Shoe size requires a three-dimensional fit that incorporates length, width, and volume. Many people wear shoes that are technically the correct length but are too narrow for the actual dimensions of their feet. This common mismatch, often unrecognized by the wearer, can lead to immediate discomfort and long-term foot health issues. Understanding whether you need a wider shoe begins with recognizing the signals your body and your footwear are sending.
Identifying Symptoms of Improper Shoe Width
Immediate discomfort is one of the clearest signs that your footwear is constricting your feet. After removing your shoes, you might notice deep red marks or indentations along the sides of your forefoot, particularly near the ball of the foot and the little toe joint. This indicates that the shoe material is squeezing the soft tissues and bones, rather than comfortably encasing them.
Foot cramping is another symptom, often described as an acute tightening sensation that may occur even when standing or walking short distances. The chronic compression of the foot’s structure can also restrict nerve function, leading to frequent numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation, known as paresthesia, in the toes. If the shoe’s upper material is bulging noticeably over the sole edge, the shoe is too narrow for your foot’s girth.
Understanding the Shoe Width Scale
The shoe industry uses a standardized alphabetical system to denote width, providing context for finding the right fit. This system uses letters that represent incremental increases in the shoe’s circumference at the widest point of the forefoot. The width progression typically moves from narrowest to widest in a sequence such as AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, and so on.
The standard width designation differs between men’s and women’s footwear. For men, the medium or standard width is designated by the letter D, while the standard width for women is designated by the letter B. Widths increase with each subsequent letter, meaning an EE width is significantly wider than a D width.
How to Accurately Measure Foot Width
Determining your correct width requires a measurement process that accounts for the natural spread of the foot under weight. You should measure your feet later in the day, as feet naturally swell and are at their largest in the afternoon or evening. It is important to measure both feet, as you should always fit the larger foot.
To measure at home, place a piece of paper on a hard, flat surface and stand on it while wearing the type of socks you would normally wear with the shoes. Ensure your weight is evenly distributed on the foot you are tracing, which causes the foot to spread to its full size. Carefully trace the outline of your foot, holding the pen perpendicular to the paper to accurately capture the shape.
Once the outline is complete, use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the straight-line distance across the widest part of the tracing. This point is typically across the ball of the foot, connecting the joints of the big toe and the little toe. You can then consult a shoe size chart to convert this width measurement into the corresponding alphabetical designation for your foot length. Professional measurement using a Brannock device remains the most precise method, as it simultaneously measures length, arch length, and width.
Foot Health Issues Caused by Improper Width
Consistently wearing shoes that are too narrow can lead to the development of specific medical conditions. One common issue is the formation of bunions, which are bony protrusions that develop at the base of the big toe when the joint is pushed out of alignment by constant pressure. The lack of space can also cause corns and calluses to form, particularly on the sides of the feet or between the toes, as the skin thickens in response to friction and pressure.
Narrow footwear forces the toes into a cramped position, which can lead to structural deformities like hammertoes, where the middle joint of a toe bends downward. The persistent squeezing of the forefoot can compress the nerves that run between the metatarsal bones, resulting in a painful condition called Morton’s neuroma. This involves the thickening of nerve tissue, causing sensations of burning, tingling, or a feeling like walking on a pebble in the ball of the foot.