Plus, the experts weigh in on what makes a comfortable wide fit shoe
Updated 6 hours ago
Carla ChallisCommerce Partnerships Editor
Wondering if you need wide fit shoes? You probably do, as studies show hoards of us are wearing shoes not just too small in length, but in width too. And if you find yourself needing a wide fit shoe, and have no idea where to look, we've got you covered as the high street is, thankfully, awash with shoe styles catering for a wider fit.
Forget thoughts of having to shop in specialised shoe shops or having just a few wide fit shoes to choose from. Most brands now release their bestselling styles in not just a wider range of sizes, but wide fit as well (and some narrow fit, for your all narrow feet girlies), offering the holy grail of style and comfort.
Brands including Marks & Spencer and Clarks have long been mainstays in the wide fit shoe market, and now joining them are the likes of New Look, Next and ASOS, offering heels, trainers, boots and more for those who need a little more width to their sole.
The best wide fit shoe brands at a glance
- Marks & Spencer came out top when I polled a group of friends on which footwear they swear doesn't hurt their wide feet. M&S carries a range of styles and at a decent, not going to break the bank price, too.
- Don't skip the footwear department at New Look. Again, great prices and a great range of wide-fit shoes, spanning heels to loafers and plenty of styles in-between.
- Sole Bliss has an A-list celebrity following, including Dame Helen Mirren and Queen Camilla, who rely on the brand for comfortable shoes. All of their footwear is designed for those with wide feet or bunions, with an emphasis on comfort.
- Clarks have a reputation for great quality shoes, and I can concur that they not only last, but are comfortable for wider feet too. They have a whole section of wide-fit shoes, which is well worth a browse.
- For extra-wide fit footwear, Hotter seems to be one of the most popular. The styles are less trend led and more classic, but you'll find some great boots and sneakers in there.
Feel like your feet have widened in recent years? They could well have done, according to foot health expert Margaret Dabbs OBE. “Feet can widen with age. As people age, the ligaments and tendons in their feet can lose elasticity so the arch on the foot drops. It is also natural that the cushioning in the feet decreases with age.”
Wide fit shoes – what to look out for, from the experts
Margaret shares her expertise on what makes a comfy shoe for wide feet, and what to shop for: “A good shoe should offer ample toe room, sufficient arch support, and cushioning to absorb impact and reduce pressure points. For wide feet, the shoe should have a wider toe box to accommodate the natural splay of the foot, preventing issues like bunions, corns and discomfort. And for those with bunions, Margaret suggests shopping for wide-fit shoes, too.
“Wide-width shoes provide extra room in the toe box, reducing pressure on the bunion and alleviating discomfort. They can help prevent further irritation or worsening of the condition by minimising friction and allowing the toes to spread more naturally, potentially offering relief and comfort for those with bunions. Also it really helps that shoes are made with elastic material or soft leather.”
Melissa Epifano, Winnoh founder who created her own wide foot shoe brand after struggling to find stylish shoes for herself, echoes Margaret’s comments: “First, the width will be several millimeters wider in the toe box, giving the wearer more room to stretch out—and fewer numb pinky toes! The vamp (which is the part of the shoe that hugs the top of your foot) is often given more volume. Depending on the shoe style, the entirety of the insole might be widened slightly too. It may be surprising, but it’s these tiny design edits that can make a massive difference in how it feels on your foot.”
How I chose the best wide fit shoe brands
- Size: The brands featured all carry shoes in wide fit, extra wide fit or larger sizing.
- Style: As well as carrying wide-fit sizing, I've chosen the shoes and shoe brands that offer a stylish range, from sandals to stilettos and everything else in between.
- Reviews: I've scoured online reviews to try and bring the most comfortable shoes. At HELLO! we haven't been able to try all the brands featured, but using online reviews I've brought the brands that seem to tick all the boxes in terms of comfort. If I or another editor has tried the brand, I’ve made sure to include our own personal opinion.
Our pick of the best wide fit shoes
1/9
Marks & Spencer Wide Fit Shoes
M&S Wide Fit Block Heel Mules
Sizes:3-8
Colours: Black, brown, red and ivory
Shipping:Free delivery with a £60 spend; or free next-day click and collect from M&S stores.
Returns:Within 35 days
Marks & Spencer is known for catering for women with wider feet, and in recent years, they’ve extended their wide-fit shoe range to be more inclusive of trend-led styles.
Many of M&S’ wide fit shoes include Smart Insolia Flex® technology, letting the wearer place their feet in properly into the shoe, with the aim of keeping them comfy all day long.
Editor's note:"I've relied on M&S' wide fit shoes for years, and have many styles from them including boots. They always - ALWAYS - fit, and never hurt, not something you can claim from many brands. I've chosen these gorgeous block mules, which remind me of a designer pair but for a fraction of the price."
2/9
New Look Wide Fit Shoes
New Look Wide Fit Block Sandals
Sizes:3-9
Colours: Black
Shipping:Free delivery with a £50 spend; or £2.99 for standard delivery on orders under £50.
Returns:Within 28 days
We've bookmarked New Look for affordable wide-fit footwear that’s on trend too. There’s over 100 styles to choose with prices starting from £15.99, and they've cleverly thought of including flip flops and flat sandals in their wide fit footwear collection - not something many other brands do.
Editor's note: "I've had a few pairs of New Look's wide fit shoes over the years and never been disappointed. They're easy on the credit card too."
