All shoe stories begin with Cinderella. So our post of today does. A story about wide feet and how to choose the right shoes for your not quite "table" feet.

Apparently, Cinderella had too narrow feet (in our sizes we would mark her with the letter E). The other ladies not preferred by the prince would obviously fit into a standard European width G or an extended size H. Cinderella's sisters would probably suffer from bruises, leg cramps or, in extreme cases, bunions due to the wrong choice of shoes. Shoes that are too narrow increase the possibility of sweating and the risk of bacterial infection. On the other hand, if your shoes are too wide, they will not secure your foot properly, this will cause friction when you walk and can lead to injuries and blisters. So where is the right way? The grip of the toes in the shoe must be correct if you want to avoid the ailments mentioned above.

Same shoe size, different foot shape

Two people with the same size of shoes never have identical feet. What fits one wearer may not fit the other. How the shoe fits you is affected by the shape of your feet. This is especially influenced by the width of the foot in the front, in the area of the toes (the widest place), the circumference of the instep and of course also the width of the heel.

Wide feet require a wide hoof, while those with a high arch need a flexible closure for a comfortable fit.

How to correctly measure the width of the foot?

Proceed as following:

1. Wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your bare foot.

2. Place your foot on the ground as if you were standing normally.

3. Mark the width of your foot in millimeters on the tape.

4. Use this measurement to determine the shoe width you need.

Don't forget that a wider leg doesn't mean you have to buy a size with a longer length for comfort. In this case, the width would fit you, but the shoe would be loose and uncomfortable. Focus on choosing shoes with a standard insole length but an extended foot in one of the mentioned critical areas. In particular, the fingers must have enough space in the front. Otherwise, it will take its revenge on the already mentioned numbness in your legs, pain, ingrown nails, and corns. With these problems, choosing high-quality wide shoes will be a relief and a feeling of comfort.

Unfortunately, there is no universal width measurement chart that would allow you to determine what width you need from any shoe brand. There are brands that have their special hooves, thanks to which even customers with non-standard sizes can comfortably put on shoes. You just have to try and try. In the Robelshoes offer, we recommend you to focus on the collections of the brands Gabor, Ara, Robel and Josef Seibel, which use wider versions of their shoes. In many models, a replaceable insole is available to compensate for possible differences in the width and height of the instep.

You can tell that you have chosen the right shoe width by checking that the widest part of the foot (around the ball of the foot) fits well in the shoe without having to squeeze it. If the shoe is too wide, the foot will move forward and the heel will lift out of the shoe.

If the shoe is not wide enough, the shoes will stretch quickly and can be damaged in a short time.

Materials that will suit you

If you have special demands on the width of the shoe, of course, shoes made of adaptable materials such as natural leather and suede will serve you best. They have a certain amount of elasticity, thanks to which they can copy the foot better than "hard" materials. The foot itself changes during the day, the leg gains volume more in the evening than in the morning, in heat, with humidity.

A wide shoe is simply a wider version of a standard size shoe, with wider than normal features such as a toe box that gives your toes plenty of room. Wide shoes are also deeper from top to bottom, with a generous instep.

Good wide shoes tend to be deeper and wider from front to back, not just in the forefoot, as wide feet are usually taller than standard. This means that if designed with straps or laces, these elements will be longer than usual to accommodate the increased girth. Avoid shoes with narrow straps that press on the foot and cause discomfort. Choose suitable moccasins, espadrilles, ballet flats or slip-on shoes with looser cuts. From a fashion point of view, it must be said that shoes with pointed or square toes will not look good on you. This type of footwear optically widens the foot and makes your legs look unnecessarily massive.

Can I wear wide shoes even if I don't have a foot width problem?

If you are comfortable wearing wide shoes, even if you have standard width feet, then this is not a problem. In fact, wearing wide-width shoes with normal feet can sometimes be more comfortable when you go for long walks.

Whether or not it's a good idea to wear wide shoes with standard feet also depends on the activities you plan to do.

For example, individuals with normal foot widths are not advised to wear wide shoes when participating in sports activities, as this could cause them to fall or cause muscle pain.

In addition, if your shoes are too wide, it is best to avoid walking and running on slippery or uneven surfaces, as the feet may slip inside the shoes, causing loss of balance and falls. Regular fit shoes are a better choice in these cases, simply because they hold your feet better.

Are wide shoes better for flat feet?

If you have flat feet, you can also prosper from wider shoes. Flat-foot wearers should avoid shoes with a narrow forefoot, as flat feet place more pressure on the toe area. Wide shoes can prevent toe cramps.

In any case, the right shoe can be made for every foot. It is important to get advice when choosing shoes. We are aware of this, which is why the saleswomen in our stores are ready to help you to choose perfect shoes. Even when shopping in the e-shop, you can have your goods delivered to the store (Slovakia area) and try out the new model. We bring Perfection to your feet.