What to Buy Fitness Gear The 12 Best Wide-Width Shoes for Women of 2023 From sandals and office-ready flats to athletic shoes, we've got a wide-width shoe for every occasion. By Diana Kelly Levey Diana Kelly Levey Facebook Instagram Twitter Diana Kelly Levey is a journalist, editor, content marketing writer, and author with a focus on health, parenting, pet, and sleep topics. She has been published in Shape, Parents, Real Simple, and many more magazines and brands. health's editorial guidelines Updated on November 26, 2022 Medically reviewed by Adam H. Kaplan, DPM Medically reviewed by Adam H. Kaplan, DPM Adam H. Kaplan, DPM, is a podiatrist and attending physician practicing at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health and Roosevelt Care Center. learn more Fact checked by Richard Scherr Fact checked by Richard Scherr Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. health's fact checking process Share Tweet Pin Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Amazon /Zappos Finding the best wide-width shoes can be tricky: Shoe width isn’t always marked well, and it can lead to a lot of painful trial and error to find a pair that works. Worse, wearing tight shoes long-term can lead to all sorts of issues, including ingrown nails, bunions, and calluses, Michael Fishkin, certified pedorthist (footwear expert) at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, told Health. Anyone with bunions, hammertoes, or flat feet may benefit from wearing a wide shoe. Reviewed & Approved The best wide-width shoe is the Dansko Fawna shoe: it’s made with foot health in mind, and it’s a comfortable, nice-looking shoe that works for many occasions. Another favorite wide-width shoe is the Naturalizer Anna Pointed-Toe Pump because it's a stylish, dressy shoe with a wide toe box and feels comfortable. Good wide-width shoes should be roomy in the toe box and offer good arch support. When you’re shopping, look for shoes that are labeled as B (normal width), D (wide width), EE, 4E, or 6E for extremely wide-width. The last two options are generally found in walking or running shoes, Mark J. Mendeszoon, DPM, FACFAS, FACP, spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, told Health. We’ve included the available widths in the key specs section for all of the options below. Here are the best wide-width shoes available today. Our Recommendations Best Overall: Dansko Fawna Milled Napa Best Loafer: Cole Haan Grand Ambition Slip-On Loafer Best for Hiking: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots Best High Heel: Naturalizer Anna Pointed Toe Pump Best Running Shoe: Hoka One Clifton 8 Best Sneakers: Rykä Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe Best Sandal: Clarks Mira Isle Best for Bunions: Kuru Quantum Wide Best Wedges: Clarks Annadel Eirwyn Wedge Sandal Best Ballet Flats: Vionic Carroll Best Mules: Sam Edelman Linnie Bit Mule Best Boots: Lifestride X-Trovert Wide Calf Riding Boot Best Overall: Dansko Fawna Milled Napa Dansko Buy on Dansko.com What We Like: This Mary Jane is perfect for any professional setting or situation where you’ll be on your feet or walking and want a dressy shoe. It’s Worth Noting: This shoe may squeak at times, but applying baby powder under the orthotic insert may help. When you want to slip on a cute shoe that makes you feel like you’re walking on clouds, consider this Mary Jane style from Dansko. This shoe has great arch support, offers stability so you can walk comfortably, and has a removable insole that has a cushion for shock absorption every time your foot hits the floor. With a one-and-a-half-inch heel height, you get a little lift, and the adjustable buckle helps ensure a snug fit. Wide shoes provide enough room but should not feel loose, Anne M. Sharkey, DPM, of Austin, Texas, told Health. “The shoe should fit comfortably and like a glove. The heels should not be popping out of the shoe. Be careful not to choose shoes that are too wide that there is a lot of movement in the toe box.” The Dansko Fawna Milled Napa is recommended for people with plantar fasciitis and received the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, which is awarded to products of exceptional quality that promote good foot health, manufactured with consumer comfort and safety in mind. Price at time of publication: $140 Product Details: Material: LeatherAvailable sizes: 4.5-13Available widths: B, D Best Loafer: Cole Haan Grand Ambition Slip-On Loafer Zappos Buy on Zappos What We Like: Podiatrists recommend these slip-ons for when you’ll be on your feet all day. It’s Worth Noting: They