Are wide shoes always the answer, or are wide-toe-box shoes the better solution to happier, stronger feet? Instead of conventional footwear shaping your feet, shouldn't your feet be the ones in control? Finding great fitting shoes starts with the toes and understanding how a great foot-shaped shoe can make them happy. (We understand your frustration when your shoes limit your activities. Our active founder opened his shoe factory to solve this problem.)
Are my feet wide?
When we were young before our feet met their first shoe, we all had wide feet: our toes were the widest part of our feet. Why, then, would most traditional athletic and dress shoes get narrower at the toes?
Babies' feet are widest at the toes.
Eventually, we begin wearing shoes that squeeze our toes into a space that is not wide enough for them. The tapered toe boxes of traditional athletic shoes and conventional office footwear place style over substance, creating manufactured shapes that constrain and alter our feet.
This continued pressure against our toes can turn them more into pointed triangles and less like our natural foot shape. The toes can begin to lose the ability to function as they were meant to—and things like balance, gait, and posture can all be affected.
A wide toe box (left) vs. the traditional toe box (right)
Many people can feel that there is something their feet don’t like with the tapered toes of most shoes. Everyone knows that uncomfortable feeling of being in a shoe that is too tight. When our feet are squished, we adjust even when we can’t pinpoint the problem. Maybe we try a shoe size larger or look for a wide shoe. Women sometimes turn to men’s shoes that are constructed a bit wider for relief.
For many of us, that feeling may tell us that our sizing is wrong, but rather, our toes tell us they are unhappy.Are wide-toe-box shoes really what my feet are craving?
When toe-scrunching shoes are all we know, it can be hard to think that something more comfortable exists. Wide shoes, classified as EE, offer more room throughout the shoe, and, it is the difference between wide-toe-box shoes for women and men. Shoes with a wide-toe-box, however, provide that room at what is usually the widest part of the foot: the toes. After spending so much time in shoes with tapered toes, experiencing footwear that gives toes room to breathe can be fresh air. For many of us, that extra wiggle room is precisely what our feet have wanted without us knowing it.
Hobbits keep their toes free.
Shoes with a Wide-Toe-Box Means is different than wide shoes.
When we designed our footwear, we focused on providing a roomy toe-box. With this natural foot shape, we are able to serve feet of different widths with the same shoe. Wide feet (no more than EE) have found a good fit in the same shoes that accommodate a standard or even a narrow width.
Here is a helpful guide to determine whether you have wide or narrow feet.
By choosing a shoe built around the foot's shape, you get the width where it is most often needed (at the toes) while still fitting the heel and midfoot comfortably. It turns out that's what most feet want!
A Word on Foot Measurements:
Now, feet are notoriously hard to measure. We often look solely at length and width when picking a size. When you use a 2-D sizing system to measure a 3-D object, you are limited in determining a good fit. Everyone’s foot holds its volume differently and sits differently in a shoe. In addition, our feet can change in size over the years—shoes that fit three years ago may no longer work for the same feet.
The best answer is to try a pair of shoes with spacious toe boxes and see how your unique foot fits. This doesn't mean you have to purchase shoes only in person; when buying online, choose a company that allows for exchanges and returns to ensure you can get the right shoe fit.
How do I know if I need wide-toe-box shoes?
In brief, be sure to listen to your toes and trust your feet. They have much to tell us about what is most comfortable for them. We see it daily; when someone tries on a pair of wide-toe-box shoes for the first time, like our SOMs, we often hear: "Wow, those are comfortable!" Right then, they realize these toe shoes make a lot of sense (Well, our founder's story tells more about how he conceived the shoes with common sense.) In other words, toe shoes with wide-toe-boxes are for everyone with toes that need to spread to give balance and stability. This includes standard or "normal" feet, too.
Please check out our blog to learn more about the steps you can take when adjusting from traditional footwear to SOM's wide-toe-box shoes. : New to Barefoot Shoes?
Just read the comment from Nancy, in December, 2019. I have sought podiatrists and years ago I was asked to be part of a feature story for USA Today. I called in to the # posted in the issue of the day and was encouraged to let them record my responses. No denied, because I knew no one would provide and answer to third toe issues other than surgery. I need 2 different sized shoes. 9 and 1/2 on my left foot because of my “monkey” toe. Size 9 on right foot, with a long 2nd toe. I am 70 years old and have lived with irritated toes my entire life and have bought every kind of shoe, insole and orthotics from numerous locations in my lifetime.
My third toe is as long or longer than second toe & big toe, most “wide toe box” shoes, still add a taper assuming third toe is shorter and I must still force my third toe to curl in or rub shoe, even in “wide toe box”. Does anyone else have longer than normal third toe & found good shoe source?
Karen,
We understand your frustrations and concerns. We do as we grow, making new options and sizes always requires quite an investment, so we have a file of wishes we keep. So as we grow we can fulfill those wishes, meet more needs and serve more feet!
Some of us have feet that are both widest across the ends of the toes AND wide in the forefoot. The few manufacturers who make foot-shaped shoes seem to have forgotten that feet come in different widths. Also, not all feet have toes that slant down from the big toe to the pinkies — some are more straight across. I’m waiting for the day when manufacturers recognize the varieties in foot shape and width.
This article brought me to tears. Thank you very much!!!
I have been trying to explain this to people for 50 years to no avail. I often wished I could sue every shoe company that made shoes I wore that has deformed my toes…