Wide Width Shoes for Toddlers – Keep Your Kids’ Feet Healthy!
Have you been looking for a pair of wide-width shoes for your toddler? Do you feel like every single shoe style that you try on your toddler’s feet fits too tight, and ends up leaving imprints and red marks on the top of your toddler’s feet? I am going to show you a list of the best wide width shoes for toddlers that provide round toe-boxes, extra depth, and oversized openings.
Finding a pair of shoes for a toddler with wide or extra wide feet can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially if you don’t know what shoe brands and shoe styles to try.
If you provide your toddler with a pair of shoes that are too narrow, you might end up creating all sorts of foot issues to the feet such as blisters, calluses, and corns. In addition, did you know that toddlers move their toes as a way of exercising their feet? If the shoes are too narrow you will be constricting this way of exercise.
Pro Tip: If you’re pressed for time, you can go straight to the selection of the wide width shoes for toddlers.
If you notice imprints or red marks on the top of your toddler’s feet (instep), that’s the first sign that the shoes are too narrow:
If you always have a hard time getting your toddler’s shoes on that’s the second sign that the shoes might be too narrow.
Providing your toddler with the correct shoe size is extremely important if you want to keep your toddler’s feet and legs healthy.
The most common mistake that I see parents make is assuming that once they provide their toddlers with wide feet with a pair of shoes that are labeled as wide (W), then that size will automatically fit the shape of their toddler’s wide feet. This is how most toddlers end up wearing the wrong shoe size.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Toddlers with Wide Feet?
In addition to being labeled as wide, your toddlers’ shoes must provide two key features — that most parents are not even aware of:
1️⃣ Extra Depth: This feature allows your toddler’s feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevents the top part of their feet (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Deep shoes also prevent the top part of their toes from rubbing against the top front part of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides extra depth versus one that doesn’t:
2️⃣ Rounded Toe-Boxes: This feature prevents your toddler’s toes from overlapping each other or rubbing against the side of the shoes. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that provides a round toe-box versus one that doesn’t:
You might be wondering, how are you supposed to find shoes that provide these 2 features if shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep” or with a “rounder toe-box”? That’s what I am here for, and I will help you find them.
When parents come to the specialized shoe store that I have worked over a decade, they often indicate that their kids are complaining about foot pain. Therefore, my first step is to check the shoes that they are currently wearing. I will say that 90% of the time children were experiencing foot or leg pain from wearing shoes that were too narrow for their feet.
There are certain wide-width shoes for toddlers that provide extra depth and come with rounder toe-boxes, and I will describe them shortly. First I want to show you how you can figure out your toddlers’ exact foot size from home.
Do You Have Complete Confidence About Your Toddler’s Foot Size?
I want you to keep one thing in mind: It doesn’t matter how many features a particular shoe provides, if the shoes are not fitted properly, your toddlers won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer. What’s even worse, you will end up creating all sorts of issues to their feet such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
This brings me to this next question: Are you 100% sure that you know your toddler’s exact foot size?
I always recommend parents take their toddlers to be fitted for shoes to their local children’s shoe store that they trust, the issue is that most stores have been closing down and parents need to 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. For this purpose, I created a resource that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state.
How to Retrieve Your Toddler’s Shoe Size Online
If after looking at that resource 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.
Now that you know your toddler’s exact foot size, let’s take a look at a selection of the best wide-width shoes for toddlers. 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.
I only write reviews of shoes that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit.
The Best Wide Width Shoes for Toddlers
In addition to being available in wide widths (W), the shoes below provide extra depth and rounded toe-boxes.
