Wide Shoes for Kids – The Best Shoes for Children with Wide or Extra Wide Feet Reviewed
Do you have a child who has wide feet and can’t seem to find a single pair of shoes that fit comfortably? Do you always have a hard time getting your child’s shoes on and off and usually notice indentations or red marks on the top part (instep) of your child’s feet? I am going to show you a list of the best wide shoes for kids based on my many years of shoe fitting experience.
If you are in a rush, you can go directly to the selection of wide shoes for kids.
The shoes I recommend are not only available in different widths such as wide (W) and extra wide (XW), but they are also the deepest shoes that I have fitted before. The depth of the shoe plays a key role in keeping a child with wide or extra wide feet healthy, as it allows the feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of the foot (instep) from rubbing against the top of the shoes.
Does Your Child Have High Insteps In Addition to Wide or Extra Wide Feet?
Do you know what the instep of the foot is? The instep is the top part of the foot and when it’s high it makes it a lot more complicated to find shoes that fit, as there is a lot of extra foot volume to be fitted inside of the shoes.
Another important feature that the shoes must provide is a rounder toe-box. This feature is going to prevent your child’s toes from overlapping each other or rubbing against the side of the shoes.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet?
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows the child’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of the feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Shoes that provide extra depth also prevent children from getting blisters on their toes, by preventing the top part of their toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a show that provides extra depth and one that doesn’t:
2️⃣ Rounder Toe-Boxes: Shoes with round toe-boxes help prevent your child’s toes from rubbing against the side of the shoes or overlapping one another. Let me show you the difference between a pair of shoes that provides a rounder toe-box versus one that doesn’t:
3️⃣ Oversized Openings for Easy On and Off: This feature makes it easier for parents and children to get their shoes on and off. Children with chubby feet have a hard time slipping into shoes that don’t easily open. You will notice that the shoes I recommend open up widely, which makes it easier for children and parents to get the shoes on and off.
How to Determine Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If you need help figuring out your child’s exact foot size, please take a look at an article I wrote where I describe the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s exact foot size from home. You won’t be able to order the correct shoe size if you don’t know what your child’s foot size is to begin with.
There are 3 shoe brands that make some of the best wide and extra wide everyday shoes for children:
1️⃣ New Balance
2️⃣ Saucony
3️⃣ Stride Rite
Let’s start by describing the best wide shoes for kids made by New Balance. 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.
Best New Balance Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet
If you have been looking for a shoe style to fit the shape of your child’s wide or extra wide feet, you came to the right place.
The shoes below provide extra depth to accommodate your child’s wide feet and high instep and a rounder toe-box to prevent your child’s toes from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes.
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990V6 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available in laces and velcro
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Synthetic/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on Amazon
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 574 by New Balance on Amazon
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 on Zappos
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 on Zappos
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 990v6 on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 650v1 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style DynaSoft v5 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and engineered mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style DynaSoft v5 by New Balance on Amazon
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning
- TPU heel clip for stability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam 880V12 by New Balance on Amazon
- Fits children with medium, wide, or extra wide
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style FuelCell Propel v5 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 527 by New Balance on Zappos
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Suede/mesh upper
- Fits orthotics
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style 2002 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style FuelCell Propel v5 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Fits orthotics
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam X 1080v13 by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Available for big kids
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Suede and mesh upper
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Best Saucony Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet
The second most popular shoe brand for kids with wide feet is called Saucony. This shoe brand offers several sneakers that come in wide and extra wide feet, but they are not as wide as the New Balance style that I described above. The advantage of Saucony is that it offers shoes at a more affordable price than New Balance.
Saucony has a particular shoe style called the “Baby Ride” which is great for children with wide or extra wide feet. In addition to being available in different shoe widths, this shoe style offers great features such as being lightweight, flexible, and durable.
Toddler Shoe Sizes (0 to 10)
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Parents’ favorite style
- 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
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Parents’ favorite style
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Jazz Lite 2.0 by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Removable insoles
- Machine washable
- Oversized openings
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Jazz Lite 2.0 by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Velcro closure for easy on/off and adjustability
- Machine washable
- APMA approved
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Jazz Hook by Saucony on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Cushy lightweight EVA midsole for comfort
- APMA approved
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Ride 10 Jr by Saucony on Zappos
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Cushy lightweight EVA midsole for comfort
- APMA approved
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Little and Big Kid Sizes (10.5 to 7)
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- Compression molded EVA footbed for comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Cohesion KDZ on Zappos
- Velcro closure
- Fits children with medium and wide feet
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Heel grid system for stable cushioning
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Peregrine by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Cushioned footbed
- Removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Peregrine by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Padded collar and tongue
- Removable insoles
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Axon by Saucony on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- EVA midsole provides increased shock attenuation, responsive cushioning and lasting durability
- Padded tongue and collar
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Jazz Court by Saucony on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Leather and mesh upper for durability & breathability
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Oder the shoe style Kinvara LTT by Saucony on Zappos
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Shadow 6000 by Saucony on Zappos
- Lace-up closure
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Cushioned footbed
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Best Stride Rite Shoes for Kids with Wide Feet
The third most popular shoe brand for kids with wide feet is called Stride Rite. This shoe brand offers several sneakers that come in wide and extra wide feet, but they are also not as wide as the New Balance shoe style described at the beginning of the article.
