Whenever you walk into a shoe store, you will most likely see isles for two types of shoes- wide fit and narrow fit. Thus a common question arises for everyone with normal feet mind can I wear wide-fit shoes with normal feet?
Yes, you can. As wide-fit shoes are usually the same width and length, you can fit in them. The only difference is that wide-fit shoes are deeper and wider for your toes, giving you more space to be comfortable. However, this extra space may cause pain and blister for people with normal feet.
To know in depth about this, continue reading the article.
Can I Wear Wide Fit Shoes With Normal Feet?
A normal foot person can easily fit into a wide-fit shoe due to the extra foot room; you can easily wear it. However, the question does not have a simple answer, as it depends on several factors.
Such as what type of activity you are planning to engage in and what type of wide-fit shoe you are planning to buy. A wide-fit shoe is extremely comfortable to walk in for a normal feet person. But it may not be the best for sportive activities.
This is because using a wide-fit shoe for sportive activity may cause or provoke nerve or muscle pain such as sciatica nerve pain for people with normal feet.
Furthermore, if you are planning on doing outdoor activities such as hiking, being on a slippery surface, or being in a place with a lot of gravel, wide-fit shoes may not be the best option. We recommend wearing a slim-fitted shoe that fits perfectly to carry out these activities. As it ensures better grip and comfort.
However, if you are a pregnant woman or with foot conditions such as calluses or bunions, you can wear wide-fit shoes without any worry. To add to it, diabetic and obese patients are also recommended to wear wide-fit shoes despite being normal feet.
Lastly, it completely depends on you. Choose a shoe that provides proper usability, comfort, protection, support, and grip to your feet. Because the health of your feet is equally important when choosing your shoe rather than your foot size.
Consequences Of Wearing Wide Fit Shoes With Normal Feet
Wearing wide-fit shoes while having normal feet can have some harmful effects in the long run. Here are some notable ones
- Despite being comfy, the extra space in the wide-fit shoe will force you to walk differently. Doing this for a prolonged period of time can cause changes in your natural stride.
- It may cause Metatarsalagia. It is a condition where the ball of your feet inflames and aches. It causes severe pain every time you walk.
- May cause other painful foot conditions such as Arch pain, Achilles tendonitis, or neuromas.
- Due to the extra space on wide shoes, your feet may glide every time you walk or run. It may cause imbalance and result in serious injuries.
- If you are a narrow or normal-feet athlete, do not do sports wearing wide feet shoes as they will reduce your athletic performance.
How To Know If I Have Wide Feet Or Narrow Feet?
To answer this, first, ask yourself these questions. “Do you have wide feet since birth?” “Or did they widen over time?” Depending on this, you will know whether you have wide feet or narrow feet.
To give you a more accurate answer, let us dive deeper into wide feet and narrow feet.
How Do I Know If I Have Wide Feet?
- Several measurement devices allow you to figure out if you have wide feet or not. If you don’t, follow these steps.
- Get a pair of socks of your size and wear them.
- Then get a piece of paper that is bigger than your feet or tape two A4 size pieces of paper together.
- Now step on the paper and ask someone to trace it on the paper or do it yourself.
- Note the measurements and compare them with your region’s standard feet measurement chart. Match your size, and you can determine if you are wide feet or narrow.
Usually, having measurements such as 3.56 inches width and size 5 or 6 is considered wide feet.
Why Do I Have Wide Feet?
There are several reasons why you may have wide feet. Such as
- Genetics- A lot of people are born with wide feet because of their parents having them or their grandparents.
- Deformities- You may end up getting wide feet due to several foot deformities such as hammertoes, bunions, or calluses.
- Aging- More often than not, the ligaments and tendons of your feet may loosen with age. It results in your feet growing wider even if you were born with narrow feet.
- Pregnancy- Most pregnant women find their feet growing wider during their pregnancy period or post-pregnancy. It is due to hormones relaxing, causing the joints and ligaments, notably, the 2nd and 3rd, leading to the feet getting wider.
- Using Improper footwear- Since childhood, it is required to wear shoes that are a perfect fit for you. Not doing so and wearing shoes wider or bigger size than yours may have caused your feet to widen over age.
- Medical Reasons- Several medical reasons, such as Edema or Diabetes, may cause feet to swell and get wider.
