shoes for wide feet? getting desperate

[ammag]

(wasnt sure where to put this post) ok kids, we leave on the 19th of October and Ive been searching for shoes for months..am freaking out! I have some decent clarks sneakers but reeeally dont want to wear black sneakers and socks with capris/in the heat etc. any ideas? all NY stores Ive tried are out or do nto carry wides. NOBODY EVER DOES (whats wiht that? my kids are both wide too and we have such a hard time) Id prefer some type of sandal, and if it can be less $ the better, though I know thats a tall order. I have a pair of W hush puppies but they are iffy to wear all day. I literally own nothing else right now unless I want to wear heels lol.

I really hope someone has a suggestion...or mama will be in major foot pain

 

[LuLuO]

Have you tried Zappos.com? They have free shipping (usually really fast) and free return shipping too. They credit pretty quick too on returns. I'd order five or six styles and then pick one and send the rest back.

 

[siestakey]

I have wide feet also, and I have found mens athletic shoes work great. Many of them look unisex, since athletic shoes all look the same. Try some on at a big box store, you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[carrie1626]

Bite the bullet and order something online.
The weather is still going to be warm.
Maybe sandals will be on clearance.

I have wide feet too, but sandals are my go-to until the cold weather sets in.
I wear Croc, Born, Lands End and Naturalizer sandals and flipflops.

Good Luck!

 

[GoofyKidd]

Have you tried Brooks? I have wide feet and had a broken foot 2 years ago but still have lingering pain. This spring a salesperson suggested I try Brooks-I had never heard of this brand. He told me it's an old brand and is considered to be the top of the line running shoe. I do not run, but walk a lot. When I put them on my feet it was like the heavens opened & the angels sang. Never has a shoe been so comfortable on my foot. It is not a wide width shoe. If you've bever tried them, consider it. I will warn you, they are pricey but worth every penny! Good luck & have fun!

 

[debdebdebby13]

I have crazy wide feet too. I have found that for athletic shoes the best place is New Balance because they carry wide and extra wide and extra extra wide. They aren't cute, but they are very functional. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny though. Also Skecher's occasionally has some cute wide width shoes, but it's hit or miss. Sometimes they are cute, sometimes they aren't. Naturalizer also has some cute shoes for a very decent price (IMO, compared to New Balance).

I share your frustration, it is SOOOO hard to find cute, functional shoes when you have wide feet. It STINKS!!

 

[JeanfromBNA]

My feet swell, and I always order wide shoes from Zappos.com. Their shipping is superfast, free returns, and the choices at all price points are phenomenal.

I like Crocs sandals. Wear them all of the time for casual shoes.

 

[wdw lifer]

Have you tried a New Balance store? They typically carry all different widths up to 4E. They also have a sole insert analyzer but those are a $40 adder.
If they have to order them its only a few days. The ones I have been to the staff has been very accommodating.

 

[MissPrice]

I adore Crocs, yes they are not very attractive...but your feet will thank you. -Amanda

 

[ajh88]

I also have short, wide foot (I usually wear a size 6). Sometimes I shop in the boys section as they run wider, but I don't think it is suitable for a 30-something to wear velcro on their shoes.

I purchased the greatest shoes EVER a couple of weeks ago - K-Swiss Tubes. Specifically I think they are the Tubes Run 100. I swear it is as though they are made of Spandex or something. Seriously fantastic. I got them at Famous Footwear and they were around $50. I'm sure you could find them online somewhere....let me look...

HERE is a link. I have the bright orange ones. I don't know if all the different colors are made of the same material or not. I bought them in a 6.5, so a half size larger than I would normally buy. I like them so much I think I'm going to order a couple more pair. I will add the caveat that I do have custom orthotics - I stand on my feet for 9+ hours a day and so far, these shoes have passed that test with flying colors!

ETA: FWIW, I always heard such great things about New Balance, but I do not find them significantly more comfortable than any other sneaker. They are OK, but for the money, I think you could do better, IMHO.

 

[DisneyWitch]

Let me add another vote for New Balance. I have Plantar Faciitis (or however it's spelled - it hurts!)...and I now have orthotics. I also have wide feet due to the fact that my arches left the building about 30 years ago and haven't been seen from since. And there is nothing worse than having sore feet - it makes everything else crummy!!

