10 Stylish Pairs of Shoes That Actually Have Room For Your Toes

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As women, our feet take a lot of abuse. After all, who among us isn’t guilty of cramming their toes into too-pointy pumps, or trekking one step too far in a pair of perilous platforms? But if your feet constantly feel pinched too tight, it might be time to start looking for shoes that offer wide toe boxes. “The toe box of the shoe affects the forefoot, or the front of the foot,” shares Dr. Nelya Lobkova, podiatrist and founder of Step Up Footcare. “This area includes the metatarsals and toe bones. If you were to draw a line across from the big toe joint to the fifth toe joint, that would be the width of the toe box.”

Just like our favorite flats for wide feet, shoes with wide toe boxes should be spacious enough to cater to tootsies that need some extra wiggle room, yet stylish enough to accompany all of the best comfy-chic winter outfits. “Shoes with wide toe boxes are basically wide-fit shoes with space around and above the toes in the shoe,” says Lobkova. “The widest part of the foot and shoe is the ball of the foot...a wide toe box should be rounded instead of pointy at the tip of the shoe, and it should have space around the pinky toe.”

When it comes to shopping for spacious styles, Dr. Lobkova advises looking for shoes with a “soft and flexible upper material, such as soft leather, mesh, or neoprene,” which will accommodate the forefoot without creating friction or irritation. Read on to learn more, and below, shop the 10 best shoes with wide toe boxes.

Classic Fuzz-Lined Clogs

Judge me not, I love my Crocs. They’re comfy, convenient, and this faux fur-lined pair is perfect for keeping warm whether I’m heading out on a quick errand or hanging around at home. They don’t come in half sizes though, so be sure to size up if you need a roomier fit.

Sizes: 6-15

Colors: 11 options

Material: Croslite™ foam, faux fur liner

Ballet Slipper Flats

The only ballet flat you’ll ever need, these princessy Miu Miu slippers are runway-approved and just so happen to feature a rounded toe—meaning wider sizes can don the prima ballerina style sans cramming.

Sizes: 4-12

Colors: Orchidea, Nero, Bianco

Material: Fabric, leather

Lena Leather Block-Heel Sandals

Keep in mind that even open-toe shoes have toe boxes. They might not be what first comes to mind, but those precious peep toes can run very narrow. You won’t run into that issue with this block heel sandal, which means it’s ideal for wider sizes who don’t want to teeter around in stilettos. As a rule of thumb, open-toe shoes that are squared or rounded will offer more space than a pointed toe.

Colors: Gold, Silver

Material: Leather

528 Women’s Sneaker

“KLAW footwear is a personal favorite because I consulted on the biomechanical design of the shoe with the intent to create the optimal walking shoe,” says Dr. Lobkova. This chunky sneaker boasts a plethora of top-tier features, including a wide toe box, deep heel cup, and powerful shock absorption. Treat your feet.

Sizes: 6-11

Colors: Gamma White, Lucid Blue, Lotus Pink, Kuiper Black, Helio Yellow, Aero Grey

Material: Rainproof leather

Martey H2O Wide Boots

A winter wardrobe hero, this wide-fit version of the beloved Chelsea boot comes complete with a chunky stacked heel and lug sole for stability. Plus, it’s made with waterproof material that will render you fearless in rainy or wintry weather.

Sizes: 6-11

Colors: Black, Cocoa, Ivory, Taupe

Material: Leather, textile, synthetic materials

Bianka Slingback Pump

While pointed toe styles are typically ill-suited for wider feet, this slingback style from Sam Edelman has an elongated toe box, which means you won’t need to cram your piggies into the narrowest part of the shoe. And they’re available in medium and wide widths to boot.

Sizes: 6-10

Colors: 17 options

Material: Fabric, synthetic

Square-Toe Water-Repellent Heeled Boots

One reviewer testified to the plush, unmatched comfort of Vivaia, stating, “I have hard to fit feet and need a high/wide toe box. Heels have not been my friend, but I wanted to test these out because they are so cool looking. I wore them all day one Sunday and unlike some of my flats, these stayed comfy the whole day and no aching feet! Amazing.” What more do you need to hear?

Sizes: 5-11

Colors: 15 options

Material: Recycled knit upper, rubber outsole

KSO Women’s Vintage

Barefoot-label shoes are exactly as the name would indicate: they aim to allow your foot to function as naturally as possible—almost like you’re not wearing shoes at all. Like gloves for your feet, Vibram’s quirky FiveFinger styles are a cult favorite and can even help strengthen the muscles in your legs.

Sizes: 6-10.5

Colors: White, Military Green

Material: Stretch polyamide, polyester, polyurethane

Via Olympus

“Altra running shoes offer a specialized wider shoe shape, designed to fit the foot more naturally,” says Dr. Lobkova. This shoe, which offers the roomiest fit out of all the brand’s sizes, was also a standout in the 2023 Runner’s World Shoe Awards. Dr. Lobkova also suggests the original model rather than the standard model for customers with extra wide feet.

Sizes: 5.5-12

Colors: Light Gray, White/Blue, Black, Orchid, Light Blue

Material: Altra EGO™ MAX foam, rubber

Kelso Women’s Zero Drop Tennis Shoes

Everybody needs a do-it-all trainer. Xero’s casual Kelso sneaker is designed specifically with a toe box that lets your toes spread and rest in their natural shape.

Sizes: 5-12

Colors: White, Black, Pink, Black/White

Material: Leather, suede, mesh lining

Who Needs A Wide Toe Box?

Not every foot requires a wider toe box. “Someone who has any kind of deformity in the forefoot (the widest part of the foot) would need a shoe with a wide toe box to avoid pain and crowding in the toes,” Dr. Lobkova says. This could include bunions, arthritis in the big toe joint, hammertoes, or neuroma. “Those who feel tight in standard-width shoes,” she counters, “should opt for a wide-width shoe.” Of course, the best way to determine the right fit is to try the shoe on. Otherwise, it can be difficult to assess the qualities you need from a specific brand or style.

Note that wide-fit shoes are more of a solution than a precautionary measure. “Tight fitting shoes do not actually cause foot and toe deformities, such as bunions, however they contribute to the worsening of them,” Dr. Lobkova warns. “Specifically, shoes with a narrow toe box press against the joint and irritate the capsule overlying the bones....they also exaggerate or worsen toe deformities by increasing abnormal pressure onto the foot bones.”

What Makes A Shoe Wide Fit?

Unfortunately, a lot of shoes with wide toe boxes might not be labeled plainly as such. So Dr. Lobkova laid out some basic guidelines when trying to assess if a toe box is wide enough. “Pinch the shoe at the tip from the top,” she instructs. “Is there room above the toes? You should be able to punch into the shoe a bit—or create a delve—above the toes.” When trying on shoes, it’s important to find comfort. Try to see if you can flex your toes inside the shoe (as if you were picking up a pen with your toes). “All ten toes should be able to flex without resistance or pressure from the shoe upper,” she advises.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Nelya Lobkova is a a podiatrist in New York City, and the founder of Step Up Footcare.

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