run long, so consider ordering a half-size down from your typical size. These loafers are classically elegant with responsive cushioning and a design that hugs the contours of your feet. They’re the perfect “walk to work” shoe if you want to get some extra steps in during your work day without having to wear sneakers during your commute. We like that they have a variety of color options and materials to choose from. Cole Haan offers classic black leather with a white sole, blue suede with a shiny toe and heel, or a chocolate croc-print leather loafer. Price at time of publication: $188 Product Details: Material: LeatherAvailable sizes: 5-11Available widths: B, D Best for Hiking: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Zappos What We Like: These boots are known for being comfortable right out of the box, without a breaking-in period. It’s Worth Noting: At almost 2 pounds, these hiking boots may be heavier than other options. These waterproof hiking boots are the next version of the Moab 2 boots from Merrell which have a huge online following. This updated style has a more supportive insole, better cushioning, and exceptionally grippy outsoles that hug rocky and unstable terrain. The heels have shock absorption to make for a smoother transition from the heel to midfoot while you walk, even over uneven trails. Most importantly, the wide options make these hiking boots good for people with foot issues like bunions. We like that these boots are waterproof if you need to cross a stream or traipse through a puddle on a hike, but they also let moisture escape so your feet won’t feel hot. A mid-level height offers ankle support while you walk without feeling constricted. A nice bonus: The mesh lining, laces, and webbing on the boots are made with recycled materials. Price at time of publication: $145 Product Details: Material: Pigskin leather, mesh, rubberAvailable sizes: 5-11Available widths: B, D Best High Heel: Naturalizer Anna Pointed-Toe Pump Amazon Buy on Amazon What We Like: This wide shoe comes in a sleek, classic style that goes with everything. It’s Worth Noting: These heels need a breaking-in period, as they can feel stiff at first. Naturalizer is known for prioritizing foot health and comfort with its shoes. This chic high heel features a padded footbed, arch support, and a pointed toe. The cushioning in the insole molds to the shape of your foot for supreme comfort. This is a fun shoe with a curved, peek-a-boo topline that shows a little extra skin at the forefront of the foot. This is one of the few high heels people with wide feet can wear for hours without pain—whether standing at work or dancing at a wedding. Price at time of publication: $120 Product Details: Material: Leather, synthetic soleAvailable sizes: 6-12Available widths: A, B, D Best Running Shoe: Hoka One Clifton 8 Nordstrom Buy on Zappos What We Like: These colorful sneakers offer extra support and stability for people with knee or hip pain. It’s Worth Noting: These shoes tend to run large, so you may want to size down. The Clifton 8 is great for runners because it’s comfortable and lightweight: The upper shoe is made with engineered mesh for breathability and movement, while the midsole is lighter, giving you a more energetic push off the ground with each stride. The flexible outsole on these shoes allows for better traction when running in the rain or mud. The amount of support they offer makes these shoes an excellent choice for people with plantar fasciitis. Price at time of publication: $140 Product Details: Material: Mesh, foam, rubberAvailable sizes: 5-12Available widths: B, D Best Sneakers: Rykä Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe Amazon Buy on Ryka.com What We Like: The supportive soles provide both cushioning and stability. It’s Worth Noting: These shoes can take some time to break in. This is a shoe that customers buy in multiple colors and keep going back to year after year. The shoe has a wide toe box that provides comfort to people with foot issues, such as bunions or corns. They have exceptional cushioning and support for those who get a lot of steps throughout the day or walk for exercise. Ryka shoes have plenty of cushioning to help absorb shock and protect your feet from impact. “If you suffer from foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or hammertoes, it's important to find a pair of wide-width shoes that offer ample support and cushioning,” Daniel Pledger, podiatrist and founder of ePodiatrists.com, told Health. Price at time of publication: $100 Product Details: Material: Mesh, rubberAvailable