Boys
- Shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Ride 10 J by Saucony
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- 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
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style SRT Winslow by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Toe cap reinforcement and bumptoe protection against stumbles
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Step-stabilizing design with comfy Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Stevie II by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet (accommodates high insteps)
- Breathable textile lining and cushioned insole
- Hook and loop closure
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 2510 Racer by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Hook-and-loop closure
- Removable insoles
- Lightweight and flexible
- Extra wide toe box allows natural splaying of toes for better balance, comfort, and foot health
- Long heel counter provides stability
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style Jazz Lite 2.0 by Saucony
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper for durability and breathability
- Hook-and-loop strap closure with elastic lace panel
- Anti-stink lining helps reduce odors
- Machine washable for quick and easy clean
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 574 New-B by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
Girls
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Fits toddlers with medium, wide, or extra wide feet
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Ride 10 J by Saucony
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 2510 Racer by Tsukihoshi
- Fits medium and wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Velcro closure
- Heel stabilizer provides lateral stability
- Removable insoles
- The insoles are Infused with natural Green Tea extract (no chemicals)
- Machine washable
- Order this shoe the same size as your toddler’s current foot size (shoe fits long)
- Shoe style 574 NEW-B by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps)
- Hook and loop closure system for easy on and off
- Synthetic/mesh upper
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Shoe style Stevie II by See Kai Run
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Canvas upper
- Toe cap is durable for early steps
- Double velcro straps
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- APMA approved
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Sr Thompson by Stride Rite
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Ortholite memory foam footbeds
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Recycled material linings to help reduce odor
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style RaveRun by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Kya by See Kai Run
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Leather and mesh upper
- Two adjustable hook-and-loop closures for easy on and off
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style 574 New-b V1 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support a first-walker’s needs
- Rubber outsole pods designed to stand up to daily wear and tear
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Shoe style Fresh Foam 650 by New Balance
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- No-sew overlays
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
What Shoe Size Should You 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 toddler’s current foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Wide Width Shoes for Toddlers – The 5 Most Important Features!
In addition to providing extra depth and rounder toe-boxes, there are 5 other important features that the shoes I recommended provide:
1️⃣ Support: The shoes that you provide for your toddler must be lightweight and flexible, but at the same time provide a stable base of support to help your toddler balance.
2️⃣ Firm Heel Counter: This feature is important as toddlers perform a lot of lateral movements.
3️⃣ Lightweight and Flexible: The shoes must be lightweight and flexible for your toddler’s feet and legs to not get tired easily.
4️⃣ Traction: This feature will minimize the likelihood of your toddler slipping and falling.
5️⃣ Breathable: This feature will prevent the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes and prevent foot odor.
Before you leave, I want to explain to you the importance of providing your toddler with the correct type of socks.
The Best Toddler’s Socks – Seamless and Breathable!
Did you know that socks act as a barrier between your toddler’s feet and the shoes? While some toddlers refuse to wear socks with their sneakers, it’s important that you make them wear them every time they wear their shoes.
The correct type of socks will protect your toddler’s feet from the buildup of bacteria inside the shoes. This is actually really important because if your toddler has an open wound on his/her feet and there is bacteria inside the shoes, this can easily lead to a foot infection.
I have seen how several toddlers refuse to wear any type of socks, but if you provide your toddler with a pair of seamless socks you will be surprised about what a difference it will make. I have fitted a selection of socks for toddlers that are 100% seamless but also breathable and comfortable.
While I can’t get into much detail about these types of socks in this post, there is another article I wrote where I describe the best seamless socks for kids.
Now that you know which are the best wide-width shoes for toddlers and the best socks to keep their feet healthy, you are ready to make the most informed decision.
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 shoes for your child. My email address is:
Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well for your toddler’s wide feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
This article is misleading.
My toddler has always tried New Balance, even recently we got an extra wide and they just don’t work on his feet.
There’s got to be a better brand for truly wide fitting shoes for kids.
New Balance is not it
Hello Patricia,
New Balance shoes work really well for most children who have extra wide feet. With that said, not all extra wide feet are the same, and what works really well for some children, might not work as well for others.
Keep in mind that not all New Balance models in extra wide widths fit the same way. Which specific model did you try? In addition, did you order the correct shoe size lengthwise?