Do you suffer from wide feet? Many of us do, so you're not alone if you're nodding yes to the question. Nothing is worse than a bad fitting pair of shoes, pinching at the sides as your poor feet suffer in silence. That's why we've searched for the best wide fit shoes for women, from flats to sneakers and heels too.
- Marks & Spencer: The British brand 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.
- New Look: 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: Loved by A-listers including Dame Helen Mirren and Queen Camilla. All of their footwear is designed for those with wide feet or bunions, with an emphasis on comfort.
- Clarks: The brand has 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.
- Hotter: 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.
Many of your favourite high street fashion brands offer their regular shoes in wide fit choices, and some even have wide fit styles exclusively for us wider footed girls. Classic styles, like sneakers, court shoes and espadrilles, sit alongside more trend-led designs including Mary Janes and strappy thong heels in wider fits.
Brands including Marks & Spencer and Clarks have long been mainstays in the wide fit shoe market and even they have expanded their wide shoes, including many of their seasonal styles in wide fit (and narrow fit too). Joining them are familiar faces like New Look, Next and ASOS, offering heels, trainers, boots and more for those who need a little more width to their sole.
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.”
Experts in this article
Margaret Dabbs OBE - Margaret Dabbs was awarded an OBE for her services in business and podiatry. She founded clinics, treatments and products in the foot, legs and hand categories and is considered one of the leading experts on foot health care.
Melissa Epifano - Melissa founded wide foot shoe brand Winnoh after struggling to find stylish shoes for her own wider feet.
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.
Shop the best wide fit shoes
1/11
Sole Bliss Feather White Leather Sneakers
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 black 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."
2/11
M&S Wide Fit Leather Biker Boots
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 chunky biker boots to ease me into winter."
3/11
New Look Wide Fit Burgundy Boots
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."
4/11
Clarks Havisham Edge Loafer
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 including these claissc loafers."
5/11
Calla Alexa Red Leather Ballerinas
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!"
6/11
Simply Be Mesh Ballerina Shoes
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.
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."
7/11
ASOS Wide Fit Leopard Print Slingback Kitten Heeled Shoe
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!"
8/11
Hotter Selina Chic Mary Jane Shoes
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 possible."
9/11
River Island Wide Fit Brown Suedette Boots
River Island's small but perfectly formed wide fit shoe selection includes sandals, trainers, boots, heels and flats.
Editor's note: "I love these tortoiseshell heeled boots for winter, and the wide fit means they'll be even comfier for us wide feet women."
10/11
Pavers Comfortable Wedge Heel Sandals
Pavers have one mission - to offer women comfortable, stylish shoes that won't hurt their feet or their bank balance. They have a range of styles, including sneakers, smart shoes and sandals.
Editor's notes: "My mum swears by Pavers for comfort, causing zero pain on her wide feet. She also praises them for being supportive."
11/11
Winnoh Wide Fit Giselle Mules
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."
How to buy wide fit shoes - expert advice
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, 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.”
