The Best Shoes for Toddlers with Wide Feet, Tested & Vetted by Parents and Pros

Stride Rite’s range of sizes and styles made it the most inclusive of the brands we tried—offering wide and extra-wide options —but what really earned it the “best overall” badge in our book was how much our kids enjoyed wearing them. If the seam of my son’s sock is off, he’ll freak out until it’s fixed, and he fights putting on shoes…except these. In fact, at the end of the day, he argues with me about taking them off!

While the styles can look a bit bulkier than others, that also meant they had wide toe boxes—and were tall enough that a child with a high instep (aka Lego brick feet) could slip them on without issues.

Out of the latest designs, two styles stood out—and they both received such high marks in testing that we're including them both here. The Winslow style is not only APMA approved and features an Ortholite memory footbed, but its soles are designed to have strong traction and grip without sacrificing flexibility. Better yet, Dellner’s three-year-old “can easily put these on and take them off herself, which— as any parent of a toddler knows—is huge,” she told me, adding that the cushioned padding is “super comfy.” “My favorite part about them is that she loves them—that's one less battle to get out the door.”

We’d also recommend the Ethan sneaker as a more affordable option (that’s the pair my son loves). It features an anti-odor lining (good for sweaty feet!) and is also APMA approved, and it has a removable insole for extra-wide feet, along with being machine-washable. Win-win-win-win, I’d say.

Aesthetically speaking, See Kai Run was a parent favorite across the board, earning compliments wherever they were worn. “I love these shoes—they feel durable and supportive on my 3-year-old daughter's feet. I also like knowing that once they're on her, they're not going anywhere—they're not tight but certainly snug. She's a size 7 with wide feet and she is *very* particular about her footwear. Case in point: She refuses to wear socks. In the middle of winter. So, the fact that she even wore these at all is a big accomplishment.” (That said, Dellner did admit that her daughter had trouble putting these on herself and preferred the cushier feel of the Stride Rite style.)

In testing these on a nearly 2-year-old, See Kai Run has held up to many a race around the playground and stomp in muddly puddles (thankfully, they’re fairly easy to spot clean). The shoes are pretty breathable too, and the rubber toe cap lends to their durability—other styles I’ve tested without it seemed to start fraying quickly, given all the scraping and scuffing they endure on an active kid’s feet.

If you have a squirmy toddler who’s always trying to dash away when you’re trying to get them ready…same. These shoes are a lifesaver. With their adjustable wrap style, they easily slip onto even the chonkiest feet, and with minimal effort. They also fit snugly, with strong Velcro that stays put. (Honestly—I tried buying a $15 knock-off style, and every time he kicked, they’d go flying. Daycare spent more time hunting down his shoes than he wore them.)

These, too, are APMA approved, with a flexible sole and super breathable mesh material that’s machine washable. While they may not be the sleekest style of the bunch, they’re as cozy as slippers, yet durable enough to withstand months of wear without fraying, pilling or tearing. (And, as Dr. Beene reminded me, often what’s “cute” can “sacrifice proper foot biomechanics. It's better to focus on shoes that meet developmental needs first.”)

On days when I’m in a hurry, they’re the pair I reach for without question.

Many parents I spoke to raved about New Balance sneakers for wide feet, especially for older toddlers and little kids. Dr. Nardone agreed: “New Balance is indeed excellent for wide feet as they offer true wide and extra-wide options,” she says. “I particularly like the New Balance Rave Run V2 for toddlers with wide feet. These shoes check all the boxes—they have a genuinely wide toe box, flexible soles that promote natural movement, breathable materials, and secure closures that keep the foot properly positioned. They're also lightweight with good traction for active toddlers.”

Canvas slip-ons are a summertime staple, but they can often run narrow. Igor’s Lona design features a wide toe box and a flexible sole, making them comfortable and easy to run around in. Made in Spain, they also feature a rubber cap toe, protecting said canvas from tearing as quickly as early walkers get the hang of dashing, well, everywhere. Our one caveat in testing is that, while wide, these shoes are great for thick feet or high insteps—while an 8 fit my son width- and length-wise, we couldn’t wriggle them on easily, whereas kids with flatter feet had no problem.