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W Is For Wide

It's the same sad story played across shoes stores every day. A woman walks in and finds the perfect shoe. It has the look she wants, the color she wants; it matches the outfit she was going to wear to her cousin's wedding and its part of a two for one special.

She scans the boxes hopefully then calls for a clerk only to hear him say the dreaded words, "No, Ma'am. That shoe doesn't come in wide." Sometimes it feels like a conspiracy against women with wide feet. Why don't they make more wide shoes? One reason is that some shoe styles simply aren't good for wide feet. Depending on the reason your feet require a W shoe, there are good types available.

Depth for Width

One of the best shoes for women with wide feet is Oxfords. The shoes are built with strong heels and added depth which makes more room for the toes and doesn't pinch the feet from the sides. Oxford come in many colors and varieties these days and doesn't just belong on stodgy middle aged women. Rockport offers a woman's sports oxford that laces up and comes with DMX cushioning in the toe and heel of the shoe for better comfort and supports the ball of the foot evenly as well.

Even sports giant Teva makes an oxford that looks good and provides comfort with a deep sole and outstanding support. Many shoes made specifically for wide feet exist as well. Just look up the brand online and see if they make W size enhanced shoes.

Get Something With A Little Give

Sometimes women need wider shoes not because of the width of their actual foot but because of toe conditions such as arthritis or bunions. Bunions are knots at the base of the big toe that stick out causing the toe to angle toward the other toes.

They can be painful when wearing any shoe that presses against them. Ironically, while some people have bunions that run in the family, most bunions are caused by women wearing shoes that are too small. For bunions the best shoe has a stretch material on the top that can expand in the area where the bunion is and not put so much pressure on it. A stretch-top canvas shoe is a good shoe for people with bunions.

Give A Little More

It can also be the case that women not born with wide feet develop a medical or health problem such as diabetes, hypertension or vascular problems. Because the feet change every day in regard to swelling, which is why you should always shop for shoes in the afternoon when feet are generally more swollen, the best shoes for swollen feet are adjustable. Shoes with longer laces or Velcro straps are generally better because they can be readjusted through the day lessoning the pressure or strain on the feet.

There is no cure for wide feet or the frustration as you watch the right pair of shoes run out the window, but with the right fit you'll be walking in stride in no time.