sizes: 6-11Available widths: B, D Best Sandal: Clarks Mira Isle Clarks Buy on Clarksusa.com What We Like: They’re machine-washable, which extends the life of the shoe. It’s Worth Noting: They may squeak a bit when you walk. These lightweight sandals are perfect if you need some support while walking around your house or are looking for a slip-on that goes with everything. Because of the Mira Isle’s cushioned footbed, these shoes are a solid option for anyone with high arches or for people who have plantar fasciitis and need a comfortable sandal. They’re from Clarks’ Cloudsteppers line, which is particularly well-known for a soft, springy feel and supportive soles that absorb impact. These sandals could go from post-workout recovery to the beach, then on to dinner. Price at time of publication: $65 Product Details: Material: Textile, rubberAvailable sizes: 5-12Available widths: B, D Best for Bunions: Kuru Quantum Wide Kuru Buy on Kurufootwear.com What We Like: These shoes are a great option for a variety of foot conditions. It’s Worth Noting: They take a few weeks to break in and for the insoles to mold to your feet. Whatever your foot problem, it’s likely to feel better when wearing this Kuru shoe. It’s known for its roomy toe box which is good for people with bunions, hammertoes, and ball of foot issues like Morton’s neuroma (a painful condition that involves the thickening of the tissue around the nerves leading to the toes). They also get high marks from us for their focus on stability and support and for helping to alleviate foot pain–particularly in people who suffer from plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, and heel pain. Price at time of publication: $160 Product Details: Material: synthetic, rubber Available sizes: 5-12Available widths: B, D Best Wedges: Clarks Annadel Eirwyn Wedge Sandal Zappos Buy on Zappos What We Like: These 3-inch heels are comfortable enough to wear all day. It’s Worth Noting: They may run small. These wedges are a favorite because they’re stylish and comfortable. The front cross-band has a little stretch and offers a peep-toe style. The slingback material features an adjustable hook-and-loop closure for a customized fit. These are made with Clarks’ signature footbed for support, moisture management, and breathability–meaning your shoes smell fresher. Customers with foot pain loved that they could wear a heel all day and feel good. Price at time of publication: $90 Product Details: Material: Nubuck, rubberAvailable sizes: 6-12Available widths: B, D Best Ballet Flats: Vionic Carroll Vionic Buy on Vionicshoes.com What We Like: These are comfortable, stylish flats for women who work in professional settings. It’s Worth Noting: When you need a professional-looking shoe that works as hard as you do, these wide-width shoes from Vionic do the job. They are designed to hug your arches and help support alignment so you won’t experience foot or back pain. They received the APMA Seal of Acceptance which recognizes products that are beneficial to foot health. The top of the shoe comes up high enough that it doesn’t show any toe cleavage if that’s your preference. The ballet flat is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns—a boon to people who want some variety and fun in their footwear. Price at time of publication: $120 Product Details: Material: LeatherAvailable sizes: 5-12Available widths: B, D The 12 Best Comfortable Flats of 2023 Best Mules: Sam Edelman Linnie Bit Mule Amazon Buy on Amazon What We Like: These mules are stylish, comfortable and built to last. It’s Worth Noting: They don’t have much traction. This stylish mule looks great with everything and is a very comfortable, professional-looking shoe. We like the mules for wide feet if you’re looking for a casual shoe that dresses up your look. The padded insole will make it feel like you’re walking on slippers while on the go. Our only gripe? We wish they had more color options in wide widths. Price at time of publication: $140 Product Details: Material: Leather, hardware, syntheticAvailable sizes: 6-10Available widths: B, D Best Boots: Lifestride X-Trovert Wide Calf Riding Boot Lifestride Buy on Lifestride.com What We Like: This boot accommodates wide calves in addition to wide feet. It’s Worth Noting: Measure your calf before buying because it might run a little too big or small for you. These water-resistant boots get high marks for being comfortable right out of the box, with a minimal break-in period. They have a 1¼-inch heel and a fourteen-inch calf circumference. If you’re looking for a nice leather boot that accommodates