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As much as 72 percent of people don’t wear shoes that are wide enough or long enough for their feet. The same 2018 study, published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, found substantial evidence demonstrating that ill-fitting shoes are associated with foot pain and a number of foot disorders. Do you have wide feet?

Forcing your wide or swollen feet into shoes that are too narrow is more than just uncomfortable – it can interfere with your posture and balance, and over time can cause bunions, corns and even deformities.

Finding shoes that fit wide feet properly can be a challenge, but don’t sweat. We are here to help with The Foot Freedom Almanac’s Guide to Buying Shoes for Wide Feet.

1. Know your width

Knowing the width of your foot is the first step to finding the perfect fit, especially if you’re shopping online. The Brannock Foot-Measuring Device ®, found in most shoe stores, measures foot length as well as width. Your foot can slightly increase in size throughout the day, so measurements taken later in the day will most accurately capture the width of your foot. When
purchasing shoes, always consult the brand’s sizing chart for both length and width, like this one. For people with swelling, width is a surrogate measurement for volume.

2. Buy a high-quality shoe – top to bottom

A high-quality shoe will not only feel more comfortable, but it will provide better support; keep your feet, legs, and hips healthy; flex and expand with your foot, and keep you from falling on slick surfaces. Materials like suede and soft leathers have give and will mold to your foot better than a stiffer material, such as patent leather or synthetics. Removable insoles made from a durable material will provide you with the option to customize the shoe’s fit even further or insert your own orthotic.
Pandere is a brand that offers well-crafted shoes that use high-quality, durable leathers and neoprene. A removable memory foam insole provides arch support and good heel cushion and an anti-slip recycled rubber bottom keeps you on your feet in all weather.

3. Don’t ditch comfort for style (or vice versa!)

Many of us with wide or swollen feet have faced this dilemma more times than we can count: do I buy the cute shoes that will hurt my feet or the ugly, but comfortable, ones? Stylish shoes are not designed for wide feet and can inflict a world of discomfort on the wearer. Wearing shoes that fit improperly can also lead to long-term damage. This compromise should never be an option. Instead, look for shoes that fit your style but also accommodate your foot needs.

Few options on the market provide both style and comfort for wide feet. Two styles of wide to extra-wide, expandable women’s footwear are – the Saturday and the Rodeo.

4. Look for features that accommodate your unique feet

Whether you have bunions, two differently-sized feet, wear braces or an orthotic, you need a shoe that can cater to your individual needs. Most off-the-rack shoes provide little to no customization (like a removable insole or an expandable feature) and are too narrow or stiff to accommodate unique foot needs.

It’s important to find a shoe that works for your foot. Look past the product descriptions and pay attention to the details: what kind of material do they use and how does that accommodate your particular need? For instance, if you have bunions, you’ll want a shoe with flexible fabric in the right area, like the bunion-friendly Rodeo.

All of Pandere’s styles incorporate these features and can expand up to three width sizes in one shoe. So whether you are a B width or an EEE width, Pandere can accommodate your feet. For extra wide feet, try the Saturday shoe which is built on a wider last and expands up to an EEE width for women and an EE width for men.