Have you been looking for a pair of wide or extra wide summer sandals for your child, but you always end up empty-handed and you can’t seem to find them anywhere? There is a small selection of wide sandals for kids, but the good news is that I will help you find them.
Summertime is around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about the type of summer shoes you will provide for your child. However, if your child has wide or extra wide feet, the choices narrow considerably, since there is only a small selection of summer sandals that will fit the shape of a child with wide or extra wide feet.
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. The good news is that I know which summer sandals fit children with wide or extra wide feet. Not only that, but these styles are also supportive, flexible, lightweight, and durable.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience!
I have been working for a specialized children’s shoe store for the last 10 years now, and I handle approximately 100 shoe fittings/try ons per week. We specialize in fitting shoes for children that have “complicated” foot shapes such as wide or extra wide feet as well as foot problems, but we provide regular shoe fitting as well. Over the years I got familiar with the best shoe brands for kids with wide feet.
Several parents have asked me where they can find summer sandals for their kids’ wide feet. They start complaining about how their kids’ feet look like frying pans and they always end up empty-handed.
What Makes the Sandals I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet?
The sandals that I recommend provide 2 key features that make them the best choice for kids with wide feet:
1️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: This feature prevents your child’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the sandals. Let me show you the difference between a sandal that comes with a round toe-box versus one that doesn’t. Do you notice how the sandal on the right has a much rounder toe-box compared to the sandal on the left?
2️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows your child’s feet to fit deeply inside the sandals and prevents the top part of your child’s feet (instep), from rubbing against the top part of the sandals. Let me show you the difference between a pair of sandals that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
These are exactly the 2 features that the sandals I recommend for children with wide feet provide. In addition to fitting the shape of your child’s wide feet, the sandals need to also provide good support to your child’s feet.
If you are tired of providing your child with flip-flops or Crocs that don’t offer any support or stability, you should provide your child with a pair of the sandals I recommend and you will see how much they will love them! You will have the peace of mind of knowing that your children are running in sandals that are protecting their feet and offering the support that they need to run around all day.
Below you can find a selection of the best wide sandals for kids. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
The Best Wide Sandals for Kids ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
These sandals are also recommended for summer camp or going hiking as they are lightweight and constructed with high quality to last an endless summer. Many of the sandals featured below come in several color options, so if your child likes a specific model, please make sure to click through and see if they have the desired color.
Toddler Sizes (0 to 10)
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Two adjustable velcro straps
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Two adjustable velcro straps
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- EVA foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all-day comfort
- Rigid at the toe box
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- FlexiRun EVA foam outsole is ultra-lightweight and flexible with durable traction pattern for outdoor wear
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- 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
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- FlexiRun EVA foam outsole is ultra-lightweight and flexible with durable traction pattern for outdoor wear
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Fisherman sandals with hook and loop closure
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and hook and loop closure
- Slip-resistant traction with sensory pod technology to help feel the ground underneath
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 100% leather
- Padded heel collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Supportive footbed
- Adjustable buckles at the front and velcro strap at the back for easy on and off
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Lightly padded insole
- Waterproof leather and corrosion-resistant buckles make the shoes ideal for use in warm weather conditions
- Hook-and-loop with adjustable buckle closures for a secure fit
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Little/Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 3 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- 3 adjustable velcro straps for easy on and off
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports for all day comfort
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
- Soft fabric lining and anti-odor footbed promotes a healthy foot environment
- M Select GRIP for superior non-marking traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Triple velcro straps for easy on and off
- Soft fabric lining and anti-odor footbed promotes a healthy foot environment
- M Select GRIP for superior non-marking traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Quick drying moisture wicking lining
- Vegan-friendly
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Rounded toe-boxes and extra deep
- Double adjustable velcro straps
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Suede-lined cork footbed offers excellent arch support, a deep heel cup, roomy toe box, and molds to the shape of each individual’s foot
- Flexible and lightweight EVA outsole is durable and shock-resisting
- Order this sandal a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- 3 adjustable buckle straps for easy on and off
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- EVA insole with arch support for all-day comfort
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- This internal support mechanism is anatomically engineered to provide excellent arch support
- Machine washable
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
What Sandal Size Should You Order?
In each of the descriptions of the sandals, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Sandals (and most seasonal footwear) don’t come in half sizes, so if your child is “in between” sizes please order the larger size to allow for growing room.
All of the sandals that 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 that 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 the most is how they dry super fast! Parents love how their kids can go in and out of the water in these sandals while their toes and heels are protected.
What Shoe Brands Manufacture Sandals for Kids with Wide Feet?
➡️ Keen Sandals
Have you ever heard of Keen sandals? Keen sandals are the best sandals for children in terms of support and structure, but they only have one style that will fit a child with wide or extra wide feet, and that is the style I recommend above.
Even though Keen sandals are the most popular summer sandals for children, several parents have asked me if there is something similar to Keen sandals, that will also fit a child with wide or extra wide feet.
➡️ See Kai Run and Stride Rite
See Kai Run and Stride Rite manufacture a particular summer sandal for toddlers and little kids that is also capable of fitting children with wide feet.
In addition to being supportive and fitting the shape of children with wide feet, these are the features that the sandals I recommended provide:
1️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible: This feature helps prevent your kids’ feet from easily getting tired.
2️⃣ Traction: This feature helps prevent your child from slipping and falling, especially when walking on wet surfaces.
3️⃣ Quick-Dry: These sandals dry super fast, which is a great feature as it prevents your child from walking around all day with wet feet.
4️⃣ These sandals will come with a velcro strap and a toggle shoelace that will hug your kids’ feet and provide them with more support and stability!
Are You 100% Sure of Your Child’s Foot Size? – Let’s Find Out!
You need to consider that sandals are not available in half sizes, they are available in whole sizes only. For example:
- If your child measures a foot size 6, then you should get your child a size 7 sandal.
- If your child measures a foot size 6 1/2, then you should get your child a size 7 sandal as well.
Makes sense?
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
I always recommend parents that take their kids to be properly fitted for shoes at their local children’s shoe store, so they can be properly fitted for shoes. If you don’t have a local kids’ shoe store in your area, start by reading an article where I describe 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
What Are Other Families Saying About These Sandals?
What are the Best Sneakers for Kids with Wide Feet?
I created a different resource that describes the best sneakers for children with wide feet:
What are the Best Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet?
Wide Sandals for Mom and Dad? – Pay Half of 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 of the price that you would pay for the women’s version?
I have fitted several of the mothers that come to the shoe store in running shoes and sandals once they find out they can wear kids’ sizes. I explain how this shoe size conversion works in more detail here:
Women and Kids Shoe Size Conversion Chart – Save Big Buying Kids’ Shoes!
Now that you know which summer sandals are good for a child with wide or extra wide feet, you are ready to make a better and more informed decision.
Children who need extra support from their everyday footwear also need sturdy, supportive summer sandals to wear in the summer.
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:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Do your children have wide or extra wide feet? Have you found a particular pair of summer sandals that have worked well for their feet? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so other parents can all benefit from them.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!