curvier or more athletic calves, this boot won’t disappoint. You’ll also get all-day support and cushioning—great for when you’ll be standing on your feet most of the day. They work well from day to night and for staying comfortable and stylish during travel. Price at time of publication: $100 Product Details: Material: faux leatherAvailable sizes: 6-11Available widths: B, D How We Selected We spoke to podiatrists and foot wear experts about what to look for when selecting wide-width shoes. We made product selections based on arch support, room in the toe box, and the availability of wide and extra-wide options. What to Know About Wide-Width Shoes It’s easier to find casual shoes, such as walking and running shoes, in wide varieties. There just aren’t as many brands that make different width shoes in flats, pumps, and dress heels. This is where the problems lie as people with wide feet try to force their feet into narrower, “fashionable” options. “Wider width shoes should have enough space from the longest toe—typically a thumbnail to the end of the shoe—a comfortable heel, and adequate support,” said Dr. Mendeszoon. No matter what kind of shoe you’re buying, these tips will help you find the best ones. Finding the Proper Fit You might need to wear a wide-width shoe and not even know it. “I think everyone should be fitted properly and measured every time they purchase shoes,” says Dr. Mendeszoon. “As you age, and often after pregnancy, feet can weaken and not only flatten out but get longer and wider. Forcing feet into shoes that are too narrow, pointy, or small will wreak havoc on the feet as time progresses.” Consider going to a shoe store and getting measured using a Brannock device to find your proper size and width (or you can order a device for your home—this is especially useful if you have growing kids in the house). Also check out the shoe company’s sizing guidelines online, or see if they provide a printable sizing guide before purchasing to see what they deem as “wide.” Shoes and widths vary from one manufacturer to another, said Bruce Pinker, DPM, AACFAS, of Progressive Foot Care in White Plains, NY. Check for Support and Stability One way to determine if a shoe has good support and provides stability is something Dr. Mendeszoon calls the “taco test.” Take the shoe, put pressure on the heel and on the forefoot, and bend it. If it folds up like a taco shell, then there’s less support and stability. Trying on Shoes It is important that the wide shoes provide enough room but don’t feel loose. “The shoe should fit like a glove—the heels should not pop out, and the shoe shouldn’t be so wide that there is motion in the toe box,” said Dr. Mendeszoon. These two situations may cause blisters and wounds. “It is important also to realize that as shoes age they can become loose and sloppy, losing their function and comfort. If this is the case it is time to purchase new shoes.” There should be a short break-in period with shoes. Within a couple of days you should feel very comfortable, advised Dr. Mendeszoon. “It is very important that people wear the shoes inside to see how they feel, save the receipt and keep the box. Most places have a 30-day return policy if the shoes are in good condition, you have the box and kept the receipt.” If you’re someone whose feet tend to swell, try on shoes at the end of the day. This way, if the feet swell when you’re wearing them, they will be fitted to the largest possible size, suggested Dr. Pinker. Your Questions, Answered What makes a shoe wide-width? When looking for wide-width shoes, many people are really looking for wide toe box shoes, said Dr. Pledger. “When a shoe is classified as “wide width” this is often referring to the heel of the shoe.” This means you might have to try on some options to find the right one for you. Are wide-width shoes longer? No, wide-width shoes are not longer than normal-width shoes. Keep in mind when shopping for wide-width shoes that the sizes can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. A size 8, wide shoe from one brand might fit perfectly, but not from another brand. Who We Are Diana Kelly Levey is a freelance journalist based in Long Island, NY, and has been covering health topics for over 15 years. She frequently covers women’s health, sleep, nutrition, and fitness topics. She is a regular walker and occasional runner who wears wide-width shoes and is excited that more brands are finally producing cute options for women with wide feet. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Podiatric Medical Association. Seal of Acceptance.