How Do I Know if I Need Wide Shoes? (2024)

So how do you know if you need wide shoes? There are a multitude of signs and symptoms to look for if you’re not sure if you need wide shoes or not. It is important to wear properly fitted shoes; as it is beneficial to your health and to ensure you are comfortable!

4 Reasons You May Need Wide Width Shoes

Neuropathy

How Do I Know if I Need Wide Shoes? (1)
First, if you suffer from Neuropathy it’s crucial to your health that you wear properly fitting shoes. When someone suffers from Neuropathy, they have little to no feeling in their feet. If you don’t have the feeling how can you tell if a shoe is rubbing a blister into your foot? A majority of the time you can’t. If a blister or a wound is created and you do not correctly inspect your feet for hot spots (a spot that has been aggravated by friction, but not enough to break the skin) or open wounds caused by friction because of ill-fitting shoes, it can lead to an infection if not treated and caught in time. If you get your feet properly fitted and measured you are decreasing your chances of creating a cut or blister on your feet. Wide width shoes offer the feet breathability and plenty of space so that no areas of your feet are touching the shoe to the point of a blister.
If you suffer from sore, uncomfortable, injured feet or suffer from peripheral neuropathy, the right pair of footwear is essential. Lucky Feet Shoes provide a wide collection of protective, supportive shoes for neuropathy that offers stability and breathability and durability.

Bunions

How Do I Know if I Need Wide Shoes? (2)
Bunions can also be a sign that wide shoe is needed. If you wear high heels, pointed toe shoes, overpronate or wear shoes that fit too small can cause a Bunion. A Bunion is a deviation and inflammation of joint where the big toe connects to the 1st metatarsal, the capsule of the joint is displaced, thickened and enlarged, and the cartilage of the joint is damaged. If you form a Bunion and continue to wear ill-fitted shoes, the Bunion will continue to get larger. Fitting a Bunion in a wide shoe, along with proper fitting arch support you are decreasing the chances of it getting any larger and it will also alleviate the pain associated with a Bunion. A proper fitting wide shoe should not rub any portion of your foot, and you should be able to move your toe around the toe box and still have plenty of space.
When you suffer from bunions or some other form of a foot ailment, it is essential that you get yourself the best bunions footwear you can that will afford you the protection, support, comfort and stability you can get.

Calluses and Corns

How Do I Know if I Need Wide Shoes? (3) How Do I Know if I Need Wide Shoes? (4)
Any type of friction that can cause a blister, corn or callus is a red flag that more than likely the shoes are too small or narrow for your foot and you need a wide shoe. A callus is caused by consistent friction and pressure, as a defense, your skin creates a hard build up in order to protect the skin from becoming damaged any further. If a callus becomes present it is recommended to get properly fit for wider fitting shoes. Corns are another sign that a shoe is not wide enough. If you see corns present, this is also a key indicator that the shoes you are wearing may be too tight or not deep enough. In conclusion, shoes that are too tight will squeeze the foot, increasing pressure and create the problems listed above.
If you don’t look after your feet, or wear the right footwear, it will only be a matter of time before you start getting problems such as corns, and calluses. So make sure you are about to buy the right shoes for calluses and corns.

Morton’s Neuroma

How Do I Know if I Need Wide Shoes? (5)
If you suffer Morton’s Neuroma then you may want to think about changing the width of your shoes. Morton’s neuroma occurs as the nerve passes under the ligament connecting the toe bones (metatarsals) in the forefoot. Morton’s neuroma most frequently develops between the third and fourth toes, usually in response to irritation, trauma or excessive pressure. The incidence of Morton’s neuroma is 8 to 10 times greater in women than in men. Getting fit for a wider shoe can ease the pain of Morton’s Neuroma. Women are more likely to suffer from this because women are prone to wear high heels or pointed toe shoes. Consider being fit for wide shoes, with a wider toe box and proper fitting orthotics. This is another example of why you may need wide shoes.
You need to choose a stiff insole to prevent your feet from flexing if you are suffering from discomfort caused by Morton’s toe. Your choice of an insole has an impact on your feet, legs, and back. Therefore, for the top shoes for Morton’s Neuroma problems, check out our beautiful collection on footwear for foot pain.

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How Do I Know if I Need Wide Shoes? (2024)

FAQs

How Do I Know if I Need Wide Shoes? ›

Yes, individuals with normal feet can wear wide fit shoes, but there are considerations to keep in mind. While wide fit shoes offer extra room and can be beneficial for added comfort, swelling, or accommodating orthopedic insoles, they might also cause the foot to slide if there's too much space.

Is it okay to wear wide shoes with normal feet? ›

Yes, individuals with normal feet can wear wide fit shoes, but there are considerations to keep in mind. While wide fit shoes offer extra room and can be beneficial for added comfort, swelling, or accommodating orthopedic insoles, they might also cause the foot to slide if there's too much space.

How do I know if I have wide or narrow feet? ›

You can do this by standing on a piece of paper, tracing the outline of your foot, and then measuring the widest part using a ruler or measuring tape. Compare to Standard Widths: Once you have your measurement, compare it to standard shoe width sizes.

Do I need wide fit shoe? ›

In summary, if you have wide feet, foot conditions, or tend to experience discomfort during long runs, wide-fitting shoes may be a good choice for you. However, it's important to try on different brands and models to find the ones that fit your feet best.

How do you know if a shoe fits width? ›

Width: Again, your shoes should feel snug without being too tight. If they feel either too cramped or too roomy on the sides, seek wide or narrow options, respectively.

What size is considered wide in feet? ›

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.

What happens if your shoes aren't wide enough? ›

Calluses and Corns

Any type of friction that can cause a blister, corn or callus is a red flag that more than likely the shoes are too small or narrow for your foot and you need a wide shoe.

What is the difference between wide and regular shoes? ›

Wider shoes have more roomy toe boxes for comfort, while regular shoes have tighter toe boxes for support. Arches – Wide feet and flat feet often go hand-in-hand. For wide shoes, the arch support is often lower and less pronounced. In regular shoes, there's typically more sturdy and shapely arch support.

What is the difference between wide and standard shoes? ›

The key difference between wide and regular shoes lies in the shoe width, particularly across the area where the ball of the foot rests. Regular shoes are designed for average foot widths, while wide-fit shoes are specifically crafted for feet that require more room.

How rare is it to have wide feet? ›

Considering the scale of width goes from wide (E) to ultra wide (EEEEEE), wide feet are far from uncommon. It's what leads us to develop wide feet that can be considered abnormal!

Should I size up or down for wide shoes? ›

Should you size down in wide-fit shoes? If the shoe size width charts above suggest you should get a wide-fit shoe, then stick to your usual size. If your feet are only slightly wider, visit one of our stores and try on a size bigger – this might give you the extra room you need.

Can shoes that are too wide cause foot pain? ›

Shoes that are too big or too small can increase the pressure on the foot and can lead to corns and calluses, as well as other painful foot conditions. Buy shoes that fit the shape of your foot. Shoes should allow adequate room for the arch and different contours of a person's foot.

How to make a wide shoe fit a narrow foot? ›

If your shoes have two sets of eyelets on each side, always try to lace through the ones furthest from the tongue. This helps to close both sides of the shoe together more tightly over the bridge of the foot. Another technique you can try is to purchase cushioned shoe inserts for narrow feet, known as an insole.

Do wide fit shoes fit bigger? ›

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.

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