Here at Gabor Shoes, we know how difficult it can be to find a pair of shoes that offers the perfect fit for you, which is why we’re constantly looking to bring you the most useful and up to date information about all things footwear, making it easier than ever to purchase that pair you’ve had your eye on with confidence.
One particular subject that we are often asked a lot of questions about is wide fit shoes. While they provide an entirely different fit in comparison to a standard shoe, it may not always be obvious as to what those differences are. We’ve put together a complete guide all about how to understand wide fit shoes, how standard UK widths compare as well as how to pick the right size of Gabor wide fit shoes for you. If you’ve ever spent time wondering ‘what is a wide fit shoe?’ or ‘how wide is a wide fit shoe anyway?’, our guide is here to answer your questions and put your mind at ease when it comes to buying wide fit shoes.
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. Most of the time, they feature wider and deeper sections to accommodate the toes, as well as more room up around the instep, which gives feet of all shapes and sizes the space they need to feel comfortable and supported. The wider and deeper toe sections allow an individual’s toes to spread out naturally and evenly with each step, making it much easier to avoid that uncomfortable pinching and squeezing sensation that is commonly experienced when a person is wearing narrow or standard-fitting shoes despite having wider feet. Ultimately, they make for a much more pleasant experience when worn, and allow the wearer to avoid discomfort with ease.
The sizing of wide fit shoes is typically indicated in a slightly different way to the standard shoe, so when you’re shopping for a wider fit, it’s important to know the most suitable width for you. Most often, they are indicated as a letter or a series of letters, with the most popular ones being C, D, E, EE and EEE. However, this can occasionally vary from brand to brand, so your width fitting may not always be the same across all manufacturers. For example, here at Gabor Shoes, we use the German version of width fitting, which consists of the letters F, G and H, and we have converted this to the UK equivalent on our website. You can find out more about our specific wide fit sizing further on in this guide.
How Wide are Wide Fit Shoes?
The width of wide fit shoes tends to vary depending on the shoe size, so unfortunately it is impossible for us to put an exact standard figure on how wide a certain wide fit shoe might be, however, we can offer examples to make things a little easier. Here at Gabor Shoes, our H (extra wide) shoes will be wider in a larger size shoe than in a smaller size shoe, and this size difference is generally the case across all of our wide fit shoes.
Put simply, though, the average width of a UK size 6 female shoe is around 9cm, which is in line with a standard shoe width fitting. Wide fit shoes, on the other hand, will usually measure in the region of 10cm in width, while extra-wide fit shoes will measure around 11cm across or more. If you are unsure of what your size might be, you can easily measure the width of your feet with a tape measure or ruler. To do this correctly, simply measure across the widest part of your foot, which is usually just below the toes, and opt for a shoe that is slightly wider than your measurement to ensure a comfortable fit.
How do Gabor Wide Fit Shoes Compare to other Brands?
We previously mentioned that here at Gabor Shoes, we use slightly different wide fit width codes than other UK manufacturers. Here is a simple table displaying codes alongside the fit that they provide, to help our customers to understand our system so that you can find the right width to suit your feet.
| UK Width | Gabor Width | Fitting Description |
| C+ | F | Standard Fit |
| D | G | Wide Fit |
| D+ or EE | H | Extra Wide Fit |
By comparing the standard wide fit codes with the ones that we use here at Gabor, it’s easier than ever to work out your correct shoe size. If you are still unsure of which type of shoe to go for, we have another blog post that can help you to spot telltale signs that you might be in need of a wider fit shoe. Read ‘How Do I Know if I Need Wide Fit Shoes? The Gabor Guide’ to find out more.
We pride ourselves on catering to a huge selection of shoe sizes, which is why we offer an array of standard, wide fit and extra wide fit options for you to choose from.
Take a look at our latest range of beautiful wide fit shoes here at Gabor to find luxury styles that never compromise on comfort.
FAQs
How can I measure my shoe width?
- Wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your bare foot.
- Place a foot on the ground as if you were standing normally.
- Mark the width of your foot in millimetres on the tape measure.
- Use this measurement to determine the shoe width you need.
Go down a half-size – Shoe width increases slightly as shoe length increases. A shoe that's half a size smaller will often be a little bit narrower. Shop in another department – Women's shoes are typically narrower than men's or children's shoes, so a similar shoe from the women's section is likely to be narrower.
How to know if shoes are not wide enough? ›
After wearing shoes, examine your feet for visible signs of pressure marks. Redness, indentations, or irritation along the sides of your feet indicate that your shoes may be exerting excessive pressure due to inadequate width.
Can I wear wide fit 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.
What is the shoe width chart? ›
In the United States, shoe widths, ranging from narrowest to widest, are: AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, and EEE. Narrow and wide shoes are also divided into sub-sizes in which the extra letter indicates an even narrower or wider width.
How much bigger is wide fit shoes? ›
A wide width is 1/4” wider than a medium width and an extra wide width is 1/2” wider than a medium width. People with foot swelling or edema may benefit from additionally measuring their instep girth, which will help them choose the appropriate shoe width.
Should I size up or get wide shoes? ›
When deciding whether or not to size up to a wide shoe, consider the fit of your current shoes. For instance, if a size 7 feels tight across the foot, but a size 8 is too long, then that could be a sign that you need a wide shoe.
Should I go up half a size if I have wide feet? ›
However, wide shoes may not be the most comfortable on your feet or the most secure and supportive. A half size up is a good option if you just want a little more room, but whether to go wider or just bigger will depend on the style of the shoe and how long you will be wearing it.
Is 8.5 the same as 8 wide? ›
The 8.5 means size 8 1/2. The 'regular' means medium (standard) width. So, an 8m is a size 8 (8.0) regular and an 8.5 is size 8 1/2. If there were an 8W, that would mean 'wide' and an 8N would mean 'narrow'.
Is 4.5 inches a wide foot? ›
6E (Super Wide): Measurement: Approximately 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) across the widest part of the foot. Description: 6E represents a super wide shoe width. It is the widest available width option, providing maximum space and comfort for individuals with exceptionally wide feet or specific foot conditions.
Shoes that are too big may likewise give you blisters caused by the friction of your foot moving around. If your shoes are too big in length, you might notice your foot sliding backwards and forwards, while shoes that are too wide will cause your feet to slide from side to side.
How do I tell if my feet are wide? ›
Wide feet have a broader forefoot and there may be a noticeable spreading of the toes. Get a Professional Measurement. For the most accurate determination, consider getting your feet measured professionally at a shoe store. They can provide precise measurements and advice on shoe sizes and widths.
Is it bad to wear wide shoes if you don't need them? ›
Yes, you can wear wide shoes even if you don't have wide feet. They provide extra room for your toes to move comfortably, reducing the risk of blisters and foot pain, but be careful about them being too wide, as that could lead to other problems. Footwear should always be comfy but also snug and supportive.
What brand of shoe is best for wide feet? ›
Podiatrists commonly recommend New Balance shoes for their patients, and it's no wonder why. This brand is well-known for its comfortable pairs that offer plenty of arch support and cushioning. New Balance also promotes foot health by catering to varying foot widths.
What size shoe is good for wide 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.
Should you go up a shoe size if you have wide feet? ›
A wider fit could only apply to one foot, not both. Some people with wide feet will buy a longer length shoe, essentially going up a size, but this does not solve the problem. Sizing up will provide extra width, but the shoe will slip around the heel or in the toe box, causing discomfort when you walk.
