Your experience with wide-width shoes? - YouLookFab Forum

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Your experience with wide-width shoes?

Anonymous

I'm wondering whether 'wide width' simply means 'wider across the toe box' or whether it also means wider at the heel. Shoes are always just a little tight where my fourth toe is, but often fall off the ends of my feet as I walk, especially heels.

Some extra info, in case it helps: 'Clarks' is an example of a brand that is wide enough for me, but falls off, even as a flat. 'Naturalizer' is another brand that does this.

Thanks!

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from

Tanya

Veteran

In my very limited experience, wide shoes are wider all over. I have medium width feet that are just a little wider at the front, and tried a pair of Munro loafers in wide width. They were falling off my feet despite the length being correct, so I exchanged them for regular width.

Anonymous

Thanks, Tanya.

bridgie

Veteran

It seems to me that shoes are always wider at the heel and usually tighter at the toe box. I wish I could find shoes wider at toe. But if they are wider at toe they would fall off heel.. This is probably just me that finds shoes fit this way, but that is they way it is! PS I always wear medium width. They are not perfect but seem to fit best.

!

DonnaF

Veteran

I have found that wide usually also means more room over the arch and a wider heel. I have low volume feet with a super narrow heel so the Wide shoes that work for me lace up and accommodate a heel insert.

Anonymous

I was a C width before I got bunions. Now I need a D width. I try to buy shoes that have adjustable straps. Dansko works very well fir my high volume feet.

Anonymous

I find that a wider width is wider in the shoe box. I have never had an issues with the shoe slipping off my feet at the heel. I don't know if this helps you or not.

Anonymous

Thank you BC, DonnaF, and bridgie.
Seems like sticking to my existing width but sizing up a 1/2 size is the best option.

Anonymous

Oh, I just saw your response now, Sterling.
Yes, your comment does help.

Style Fan

Veteran

I don't have wide feet but I have arthritis. The front part of my feet gets inflamed and swells up. For this reason I like roomy footwear. I find Clarks, El Naturalista and Finn Comfort work best for me. I don't find the heel to be too loose. I would not walk miles and miles in these shoes.

Becky

Veteran

I wear almost exclusively wide or extra-wide width shoes. The width of my foot is entirely in the forefoot, and my heels are more an average width. I find the ratio of width increase at the the forefoot to the heel varies from brand to brand, and even from style to style within a brand. I just have to try the shoes, and then I can make a decision as to going up or down a half size, trying a different width, or just knowing that style won't work for me at all.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Smittie, we're foot cousins. I have a regular width forefoot, but a high (ish) arch. Not a super high volume foot overall, though. And a very narrow heel.

Pumps and flats (even higher vamped loafers and most slip on sneakers) never stay on my foot.

Certain brands are better and certain ones are worse. Clarks and Naturalizer regulars are too wide for me all over.

Ecco sometimes works, or works with an insole (depending on the shoe) but booties or tie ups, like sneakers, are pretty much my only option other than sandals or sandal booties. I've only ever had one pump that stayed on without straps and it was an Ecco -- but most of theirs don't stay on. I have read that they and Munro and Stuart Weitzman and a few others do have a mixed last (heel and forefoot different) but I'm not sure if it is true.

It also helps me a lot to wear EU 37 vs. a US 7. Some US 6.5 fit in the length well but are a touch too narrow in the forefoot (it just depends) whereas the EU 37 have a better chance of working. UK sizes don't work well on me.

You might experiment among brands that way a bit and see what works best for you.

Style Fan

Veteran

I find it interesting what Suz wrote. I have never been able to wear ballet flats or pumps. I also find European sizing works better for me.

Anonymous

I can't wear pumps or ballet flats because I walk right out of them. I wear size 7.5D or European size 38. Size 8D in tennis shoes that I only wear at the gym because lace-up shoes make the tops of my feet hurt.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Tanya said.

Anonymous

Thank you!