Best Extra-Wide Shoes for Fat People (4E, 5E and 6E)

Shoe width chart: what the letters mean

Width labels aren't standardized, which is why shopping for wide shoes is so confusing. Here's how two of the brands in this guide label theirs.

Sources: Propet fit guide and the New Balance 608v5 listing at KingSize. The takeaway is that "XX-Wide" from one brand and "6E" from another are not necessarily the same shoe. When you find a shoe that fits, note the brand and the exact width code.

Extra-wide shoes at a glance

Sizes reflect the retailer or brand page we checked. Amazon sellers may stock a different mix of sizes and widths.

How to measure your feet for width

1. Measure late in the day, when your feet are at their biggest.
2. Stand on a sheet of paper with your weight on that foot and trace around it, holding the pen straight up.
3. Measure the widest part, usually across the ball of the foot, and the length from heel to longest toe.
4. Compare to the brand's chart. Many brands publish width charts in inches or millimeters by size.

If a shoe store has a Brannock device (the metal foot measurer), ask for a width measurement too. Lots of people have never been measured for width.

What to look for in shoes for heavier people

• A stable base. A wide, flat outsole and a firm midsole keep the shoe from rolling under you. Very soft, tall foam can feel great at first and then feel wobbly.
• A removable insole. It gives you room for orthotics or a thicker cushioned insole, and gives a little extra volume if your feet are high as well as wide.
• Adjustable closures. Laces, straps or stretchy knit uppers adapt as your feet swell during the day.
• Hands-free entry. If bending to put shoes on is hard, step-in styles like Skechers Slip-ins and the Propet Freestyle let you skip it. A long-handled shoehorn or a sock aid helps with everything else.
• Replace on schedule. Midsoles compress faster under more weight. If your knees, hips or feet start aching in shoes that used to feel fine, the cushioning may be gone even if the upper still looks new.

Swelling, socks and diabetes

Swelling is the reason shoes that fit in the morning hurt at night. Compression socks can help with everyday swelling. Our wide-calf compression socks guide covers sizes for bigger legs. If you have diabetes, foot care matters more: check your feet daily, avoid shoes that rub, and ask your doctor about therapeutic shoes. Medicare Part B covers therapeutic shoes or inserts for people with diabetes and severe diabetes-related foot disease when their doctor certifies the need. See Medicare's page on therapeutic shoes for current rules.

Wide shoes for workouts and rain

For the gym or walking workouts, a stable cross trainer like the 608v5 is a safer bet than a soft, narrow running shoe. Our plus-size activewear guide has the rest of the outfit. For wet days, see our rain gear guide.