Toddler wide feet shoes

[FlipFlopVibe]

My 20 month old has very wide feet with a high in step, Clarks fitted him to be 6H but somehow they ended up selling us 6.5G as they had no stock for H. I should have trusted my gut with them because they once told me my DD was 4E when in fact she was a D, when I asked if E was correct, they said they didn’t stock D in store so put her as an E instead. I don’t want to use them again.

So I’m hoping others with wide fitting boys can suggest where else is a good stockist of H fitting shoes, particularly canvas or trainers and don’t cost the earth! Start Rite are lovely but so expensive for toddler shoes when they grow so fast. Vinted not bringing anything back.

Sorry this is parenting, no other section seemed to fit! Ignore the AIBU, can’t get it taken off.

Froddo Barefoot range, all different types of shoes

Keen seacamp sandals for summer, absolutely love these!

Bobux were great for my son who had wide feet as a toddler. They are much more flexible than Clark’s and better for developing feet too.

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but I was going to buy Froddo and Bobux after also being fed up with Clark’s.

@Datsafunnyone
@FamilyAreEverything

When I go to buy them online they have no width options like G or H etc. Are they just made wide as it is? 4 year old seems to be a G when I measure him but Clark’s G shoes are too tight. Can’t even get the strap across them.

Bobux
Froddo
Vivo barefoot
BGreater

All wide fitting as standard x

@Paperumbrella I didn't buy bobux after his first very tiny shoes. They didn't seem wide enough.
I think froddo Barefoot are wide as standard. Be sure to measure the feet in cm for the best fit.

Thanks ☺️

We started with the go-xplorer when our son first started walking. We then moved onto the step up grass court. Both of these fit well with the width. They are one standard width, but they are really adjustable with the straps. I do think they become more narrow as you work through the stages, but that has been ok as I think my son’s feet are fairly average for width now. That being said, I’ve never had him formally measured, we just draw round his feet and use a tape measure. We’re almost at the point where we are outgrowing Bobux which I’m really sad about. The school shoes, whilst pricy, are brilliant.

Geox also tend to be wide made. For Froddo, make sure it's the barefoot line – the regular line aren't nearly as wide. If most of the 'width' is actually the high instep, Ricosta might also work. The actual insole is not that wide, but they are very adjustable.

An independent children's shoe shop can help work out what brands fit his feet. That first pair will be pricey, but then once you know, you can shop around much more effectively.

Thanks for clarifying about Froddo everyone. We’ve never done barefoot before but I’m at the end of my tether trying other shoes for him and none fit well. Has anyone’s kids struggled with the change to barefoot? I’m worried it will feel weird for him. I know it’s meant to be better for their feet though.

Do you have an independent shoe shop near you that could help and advise? I’m a shoe fitter with a shop near Bristol (and a mum of a child with wide feet) - we will measure (gives us a guide as every brand and often style fit differently) and then use our knowledge of our stock and expertise to recommend some options. As independents we often stock a wide range of brands, styles and widths so should be able to help. We’re currently working alongside other independents to set up a directory of stores to make it easier for people to find their nearest www.footwearhub.org
Feel free to message me if you need any more help or advice

Ecco worked well for us at that age. An independent children's shoe shop is your best bet for a proper fitting.

Had this problem with my boy, even when clarkes has the right width the shoes were often a hard uncomfortable material, and also just weren’t very nice! We tried and tested tonnes, the ones he found comfortable and would happily wear were; the Nike flex runner 2 (has to be the 2, not 3, they are a much tighter fit) https://www.kickscrew.com/en-GB/products/td-nike-flex-runner-2-dj6039-002?variant=41856409665731&utmmedium=product_sync&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_content=&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=22471220778&utm_term=&gc_id=22471220778&wm_source=google&wm_medium=ads&wm_campaign_id=22471220778&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22481259787&gbraid=0AAAAA9pYmVvOT4t4eHRKE_69g-89YL-rJ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxo_CBhDbARIsADWpDH6UwBQtiJfchnHCExxuLoK5hv-SVOgzA5G_2zrch1msFSo9Gy7coiEaAh1TEALw_wcB _
adidas run falcon (the style with one big Velcro strap like these https://www.deichmann.com/en-gb/p/adidas-trainer-blue-89460?utmsource=google&utmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=plagglukenbrandduk-seashoppingbrand-ns-br&gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=21028784390&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxoCBhDbARIsADWpDH5i8vSoBudCo-wv7Gr9PB8ZiXRZ12npICayGHks8pZAaxDTjluB6caAqBeEALwwcB)
and nike star runner https://uk.pricedome.com/product/nike-star-runner-3-sneaker-university/B0B6CZCSDJ/?gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=22261194699&gbraid=0AAAAA-RFzMSuoC2MgYbK-yZAxmzs5eEgk&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxoCBhDbARIsADWpDH6UWIQk7DuDzYuhqvn4NZ1NlSTmppepw-V6VGxH4R8YWxljTNP225IaAkqOEALwwcB , needs to be the fully Velcro, not the ones with half laces. Links are just the first examples I could find rather than stores I used, think I got some in sports direct, none outlet, and Vinted

Sorry for the crazy long links 🤣 But the jist is after trying and sending back many many trainers my wide fitted son simply refused to wear, the ones that worked were Nike flex runner 2 (not 3!) adidas run falcon (with one big Velcro strap) and nike star runner (Velcro only, not the kind with laces as well) I scour Vinted and buy these on repeat in different colours as and when they pop up

Ds was also a H width with high instep. Geox shoes were generally good. Also think Ricosta have a wide fitting which he liked also Ecco. Clarks will just try and sell you anything regardless of whether it fits! Once we found something that fitted and he liked (ND) we just stayed with the same make and model until he sized out.

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions, certainly ones I’d never heard of before so there’s plenty to look at.
An independent shop might be our best option to try on or I’ll lose my mind returning parcels. Though no idea if there’s one near us anywhere, I’ll start browsing.
I like the comment that getting his first well fitting wide shoes will be pricey till I get more savvy in the sales. I was expecting sales to be full of extra wide shoes as not exactly a popular standard fit but they’re like hens teeth!

I used to buy Startrite for my DD

I've tried quite a few brands over the years but Startrite still fit chubby feet the best. They are a reasonable price in the sales, often come up new in box for under £15 on Vinted or you can check jojo maman bebe for their startrite collaborations in their sales too.

We have success with start rite. I just find the selection so limited and boring for boys.

Adidas for my wife footed boys, I usually get Clarks school shoe’s but I’m going to get these for next September

It is a little isn't it, I find it's a problem not just limited to shoes. My son loved the navy Chelsea boots with a dinosaur on them though, so we had those in every size. Now he's a little bigger there is more choice with the various European outdoorsy brands. We've had luck with Finkid and Bisgaard (currently at mandm direct).

My 3yr old is like this with the addition of some other issues meaning his gross motor skills are behind so he extra particularly needs supportive footwear. He mostly wears Geox and BGreater shoes now. I wish we had discovered both much earlier than we did as like you had some frustrating trips to Clarks when he was younger.

Thanks I’ll look these up