In addition to being available in different shoe widths, this shoe brand offers shoes with great features such as lightweight, flexible, and durable shoe styles.
Babies and Toddlers Who Are Learning How to Walk
- Order the shoe style SRT SM Artie by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Rounded edges to decrease stumbles and falls
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SM Kennedy by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Wally by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Elliot by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather made
- Sensory pods to feel the ground beneath for better traction and grip
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Jazzy Casual by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- APMA approved and built for first-time walkers
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SM Kylo 2.0 by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle the baby’s natural shape
- Flexible, rounded, slip-resistant soles
- Oversized opening and pull tab on the back offer easy on and off
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Cordaline by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Double-strap Mary Jane with hook and loop closure and faux-buckle detail
- Soft memory foam footbeds and flexible, rounded soles for natural movement
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Turbo by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SM Adalyn by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Over-sized opening for easy on/off
- Flexible rounded soles to encourage natural movement and improve balance
- Deep flex grooves enables their natural movement
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Winslow by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape
- APMA approved
- Oversized opening for easy-on
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Toddlers and Little Kids Who Are Already Walking
- Order the shoe style SRT Winslow by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction that cradles the foot’s natural shape with extra comfy Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Machine washable
- Flexible treads move with the foot and support multi-directional movement, while rubber soles offer superior grip and traction with patented sensory pod technology to help feet feel the ground
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Claire by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style M2P Kendrick by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Glimmer by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Light-ups
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and hook and loop closure
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style SRT Ryker by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Ortholite memory foam for enhanced comfort
- Machine washable
- Extra padding around the heels to prevent blisters
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Mary Jane Flat by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 100% leather
- Padded collar for comfort
- Memory foam insole for enhanced comfort
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Sr Thompson by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Glimmer by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Seamless construction that cradles their natural shape
- Flexible, rounded soles for natural movement
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Kylo 2.0 by Stride Rite on Zappos
- Fits children with medium width feet
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Machine washable
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Order the shoe style Glimmer by Stride Rite on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Adjustable hook and loop closure with elastic faux laces
- Seamless construction that cradles their natural shape
- Flexible, rounded soles for natural movement
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, 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.
*A half a size bigger translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
*A whole size bigger translates to 3/8 of an inch or 0.8 centimeters of space between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoes.
It is important to provide children with the correct shoe style and the correct shoe size to keep their feet and legs healthy. You will end up preventing several foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns as well as foot and leg pain.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my email if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of wide shoes for your child. My email address is: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Have you found a particular shoe brand or shoe style that has worked well in accommodating your child’s wide feet? Please share your findings below so other families can benefit from your experiences.
Are new balance 515 trainers ok for a wide foot child is normally a H fitting
Hello,
it depends on whether your child has a high instep or not. In my experience, the 515 model by New Balance can fit children with wide feet but it usually doesn’t fit children with extra wide feet.
Is there anyway you can label what the trainers are that you recommend I’ve seen the pics but the names would be great ? So we know what styles to look for. My son is 13.5H
Hello M,
If you click on the image of the shoe you should be redirected to a new page with the shoe name/style number. With that said, since you are in the United Kingdom, don’t be surprised that the same model is not available there. Most of the shoes that I recommend are available in the United States.
Hi Juan,
We shopped at Shoe Train when our toddlers needed their first shoes. 🙂 We have since moved to Portland, OR, and due to Pandemic supply issues, we’re having a hard time getting the New Balance 680 v6s that both kids have worn for several years… we’re looking at Saucony Cohesion 14s, but can’t get the regular ones- just the trail ones. Are the trail versions constructed with the same support as the regular ones? (they’re now 9 and 7, both with flat feet and overpronations, 7yr is wide as well…)
Thanks for any insight you can offer!
Hello Laura,
That’s awesome, Shoe Train is one of the best children’s shoes stores in the country!
Unfortunately, it’s getting really hard for shoe companies to restock their shoes. To answer your question, the trail version of the Saucony Cohesion does provide the same amount of support as the regular Cohesion style.
If you tell me what shoe sizes you are looking for and your 9 year old foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), I am happy to send you specific shoe recommendations.
Horrible time finding little kid, extra wide (3 EW). Not hearing good things about NB quality recently (did they switch manufacturers?). Everyone seems to be either out of stock or nearly out.. are kids shoes caught up in shipping ports? By chance, any hidden places you can share with desperate Mom?
Hello Pam,
Yes, there is a shortage in inventory because of the pandemic situation.
I can help you look but are you looking for a boy or a girl? Do you want shoelaces or velcro closure? Does your child need a shoe size 3 extra wide (XW)?
Any chance you have experience with Altra shoes for kids? They says that they have a toe box for natural shape of kids feet.
Hello,
Unfortunately I have never fitted Altra shoes before so I am not able to provide any feedback.
The post is absolutely fantastic! A lot of information is helpful in some or the other way. Thank you for your valuable information.
I am glad you found the post informative.
Excellent article! The information provided offers great information to parents of kids with wide feet. He is extremely helpful and answers all questions. Thank you for taking the time to write this article!
I am glad that you find the website informative!