Shoe sizing often focuses on foot length, neglecting foot width, which is equally important for comfort and foot health. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to discomfort, blisters, and long-term foot issues. The term “wide feet” describes a foot whose width is larger than the statistical average for its given length. This measurement is not a medical diagnosis but a relative classification used by the footwear industry to ensure a proper fit.
Defining Wide Feet
A foot is classified as wide when its width measurement significantly exceeds the average width for that foot length, based on broad population data. This classification focuses on the width of the forefoot, which is the widest part of the foot, typically measured across the ball joint area behind the toes. Width is a proportionality measure, meaning a foot is considered wide because its width is disproportionately large compared to its length.
The footwear industry establishes a standard or “medium” width based on the most common measurements found in the population. For women, this statistical average is typically designated as a B width, while for men, the average is a D width. Any measurement that deviates significantly toward the larger end of the spectrum is categorized as wide, extra wide, or beyond. These designations help manufacturers design shoes that accommodate the spectrum of human foot shapes.
Standard Measurement and Sizing Systems
Accurately determining foot width requires simultaneous measurement of both length and width, which is most often performed using a Brannock Device. This standardized measuring tool, commonly found in shoe stores, measures the foot while standing and bearing weight, as the foot expands under pressure. It takes three measurements: heel-to-toe length, arch length (heel-to-ball), and the width at the ball of the foot.
The width measurement is read on the device at the widest part of the foot, which then aligns with a letter designation based on the shoe size determined by the longer of the two length measurements (heel-to-toe or arch length). The letter system translates a physical measurement into a usable shoe size designation. For men, the medium width is D, while for women, the standard width is B.
The width designations progress in alphabetical order, with each step representing a specific increase in girth, typically a difference of about 3/16 to 1/4 inch across the ball of the foot. The scale differs between genders:
- For men, C is narrow, D is medium, E is wide, and 2E (or EE) is extra wide.
- For women, A is narrow, B is medium, C is wide, and D is considered a wide width.
A D width in a women’s shoe is classified as wide, whereas the same D width in a men’s shoe is considered average. This letter system helps ensure the toe box and forefoot of the shoe provide enough volume for the foot’s shape at the metatarsal joints.
Factors Influencing Foot Width
The primary factor determining a person’s foot width is genetics, as inherited bone structure dictates the overall shape and size of the foot. Just as with height or hand size, some individuals are simply born with a broader foot structure. Those with naturally flatter feet may also exhibit a wider profile, as the collapse of the arch increases the foot’s contact area and splay.
Foot width can also increase over a person’s lifetime due to age and body weight. As people age, the tendons and ligaments in the feet can lose elasticity, causing the arch to lower and the foot to lengthen and widen slightly. Increased body weight also places greater pressure on the feet, leading to a flattening and spreading of the foot structure, which results in a wider foot.
Furthermore, certain medical and temporary conditions can cause the foot to widen or appear wider. Structural deformities like bunions, which are bony protrusions at the base of the big toe, or hammertoes can increase the overall width required for comfortable footwear. Conditions that cause swelling, such as edema or pregnancy, can also temporarily or permanently widen the feet due to fluid retention and the loosening effects of hormones like relaxin.