Are you having a hard time finding a pair of winter boots to accommodate the shape of your high instep? Do you feel like every single pair of winter boots that you try feels too tight around the top of your feet (instep)? Women with high insteps have a really hard time finding winter boots that are deep enough to accommodate their foot shapes. The good news is that I have been fitting women’s shoes for many years, and I have put together a list of the best winter boots for women with high instep.
Finding a pair of winter boots for women with a high instep can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience since most boot brands tend to be too shallow. The instep is the bony top part of the foot:
If you have a high instep and decide to settle for any type of winter boot, you might end up with calluses and blisters on the top of your toes as well as red marks on the top of your feet. The constant pressure on the top of your feet will make your feet go numb.
This means that the most common problem of having a high instep is the continuous friction between the instep and the shoes. The other most common problem is the constant friction between the toes and the top part of the boots.
One of the most common mistakes that I see women make is to assume that boots that are labeled as wide (“W”, “EE”) will automatically fit the shape of their wide feet and instep. In addition to finding a winter boot that is available in wide widths, you need to find a winter boot that provides extra depth. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
The issue is that most women’s shoes don’t come labeled as extra deep, and the only way to tell if a shoe provides these 2 features is by having tried or fitted the shoes before. This is when I come into play since I know exactly which winter boots are deeper than others.
Don’t settle for any winter boots thinking that they might stretch with time or that you will only wear them for a couple of hours and once in a while. It actually takes only a couple of wears in the wrong shoe size to develop foot issues such as blisters, calluses, or corns.
In addition to accommodating the shape of your high instep, the winter boots that I recommend provide the following features:
1️⃣ Fully Waterproof: This feature helps keep your feet dry when walking through rain or snow. You need to know the difference between boots that are water resistant or water friendly and waterproof boots. Boots that are water-resistant will keep your feet dry as long as you don’t step into a puddle.
2️⃣ Insulated: This feature helps keep your feet warm during cold or snow days.
3️⃣ Traction: This feature helps prevent women from slipping and falling, especially when walking through slippery surfaces.
4️⃣ Lightweight/Flexible: This feature helps prevent the feet and legs from easily getting tired.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at a selection of the best winter boots for women with wide feet and high instep.
I only review shoe styles that I have fitted before since that is the best way to tell the amount of support that the shoes provide, how durable they are, and most importantly how they fit.
The Best Winter Boots for Women with High Instep ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The winter boots below have been worn by hundreds of women with wide feet and high insteps, and they have reported being happy with how these boots accommodate their high insteps and keep their feet dry and warm at the same time. Disclosure: Some links in this post may be affiliate links and we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you click our links and make purchases.
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Faux shearling lining and a waterproof and scotchgard-treated upper
- Heat retaining insole
- Order this boot a half size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Scotchgard® treated suede and knit upper with soft pile lining sealed
- Double-insole system for extra insulation
- Order this boot a whole size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Scotchgard treated nylon upper that repels water plus a faux fur lining
- Vaporex heat-retaining insole system for extra insulation and cushion
- Order this boot a half size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Seam-sealed waterproof snow boot featuring plush faux-fur collar
- Quick bungee lacing
- Rated to -25F
- Order this boot a whole size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Pull-on ankle boot with hook-and-loop strap for custom fit
- Double insoles, scotchgard, vaporex, water resistant, diabetic friendly
- Cushioned footbed with Vaporex® heat-retaining system offers added insulation and cushioning
- Order this boot a whole size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Molded EVA toe for weather resistance
- Vaporex heat-retaining insole system for extra insulation and cushion
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Faux shearling lining and a waterproof and scotchgard-treated upper
- Heat retaining insole
- Order this boot a whole size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Zippered closure
- Waterproof, faux fur cuff can be worn up or down
- Removable insoles
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Side zipper allows feet to slip into this low boot with ease
- OrthoLite footbed offers targeted cushioning to support your foot
- Water-friendly
- Order this boot a whole size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Thinsulate
- Eva midsole with high-traction
- Order this boot a half size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Rubber outsole with wave tread pattern designed for positive traction on wet and dry surfaces
- Eva midsole with high-traction
- Removable insoles
- Order this boot a half size larger than your foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Leather/suede
- OrthoLite footbed offers targeted cushioning to support your foot
- Order this boot a whole shoe size larger than your foot size
Just like every woman is different, every foot is different, which means there is no such thing as a perfect shoe brand or shoe style that will work for everyone. While these boots have worked really well for many women with high insteps, there is no guarantee that they will work well for your feet. Our feet are like snowfalls, no two alike.
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
Winter boots that are too short can cramp your toes and make them overlap one another or rub against the side of the boots. On the other hand, winter boots that are too long will allow for too much foot movement inside the snow boots and create foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
To buy any of these winter boots in the correct size, you need to be 100% sure of your foot size first. I don’t want you to end up wasting time and money by having to return the boots.
Refer to the article below if you need assistance figuring out your exact foot size:
How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
If you are still unsure of what winter boot size to order or you have a foot condition that makes it harder to find shoes that fit, please do not hesitate to contact me directly and I will help you find them: comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Do You Also Need a Pair of Everyday Sneakers?
If you also need a pair of everyday sneakers to accommodate your high insteps there is a different resource I created called:
Best Sneakers for Women with High Insteps – Prevent Pain on the Top of Your Feet!
Have you found another particular winter boot that has worked well in accommodating your high instep? Please share your findings below so other women can benefit from your experiences.
I have been trying to find a stylish boot for my wife that is fashionable but wide enough for her feet. I am glad I came along this article. I also wanted to ask you whether you now which running shoes are good for women with high insteps?Thank you in advance.
Sure, take a look at the article below:
The Best Shoes for Women with High Insteps
Let me know if you have any other questions.