Editor’s Note: This post has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of women’s shoes with a wide toe box and a narrow heel.
Do you have a wide foot at the front but also narrow heels? Do you feel like when you find shoes that are wide enough to accommodate the shape of your wide feet they tend to slide out on your heels?
It’s really challenging to find shoes for women who have wide feet with narrow heels, and it can be a very frustrating and time-consuming experience, especially if you don’t know what shoe styles to look for. This can lead to your feet moving too much and that constant movement and friction will lead to blisters, calluses, and corns.
In addition, wearing shoes that do not fit properly can lead to pain in your feet, ankles, legs and back and may also cause you to develop from minor to severe foot problems. There is only a small selection of shoes that will accommodate a woman with wide feet and narrow heels, but the good news is that I will help you find them.
What Makes the Shoes I Recommend Effective for Wide Feet and Narrow Heels?
The shoes provide a narrow heel counter and a round toe-box to accommodate these 2 conditions:
One key feature that these types of shoes must provide and most women are not aware of is depth. The deeper the shoes the better, since it will allow your feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, and prevent your toes from rubbing against the side of the shoes. This will prevent you from having to get shoes that are too wide and prevent your heels from sliding out of the shoes.
In addition to fitting the shape of your feet perfectly, the shoes that you choose must be supportive, lightweight, and flexible, and they must be available in different widths such as medium, wide, and extra wide widths. I will describe these features in more detail shortly.
It’s very complicated to find shoes that fit women who are wide at the toe but narrow in the heel; oftentimes shoes that are wide at the front are wide in the heel and vice versa.
I will show you a selection of the best women’s shoes with a wide toe box and a narrow heel shortly, but let me first show you what features these shoe styles will provide and how to figure out your exact foot size from home.
Wide Toe Box and Narrow Heel Shoes – Tips for a Better Fit❗️
Like I mentioned before, one of the proven and most recommended things to do if you have a narrow heel and a wide foot is to buy shoes that are deep. A deep shoe will allow your feet to fit deeply inside the shoes and prevent your wide feet from rubbing against the side or the front of the shoes. Deep shoes will also allow your ankles to sit deeply inside the shoes (this will secure your narrow heels and prevent them from coming up and down the shoes).
Let me show you what a difference a deep shoe can make. Both of the shoes below have an orthotic fitted inside them. Do you notice how in the New Balance shoe style (grey and pink) the orthotic is sitting down deeply inside the shoe while in the Asics shoe style (black) the orthotic is further up?
Below is another picture so you can see it more clearly:
This is what I mean when I mentioned that certain shoe styles are deeper than others.
The shoes must also come with a round toe-box to accommodate the shape of your wide feet. Let me show you the difference between a shoe that comes with a round toe-box and one with a pointy one. Do you notice how the shoe on the right (New Balance) has a much rounder toe box than the shoe on the left (Asics)?
Another thing you should keep in mind is that shoelaces will make a tremendous difference in securing your narrow heels against the back of the shoes.
I always recommend lace-up shoes instead of Velcro closure or toggle shoelaces. Shoes that come with shoelaces will allow you to secure your heels by pushing them back against the back of the shoes.
I actually wrote an article where I describe the best way to tie shoes for women with narrow heels. Just click on the link below:
The Best Way To Tie Shoes – The Proven Method To Make Your Shoes Feel Better!
Deep Shoes for Women – The 4 Most Important Features
In addition to being deep, there are certain notable features that a shoe must provide to keep your feet and legs healthy and you might want to start getting familiar with them. Let’s take a look at the features below:
☑️ Substantial Outsole: Supportive shoes are important since they will minimize the impact that your feet and legs take every time they come in contact with the ground.
☑️ Lightweight/Flexible: The shoes need to be supportive, but lightweight and flexible at the same time. These features will prevent your feet and legs from easily getting tired.
