How do you know if I need wide fit shoes?
Review Your Measurements
Just remember that the need for wide shoes is about more than the width of your foot. It also depends on the length (your numbered shoe size) and whether you're a man or woman. For instance, if your foot is 3.75 inches wide and you wear a size 5, you'll need a wide fit.
When measured at the ball-of-the-foot, the difference between shoe widths is approximately 1/4”. A wide width is 1/4” wider than a medium width and an extra wide width is 1/2” wider than a medium width.
One tell-tale sign of wide feet is if your feet feel cased-in in every pair of shoes. Once you measure your foot, you can tell for sure. If your foot width is 4 1/16” in a size 9 shoe or 3 3/16” in a size 7, then you are considered to have wide feet (C/D).
What is a Wide Fit Shoe? In a nutshell, a wide fit shoe is designed with a larger amount of available room for the foot in comparison to standard shoe sizing.
Other painful effects of wearing shoes that are too big include: Corns and calluses: caused by excessive pressure on the toes. Metatarsalgia: caused by too much pressure on the balls of your feet. Disrupted natural stride: resulting in Achilles tendonitis, arch pain, and pain in the calf muscles.
What Is the Difference Between Regular and Wide Width Shoes? A wide width or wide fitting shoe will have the same length as a regular-sized shoe, but the toe box and forefoot width are wider to accommodate a wider foot. Wide-fitting shoes often have greater depth because wider feet are usually taller or deeper.
Most people with flat feet need a wide fit shoe. In general, they should try to avoid shoes with a pointed or narrow front. The front of the shoe should be high enough not to squash the toes. Shoes that are wide at the toes allow them to spread out.
OPEN SIDED SHOES
The open-sided style is great for wide feet because they offer a more relaxed fit than a fully closed shoe, especially if the shoe is made of suede, which is very soft. This style is a popular choice for bunion sufferers who need width at the point of the bunion.
For men, a 2E is considered a Wide shoe, while a 4E or larger will be considered Extra Wide. For women, a 2E or larger is considered an Extra Wide shoe. Some shoes are available in sizes larger than 10E, which is more common for diabetic shoes.
There are several factors that can cause someone to develop wide feet, but by far the most common factor is simply genetics! Less common contributors of developing wide feet are long term obesity, hereditary or developed flat feet, or not wearing shoes often during early childhood development.
What is normal shoe width?
The standard (medium) width for women is B, while the standard width for men is D. Shoe boxes and labels will only identify widths other than standard. Within the shoes, wide and narrow widths are identified on the label, underneath the tongue — ie.
So, what are wide fit shoes? Wide fit shoes traditionally incorporate a wider tread on the sole and a deeper toe box, giving your feet more room to breathe. If you find that standard sizes aren't fitting comfortably then you may be after a wider fit.

Buying a sneaker that is slightly larger than your foot allows for better circulation which minimizes swelling. If one foot is slightly larger than the other go for the bigger size and always consider the kind of socks you plan to wear with your shoes.
Generally speaking, there should be about one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Another way to check this is to slip a finger between the heel of your foot and the heel of your shoe. There should be just enough space for your finger to fit nice and snugly.
Shoe width plays an important role in the comfort and health of your feet. Wearing shoes that are too tight can create pressure and friction on your feet and lead to many foot problems. Age, gravity, and a number of other factors can change the shape and size of your feet over time.
The difference between a medium width shoe and a wide width shoe is very small, about 1/8 of an inch. But this 1/8 inch can make all the difference in the world when it comes to comfort. With wide width shoes, the entire shoe is wider, but especially in the area just before the toes.
US Size | Narrow (AA) (inches) | Wide (D) inches |
---|---|---|
6 | 2 15/16″ | 3 11/16″ |
6.5 | 3″ | 3 3/4″ |
7 | 3 1/16″ | 3 13/16″ |
7.5 | 3 1/8″ | 3 7/8″ |
Purchasing shoes with a removable factory insole that can later be replaced with an arch support insole may be helpful. Wearing shoes without proper support such as flip-flops, high heels, clogs, and "docksiders" generally are not appropriate for people with flat feet.
Wide fit shoes give your feet extra space to breathe and your toes more room to wriggle. Where possible avoid man-made materials and opt for leather as it allows your feet to breathe which can help ensure you don't get sweaty feet which can lead to fungal infections.
Some people are simply born with wider feet. If you have flat feet, you're also prone to having wider feet. Age. As you get older, the ligaments and tendons in your body loosen a little, and your foot tends to grow longer and wider.
Do feet get wider with age?
Do people's feet change as they get older? They don't change in size, necessarily. But feet may get wider, not longer, as we age. They change in their elasticity the same way other body parts do – tissue becomes less tight, causing the increased width and sagging of the arches.
If you've recently lost weight and your feet look and feel smaller than they used to, it's not your imagination. A reduced amount of overall body fat, plus a reduction in weight-related mechanical foot pressure, may result in your feet noticeably narrowing or shortening.
When body fat is broken down for energy through complex processes within your cells, two major byproducts are released — carbon dioxide and water. The carbon dioxide is exhaled during breathing, and the water is disposed of through either urine, sweat, or exhaled air.
Foot Width:
Boots are typically available in 6 widths: B (extra narrow), C (narrow), D (regular), E (wide), EE (extra wide), and EEE (triple wide).
E width is typically 1/4” wider than D, and EE is another 1/4” wider than that. So EE boots are generally 1/2” wider than D boots. It's becoming more common to denote wide boots with the word “wide” instead of using the letter system as this is more accessible to the typical consumer.
No it will not hurt you it will only be too wide for your feet, what will hurt your feet is a shoe that is too tight. Probably, yes. Shoes that are too large allow your feet to slide around inside them too much which can cause friction blisters to form. Those are very painful.
What Is the Difference Between Regular and Wide Width Shoes? A wide width or wide fitting shoe will have the same length as a regular-sized shoe, but the toe box and forefoot width are wider to accommodate a wider foot. Wide-fitting shoes often have greater depth because wider feet are usually taller or deeper.
For women, a men's Medium (D) is considered a Wide width, while anything E or bigger is Extra Wide. For men, Wide typically starts at E and anything greater than 2E is considered Extra Wide. Not all brands will offer widths in every increment, and 2E/4E are the most common.
Shoe width plays an important role in the comfort and health of your feet. Wearing shoes that are too tight can create pressure and friction on your feet and lead to many foot problems. Age, gravity, and a number of other factors can change the shape and size of your feet over time.