When buying shoes, it’s common sometimes to want to sacrifice comfort for style. However, no matter how great a shoe looks, always remember that it’s your feet that will have to pay the ultimate price. No shoe is worth painful feet at the end of the day.
It can be quite tricky searching for the best shoes for wide feet, especially since not all brands consider this demographic. However, this doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. In fact, when it comes to finding your perfect fit, be it sandals or slip-on sneakers, one of the primary features to consider is if the shoe has an extra-wide toe box.
More room in the toe box allows your toes to be comfortable, preventing bunions from forming. In addition, you’re looking for a shoe that is specifically designed to be supportive for wider feet. This means it has supportive features like stretchable fabric, cushioned insoles, and thick outsoles.
There are more features to consider to help make an informed decision; that’s why we created a helpful guide outlining the best shoes for wide feet and features to consider when buying them.
Best Shoes For Wide Feet
1. New Balance Women’s 720 V1 Sneaker
- Dimension: 6.5"L x 2"H x 1"D
- Pen set includes: 1 case, 1 roller ball pen and 1...
- The pen set is custom personalized with the name...
- FREE ENGRAVING: Use the "customize now" on your...
- Please note this item is handmade from real wood....
These Sneakers feature a rubber sole and are designed to keep your feet comfy.
Their style gives off a vintage vibe, and they are sure to match with anything you choose to pair them up with. The sneakers are designed with a low-profile silhouette making them ideal for casual, everyday wear.
The sneakers for wide feet feature suede and nylon upper material that adds to the retro look whilst also providing a lightweight and comfortable feel while walking.
The rubber sole of the casual sneaker provides traction and durability needed while going about your day.
Lastly, the sneakers come in a range of colors allowing you to switch your outfits and style whenever needed.
Pros
- Comfortable everyday shoes
- Feature a rounded toe box
- Offered in a variety of colors and styles
- Easy to wash
- Lightweight and casual sneakers
Cons
- Some reviews noted that the material/fabric of the sneakers is not as durable
2. New Balance Men’s 990 V3 Running Shoe
- Lace-up running shoe with padded collar and...
- Dual-density Collar uses both a softer density...
- Manufactured in the US for over 75 years and...
- Pigskin/mesh upper
- Reflective detailing enhances your visibility
These running shoes are considered full motion in that they have built-in pronation and supination support and lateral arch support.
The running shoe keeps your foot from caving inwards hence the pronation, and it keeps your foot from having an outward rolling motion which is the supination control. In addition, the lateral arch support keeps the center of your foot from bending.
Generally, all these features work together to ensure less stress is put on your feet as you go about your day. In addition, the upper is made from 75% Pigskin Suede and 25% Mesh.
Lastly, the shoes for wide feet feature a dual-density collar that uses both a softer density foam against the foot for cushioning and a firmer density foam for support.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable shoes for wide feet
- Provide great support and stability
- Good Cushioning
Cons
- Some reviews noted that getting the right size can be an issue
3. Vionic Women’s Splendid Demetra Boa Slip On
- Leather or Novelty Leather or Printed Cow Hair...
- YOUR NEW FAVORITE SHOES: Our classic midi gets an...
- ELEVATED SUPPORT: A podiatrist-designed footbed...
- VIONIC SHOES: Vionic brings together style and...
The Vionic Slip-On casual shoes provide a stylish and comfy option for people with wide feet.
The Vionic wide-width shoes feature an upper made from embossed leather, while the footbed has a removable Canvas-Covered EVA Orthotic Insert.
The outsole of the wide-width slip-on shoes is made from durable rubber hence guaranteeing traction and stability while walking.
The Vionic wide with shoes are biomechanically designed to hug your arches, while the Vionic Technology helps support natural alignment from the ground up.
The slip-on shoes in different styles allowing you to style them according to your taste.
Pros
- Provide great arch support
- Stylish slip-on shoes
- Super comfy shoes for wide feet
- Great for all-day wear
- Thick rubber outsole
Cons
- Some reviews found the shoes too stiff
4. crocs Women’s Citilane Roka Slip-On Sneaker
- Sole sizes are US. Label shows UK. M = Men's W =...
- The Crocs shoes will display US sizes
The Crocs slip-on sneakers are perfect summer shoes or anytime you want to head on over to the beach.
They are pretty stylish such that no one will realize you’re actually wearing Crocs, so you can actually carry them along for that Disney Trip or run errands with them too.
The slip-on sneakers feature ventilated uppers for keeping your feet aerated as you go about your day. In addition, the wide-width shoes feature foam cushioning, allowing your feet to feel supported and comfortable while walking.
The footbed and outsole are designed for all-day wearability, and the wide widths also come with Twin gore stretch panels for easy on and off.
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Easy to clean
- It can be worn with or without socks
- Features a wide and roomy toe box
Cons
- Some reviews noted that your feet do run hot and get sweaty
- No arch support
5. Dockers Men’s Fisherman Sandal
- Distressed, tumbled man-made uppers
- Memory Foam insole shapes to foot for instant...
- Velcro closures and Generous Fit offer a relaxed...
- Flexible construction with a durable rubber...
- Whole sizes only
The sandals are feature a plush memory foam footbed, a roomy, relaxed silhouette, and adjustable Velcro straps that provide your feet with a custom fit.