I've tried tons of shoes, only to hurt in the end. Sandals are fine, but few have sturdy enough arch supports and none will work with my orthotics. Plus, they're made for those skinny feets, and I don't like it when my pinky toe hangs off the side.

Hardly anything out there is made for those of us with wide feet - and I felt that I just had to get used to my tootsies getting smushed. My old sneakers (from Payless) would wear out in less than a year of moderate use and look all broken down after a month or so. My doctor set me right. He recommended New Balance and I went down to my local store and tried some on.

I immediately bought New Balance shoes - different styles have different "toe boxes", which is a fancy way of saying "room for the front of your foot". I won't lie, they're not cheap, but they will last you a really long time. Their shoes go from about 70-200 bucks. Depending on what you need, you can probably get away with the lower priced ones. They also have kids shoes too. They have plenty of shoes that are very wide.

I also like Birkenstock sandals, but I don't know how good they are to walk in all day.

I wish you luck and success in your search. Please know you're not the only one out there!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I wear a 10W and never buy shoes in stores. I buy all my shoes online. If you see something you like in a store, look it up online and see if it comes in a wide width. Many of the online shoe stores have free shipping and free returns. And even if I have to pay to return them and get another size that fits, I'm happy.

You can even try Amazon.

 

[loveshak22]

I have wide feet and agree with going with men's shoes, which are the same as women's wide OR go to zappos.com and look at Brooks and Merrells. They both have cross-trainers which are light but still offer tons of support and are great for walking.

Zappos.com offers free shipping for delivery and returns. Their customer service is fabulous and you usually get your purchase in like 3 days (super quick).

I just bought these shoes but haven't gotten them yet: http://www.zappos.com/merrell-siren-sport-elephant-pink.

Also, look for a specialty walking/running store. While they typically are $10 - $15 more expensive a pair of shoes they are usually extremely helpful. They'll look at the way you walk and the wear patterns on your shoes to offer you the right shoe for your feet.

 

[PamelaKay]

I would highly recommend Easy Spirit Online. www.easyspirit.com

They have wide and extra wide shoes of all kinds.

 

[ciera321]

I love my Keen sandals. They're waterproof, which is perfect for those Florida showers, they last forever and they're very comfy! For a wide foot the Keen Venice H2 is a great choice. You can adjust them and they're made wider than all my other shoes. I always order mine on line, and at this time of year, you can get some good prices!

 

[Hoosier37]

I also have very wide feet, and so do DS and DD. We typically not only have to wear wide width, we also have to get wide-width shoes that are a size or two too long to accommodate our widths.

I have had good luck with New Balance and Skechers. Crocs fit but make my feet hurt. I measure at about a 7.5 or 8 in women's, and usually buy about a 9 Wide - but I have also found that I can usually wear a men's size 8, sometimes regular width if they are cut large enough. If I find shoes that don't look too masculine I sometimes buy those.

The most comfortable (and hideous) shoes I own are Vibram Five Finger shoes . I haven't worked up the nerve to wear them out much in public though. They are weird-looking.

 

[Hannathy]

My DD has had luck finding wides at Payless.

 

[sharadoc]

I really like shoebuy.com, they carry a lot of WW shoes. My favorites are Grasshoppers, they are very comfortable and have nicely padded insoles. I wear them at WDW without socks and am always comfortable. My other shoes are Crocs, I prefer to wear socks. With wide feet, the Beach or Classic would be best. If they are a little snug in the instep, just heat the area with a hair dryer and it will soften. Then put your foot in and it will stretch! Just don't put them into the dryer and then put them on your feet. They will flatten and stretch too much!

 

[Montegut]

Going through this myself, and we're heading to Disney this weekend. Got a pair of men's Sketchers wide and they are very comfy, tennis shoes. Lucked out and found some clearance Thom McCann sandals at KMart to wear with nicer outfits for ADRs. Wearing shoes all week around house to break them in while I pack!

 

[ogreenlee]

I have wide feet, too. I bought Merrell sandals and walked all over Europe. Got them at DSW. I also buy men's flip-flops. Croc flip-flops are awesome. I try not to wear the regular ones, but I did the last time I went to Disney, but it was winter, and I wore them with socks. They didn't have the little holes but were solid.