How Do I Know If I Have Narrow Feet?
As mentioned above, repeat the same steps by wearing a pair of socks, noting down your size, and comparing it with an online measurement chart. You can figure out whether you have narrow feet or not.
On average, the measurements of a narrow feet person are 3.56 inches with and size 8.
Ways To Wear Wide fit Shoe While Being Narrow Feet
We suggest wearing narrow-fit shoes if you have narrow; however, if you are in love with a shoe that is only available in the wide-fit size or you need to wear a wide-fit shoe for some reason, then there are some ways to do so.
Here are some tips that may help you wear a wide-fit shoe if you are a narrow fit.
- Tie the shoe strings as tightly as possible. If the shoe has two eyelets, tie them through the one furthest from the tongue. It will result in both sides being tightly fit.
- Another way to wear wide-fit shoes with narrow feet is by purchasing cushioned shoe inserts. Remember to buy inserts with good arch support, grip, and shock support that perfectly match your size. Doing this will fill in the excess space in the wide feet shoe and help avoid any pain caused because of having excess space.
- Buy insoles that stabilize your feet and reduce slipping and sliding. It allows your feet to have a good grip and avoid slips when walking.
How To Make Wide Feet Narrow
Many shoes don’t come in wide fit sizes, so most people often want to make their feet narrower and question whether it is possible.
Well, to answer your question, there is not a specific way to make wide feet narrow. But wearing tight, narrow, fit shoes for an extended period may make your feet look slimmer. However, this may cause excruciating pain and soreness.
Another way to narrow your wide feet is by losing weight or reducing the swelling of your feet through medication. It is possible because often, your feet may widen due to hormonal issues, which you can solve through proper medicine.
Furthermore, if you just want a way to make it look narrow for a short period, then you can try wearing dark-colored shoes. We recommend wearing black shoes as those make your feet look smaller and narrower than it is.
How To Know If You Need Wide Fit Shoe
Over the years, your body will continue to grow. The same goes for your feet; they may get wider over time. It is important to know when to get yourself a wider pair of shoes.
Here are some signs you will notice when you start outgrowing your shoe.
Pain And Swelling
This is a very common occurrence when you start outgrowing your shoe and need a wider pair. You will start to notice blisters on your feet. And the sides may start to swell as well.
Bunions
It occurs when your feet get wider, but you continue wearing small shoes. It results in your which results in your big toe swelling. You should treat this immediately, or else it may require medical attention.
Calluses
Constantly wearing shoes that are too tight on your feet may lead to corn and calluses. Corns are stiff skin patches produced due to frequent squeeze between bone and your shoes.
Too much friction also leads to really painful calluses.
Buckle Of Toe And Legs
This is probably the worst thing caused by wearing shoes that are too tight for you. It is a condition that may cause permanent deformation of the feet and causes extreme pain in your joints.
Top 5 Wide Fit Shoes We Recommend
If you have narrow feet and seeking a wider-feet shoe, here are 5 worth your attention.
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FAQ’s:
- Is it OK to wear wide shoes?
If you are a wide-footed person, then for sure it is. However, if you have narrow feet and continue wearing wide shoes, you may experience painful foot conditions such as ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, and more.
- Should you size down in wide-fit shoes?
For people with normal or narrow feet, you should go for ½ a size small than your size when purchasing a wide-fit shoe. If you have a wide fit yet your shoe size seems bigger now, try sizing it down a bit. Your feet may get narrower over time due to hormonal changes.
- Is there a big difference between wide and regular shoes?
Yes, there is a difference but not too big. Standard shoes are made to fit perfectly on anyone with a narrow foot. In contrast, wide-fit shoes are made with more space on the sides and toe area to provide a more comforting experience for people with larger or wider feet.
- Can medium feet wear wide shoes?
You can because the difference between a medium-width shoe and a wide-fit shoe of the same size is about 1/8 of an inch. It is not too significant and won’t feel too different when wearing it.
Verdict
Can I wear wide fit shoes with normal feet is a question asked by many. The concluding answer to this question is you can wear wide-fit shoes with normal or narrow feet for a short time.
Wearing it for too long can cause foot pain and deformities, as mentioned above. However, if you need to wear it for an extended period, try purchasing insoles that fill in a wide-fit shoe’s extra space.
