I review children’s shoes based on my vast experience from fitting children’s shoes for the last 10 years. I currently work for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses on children with foot and leg problems.
Parents need to understand that not all children can wear all type of shoes, since they are limited to their particular foot shape —narrow, medium, wide, extra wide— and instep height also plays a key role. The sneakers described in this article are all capable of accommodating the shape of a child with wide feet. You can also check in the shoe description whether the shoe is capable of accommodating high insteps.
Take a look at the description that describes how each particular shoe style fits (short, long) in order to increase the chances that you order the correct shoe size.
Find Out Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Width
If you are unsure of what your child’s foot size is start by taking a look at an article I created where I describe how 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
All of the sneakers styles described below are supportive, lightweight, flexible, and breathable. Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best sneakers for kids with wide feet.
New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Velcro closure
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot fresh foam
- Firm heel counter
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- TPU heel clip for stability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Saucony/See Kai Run
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Dual hook-and-loop straps allow for a secure fit and custom adjustability
- Removable, contoured, leather-lined footbed for breathability and comfort
- Lightweight and flexible
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Leather and mesh upper for durability & breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability and durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Supportive leather and mesh upper for breathability
- Reinforced toe cap for durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Lace-up closure
- Padded collar and tongue for added comfort
- Removable insoles
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Is your child dealing with a particular foot condition such as low muscle tone, flat feet, or rolled ankles? Contact me directly and I will recommend a specific shoe style: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
If you need any other type of shoes such as dress shoes, summer sandals, winter boots, or sport shoes, you can find them all in a tool I created which lets you filter by the type of shoes you need. This tool is extremely effective since it will show you shoes in different widths such as narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide. I also tell you exactly how each shoe style fits (short, long, narrow, or wide) and will let you filter by the instep of your child’s foot. You can even find shoes that will accommodate an orthotic. Go to the link below:
just want to say thank you and love this page. Buying shoes for my young kid seems to be mysterious for me and keep buying an oversize shoes that would make her comfortable. the suggestions you had in the page, with combination of another page about narrow feet have saved my lots of time doing research and buying the wrong brand/shoes. Thanks 🙂
Hello Teresa,
I am happy to hear that! I will be here to answer any questions that might come up!
Do you have any shoe recommendations for kids wearing SMOs for toe walking? Thank you!
Hello Cindy.
Yes, take a look at the article below:
Shoes for SMOs – Extra Deep, Supportive, Flexible, and with Wider Openings!
If you want specific shoe recommendations based on your child’s foot shape feel free to reach out to me directly: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com