If you have a toddler with a high instep, you already know that finding shoes can be an ordeal. The trick is to find shoes that work for their feet and still look adorable on them. It’s not easy! In this article, we are going to share with you some of the best shoes for high instep toddlers, shoes for high instep and wide feet toddler and best shoes for baby with high instep. We’ll also give you some tips for buying shoes for your high-instep tot!
How do you choose? We’ve put together a list of our favorite pairs of shoes for babies with high insteps that can help you find the perfect pair!
Best Shoes For High Instep Toddler
Are you having a hard time finding a pair of shoes to accommodate your toddler’s high instep? Do you feel like you try several different shoe brands and styles but they are all too difficult to get on and off, leaving red marks on the top of your toddler’s feet? The best shoes for toddlers with high insteps are the ones that provide one key feature: extra depth.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes
I have been working at a specialized children’s shoe store for over 10 years, where we focus on helping children with “complicated” foot shapes, foot conditions, and leg conditions. I handle approximately 100 shoe fittings/try-ons per week and have learned through my experience the best shoes for toddlers with high insteps.
What is the Instep of the Foot?
The instep is the top middle portion of the foot (between the toes and the ankle). I also like to describe the instep as the total amount of foot volume that needs to be fitted inside a shoe. Higher insteps can make it more difficult to find shoes that both fit and are comfortable.
Let’s take a look at an image of a toddler with a high instep:
Is Having a High Instep the Same as Having a High Arch?
The instep and the arch are unrelated. Having a high instep doesn’t mean that a child will automatically have a high arch. I have seen children with flat feet have high insteps.
The image below may help you visualize where the instep and the arch are located:
How to Figure Out if Your Toddler has a High Instep?
I can tell whether a child has a high instep or not simply by looking at their feet. Below I have listed some of the most common signs of a high instep to see if your toddler likely has a high instep:
- Having difficulty getting the shoes on and off.
- Noticing red marks on the top part (the instep) of your toddler’s feet. I would say that red marks on the instep of a child’s foot are the most common sign that the child has a high instep.
- Having a difficult time pulling straps to match the end of the velcro:
- Noticing your child is constantly removing his or her shoes:
What Shoes are Good for Toddlers with High Instep?
I recommend shoes that provide extra depth to allow a toddler’s foot to fit deeply inside their shoe and prevent their instep from rubbing uncomfortably against the top of the shoe.
Let’s take a look at two shoes that are the same length and width but provide different levels of depth. Do you notice how the shoe on the right is a lot deeper than the shoe on the left? This greater depth is ideal for toddlers with high insteps.
I have put together a list of the best shoes for toddlers with high insteps below. However, before you order the shoes, I recommend that you learn your toddler’s exact foot shape.
Are You 100% Sure of Your Toddler’s Foot Shape?
I always suggest taking your child to be properly measured and fitted for shoes at a specialized children’s shoe store. However, with the increasing scarcity of these types of specialized shoe stores (even before the pandemic), it can be difficult for families to know where to get their children’s feet properly fitted.
For those families who don’t have a specialized or independent shoe store in their area, I created a free resource that helps them retrieve their toddler’s exact foot shape and length.
You can learn more about this resource in the article below:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
Now that you know your toddler’s exact foot shape and what shoe features are needed to accommodate a high instep, let’s take a look at the best shoes for toddlers with high insteps. Disclosure: We may receive commissions when you click the links below and make purchases.
shoes for high instep and wide feet toddler
All of the shoes I recommend open up widely so you can easily slide them on and off your toddler’s feet. Most of the shoes are available in different widths (medium [M], wide [W], extra wide [WX], etc).
Look at the description below each shoe recommendation to figure out what specific foot shape that shoe style can accommodate and what shoe size you should order.
Sneakers
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- 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 half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- 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 a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Removable insoles
- Velcro closure
- Lightweight EVA outsole with rubber pods for superior traction
- Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO footplate
- Available in extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- 100% Suede
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your baby’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in 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 child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper
- Alternative closure for easy on and off adjustability
- Lightweight EVA midsole for cushioning
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather and mesh upper
- Alternative closure for easy on and off adjustability
- Non-marking traction pods to help improve stability
- APMA approved
- Toe cap for extra durability
- 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 half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits wide and extra wide feet
- Adjustable extra-long straps fit around AFOS but can also be cut to fit
- Opens super wide which makes in and out easy
- Breathable mesh
- Order this shoe a half size larger than the end of the AFO footplate
Dress Shoes
- Available in medium and wide widths
- APMA approved and built for toddlers
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- APMA approved and built for toddlers
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Flex Fit system includes additional insole that can be removed as your child grows
- Oversized opening
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Removable, dual insoles in medium and wide are provided to allow customized fitting
- Breathable leather lining and cushioned leather-lined footbed cradles children’s feet
- Ideal for formal occasions and casual wear
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- 100% genuine leather upper
- Velcro closure
- Alternative closure with fixed lace for easy on/off and adjustability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Oversized openings
- Antimicrobial linings for odor prevention
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening hook and loop closure
- Rounded, slip-resistant soles encourage natural motion and help improve balance
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
Sandals
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% genuine breathable leather
- High heel design provides better support and helps with lateral movements
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Open-toe with support and protection underfoot
- Machine washable
- Eco Anti-Odor for natural odor control
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Eva foam footbed cushions and softly supports
- Rubber outsole for great traction
- Order this sandal half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Water-friendly and machine washable
- High heel design provides better support and helps with lateral movements
- 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
- 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
- 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 child’s current foot size
Boots
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Deep lugged TPR rubber outsole built for maximum support
- Waterproof
- Double velcro closure
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Deep lugged TPR rubber outsole built for maximum support
- Waterproof
- Double velcro closure
- Awarded the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle their natural shape
- Wide toe-box and an outsole with rounded edges
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and adjustable double hook and loop closure
- Flex grooves in outsole for maximum flexibility
- APMA approved
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Water-friendly
- Wide toe-box and an outsole with rounded edges
- Flex grooves in outsole for maximum flexibility
- Reinforced protected toe
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Water-friendly
- Wide toe-box and an outsole with rounded edges
- Flex grooves in outsole for maximum flexibility
- Reinforced protected toe
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- 100% leather and synthetic
- Washable materials for easy cleaning
- Rubber heel and pods on outsole for traction
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Leather upper
- Waterproof
- Eco anti-odor for natural odor control
- Removable PU insole for long-lasting comfort
- Fleece lining for warmth
- Order this boot half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seamless construction cradle their natural shape
- Wide toe-box and an outsole with rounded edges
- Easy on-and-off with an oversized opening and adjustable double hook and loop closure
- Flex grooves in outsole for maximum flexibility
- APMA approved
- Order this boot half a 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 a 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.
Best shoes for baby with high instep
If your baby has a high instep, you’re probably looking for the best shoes for them. It’s important to make sure they have shoes that are comfortable and well-fitting, but also that they have enough support for their feet.