☑️ Traction: A shoe that provides good traction will reduce the likelihood of slipping and falling especially if you are walking around slippery surfaces.
☑️ Breathable: A breathable shoe will allow your feet to breathe and prevent the buildup of bacteria that causes foot odor.
Please be cognizant that it doesn’t matter how supportive or how well-made the shoes are, if they are not the correct size, you won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer.
I always recommend women to have their feet measured at their local fitting shoe store, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that fit. The issue is that most women don’t have a local shoe store that they trust, and must end up purchasing their shoes online. If you identify with this, start by reading an article I wrote where I describe the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your foot size from home:
How To Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
Now that you know what features a shoe must provide to be able to keep your feet and legs healthy, as well as how to make sure that you are wearing the correct shoe size, you are ready to see a selection of the best women’s shoes with a wide toe box and a narrow heel.
I only write reviews of shoe styles that I have fitted before, otherwise, I wouldn’t know how well-made they are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit.
Women’s Shoes with a Wide Toe Box and a Narrow Heel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The selection of shoes below will fit a woman that has narrow, medium, wide or extra wide feet— as long as you choose the width accordingly.
Below you can find a selection of the best women’s shoes with a wide toe box and a narrow heel. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
- 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
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 type of shoes for your wide feet and narrow heels:
comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
These are everyday shoes that come with enough support to be worn for your daily activities. Please remember that if your heels are highly narrow, a pair of shoes that come with shoelaces will make an enormous difference since it will support and lock your heels against the back of the shoes
Do you have a child that needs a pair of shoes with a wide toe-box and a narrow heel? I wrote an article where I describe the best kids’ shoes with a wide toe box and narrow heel. Just the link below:
Shoes with a Wide Toe Box and Narrow Heel – Let’s Find the Perfect Shoes for Your Child!
Now that you know about the importance of properly fitted shoes you are ready to make a better and more informed decision.
Always remember that it doesn’t matter how wide or narrow their feet are, there is at least one particular shoe style out there that will fit the shape of their feet perfectly, and I will help you find them.
Have you found a particular shoe style that has worked well for both your wide feet and narrow heels? Please share your insights below so other women can benefit from them.
Thanks for the article it’s helpful. I live in the UK and I have bunions both sides of my feet on both feet. Yet I am a slim size 10 with narrow ankles. I live in my new balance trainers outside of work yet struggle to find attractive work shoes for the office for my age range – I’m 42. Hotter shoes are not my style. Is there anywhere in the UK that sells zappos or something similar? A mary jane or pump with a strap. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Hello Lousie,
I am sorry you have to deal with bunions, they can be very painful and lead you to develop other type of foot issues on your toes. Unfortunately I am not familiar with which online retailers ship to the United Kingdom.
Can you order your shoes through Amazon? There are two specific work shoe styles for women that have proven to be very effective when it comes to taking pressure off the bunion and keeping the feet healthy. Here are two examples:
Mary Jane Shoe Style that Accommodates Bunions: Option 1
Mary Jane Shoe Style that Accommodates Bunions: Option 2
I hope this helps!
Am I missing something? While you mention that you are providing a list of womens shoes with wide toe boxes and narrow heels, there is no link for that provided. I see one for childrens shoes but not for womens. Can you please send that to me or insert into the page?
Hello Brenda,
Please refresh your browser.
Do you have any suggestions for hiking boots for women who need a wide toe box and narrow heel? I wear from a size 9 to 9.5 shoe but am only 5’4″ tall so I am very conscious about having footwear that accentuates the length of my feet, never mind needing a wide toe box as well.
Hello Katherine,
There are two particular styles made by Merrell. Please choose the wide width “W” and tie your boots using this particular shoe lacing technique:
The Best Way To Tie Shoes – The Proven Method To Make Your Shoes Feel Better!
Here you can find my recommendations:
Hiking Boot with Wide Toe-Box and Narrow Heel: Option 1
Hiking Boot with Wide Toe-Box and Narrow Heel: Option 2
I hope this helps and if you decide to try them let me know how they work out.