See AlsoOur Favorite Sneakers for Wide Feet From New Balance, On, Rothy's and More Are Up to 50% OffI'm Picky About Comfortable Shoes, and These Chic Wide-Width Pairs Pass My TestThe Best Shoes for Wide Feet Are Here and They're Very Cute11 Best Shoes For Wide Feet Men: Stay In-Style All Of 2024 | FashionBeans3/9
Sole Bliss Wide Fit Shoes
Sole Bliss Star Wide Fit Trainers
Sizes:3-9
Colours: Six colourways available; white and gold, grey and silver, chocolate brown, black and silver, navy and silver, silver leather.
Shipping:Free delivery with a £200 spend.
Returns:Within 30 days
Sole Bliss was specifically created to cater for wide feet women who suffer with bunions – even Queen Camilla is a fan, who owns the Ingrid shoe in a variety of colours.
Their shoes are crafted with comfort in mind, and include three layers of underfoot cushioning and a hidden ‘bunion bed’ stretch panel cushion to disguise bunions.
Editor's note: "I own a pair of heeled Sole Bliss boots and they're the comfiest pair in my wardrobe, no joke. As someone with a wider foot, you can tell they're made to be kind to those with wide feet, and I've heard nothing but amazing things about their trainers, too."
4/9
Clarks Wide Fit Shoes
Clarks Wide Fit Penny Patent Shoes
Sizes:3-8, and two widths: D (standard) or E (wide).
Colours: Black patent or black leather.
Shipping:Free delivery with a £75 spend, or free click and collect to your local store. Otherwise, it's a £4.95 charge.
Returns:Within 30 days
The go-to brand for kitting out the whole family, Clarks’ wide fit range includes boots, sandals, sneakers and shoes.
Many of their main collection offer the ‘standard’ width (D) and a wide-fit option (E) in shoe sizes 3-9.
Editor's note: "Ask anyone for a shoe brand you can rely on, and Clarks is often mentioned. They have a capsule wide fit range which includes a number of classic shoe styles."
5/9
Simply Be Wide Fit Shoes
Simply Be Wide Fit Velvet Platform Heels
Editor's note: "Simply Be is a great choice if your budget isn't massive, but you want quality looking shoes in a wider fit. Their range is vast, and includes trainers, heels, flats and sandals and there's an extra wide fit option too."
Shipping:£3.99 for standard delivery.
Sizes:4-8
Colours: Burgundy velvet or black velvet.
Returns:Within 28 days
If you’re on the hunt for affordable wide-fit shoes, head to Simply Be which has styles starting from £39. Simply Be caters to not just those with wide fit, but there’s over 350 extra wide fit shoes to choose from.
6/9
Winnoh Wide Fit Shoes
Winnoh Wide Fit Rhiannon Boot
Sizes:EUR 36-44
Colours: Four available; ink, white, dark brown and mid-brown.
Shipping:Free standard delivery.
Returns:Within 20 days
Winnoh was created by Melissa Epifano after she struggled to find stylish shoes to fit her wider feet. "I found you either hurt yourself by shoving your feet into painfully small and ill-fitting shoes or you settle for something bland and orthopaedic, which can destroy your confidence. I started Winnoh to solve this problem, and we have a lot of repeat buyers and customers who are surprised to slip their feet in and find that the shoes actually fit, and can be worn for long periods of time without the expected rubbing, blisters, and squashed feet."
Editor's note: "A small but perfectly formed collection from Winnoh, a female founded brand created purely to cater for women with wider feet. I love these timeless yet trendy ankle boots, available in four colours."
7/9
ASOS Wide Fit Shoes
ASOS Wide Fit Embellished Slingbacks
Sizes:2-11
Colours: Green or black
Shipping:Free with a £40 spend.
Returns:Within 28 days
For trend-led styles, ASOS’ collection of wide-fit shoes is second to none. ASOS has one of the biggest size ranges, with many of the wide fit shoes available in sizes 2-11 as well as brands, bridal and more.
Editor's note: "You can't beat ASOS for style and value for money. Their wide fit shoe range has over 1,000 styles, starting from just £12!"
8/9
Calla Wide Fit Shoes
Calla Wide Fit Gloria High Heel Sandals
Sizes:3-9, including half sizes
Colours: Black
Shipping:Free delivery on orders over £100.
Returns:Within 30 days
Calla Shoes throws shoe shopping on its head – letting you shop by width, rather than style. Founded by Jennifer Bailey, a bunion sufferer who found it hard to shop for comfortable yet stylish shoes.
Unlike regular wide-fitting shoes, Calla footwear is wide in the toe box but standard in the heel, giving the wearer extra width across bunions but fitting in length. Choose from wide-fit, extra-wide fit and wide toe box fit.
Editor's note: "I love that this entire brand has been created by someone who suffers from bunions - they really get the problems women with bunions face when it comes to buying shoes!"
9/9
Hotter Wide Fit Shoes
Hotter Wide Fit Rapid Boots
Sizes:3-9
Colours: Grey and black
Shipping:Free delivery on orders over £120.
Returns:Within 30 days
Hotter is all about comfort first and foremost, and many of their shoe styles include shock absorbing soles, supportive lining and extra cushioned sections.
Editor's note:"I know the brand Hotter are applauded by women who need extra comfort, as they not only cater for wider feet but have extra measures to make their shoes as comfy as poss. I think these trainer-boots are pretty cool for the season."
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- High Street Fashion
- Shoes
- Trainers
