Whether it’s genetic and you were born with wide feet or they have widened due to pregnancy, age or something else, you are not alone. Over a quarter of people in the UK say they have wide feet and over half say their feet have widened as they have matured.
It can be annoying when the shoes you want are too narrow, but cramming your feet into ill-fitting shoes is never a good idea and is not an option, no matter how much you like the style. It will only result in painful feet and, potentially, long term damage.
Feet come in all sizes and wearing correctly fitting shoes is essential for people with wider feet, otherwise it can lead to problems such as bunions, calluses, crossover and hammertoes.
What are the causes of wide feet?
We touched on it before, but causes of wide feet include:
● Age: tendons and ligaments in the ageing body may begin to loosen and, as a result, your foot may get longer and wider.
● Existing foot issues: if you suffer from flat feet, bunions, calluses or hammertoes, your foot may become wider.
● Pregnancy: when pregnant, hormones may cause ligaments and joints to loosen, especially during the second and third trimesters.
● Edema: this is a temporary swelling which can cause your feet to widen. Edema can be caused by certain medications, health conditions, injuries or fluid retention.
● And finally, genetics. Some people are simply born with wider feet.
Can having wide feet lead to foot problems?
Having wider feet can lead to pain and discomfort, primarily caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes. If you have wide feet, shoes may feel too tight, which can cause not only pain, but other issues, including:
● Bunions: these are often painful, bony lumps that form on the side of the feet, which may be generic or are caused by ill-fitting, tight shoes. Surgery is the only way to get rid of bunions, but there are things you can do to ease any pain they may cause.
● Corns and calluses: when too much pressure is put on the skin due to tight shoes, a corn may develop. This is a small, tender area of thickened skin. A callus is a rough, thickened area of skin that appears because of repeated irritation or pressure to an area of skin, often on the sole of your foot.
● Crossover toe: this is a condition characterised by a second toe that drifts towards the big toe and eventually may cross over and end up resting on top of it.
● Hammer toe: this is a deformity of the second, third or fourth toes. The toe becomes bent at the middle joint, so that it looks like a hammer. If left untreated, hammer toes can require surgery to fix, so it’s best to get medical advice as soon as you think you may have hammer toes.
What should you do if you have wide feet
● Get your feet professionally measured, either at a podiatrist or in a store. We recommend measuring our feet at the end of the day, when they are at their largest. You’ll also find instructions on how to measure your feet yourself online, but seek professional advice if you want to be certain.
● Ensure you have ample room in your shoes and never wear shoes in which your toes feel bent or cramped. Equally, don’t wear shoes that are too big or wide, as this can also lead to problems. There should be around half an inch/just over a centimetre between your longest toe and the end of your shoe. Again, be aware that your feet may swell during the day, so try on shoes when they are at their largest.
● Pay attention to the shoe box of the shoe, ensuring that there is room for your foot to spread. A pointed or narrow toe is not going to work for the wider foot.
● Invest in shoes from a brand, like Vionic, that offers wider fitting styles.
At Vionic, we’ve increased our range of wider fitting footwear, with styles to suit every wardrobe this autumn/winter. Choose from the below:
Ankle boots for wider feet
You don’t have to compromise style over comfort with Vionic shoes. Vio-Motion support comes with every pair of boots.
Knee-high boots for wider feet
With a subtle wedge for additional support, the stylish Ashland long boot comes in black or chocolate ganache – designed specifically for the wider foot.
Trainers for wider feet
If you have wider feet and are in the market for trainers, Vionic has you covered with styles like Walk Max and Kimmie Court – both of which for the wider foot.
Flat shoes for wide feet
Ballet flats and Mary Janes were two of spring/summer’s most coveted styles, and just because you have wider feet, there’s no reason why you should miss out on the trend.
Heels and wedges for wide feet
A wider foot doesn’t spell a flat ‘no’ to a bit of height. Tiburon and Sereno are proof of that. Choose your styles wisely and make sure you’re comfortable before you buy. Hard, stiff leather and fabrics may rub the wide foot, so it’s worth spending a little more to find a good show that’s going to go the extra mile for you.
You can see the current Vionic of wide fitting shoes here and more styles are arriving every day.
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