: The Best Styles for 2026
Have you been searching for wide or extra wide summer sandals for your child and coming up empty-handed? You’re not alone — wide sandals for kids are surprisingly hard to find. Narrow sandals can lead to blisters, corns, and even long-term foot problems, so it’s worth getting the fit right. I’m a certified shoe fitter with over a decade of experience fitting children’s shoes, and below I’ll walk you through exactly which sandals run wide, plus how to size them correctly.
Be Aware: Narrow Sandals Can Lead to Blisters and Sores
If you provide your children with a pair of summer sandals that are too narrow, you will end up creating all sorts of issues with their feet such as blisters, calluses, and corns. During the summer, children develop most blisters, as when the skin gets wet, it gets more prone to sores.
Your child’s pinky toe (small toe) is the one that is more prone to blisters, as when sandals are too narrow that’s the toe that gets pressed against the side of the sandals.
A common mistake is assuming that a slightly larger size in a narrow sandal will accommodate wide feet. This can lead to improper support and an increased risk of tripping and falling. It’s always best to opt for sandals specifically designed for wide feet to ensure optimal comfort and safety.
Key Features of Wide Sandals for Kids
1. Rounder Toe-Boxes — A rounded toe-box offers more space for the toes to spread, preventing cramped toes and promoting healthy foot development. This design feature helps in distributing weight evenly, reducing stress on the toes.
2. Extra Depth — Extra depth allows the foot to sit comfortably without being squished, providing room for natural movement. This feature is vital for children who might need additional space due to having high insteps.
3. Multiple Points of Adjustability — The sandals I recommend come with Velcro closure for easy on and off and can be adjusted on the top, front, and back.
Choosing the right sandals is not just about comfort but also about supporting your child’s growing feet. Below you can find a selection of the best wide sandals for kids that are capable of accommodating children with high insteps. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
My Specific Sandal Recommendations for Kids with Wide Feet
These sandals are also great for summer camp or hiking, as they’re lightweight and built to last an endless summer. They’re available in a variety of colors, so be sure to click through to explore other options. Unless noted otherwise, each style fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet, including high insteps.
1. Psyclone by Teva
These sandals are equipped with adjustable straps that make it easy to achieve a snug fit, accommodating the unique shape of wider feet.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports the foot
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length
2. Cyrus IV by See Kai Run
See Kai Run sandals are crafted with a focus on healthy foot development. They are flexible, breathable, and provide ample room for wide feet.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- Generous toe box and EVA molded footbed promotes healthy foot development
- Adjustable Velcro strap around the heels
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length
3. Seaturtle by Kamik
These open-toe sandals for kids with wide feet combine style with functionality. They offer great traction and are designed to withstand various terrains, making them ideal for both urban and rural settings.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple Velcro straps for easy on and off
- Quick-drying, moisture-wicking lining Vegan-friendly
- Fitting tip: size a full size up from your child’s current foot length
4. Adventurous Light-Weight by Dream Pairs
Dream Pairs offers lightweight sandals perfect for active children. Their designs focus on comfort and durability, ensuring your child’s feet are well-supported during outdoor adventures.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple hook-and-loop closure for quick, easy on and off
- Excellent grip
- Lightweight, cushioned MD footbed for all-day comfort
- Fitting tip: size a full size up from your child’s current foot length
5. Newport by Keen
These Keen sandals for kids with wide feet are perfect for both everyday wear and outdoor activities. Keen sandals are known for their rugged design, durability, and toe protection.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Anatomically engineered internal support for excellent arch support
- Multi-directional lugs with quick water channeling help provide superior grip on slippery and wet terrain
- Washable polyester webbing featuring quick dry lining
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length
6. Hurricane by Teva
These sandals offer robust support and are ideal for kids who love to explore the great outdoors. The adjustable straps ensure a snug fit, accommodating wider feet comfortably.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Easy hook-and-loop closure comes on and off quickly and gets the fit just right
- Rubber outsole for durability and traction
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length, since the strap pattern runs slightly snug
7. Lucky Brand
Their designs are both trendy and functional, ensuring your child won’t have to compromise on style for comfort. The brand focuses on creating sandals that provide ample space for the toes and a secure fit that supports active play.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive footbed
- Adjustable front buckles with a rear Velcro strap for easy on and off
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length
8. Archie by Stride Rite
These Stride Rite wide sandals are available in both wide and extra wide widths.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Fisherman-style sandal with hook-and-loop closure
- Easy on and off thanks to an oversized opening
- Slip-resistant traction with sensory pod technology for better ground-feel
- Fitting tip: size a half size up from your child’s current foot length
How to Get Personalized Shoe Recommendations
As a shoe fitter, I offer personalized shoe recommendations via email to help you find the perfect pair of sandals for your child’s wide feet. I’ll provide a list of recommended sandals that cater to your child’s foot width and shape, curated from brands known for their quality and comfort.
Are These Sandals Durable?
All of the sandals I recommended are durable. I mention this because some families are tired of their kids’ summer sandals falling apart before their child is ready to outgrow them. As a parent, when you find a pair of shoes that withstands the abuse of children, you stick with it! You can rest assured your child will outgrow these sandals before anything happens to them.
Your child can wear these sandals everywhere, and one of the features I love most is how fast they dry. Parents love how their kids can go in and out of the water in these sandals while their toes and heels are protected.
