Do I Need Wide Fitting Shoes?

There are many people in the UK who need wide shoes but don't realise it.
Many people may think they need wide shoes, but don’t like to admit it.
Some simply don’t know that wide-fitting shoes even exist!

Wide-fitting shoes aren’t necessarily something that you find on the high street, we rarely have our feet measured once we enter adulthood, and what styles are available might not be quite to everyone’s taste.

So, we're on a mission to raise awareness of wide feet and get people to measure their feet, safe in the knowledge that there is a whole new world of comfort out there, without having to compromise on style.

Firstly, we’d like to say there’s nothing wrong with having wide feet! It is entirely normal and, in fact, as a nation, we're growing and our feet are growing with us.

More and more people are discovering that they need wide shoes - wide feet are something that people of all ages have - and that there are a lot more styles available, from the purely functional to high-end fashion, and everything in between.

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Wide feet are feet that have a broader shape than average, especially across the toes and the ball of the foot. This means they often need more space inside a shoe to feel comfortable and avoid pressure or rubbing. Many people have naturally wider feet, or feet that change shape over time due to life events or health.

Causes of Wide Feet
Wide feet can be part of who you are, or something that develops gradually. Some common reasons include:
- Genetics: Some people are simply born with a naturally wider foot structure.
- Age: As we age, our feet may flatten or spread, particularly around the forefoot.
- Pregnancy: Hormonal shifts, weight changes, and swelling can widen the feet temporarily or permanently.
- Health conditions: Conditions such as bunions, diabetes, arthritis, or lymphedema can change foot shape and increase the need for more accommodating footwear.

Whatever the cause, it’s important to remember that wide feet are perfectly normal, and there are solutions to help you feel more comfortable and confident.

Signs you have wide feet
Some of the signs that you have wide feet could be:
- You have to squash your feet into your shoes.
- You find that your shoes become too tight as the day progresses or when it’s warm.
- Your feet hurt after wearing shoes (or while wearing them).
- You have recently gone up a shoe size to get the extra width or depth that you need for your feet.
- You have swollen feet or ankles, or your feet swell throughout the day.
- You have bunions, hammer toes, arthritic feet or joints, flat feet or foot issues caused by complications of diabetes.
- Your shoes aren’t comfortable.

Measuring your feet
Although the signs above can be telling, the only way to really know whether you have wide feet is to have your feet measured.

You can either do this with a foot health professional, such as a podiatrist, at a shoe shop where they have expert staff who can measure your feet, or in the comfort of your own home with a fabric tape measure and our Fit Finder.

Wider fit shoes can be confusing, especially with all the different sizing systems out there, so here’s a simple guide to help you understand what it all means and how our fittings compare.

Wider fit codes like 6E, 6V, or 8E refer to both the width and depth of the shoe.

The letter E, within the shoe industry, indicates wider shoes; the more Es or the higher the number (EE or 2E, EEEEEE or 6E), the greater the width and depth. Please note that some companies may have their own shoe sizing.

In the UK, wide-fit shoes are available in increasing levels of width. Common labels include:
- E or 2E: Wide
- 4E or 6E: Extra wide
- 8E: Ultra wide

Each step up offers more room and better accommodates unique foot shapes or conditions.

Our specialist approach uses a slightly different sizing system designed to offer the best possible range for those with wider fit requirements.

Understanding Wide Fit Shoe Sizes (And How Ours Work)
At DB Wider Fit Shoes, we use a flexible fitting system to help you find the right level of width and depth, because every foot is different.

We offer three main variable-width fittings:
● V fitting: variable fit for E to EEE widths
● 2V fitting: variable fit for EE to 4E widths
● 6V fitting: variable fit for 6E to 8E widths

If you’re used to seeing sizes like 4E, 6E, or 8E on the high street or other websites, you’ll find that our 2V and 6V fittings offer the same level of width, and in many cases, even more depth and flexibility.

Our 6V fit is one of the widest and deepest options available, ready-to-wear, without needing custom-made shoes.

Check out our Fittings Advice page for further information about our variable widths and the other great features that our shoes come with.

The benefits of wide-fitting shoes are vast.

Pain-free walking.
Firstly, if you have painful feet whilst or after wearing shoes, you could discover a world of pain-free footwear! Correctly fitting shoes won’t pinch, squeeze or rub, meaning that you can enjoy walking in shoes again.

I am so pleased with them as it has been years since I have been able to wear pretty shoes again. Even gone back down to a size four again. Had almost given up ever being able to wear shoes without pain again. Well worth the extra money. Will certainly be buying another pair in the future.
Yvonne



Stay active
Simply having enough room for your feet can really be a life-changing, enabling you to stay active and keep fit, where you may otherwise stop or slow down because your feet hurt too much.

We hear this a lot from our customers, who have been afraid to leave their homes through fear of the impact on their feet, until they discover the comfort and joy of our wide and deep footwear.

I have only been a customer of yours for a few months but finding your shoes has changed my life in that I have been able to say goodbye to painful continually sore feet.
Mrs C



Accommodate medical conditions
Shoes designed especially for your foot shape or need, if you have certain foot health issues, such as bunions, hammer toes, arthritic feet or joints, will further reduce rubbing or pinching by offering room in the right places and use of the correct materials to ensure a comfortable wear.

Learn more about wide-fitting shoes for medical conditions

Highly recommend this company. The only shoes I can wear for my arthritis in my feet.
Sharon

Prevent falls and improve support and stability
Correctly fitting shoes can also help to prevent falls and improve safety.

As many people buy a shoe size bigger (longer) than they need in order to get the width they require, the extra length of the shoes can be a dangerous trip hazard, leading to falls that can have a devastating impact on the lives of the person falling and their families. How do wide-fitting shoes help prevent falls?

Additionally, shoes that aren’t designed especially for wide feet will likely not be built to offer support and stability in the correct places, meaning that you may be more likely to turn or twist an ankle, or experience other accidents.



Wide-fitting shoes may last longer.
Again, because shoes designed for wide-feet have the right materials in the right place, with the correct support and stability, you may discover that they last much longer than regular fitting shoes. Not only will there be less pressure on the materials and stitching as your foot squeezes and squashes into the shoe, but there will also be improved shoe function for your foot.

We use a variety of quality materials designed especially for wide, deep and problem feet such as beautifully soft leathers from outstanding tanneries for breathability and a little “give” to allow feet to expand, or stretch materials that mould to the shape of your foot to reduce rubbing or pressure on sore areas, recycled cottons and textiles for summer wear and more.

Because they’re better materials, they last longer!

I've been wearing Wider Fit Shoes for years now. I have lymphedema and your shoes are consistently comfortable, long-lasting and a perfect fit.
Ms C

Pure comfort
Last, but far from least, the perfect fit for your feet will transport you to another world of comfort!

There is no substitute for the perfect fit, but so many people may never experience it because they don’t realise that it exists. We’re so used to "making do", believing that "shoes just hurt and that’s the way it is." But it really isn’t. Find your perfect fit and you will never go back to high street shoes again.

Just had to say how delighted I am with my Jay boots. I've had them on for 12 hours today and only just realised I was still wearing them - normally the first thing I do when I get home is take my shoes off. The level of comfort is an absolute joy...and the fact they are stylish and look totally mainstream is brilliant - no-one except I would ever know they were 4E. Beautifully made, stylish, COMFORTABLE footwear...I will be back!!
Mrs S

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