When it comes to buying shoes for narrow feet, finding the perfect fit can be challenging if you don't know what you’re looking for.
What are the best shoes for narrow feet?
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aking sure you know your foot width and length is the first step to finding the right shoes for your narrow feet. Once you’ve got your measurements, you'll have a r eliable reference point for shopping online, giving you a broader range of choice when shopping for the best shoes for narrow feet. If you find a brand that consistently fits your measurements, it becomes so much easier to shop online without needing to tr y everything on in - store first. If you’re not sure how to measure your feet, use the Each x Every Measurement Guide . - T
ry to find brands that fit both the length and width of your feet as it’s not a good idea to compromise one for the other. Getting both of these dimensions right can be tricky but brands like Each x Every that offer multiple width fittings and half sizes should have you covered. If the brand has a sizing chart to help you work out your foot width and length, that’s a bonus as you'll be confident that you’ve bought the right size before trying them on (see Each x Every’s sizing guide on each product page ). When trying on shoes, you don’t want to be able to pinch any excess material from the sides. Make sure your foot is comfortable without feeling like you have space on either side to move around. If your foot is secure, you shouldn't able to pinch the sh oe at the sides.
Being able to secure your feet is key to long - lasting comfort when you have narrow feet. Consider shoes with flexible openings like laces or buckle -ups where you can tighten the shoe as much as you need across the band of your foot to sui t your needs. - S
ummer sandals can be difficult to find the right fit for because a narrow foot can slip through the open front, particularly if the sandal has a higher heel. That doesn’t mean that heeled sandals are completely out of the equation though , simply make sure your choice has larger straps across the front and adjustable straps around the ankle to hold your foot in place. - N
arrow and pointy toe box designs will be more suited to your foot shape. Try an almond shape design if you don’t want to ge t too pointy or want to avoid appearing too lengthy. When looking for closed - toe styles, think about upper materials that won't give too much, as over time, choosing a very forgiving material may lead to the shoe expanding. If you find a shoe that you really like but it’s still too wide, look for designs w hich can accommodate an extra footbed (or consider inserting your own insole) to prevent your foot from slipping forward into the toe box. If you're still finding it hard to get the balance right for your particular foot (a pinched or cramped feeling might be ca used by overfilling the shoe), try a heel grip to stop slipping instead.
NARROW FEET SHOE RECOMMENDATIONS
Although our entire Each x Every range is available in narrow sizing, our Pace trainer has a dual lacing system and a removable footbed for additional width adjustment, our Cosmo stiletto is elegantly slim with a pointy toe or you can try our almond toe Balm for something in-between.
ASK THE EXPERT
Amanda Lau
Podiatrist
Amanda is a Specialist Musculoskeletal and Sports Podiatrist who’s worked with the likes of Nike and the RAF. After treating everyone from professional athletes to busy working mums, she knows first hand how crucial your footwear is for avoiding daily discomfort or even damage to your feet.
How do I know if I have narrow feet?
If you regularly feel like you ‘slip out’ of your shoes, it might be because your feet are narrower than the average foot. Measuring your foot width is the first step to understanding whether you have narrow feet. Your foot width is measured across the band of your foot (the widest part), where the metatarsals, the bones that run all the way to your toes, bend (for a complete guide on how to measure your feet, check out ExE’s foot measurement guide). Once you know your measurements you can then look at shoe widths that would be appropriate for you.
A recent study actually found that 63-72% of participants were wearing shoes that didn’t fit properly,
Knowing your measurements is particularly useful when the brand you are buying from can guide you to the right size using that information. There are a few brands, like Each x Every, that help their customers find their correct size and width fittings (see more on the Each x Every width fitting guide) but if the brands you are buying from do not offer that information it’s likely that you’ll need to try them on first (particularly if you’ve not bought from them before).
No matter which method you use of finding the right width of shoes for your feet, its crucial to get well-fitting shoes as you might unwittingly be wearing shoes that are working against your foot rather than with it. And this could lead to a number of problems down the road
What to look out for when trying on narrow fit shoes?
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