The search for the perfect pair of shoes can quickly become frustrating when they just don't feel right. If you’ve experienced pinching, tingling, or overall discomfort, the problem might not be the shoe style itself but the width.

Knowing whether you need a wider shoe can make all the difference. Transform every step into a comfortable and supportive stride with properly fitting wide or extra wide shoes.

Finding the right wide shoes is essential for ensuring comfort and promoting overall foot health. For those with broader feet, WSS has plenty of great men's wide width shoes and women's wide width shoes to choose from. 

This guide will help you determine if wide width shoes are the solution to your footwear woes.

How Do I Tell If My Feet Are Wide?

Choosing the correct shoe is crucial to avoid issues like pain, blisters, and numbness. Here are some signs that you may need extra wide shoes:

• Discomfort or Pain: Pay close attention to any foot pain. If your shoes feel tight, they may be too narrow and you’ll need wide width shoes.

• Visible Pressure Marks: After wearing your shoes, check your feet for indentations, redness, or irritation. These marks indicate that the shoes are exerting excessive pressure.

• Spillover: If your toes consistently spill over the sides, they likely aren't providing enough width.

• Numbness or Tingling: A tingling or numb sensation in your toes could be a result of the shoe compressing nerves.

• Bunions or Corns: The development of bunions or corns on the sides of your feet can be a result of prolonged pressure and friction from shoes that are too narrow. Properly fitting wide shoes can help prevent this.

A surefire way to tell if you need wide shoes is by measuring your foot's width. You can do this at home with a piece of paper, a pen, and a ruler. Place your foot flat on the paper and trace its outline. Mark the widest points of your foot, then measure the distance between them. Remember to repeat this for the other foot and use the measurement from the wider one.

With these measurements in hand, you can refer to our size guide to find the right wide width shoes for you.

How Much Bigger Are Wide Width Shoes?

The main difference between regular shoes and wide shoes is the size of the toe box, heel, and the width of the forefoot. Wide width shoes offer a deeper and more spacious fit from front to back. 

Wide shoes are typically a quarter-inch wider than a medium width shoe. Extra wide shoes, on the other hand, are a half-inch wider than a medium width shoe. These differences can significantly decrease uncomfortable foot issues.

What Shoe Brands Carry Wide and Extra Wide Sizes?

When you’re ready to start shopping for wide shoes, it's helpful to know which brands offer a wider fit. Nike, Puma, New Balance, and Skechers are just some of the popular shoe brands that cater to a wide range of sizes.

Nike Promina Men's Sneakers, for example, are available in a wide fit and feature a grooved rocker outsole. For women, the New Balance 574 is a classic wide sneaker with a timeless leather design.

The Best Shoe Styles for Wide Feet

The best styles of wide width shoes will offer a more spacious toe box. Sneakers are a great choice, as they often come with a broader toe box and will provide more comfort and space for your foot. 

Styles like open-sided shoes, open-toed sandals, and round-toed boots are also beneficial because they allow your toes to spread naturally, preventing the pinching sensation common in narrow shoes.

If you have conditions like bunions, almond and square-toe shoes are good options for extra wide shoes as they provide a more spacious toe box.

Choosing these styles can help prevent the discomfort and foot issues associated with wearing shoes that are too narrow. This is especially true for those who require extra wide shoes. 

Finding Your Fit: Wide Shoes Make All the Difference

Choosing the right wide width shoes is a simple yet powerful step towards better foot health and comfort. By paying attention to the signs your feet give you and understanding the benefits of a proper fit, you can say goodbye to pinched toes and welcome the joy of walking in shoes that perfectly accommodate your foot’s width. 

The right pair of wide width shoes can significantly improve your daily comfort and long-term foot health. Finding a great pair of wide or extra wide shoes is a journey worth taking.

WSS: Your Neighborhood Store for Wide Shoes

Since first opening our doors in 1984, we’ve grown to over 150 stores nationwide, all thanks to the strong roots we've built in the communities we serve. Our journey has always been about more than just shoes. It’s about showing up, honoring culture, and supporting every step our customers take. 

From everyday classics to top athletic brands, we carry the sneakers, clothing, and gear that move with you - at the best value, always. And for those with broader feet, we have plenty of wide width shoes and extra wide shoes to choose from online at a store near you!