It’s important to know you have wide feet when shopping for comfortable shoes. Proper care means understanding the width of your feet and how it influences shoe size.
Foot width falls into three categories: wide, regular, or narrow. The difference between narrow and wide shoes is the toe box size and the forefoot width.
Measuring wide feet
Correctly measuring your feet will determine the correct shoe size. The most accurate measurement is done professionally at a shoe store. They can provide precise measurements and professional advice on shoe sizes and widths. However, if visiting a specialist is not feasible, a simple, easy measurement done at home can also determine the width of your feet:
- Trace the outline of your foot on a piece of paper.
- Measure the width of each foot—measure both feet, as one foot can be wider than the other; use the bigger width as a guide for size.
- Use this information to look up your measurements on a shoe size chart—found in shoe stores or online shoe sites.
If I have wide feet, should I go up a specific size? Instead of going up a size, you should look for a wider fit.
Why do I have wide feet?
Understanding the causes of wide feet will help you select appropriate footwear and manage related foot issues. These include:
Genetics
Your height, hair texture, and eye color are inherited from your parents—the width of your feet can also be inherited. If your family members have wide feet, you are predisposed to have them too.
Age
Aging causes ligaments, tendons, and muscles to loosen, changing the shape of the foot. As a result, the foot may become longer or wider as the arch collapses.
Pregnancy
The hormone relaxin is released in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The pelvic joint ligaments begin to loosen and relax. In addition, the ligaments and joints of the feet relax, changing foot shape, size, and width.
Edema
Edema (fluid retention) is the medical term for swelling. It widens your feet, making it difficult to fit into your shoes. Usually, the swelling isn’t permanent and will resolve. Certain health conditions, injuries, or medicines can cause edema.
Obesity
As body weight increases, balance shifts, creating stress on the feet. The uneven weight distribution can cause foot pain, even while performing simple tasks such as walking.
Obesity can cause wide feet and difficulty fitting into your shoes. If you are slightly or moderately obese, the chances of developing wide feet are higher than those who are slim or lean.
Proper arch support is essential with increased weight. It helps to evenly distribute body weight across your feet, reducing pressure on wider areas.
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What foot conditions are associated with wide feet?
It’s normal for foot shapes and sizes to vary. However, there are foot deformities that result in wider feet. Some of the problems with wide feet include:
Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump on the inside edge of the foot that meets the base of the big toe. The big toe is pulled toward the smaller toes, forcing the joint to move outward. As the bones in the forefoot move outward, the foot widens, changing shoe size.
Corns and calluses
Corns and calluses are rough, thickened layers of skin that develop from prolonged rubbing or pressure on your feet. The points of greatest compression and friction are on the balls of the feet and the top and side of the toes.
Wearing ill-fitting shoes causes the development of corns and calluses that widen your feet.
Hammer toes
A toe has two joints that allow it to bend at the middle and bottom. When the middle joint becomes flexed or bent downward, it’s called a hammer toe.
Hammer toes can be caused by ill-fitting shoes, physical trauma to the toes, or an imbalance of toe muscles—all of which can widen the feet.
Flat feet
Flat feet have a low arch or no arch at all—one or both soles of your feet press flat on the ground. They have collapsed, unsupported arches and require wide-width shoes to provide a more secure, comfortable fit. Insoles and orthotics for low arches are another solution.
A wider pair of shoes can eliminate foot problems such as bunions, blisters, corns, calluses, and skin discoloration caused by tight shoes.
What shoe is best for wide feet?
The best shoes for healthy feet consider foot width, length, and arch support. Shoe brands have become more size-inclusive with wide options. Comfortable shoes have wide-toe boxes with adjustable features (without laces) and cushioned, breathable material to maintain healthy feet.
Today, there are wide-fit shoe options for multiple shoe types—loafers for business casual, dress shoes for a night out, running shoes for the 10K race, and walking shoes for after-dinner strolls. These shoe types prioritize well-fitting shoes with heel support—secure and supportive rather than roomy.
Slip-on shoes and sneakers have wide options with cushioned footbeds for extra comfort and are popular among those with wide feet.
Is cosmetic surgery for wide feet for you?
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons advises podiatric surgery only to restore function and/or relieve pain. The podiatrists at UFAI strongly support that assertion. We are a group of highly skilled surgeons and believe in avoiding cosmetic foot surgery whenever possible.
Foot pain should be your first guide when deciding about surgery. Cosmetic foot surgery is not likely to meet a patient’s expectations. Such procedures can leave scarring and result in unnecessary chronic pain.
Why choose UFAI for professional care of wide feet?
We are expert foot specialists, podiatrists, and surgeons at the University Foot and Ankle Institute with vast experience managing foot problems such as wide feet, metatarsalgia, fractures, and ulcers.
We are also expert, experienced providers of custom orthotics, insoles, braces, and minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery.
Please call (877) 736-6001 for a consultation or make an appointment online now.
University Foot and Ankle Institute is conveniently located throughout Southern California and Los Angeles. Our foot and ankle surgeons are available at locations in or near Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, the San Fernando Valley, El Segundo, the South Bay, LAX, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Valencia, Santa Clarita, and Santa Barbar
When not tending to patients at University Foot and Ankle Institute, Dr. Jafary utilizes his surgical expertise assisting those less fortunate. As a member of the Yucatan Crippled Children Foundation, he has traveled to Mexico several times and performed hundreds of limb correction surgeries on children with disabling foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Jafary also participates in Podiatry Overseas, which takes him to underserved countries to treat patients with lower extremity deformities.
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