The Dockers Sandals have a rubber sole that provides stability and grip while walking.
These are great wide widths for summer weather paired up with weekend shorts.
Pros
- Feature a comfortable cushioned insole
- The straps are adjustable and comfortable. The rear strap also features cushioning
- Super light
- The color allows you to style them with almost any outfit
- Durable sandals
Cons
- Not ideal for wet condition use
Features To Consider When Buying Best Shoes For Wide Feet
a) Keep the Straps Simple
Generally, when searching for the best shoes for wide feet, you’ll want to consider those with one or two straps, like T-strap styles. A shoe with too many straps can be too constricting for those with wide feet. Although dainty straps are pretty, they can dig into your feet. Ideally, you’re looking for wide-width shoes with a smooth piece of leather that will mold to your foot.
b) Look for Adjustable Features
Wide-width shoes should adapt to your feet by having a bit of extra elastic on the sides or an adjustable buckle.
In addition, if considering a pair of pointed-toe pumps and assuming they’ll be comfortable in a wide width, you may have to reconsider. Though the toe box will be roomier, the shape can still be constricting. It’s advisable to choose a rounded toe for a comfortable fit. It will also allow for more wiggle room for your toes.
c) Focus on the Heels and Toes
When searching for shoes for wide feet, specifically heels, the thicker, the better. It’s essential to ensure that you select a stacked heel to help with balance and support. A wide foot will push more against the sides of the shoe, which can you roll in or out; hence you need a shoe that can offer the proper stability and arch support.
d) Choose Shoes With Supportive Features
The best shoes for wide feet should be those that support your feet. Look out for a shoe with a soft upper and a wider sole that provides a more stable base. In addition, the shoes for wide fit should be made from fabrics or materials that are stretchable, allowing the uppers to perfectly contour to the shape of your foot, offering a loose, customized fit hence easing pressure.
The shoes should feature an extra depth design and roomy toe box that provides wiggle room for toe movement and a non-binding fit. In addition, most shoes tend to come with at least two sets of removable spacers that allow you to adjust the space inside the shoe for a perfect fit.
Lastly, the wide shoe should also be biomechanically engineered from the ground up, with supportive insoles that can absorb the shock and stress that your feet encounter while walking.
e) Value Comfort First
Sometimes you come across a pair of shoes for wide feet and hope that they’ll break-in. Even though the common adage is beauty is pain, it’s not advisable to depend on the break-in pain, especially when buying shoes for wide feet. It’s important, to be honest with yourself and ask yourself if you’re willing to put up with the pain of them actually breaking in.
Though it’s true, most shoes do stretch to become comfortable; this can take months. So is it worth it to go through the pain? That’s a question you’ll have to consider carefully. The rule of thumb is always to trust your gut. If they look like they’re going to hurt and be uncomfortable, they probably will.
f) Consider the fabric of the shoe
When it comes to shoes for wide feet, not all fabrics are created equal. In fact, some are better than others.
Suede and leather will mold to your feet better than patent leathers because the coating applied to patent leather hinders it from stretching as much.
If having trouble getting your shoes to stretch a bit, consider getting a shoe stretching spray. First, try a patch test to check that it won’t change the color of your shoes. Then, you can spray, put on the shoes and wear them around the house for a couple of hours.
There’s also the option of taking your shoes down over to your local shoe repair store and inquiring what they might be able to do for you. Chances are they might have a shoe stretching machine.
g) Take Into Account The Entire Foot
The width of the foot is not limited to the toe. In fact, it considers three things:
- the length of the foot
- the measurement between the widest points on the foot, i.e., the outer edge of the foot to the inner edge of the forefoot area (this is known as the ball width);
- the circumference of the instep (this is known as the instep girth).
Wide shoes for men differ from those of women in terms of how they are labeled. This is because men’s feet tend to be larger than women’s. Usually, a wide-width shoe for women is indicated with the letter D, while for men, the wide-width shoe is indicated with 2E. Additionally, Women’s Extra-wide shoes are indicated with 2E, and for men, an extra-wide width shoe is indicated with 4E.
Hence wide widths are designed to address all these areas. Something to note is that when shopping, some brands are known to cut corners by adding a wider upper to a medium-width outsole. In such a case, your feet are likely to spill over the sides of the sole causing major discomfort. If shopping online, it’s best to read reviews of other customers on their experience. If shopping in an actual store, seek advice from an experienced shoe salesperson to help you identify these brands.
h) Get Your Feet Measured
It’s important to get your feet measured, and you can do this by locating a sit-and-fit retailer in your area. These are those old-fashioned stores with a seasoned sales staff that can accurately measure your foot.
In addition, it’s recommended to get your feet measured every year, as it’s best for your feet in the long run. You may notice that even if you didn’t have wide feet, your feet change their shape as you grow older. Hence getting them measured every year can help you find the best shoes for your feet.
i) Consider Vintage
Vintage shops are a great place to check for shoes for wide feet. When shopping online, you can also look for unisex men’s brogues as they are likely to fit your wide feet perfectly. You can also consider closed-toe flats as they tend to run wider and feature structured soles. They will keep your feet snug but comfortable.
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