Extra-Wide Shoes

[freetobeme18.livejournal.com]

As the weather gets warmer, I find myself in need of some high-quality, comfortable, walking/hiking sandals. I also need similarly comfortable/high-quality walking/hiking sneakers or boots. I have small but wide feet (size six women's extra-wide), so finding shoes that don't give me blisters can be a challenge. Does anyone know of a store that carries a good selection of extra-wide athletic shoes that I could try on in the store? Thanks all.

Comments

[elements.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! I have seriously been waiting for ages to meet my foot twin and maybe you are she! I also have size 6 extra wide feet!

Sadly, I do NOT know of any athletic shoes or hiking shoes that fit our size. I have been seeking some for ages because it would be nice to be able to go hiking or run without pain sometime. I do have a bunch of other good shoe suggestions and really we must talk especially since I have a few pairs that aren't quite perfect for me and maybe they'd fit you.

[freetobeme18.livejournal.com]

Hello foot twin! ;-) What are your suggestions? And what kinds of shoes do you have that don't fit you? I have a lot of shoes already (besides athletic shoes), but perhaps I'd be interested in taking them off your hands! Thanks so much!

[mytheria.livejournal.com]

Let's make that shoe triplets (but my left one is 6.5 X-Wide).
I've had good luck with the boys sizes at new balance for light hikers. Also try the kids size keens for water friendly shoes.

[freetobeme18.livejournal.com]

What would a six women's be in boys sizes?

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

New Balance has wide sizes, so finding someplace that sells them would work. The sporting goods store (who's name I can't recall offhand) at Alewife has them.

[masswich.livejournal.com]

New Balance Outlet Store is great for trying on a bunch of different shoes, lotsa wides

[mytheria.livejournal.com]

Depends very much on brand/style. I'd say start with a 5. But, if you can, go over to Allston and there is the new balance store there (on the 86 from harvard, if you don't drive/bike). I found a pair of size 5.5 wide boys light hikers for around $35.

[ron_newman]

there are two: Modell's and Olympia Sports, almost side by side at Fresh Pond Mall. Do you recall which one?

[jagienka]

As a fellow size 6 wide / boys size 5 person, i can relate.

I like new balance for sneakers since they carry wide widths. People already mentioned them. Also, REI has a bunch of shoes (not as many in wide). I've had great luck with Keens for sandles / water shoes (kids size 5). They might be worth checking out for kids / boys shoes.

[pch1.livejournal.com]

Try Famous Footware, they have locations at Meadow Glenn Mall in Medford, and the shopping plaza in Everett by Costco and Target. You can check out their stock on line
http://www.famousfootwear.com/en-US/Womens/_/_/Athletic+Shoes/Size+6.0+Womens-Width+Extra+Wide_D+or+2W/Products.aspx

[zombie-dog.livejournal.com]

As someone who wears a Men's 10.5 EEEE, I can confirm that Famous Footwear has a decent selection of extra-wide shoes.

Also, I know that having to ship and re-ship shoes is a pain, but Zappo's is GREAT for people with weird-sized feet, because their return policy is excellent and they have a large variety of sizes.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

I was going to recommend Zappo's as well; I had a great experience with them last fall searching for wide boots.

[elements.livejournal.com]

Hm, it's been many years since I last tried to find boys' shoes. I guess it's worth checking them out again! Last time I tried everything was neon or other horrid colors.

[elements.livejournal.com]

Zappos (and Simply Be) are pretty much the only places I can ever buy shoes! Oddly enough they are great - fantastic - for fashion shoes but I have never in the 7 years I've been using Zappos had luck finding a sports shoe through them. Awesome company and return / customer service though!

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Propet may make what you're looking for. Try Panza Shoes in Framingham (right near the commuter rail stop) or Harry's Shoe Store in Waltham, or get them online through Zappo or Shoebuy.

Good luck!

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

Modells, I think. Not positive about that, though .

[42itous.livejournal.com]

I also have really wide but small feet, so women's shoes almost never fit me and I mostly wear boys' 5s. For sneakers I wear Saucony Jazz (I used to buy them at the Saucony outlet in Inman or at Le Foot Sportif in Harvard, but both of those are gone. I've since bought them at City Sports, but they don't carry them anymore. You may be able to get them at Berk's (on JFK St in Harvard Sq), but you can definitely still get them online. I've worn the basic kind, the "low-pro"s and the vegan (canvas) version, and found them all very comfortable, though my vegan pair didn't last as long.

For sandals, I wear flipflops (the kind with a spongy sole and webbing for straps) or Keens. The flipflops are more comfortable, but I wouldn't wear them for hiking. The Keens are great with socks, I don't like them so much barefoot. I buy the flipflops at EMS in Harvard Sq and the Keens at the LL Bean outlet in Burlington.

I don't know about hiking shoes necessarily, but the shoe store on First Street across from the Cambridgeside Galleria has a good selection of wide shoes and I found them very helpful when I was looking for something dressier that I could actually walk in.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Marathon Sports has excellent salespeople who should be able to help you find a properly-sized shoe. And for hiking, you could probably do worse than Hilton's Tent City (http://hiltonstentcity.com/) over on Friend St. That place has all KINDS of stuff.