Most of us choose a child's shoe by length alone: measure, add a little room, buy. But a shoe has two dimensions, and for many children it is the second, width, that decides whether a shoe is comfortable or sits in the cupboard. If your child has a wide forefoot, wears a brace, or simply complains that new shoes "squeeze", this guide to wide fit kids shoes explains how to read the signs, understand the W and XW labels on BILLY kids' styles and measure at home. It is general guidance, and a podiatrist, orthotist or paediatrician can advise on your child's specific feet.
Length vs width: why sizing up is not the fix
When a shoe feels tight across the foot, the usual reaction is to go up a size. That adds length, not width, and it can create new problems: the heel may slip, the toes may have too much empty space in front and the shoe may flex in the wrong place. Our own sizing guidance makes the same point: a brace often needs extra volume more than an extra EU size, and trying to solve width by sizing up can leave the heel slipping.
The goal is a stable heel, space for the foot (and brace, if there is one) and a width that does not pinch. If length is right and width is wrong, change the width, not the length. For more on this, read our post on how to size adaptive footwear with confidence.
Signs a child needs a wider shoe
None of these signs is a diagnosis, but together they are worth noticing:
- The sides of the shoe bulge, or the upper looks stretched over the widest part of the foot.
- Red marks or indentations on the foot after the shoes come off.
- Your child avoids a particular pair, or asks to take it off soon after putting it on.
- The shoe is the right length but the fastening is strained or will not close comfortably.
- You are tempted to buy a bigger size every time, and the heel slips.
- Toes appear squeezed together, or the little toe is pressed against the side.
- A foot brace or orthotic takes up extra room inside the shoe.
If you see persistent redness, blisters or pain, speak to a doctor or podiatrist rather than just changing shoes.
What W and XW mean on BILLY kids styles
BILLY labels kids' and toddlers' widths with letters:
- M: Medium
- W: Wide
- XW: Extra-Wide
Not every style is offered in every width. On the product pages we checked on 26 October 2026:
- Classic D|R II High (for example the Navy BILLY Classic D|R II High) comes in Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide.
- BILLY Limitless (kids) comes in Medium, Wide and Extra-Wide.
- BILLY Goat (kids) is offered in W and XW.
- CS High and Sport Inclusion (kids) come in Medium and Wide.
Browse the Wide Fit collection and the BILLY Kids Classics collection to see what is currently listed. Availability and sizes change, so check each page. The product copy for the Classic D|R II also notes that its last, or shape, provides additional width and volume in the toe box, vamp, quarter and heel areas. Different styles can feel different even in the same width letter, so tell us which BILLY pair you already own.
Measuring width at home
The size guide at faridhub.com/pages/size-guide links to BILLY's official videos on measuring feet standing or seated, measuring over an orthotic brace and using the sizing charts. Use these first. As a general home routine:
- Measure in the afternoon or evening, when feet tend to be at their largest.
- Have your child stand, if they can, on a sheet of paper, with weight on both feet, wearing the socks they usually wear with shoes.
- Trace around the foot with a pencil held straight up. Mark the heel and the longest toe, and the widest part across the ball of the foot.
- Measure length and width in centimetres. Do both feet, because they are often slightly different, and choose for the larger.
- If your child wears an AFO, measure with the brace on, following BILLY's video for measuring over a brace.
- Compare with the size guide's EU/US conversion and tell us the measurements.
Do not worry if you cannot get a perfect trace. A photo of the foot, the brace and the current shoe sent on WhatsApp helps us a lot.
Order help via WhatsApp
Send us your child's EU or US size, the width they wear now (if you know it) and a photo of the brace, if there is one. We will help you pick the style and width. Delivery is free across the UAE on orders above AED 500, and unworn items can be returned within 14 days of delivery. Some sizes are offered as pre-order, usually arriving in a few weeks, so check the page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between W and XW? W means Wide and XW means Extra-Wide. XW offers more width than W within the same style. Which one fits depends on the child's foot and any brace.
Should I go up a size if the shoe feels tight? Not necessarily. If the length is right and the width is the problem, try a wider width instead, because a bigger size can make the heel slip.
Can I return shoes if the width is wrong? Unworn items can be returned within 14 days of delivery. Try them on indoors on a clean surface, and message us if you need help.
Shop wider widths
See the Wide Fit collection or the size guide, and message us on WhatsApp if you would like a second opinion before you order.