The 7 Best Heels for Wide Feet
Wide feet are not uncommon, but finding the right shoe can be an uncomfortable challenge, especially if the goal is an impeccable pair of heels. A sad reality of finding comfortable heels for people with wide feet is that many get discouraged in their hunt for the perfect pair and, instead, settle for a pair of flats. However, we’re here to show you there are several amazing heels out there tailored to people with wide feet that are both beautifully designed and won’t squeeze their feet to oblivion.
Our top seven best heels for wide feet include block heels, kitten heels, and wedges. These are just a few of the best heels out there that are, by design, the best options for those that have wide feet.
This article will list the seven best heels for people with wide feet, varying in heel type, design, and fashion aesthetic. In addition to this moderate selection, we’ll also answer some common questions about buying heels for wide feet, such as which heel type is best if you should purchase a size up and more.
What Type of Heels Are Best for Wide Feet?
Shopping for heels can easily feel overwhelming, especially when you’re scrolling past option after option online or looking at a sea of shoes before you in person. With such a vast selection at nearly every store, you’ll want to know how you can quickly dwindle them down without trying them all one.
The best place to start is knowing which type of heel is better suited to wide feet so that you can focus on those shoes specifically.
Generally, any heel with an open-toe design is going to be more comfortable for a person with wide feet than those with a closed-toe design. This is because a closed-toe design traps the foot inside of the shoe, which can cause discomfort, blisters and make it easier to slide the shoe on and off. Open-toe heels, comparatively, have much more space for your toes and the balls of your feet.
That being said, if “open-toed heels” is a bit too general for you, these are the specific shoe types we recommend:
- Block heels
- Kitten heels
- Wedges
- Platform sandals
- Heeled ankle boots
Here is a brief description of each heel type and how their designs benefit people with wide feet over other options.
Block Heels
As far as heels go, this design is one of the most stable, thanks to the large, thick heel responsible for its namesake. In addition to providing the wearer the ample support, these shoes are great for wide heels because they feature various straps similar to sandals but in a chicer style. As a result, they are great for special occasions and professional work wardrobes.
Kitten Heels
If you want a more elegant heel that doesn’t come with three extra inches of height, we’d recommend kitten heels. These shoes have a design similar to the classic pump but usually feature a much smaller heel and can come in round-toe, sling-back, and ankle-strap options for a more comfortable fit.
Wedges
We might be so bold as to say that nearly every woman has at least one pair of wedges in their wardrobe. These shoes are a fantastic way to combine height and elegance with a more comfortable, everyday outfit. They’re a great choice to pair with sun dresses or jeans and a nice top. Wedges boast maximum support and a cushioned footbed for comfort while also having various straps that still allow your feet space and mobility.
Platform Sandals
These shoes are very similar to wedges in design, with only a slight variation in toe height, which is higher on the sandals than wedges. Again, the straps will ensure wide feet don’t feel tightly contained, and the full heel design provides arch support and comfort.
Heeled Ankle Boots
If you want a closed-toe heel type, we’d recommend opting for a heeled ankle boot. As the name describes, these shoes are essentially ankle-high boots on two+ inch heels. In terms of design, these shoes usually provide a wider toe box than most closed-toe heel designs and can be worn with nearly anything. Often, you can find these shoes in an open-toe design if that provides you more relief, but many people with wide feet find even the closed-toe design is comfortable for them all day long.
The 7 Best Heels for Wide Feet
Finding a comfortable pair of heels suitable for wide feet doesn’t have to be a hassle. If you’re truly struggling in your search for these kinds of shoes, we recommend starting with the seven options we’ve listed below. Each of these shoes comes from various brands and features different heel types and aesthetics, so there’s a little bit of something for everyone.
Their wide-feet-friendly status has also been supported by various customer reviews and sources, so, rest assured, you can purchase any of the heels below with peace of mind that they will be comfy and worth every penny.
1. Sole Bliss
Sole Bliss is a multi-award-winning footwear brand dedicated to creating comfortable yet fashionable shoes for ladies. Their shoes are produced by professional artisans in Italy and Spain with the goal of creating the most comfortable and suitable shoes for a variety of foot conditions, including women with wide feet.
All Sole Bliss shoes have an innovative bedding design, which is strategically positioned to stretch the shoe area that cushions and supports bunions (hallux valgus) and broad feet in delightful comfort.
All of their Miracle Technology footwear has deep, wide toe boxes, three layers of memory foam, and better arch support!
2. Torrid Black Faux Suede Strappy Ankle-Tie Pump
The first shoe on our list is this stunning half-block heel from Torrid. Since Torrid exclusively creates clothing, shoes, and other products for sizes 10 to 30, buyers can safely assume that most, if not all, of their shoes will have a wider toe box, making them wide-feet-friendly.
Of course, Torrid demonstrates with this shoe that you don’t have to sacrifice design appearance for comfort. These heels feature ankle straps for an added touch of elegance and pair perfectly with any knee-length skirt and a special night out.
