walking shoes for wide feet

[Emma S]

Hi folks -

a bit of a query.

I have wide feet, and find all the walking/ all terrain type shoes e.g. salomon, merrell, etc, too narrow. I end up trying on a larger size to get a comfortable width fitting, then they end up not fitting on the heel and slopping up and down, which is no good.

Mens shoes rather than ladies are slightly better, but its still a problem.

I do have boots as well, but find boots too cumbersome for shorter walks and stuff like birdwatching etc.

Does anyone know of any brands or styles that are known for being a wider fit, or does anyone have any suggestions?

Anyone else with the same problem?

[Dan Salter]

I have wide feet and walking "boots" ( not shoes ) are made by Miendl ...which i was told are one of the wider makes? but not sure how much truth there is in that?

[KIDSTYPIKE]

Originally Posted by Emma S

Hi folks -

a bit of a query.

I have wide feet, and find all the walking/ all terrain type shoes e.g. salomon, merrell, etc, too narrow. I end up trying on a larger size to get a comfortable width fitting, then they end up not fitting on the heel and slopping up and down, which is no good.

Mens shoes rather than ladies are slightly better, but its still a problem.

I do have boots as well, but find boots too cumbersome for shorter walks and stuff like birdwatching etc.

Does anyone know of any brands or styles that are known for being a wider fit, or does anyone have any suggestions?

Anyone else with the same problem?

Afraid I can't recommend a particular make Emma. All I would suggest is that you go to a shop that specialises in walking footwear and as the latest technology for measuring your feet.
Dave

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

I have wide feet and walking "boots" ( not shoes ) are made by Miendl ...which i was told are one of the wider makes? but not sure how much truth there is in that?

When I recently bought a new pair of boots, I tried on some Miendl boots as I'd heard a lot of good things about them (especially on this forum). Unfortunately, I found them too narrow for my feet, and so ended up getting some Scarpa Rangers for about the fifth time. So perhaps Scarpa are a brand that Emma and other people with wide feet might want to consider.

Its rightly been said on other threads that comfortable footwear is a very personal thing, you've just go to go and try out boots until you get ones that are right for you, rather than buy something other people recommend. The Miendl's I tried looked like a really good boot and I could see why other people loved them, unfortunately they just weren't right for me.

Also I think I've seen it suggested that sizes vary slightly from one manufacturer to another, which might be worth considering when trying on boots.

In fact, sizes might even vary betwen boots from the same manufacturer. I tried on a different Scarpa boot, and there wasn't enough toe room for me (tried the next size up, and of course it was then too loose around the ankle and heel).

(Edit: Sorry, my comments are about boots, but I'm pretty sure they're equally applicable to shoes)

[goosey]

This is an old post with some interesting and useful comments - but sadly again its about boots, sorry Emma .

Wide Fitting Boots

[RogerTheCat]

I have wide feet and so suffer with the same problem. At the moment I am wearing a pair of Columbia approach shoes which are a good fit. I have found that you have to do some research as to what works best for you and I would like to offer the following pointers.

Do some reaserch on the web. I have visited the manufacturers websites to find out first hand the size ranges that they offer and if they do different widths

Go to a good walking shop that offers a large range. I would avoid the large chains who only stock the most popular sizes and try the smaller independents who seem to offer a better level of service and better choice.

As you want a shoe you could consider running shoes and try a speacialits running shop. A few years ago i used to do a lot of running and never had problems finding running shoes to fit. Go for an off road shoe which will have plenty of deep tread and so less likely to slip in mud. Also as they are designed to be flexible them are very comfortable when crouching down to take pictures

Never underestitmate the importance of good thick walking socks to fill any spaces in the shoe

You can buy replacement food beds for shoes and boots (they look a bit like odour eaters) which will adjust the volume and can improve the fit

Some walking shops did offer a foot measuring service to help you get the right fit. They would measure your feet and give you the readings which you could then use to match you feet with the right sized shoe.

Finally some of the walking magazines will from time to time review walking shoes and boots and include some information about sizes and widths which may be iof help

[Emma S]

Thanks everyone.

It doesn't sound like it's going to be particularly easy, but you've all given me some good pointers.

My best-so-far-but-not-perfect current walking shoes are Meindls!

[The Black Rabbit]

I'm lucky enough to have long feet as well as ridiculously wide.
So I go to an established big footwear chain (don't suppose I'm allowed to mention their name on WAB) and instead of ordering a size 13 or 14, add a size , ie 14 or 15 and get the widest fit I can... normally double H.
This company also sends me catalogues for ladies footwear too. I throw them away, as my girlfriend's feet are normally small, ie size 5.
Can I mention the company's name on WAB?
Doug

[tracey4567]

I found a great online store where you can find comfortable wide shoes - Wide Fit Shoes: Extra Wide Shoes for Wide Feet and comfortable shoes - Widefitshoes.co.uk - Wide Fit Shoes

They have a large selection of shoes onlone and in their shop which is based in Harrow, London. They seem to sell extra wide shoes which I have never seen in any shop or online store.

I purchased a pair of Heidi which are so comfy and wide and fit my wide feet perfectly.

Let me know if you need any more info on this shop or the shoes I purchased.

[Danny21]

I would you to check out

http:// Wide Fit Shoes: Mens & Womens Wide Width Shoes

They have a large selction of wide fitting shoes ranging from E to EEEEEE

Please go to the their measuring page which will help you to find what size width your feet are.