Though so have to say— just looked at “Duck Feet,” got all excited by their logo because my feet ARE duck feet, but their shoes don’t actually seem to be shaped that way! Why the tease??

True-life “duck feet”

Looks like mine. A friend call mine “kids’ feet.”

Oof I'm sorry you're going through this but I can commiserate - it seems every time I go to get my feet measured, I go up in width!

I'm *supposed* to be a UK5.5E size with E width (used to be D). So the equivalent *should be* EU38 / US7.5, but I'm often in EU40 / US8.5 & *still* not finding them wide enough anymore!

I used to also have great luck with Easy Spirit, plus Aerosoles & FitFlop. Even Blondo! But now I'm in a part of the world where I don't have easy access to these brands (not without expensive international shipping fees, at least) & each order is riskier than the last, thanks to brands slimming down their toeboxes like you said... even the 'comfort' brand Clarks are culprits!

I'm currently living in old FitFlop & Hush Puppies styles - but my sandals are falling apart & the insoles are now coming out of my work shoes. I *just* managed to find a non-leather style locally in HK (recently posted), but so far I'm coping by doctoring some shoes (I have a pair of FitFlop loafers (also posted) that I've actually put Sheec insoles into just around the balls of my feet).

It's not really a long-term solution though, since I usually need to replace shoes every couple of years. I suspect it's only going to get worse since the 2000s (with all their 'slim' styles) are trending again...

I have wide, high-volume feet that need a lot of arch support (since I over-pronate). What has sometimes worked for me is to buy a size or two larger and put in either my prescription orthotics or over-the-counter insoles with arch support (e.g. Superfeet or Sole).

This works especially well for tall boots (with the added benefit of the larger size being slightly wider in the calf to fit over my muscular calves), and ankle boots and shoes with removable insoles. (With my tall boots, I didn't remove the insoles that came in the boots because they were glued in -- but they were thin anyway.) I typically wear a size 6 wide in dress shoes and usually end up buying a size 8 in tall boots in order to do this. For shoes and ankle boots, I typically end up buying a size 7 or 7.5, occasionally 8.

I play around with the thickness of the insole, seeing what works best for each shoe. Sometimes I add a layer of cheap flat foam insoles (easily available at drugstores) on top of my prescription orthotics to make things fit better and for cushioning.

As one who has fussy feet I understand the foot woes, and can only imagine the frustration for you. I have been following an account on instagram with wide foot shaped shoes, many Euro brands shown which I think some others have already posted some of these barefoot brands.

https://barefootuniverse.com/b.....wide-feet/

https://barefootshoeguide.com/.....wide-feet/

Cydwoq shoes offer a wide range of wider width styles and customization if you are looking for a more unique funky style
https://cydwoq.com/collections/womens

I can sympathize with you. My feet are always in pain. It took me years to find footwear that I could walk in. I gave up on fashionable or pretty shoes. All I wanted was to be able to walk pain-free. My list of problems is different than yours. I have arthritis, and I need lots of support. I also have to have natural fibres, like all leather or wool. My skin is very sensitive and gets irritated easily.
A lot of people find Barking Dog helpful. I know that has been mentioned. She reviews all kinds of footwear.

Calla shoes is another brand to check out (I suspect you may have come across them already). They are wider than they look but frustratingly do point at the front of the shoe.

I feel your woes. Wish shoes were foot shaped!

All I can say is once you settle on a few pairs, find clothes that flatter them. Maxi skirts and dresses look great with all shoes. Uggs would be a fun winter option with leggings and a tunic.

Here to commiserate. My own foot issues include neuromas on both feet, a gigantic bunion on my right (larger) foot, the "long second toe" problem, and an increasing need for padding in the heel.

My best fit lately comes from a pair of Mise chef shoes (only available in black), sized up and then made smaller with an extra squishy insole stolen from another shoe, my Natacha Ramsay-Levi boots collab with Ecco, and my very ugly Kuru sneakers in a W size.

Another thing that works for me is Crocs (the horror!) with an Uggs woolen insole added for padding and comfort.

My classic Ugg boots have lost their comfort since the wool in the heel region is all smushed down. They are, however, gold for the fact that they are to be worn without socks, which for me often cause more problems than the shoes.

Wow, Mise chef shoes are a great find, April! And an article I just looked at suggested the company may be adding a Chelsea boot in 2024. Wouldn’t that be heaven! The toe boxes look great. Will definitely try.

In regards to bunion surgery, I had one 9 years ago and it was successful and no problems with the pain I had prior to surgery. I kept stretching my shoe which helped only up to a certain point.
I suppose it depends on the surgeon and whether the bunion surgery will solve your issue.

Jen - very sorry to hear about your problem. I don't know if this will be helpful but I thought I'd share, just in case. I had developed a neuroma and was not helped at all by local ortho. I stumbled, after much research. on thetaorthotics and dr jarret. https://thetaorthotics.com/ He actually picks up when you call and will give you a personal opinion. But the basics, with gravity our arch collapses causing shift in the bones. He basically does invisalign for your feel. Sequential orthotics to jack the arch to it's normal position. In doing this the flattening and widening of the foot is reversed. Goodbye pain, goodbye baby bunion, neuroma is there but no pain at all if I wear my orthotics. Makes perfect scientific and architectural sense. My personal story, foot decreased in size by a full size and I was bordering on wide and now am an easy medium. No pain, happy feet. It might be worth the phone call to discuss. I wear the full orthotic in my merrell mocs as house shoes, I have the dress 3/4 orthotic which fits most boots. But yeah it got me back into cute shoes pain free. Wishing you best of luck and happy feet!!

Gryffin, what a great story. I’m so glad you are doing so much better! Alas, I don’t think my problem fits his account. My arches are still super high, and my feet were always very wide and are now wider only because of bunions developed from years of wearing shoes that probably weren’t quite wide enough for them.