Real-life Feedback from Families
Families who have tried these wide sandals often share positive feedback. Many appreciate the comfort and support these sandals provide, noting a significant reduction in foot-related issues such as blisters and discomfort.
Are Flip Flops and Crocs a Good Choice As Well?
While flip flops and Crocs are popular for their convenience, they may not always be the best choice for children with wide feet. These types of footwear often lack the necessary support and can lead to issues if worn for extended periods. Flip flops, in particular, offer little to no support, which can strain young feet and contribute to poor posture.
Crocs, although roomier, may not provide the secure fit needed for active play. It’s important to consider your child’s activity level and the potential impact on foot health when choosing footwear. For extended wear, especially during active play, it’s advisable to choose sandals with better support and structure.
Bonus Resource: Sneakers for Kids with Wide Feet
In addition to sandals, finding the right sneakers for wide feet is equally important. Consider brands that focus on providing extra width and support, such as New Balance and Saucony. These brands offer a variety of styles that cater to different foot shapes and activities.
Sandals for Kids with Wide or Extra Wide Feet – Watch Video!
In this video, you’ll be able to better visualize what features your kids’ sandals should provide to accommodate a wide foot while ensuring comfort and support.
Wide Sandals for Mom and Dad? — Pay Half the Price!
Did you know that if you wear a women’s shoe size 8 ½ or smaller, you can get the kids’ version of the sandals and pay half the price you’d pay for the women’s version? I’ve fitted several mothers who come to the shoe store in running shoes and sandals once they find out they can wear kids’ sizes. Find out more about how this shoe size conversion works.
My son has dwarfism which causes his feet to be shorter in length but VERY wide which makes him difficult to fit. This post was so helpful! When he was younger Pediped Canyon Flex and Keen Newport H2 worked for him but now even those aren’t wide enough! I’ve had some success as of late with a brand of sandals called Reima! I don’t know if it would help other families to add that to your list!
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for sharing! I have not fitted Reima shoes, but I will be looking into them.
Before I worked in the medical field, I used to work as an administrative assistant and heels were part of my everyday dressage – ouch ! is all I could say. It was very difficult for me to find wide inexpensive shoes. I would hate for children to feel the discomfort I felt and they really shouldn’t.
I’m glad there’s wide sandals for kids!!
What type of foot problems could arise from wearing shoes that are too narrow for your feet? Also, do you know if they make high heels for kids in wide widths? My daughters keep asking for high heels but I can’t seem to find ones that fit because they both have really wide feet!
Hello Goya,Shoes that are too narrow for a child’s foot can create blisters, calluses, corns, ingrown toenails, such to name a few issues. High heels in wide widths for kids do exist! I actually wrote a post where I describe the best high heel shoes for children with wide feet,and you can find it here:
High Heels for Kids – Don’t Buy Them Until You Read This!
I didn’t know that sandals in wide widths for kids existed! My kids have the widest feet and they always end up wearing sneakers during the summer time since they always complain that their sandals feeling too tight! The problem is that their sneakers will get wet and they will develop a horrible smell and complain about being uncomfortable. I am definitely trying these Jambu sandals for them! Thank you man this is really valuable information!
Hello Chris,
You are not the only parent who didn’t know that sandals came in wide widths! You should’t let me sneakers all day during the summer, they should have a pair of sandals to run around and be able to get them wet! Jambu sandals are great for children with wide or extra wide feet. You will see how well they will fit!
Finally I found good information in wide sandals for kids! I always have the hardest time finding them for my child with extra wide feet! Now he can run around in the summer with no blisters! Thanks for the info! Is Amazon the cheapest place to buy Jambu sandals?
Thank you for the information!
I know how hard it can be to find shoes for children with wide or extra wide feet. Certain parents even refrain from buying their kids summer sandals because they say they won’t fit their feet.
Amazon might not offer the best selection of shoes, but they do provide the best prices! Please let me know anytime you have any question!
These shoes look very sturdy and lightweigth at the same time. I find it frustrating how quickly my toddler goes through shoes so I rarely buy her anything that costs over $15. We have spent top dollar in the past on shoes that were fitted properly twice before but she ended up hardly ever wearing them which was frustrating. So now I just stick to cheap shoes from target. But, is this a mistake? She is only two and a half. She has no problems with her feet and she is very quick to let us know if her shoes hurt her feet. Should I be insisting she wear certain shoes?
Hello Liz,
The price that you pay for your kids shoes is not an easy. I have fitted shoes that ranged from 30 to 40 dollars and they were everyday, sturdy, supportive shoes. Paying 15 dollars for your kids shoes seems like an awesome deal, but I am not even sure what those shoes might be made out of. Sometimes when you buy an older shoe style you will end up paying a lot less than the newer version, and you won’t be compromising on quality or support! Hope this help, and don’t hesistate to contact me if you have any question!
I have been looking for wide water play sandals for my kids for so long! My kid have the widest feet and I always struggle finding them shoes and specially summer footwear for their feet. Jambu sandals seems to be a very good solution for them and I also like the price! Does Amazon offers the cheapest price? I don’t have a children’s shoe store close to where I live so I always buy my kids shoes online.
Hello Nico,
Most parents were not even aware that water play sandals that fit children with wide or extra wide feet actually existed! Jambu sandals will fit children with wide or extra wide feet, and they provide great support and stability for your kids! Amazon definitely sells them for a cheaper price than most other online retailers sells them for.I hope your kids enjoy them!