Editor’s Note: This post has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of shoes for women with high insteps and narrow feet.
Are you having the hardest time finding shoes that fit your narrow feet with a high instep? Have you tried lots of different shoe styles that are either too wide or end up rubbing against the top part of your feet? A narrow foot with a high instep is the most complicated one to fit since you must accommodate the narrow foot and the high instep at the same time.
Without a doubt finding a pair of shoes to accommodate your narrow feet with a high instep can be a frustrating and time-consuming thing to do, especially if you don’t know what shoe brands and what shoe styles among those brands to look for.
First of all, if you don’t even know what the instep of the foot is, then you can’t possibly be getting your correct shoe size. So, let me clarify what a high instep is so we can be on the same page. The instep is the top portion of the foot between the toes and ankles. Take a look at the image below for visualization purposes:
Wearing shoes that are too wide or that don’t accommodate your instep will lead you to experience foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns, just to name a few. A shoe that is too wide can also lead to foot and leg pain.
Of course, certain shoes will certainly fit narrower than others, but it’s important to at least try shoes that come in narrower widths to see what a difference they make. It’s also important to find shoes that will have a pointier toe-box instead of a rounder one.
The great news is that even though there are only certain shoe styles that will fit a woman’s narrow feet with high instep, I know which ones they are because I have fitted these shoe styles myself. I will also show you which women’s shoes are deeper than others
I will show you a selection of the best shoes for women with high insteps and narrow feet, but first I want to make sure that you know the features that your shoes must have and that you know your correct foot size.
3 key features for Your Shoes— The Checklist!
There are 3 key features that your shoes must have to be able to accommodate your narrow feet with a high instep:
✅ Narrow Widths: Your shoes must come in a narrow size, appropriate for your narrow feet. This feature will prevent your feet from moving too much inside the shoes.
✅ Extra Depth: Your feet need to fit deeply inside the shoes, which will prevent the top part of your feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes.
✅ Pointy toe-box: Shoes that come with a pointer toe-box will prevent your toes from having so much space and from rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. This will prevent your feet from developing blisters, calluses and corns.
Trust me, if you have a high instep, wearing deeper shoes will make a huge difference in the comfort and overall fit of your shoes.
The issue is that most women are confused as to where to find shoes that provide extra depth since shoes don’t come labeled as “extra deep”. The only way to tell if a shoe provides extra depth is by trying it on.
I know what you are thinking…
How many shoes do I need to try on before I found one that provides extra depth?
I am here to make things easier for you and show you a selection of shoes that I have put together that provide extra depth.
It’s also important to choose shoe styles with good cushioning, and arch support since they will definitely absorb more shock when you are walking and running. As well as relieving the stress from your feet and knees, hence keeping your feet healthy.
Finding Out Your Exact Foot Size — Easy & Simple!
Most women make the mistake of assuming that because they have worn the same shoe size for the last couple of years, that size is the correct one in every single shoe style. Of course, that is not the correct way of finding shoes that fit, so you should stop buying shoes without first knowing your correct foot size.
The size that you measure is only a starting point when trying to find the correct shoe size. You must also know your shoe width (remember that shoes come in different widths such as narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide) and whether you have a high instep or not.
So, if you want to make sure you get your correct shoe size, there are three things you need to consider:
- The length of the foot
- The width of the foot
- The instep of the foot.
You can start by reading an article I wrote that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your foot size from home. Please click on the link below:
How To Measure Your Foot Size – The Most Simple And Effective Way!
What Are Other Women Saying? – Sharing Experiences!
We can all benefit from other women’s experiences, so please take a look at what other women had to say about narrow feet with high insteps:
“I have been wearing shoes that are too big and too wide and it’s been affecting my walking and causing me foot issues, like blisters.”
“I made the biggest mistake of buying shorter shoes aiming for the shoes to feel snugger and hug my feet better. This just ended up causing me blisters and calluses.”
“I fell in the trap of the salesperson who advised me to buy a half-size smaller to make up for the fact that I needed a narrower shoe. At first, the shoe felt good, but it ended up cramping my feet. It caused me pain and it was a total waste of my money.”
“I have a high instep and narrow feet and I am using Saucony shoes and they fit and feel good.”
You can rest assured that I only review shoe styles that I have fitted before since that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Shoes for High Insteps and Narrow Feet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Below you can find a selection of the best shoes for women with high insteps and narrow feet.
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodate high insteps
- An ENCAP midsole combines lightweight foam with a durable polyurethane rim to deliver all-day support
- Dual-density collar foam that offers support and comfort for your heels and ankles
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Cushioning outsole with a mild rocker adds spring to your step.
- Multiple cushioning layers provide pillow-like support that works wonders to enhance comfort and help ease pain on the foot and heel
- Soft, stretchable knit fabric uppers with extra foam padding ease pressure on the foot and provide superior comfort and protection for sensitive feet.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow or medium feet
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System helps attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phases
- DuoMax system enhances stability and support
- Engineered mesh upper improves breathability
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow or medium feet
- Durable full-length EVA midsole to absorb shock and offer stability
- Breathable open engineered textile mesh upper with seamless synthetic overlays
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet and also accommodates high insteps
- VERSARUN cushioning absorbs impact and reduces pressure for comfortable strides at every level of walking and running
- Added heel support for a more comfortable, secure hold.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- DNA LOFT offers incredibly soft cushioning that now extends beyond the heel, allowing for an easy transition from landing to toe-off.
- Removable foam insole for excellent underfoot comfort and support.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with narrow, medium, and wide feet
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System helps attenuate shock during impact and toe-off phases
- DuoMax system enhances stability and support
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- CMEVA (Compression Molded EVA) midsole delivers lightweight, durable, responsive cushioning
- Strategic high-abrasion rubber zones to reduce weight
- Soft, stretchable knit fabric uppers with extra foam padding ease pressure on the foot and provide superior comfort and protection for sensitive feet
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
Keep in consideration that shoes can run short, long, narrow, or wide, and depending on how they run you will need to adjust the size that you get for yourself.
You always want to wear half a size longer than the size that you measure in the shoe measuring scale to prevent your toes from rubbing against the side or the front of the shoes.
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
Take a look at the description below the shoes that I recommended to find out what shoe size you should order.
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me if you are having a hard time finding a different shoe to accommodate the shape of your narrow feet and high instep:
comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
There is a particular shoe tying technique that I have used several times before for women with high insteps and narrow feet. This technique will push your feet back, securing them against the back of the shoes and eliminating any remaining gap around the ankles. I describe this shoe tying technique in more detail in another article called:
In addition, if you have a child that has a high instep and narrow feet and you have been trying to find shoes that fit, then you can take a look at an article I wrote where I describe the best kid’s shoes for high insteps and narrow feet. Please click on the link below.
Best Shoes for Kids with High Insteps and Narrow Feet – Extra Depth and Narrower Heels!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you ever have trouble finding a particular pair of shoes. I want you to keep one thing in mind: It doesn’t matter how narrow or high your instep is, there is always at least one particular shoe style out there that will fit the shape of your feet perfectly, and I will help you find it.
Is there another style that has fitted your narrow feet with high instep and that you would like to recommend? Please share your thoughts and experiences below so we can all benefit from your experiences.
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