3. Abelle Blue Wide Fit Square Toe Thin Block Heel
If you’re looking for a pair of heels that are a little more on the fun side, we’d recommend these half-block heels from Public Desire.
The electric blue of these heels is an eye-catching pop of color for any outfit, whether work attire or daily wear. In terms of design, the half-block heel provides great support without the bulky aesthetic of a full block, and the square open-toe sole allows plenty of comfortable wiggle room for your feet.
4. Ava Wide Fit Kitten Heel Shoes
We’re going to use these heels on our list to address a slightly controversial topic in the world of wide-fit heels, regarding pointed toe heels.
There’s no denying that these kitten heels from Saragossa & Gray are magnificent and could easily be paired with many outfits. However, many people who have wide feet would probably dismiss this option because of its pointed toe.
While it’s true that heels with rounded toes are usually more comfortable for people with wide feet, the toe on these particular heels is pointed as drastically as many other pairs featuring this design choice. Additionally, these shoes are offered in an extra wide (EEE) fit, demonstrating the company has gone to extreme lengths to ensure people with wide feet don’t have to miss out on pointed shoes any longer.
5. LifeStride Hinx 2 Wedges
Frequently, when it comes to comfortable heels over three inches tall, wedges are a wide-footed person’s best friend. These LifeStride hix 2 Wedges are one of the most versatile shoes, as they add a bit of refinement to any casual outfit but can also rise to the challenge of more professional or fashionable outfits as well. We want to think the wedges listed here demonstrate just that.
One of the reasons we chose these wedges above all else is their elastic goring, open-toe design, and the cuts where the heel and balls of the wearer’s feet would be. This gives them the ultimate amount of space for their wider feet, and yet, it is all encased in an intricate fabric design, giving it more character than most solid wedges.
6. ASOS ABSOLUTE Wide Fit Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots
You’ll find few brands with wide-fit shoes as exceptional as ASOS, which is why it was hard to list just one option from this brand. Ultimately, we decided to settle on these ankle boots.
Wearing heels can be fun, but it doesn’t have to entail elevating yourself two or more inches on heels designed with so little material they’re practically see-through. However, many people with wide feet find they experience great discomfort when they match the design of the boot with a heel.
With these Asos boots, none of that is an issue. It offers a wide-fit design with all the comforts it entails while boasting a moderate heel suitable for long hours of daily wear.
7. Mirela Espadrille Wedge
Going back to the reliability of wedges, we’d like to present the Mirela Espadrille wedge, compliments of Stuart Weitzman.
These are fun, simple pairs of heels you can purchase in either white or blue, depending on your preferred aesthetic. They have all the classic comforts wedges that can provide people with wide feet while also displaying a charming design suitable for the spring and summer months.
Where Can I Find Heels for Wide Feet?
In addition to knowing the best heel types for wide feet, knowing the best places to look for your heels can make an exceptional difference in the shopping process.
If our previous list of shoes is any indication, these are the locations we highly recommend you search first for your wide fit heels:
- Sam Edelman
- Torrid
- Asos
- Sargasso and Grey
- Zappos
- Stuart Weitzman
- Nine West
- Naturalizer
These brands have their storefronts and offer comfortable and stylish wide-fit heels made from high-quality materials. In addition to these brands, another name to look out for when shopping for wide-fit heels is Comfortview.
Comfortview specializes in heels designed to suit wide feet, and they come in a vast selection of designs and sizes ranging up to 13. Although this brand doesn’t have its storefront, it is accessible in department stores and online sources, such as Amazon.
Should You Size Up In Heels if You Have Wide Feet?
Sometimes you find the perfect pair of heels that match your aesthetic and would pair beautifully with a number of outfits but don’t come in a wide fit size. When faced with this dilemma, many people think the solution is to choose the same shoe that is a size above their normal shoe size to compensate for their need for extra toe space. The question is, is this the recommended way to go?
It is never recommended to choose a heel that is a size above your normal shoe size, regardless of your foot width.
While going a size up with your heels will most likely afford you extra depth in the toe box for more space, it will also mean the shoe is too long and will have extra space in the back. This increases your risk of developing blisters, corns, or general discomfort when wearing these heels.
Instead, it is always recommended you opt for heels that are specifically labeled as “wide fit heels.” These shoes, in particular, are designed for people with wide feet, which is why they have a wider tread on the sole and a toe box that is deeper than standard. Both of these elements ensure maximum stability and comfort for the wearer.
Therefore, if the heel in question doesn’t come in a “wide fit” option, you’re better off finding a different shoe for the sake of your feet.
Final Thoughts
Wearing high heels is supposed to be a way to elevate an outfit and help the wearer feel proud, confident, sexy, and ultimately good about themselves. That aura quickly fades when the shoes cause discomfort after mere minutes of wear, which is why it is vital that people with wide feet use some of these shoe, source, and type suggestions we’ve mentioned here. This will ensure they can easily find a comfortable shoe that fits them and provides all the styles they’re looking for.