My daughter is 14 with the wife toe box/ narrow heal issue. We’ve had a terrible time finding shoes for her the last couple years, and have resorted to flip flops in the summer, Ugg style boots in the winter. We’re trying to find shoes for this fall/ winter that are “cute” but fit her foot shape. Any recommendations of brands that would work for her but are still stylish enough for the teens? Particularly something that’s more of a stylish boot, “bootie” (short boot), or casual shoes like Vans? (or other brand of tennis shoes that are mod of a young style/ less clunky looking?)
Hello Bri,
There is not a specific shoe brand that can accommodate for this issue, only certain shoe styles among each shoe brand that work better than others. If you send me your daughter’s shoe size I can send you specific shoe recommendations.
Thank you for this! I have found 2 shoes that fit me well—Birkenstock Gizeh (for a dry summer day) and Altra Torin 4 plush (for running), but I need shoes that I can wear on a regular day that isn’t a sandal. I like zero drop, but I need arch support. I find that most shoes curve down too quickly and squish in my pinky toe. Do you have any suggestions for casual, slip-on or lace-up, not athletic, walking shoes?
Hello Suzanne,
I am glad that you were able to find shoes that fit.
It’s hard for me to recommend shoes without knowing your exact foot shape. Are your feet narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide? Do you know if you have a high instep or not?
Hello
I read the whole article but could not see a list that you recommend. Am I missing it?
Hello Joanne,
I am not sure why you are not able to see the specific shoes I recommend for women with wide feet and narrow heels. Please refresh your browser.
I highly recommend Brooks Ghost 12 and Brooks Revel athletic shoes for others who have narrow heels but require a large toe box. I also bought some Merrell hiking boots that I wore straight out of the box while hiking several miles in the Rockies—so comfortable!
However, I’m now on a search for women’s low heeled dress boots (size 10-11, depending on the fit) that will meet these same requirements. Any suggested brands would be greatly appreciated.
Hello Laura —
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Take a look at the dress boots below:
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
Best running shoes I have found with wide toe, narrow heel are by far Brooks. I wear the Brooks adrenaline GTS as I also have an overpronation so need the arch support for running but in terms of toe/heel width these are fantastic.
For hiking boots Altbergs are the answer (ordered mine directly from Germany), mine have lasted many years, including military service and are still going strong, really warm and waterproof too, fantastic fit for wife toe box, narrow heel but the model I have is definitely a solid winter boot. I have not tried their lighter, summer models but may do so soon.
As others have stated though, finding smart ‘workwear’ footwear, both shoes and smart boots is the most difficult. Plain old Clarkes tend to work best for me but lack the arch support I need, Birkenstock narrow sandals are great for summer but again not smart, so I am currently looking into low, barefoot style shoe alternatives.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your findings!
When you mention barefoot style shoes, are you referring to minimalist footwear? Unfortunately, I am not familiar with those types of shoes.
Hi, I have extra-wide feet with high volume, and narrow heels and ankles. I looked at the shoes that you mentioned, but a lot of them were sold out in my size(9.5 extra wide) and some are very heavy and have hard soles that hurt my feet. Do you have any other sneakers you can recommend for walking/running 5-6miles daily? Thanks in advance!
Hello Jackie,
Take a look at the options below:
Option 1 This is a lighter shoe, available in extra wide widths and has a narrow heel
Option 2 Also a lighter shoe, available in extra wide widths and narrow heels
I suggest that you apply this shoe lacing technique to secure your heels: How to tie shoes for narrow heels
Hi, Juan,
I have flat feet (they don’t look it, but dr. says that “flatten” when I walk. They’re also wide in the toes, narrow in heels. I had toe surgery 3 years back and just retired from a desk (sedentary) job, but want to get more active now. I’ve tried Ortho shoes, Merrels, New Balance, and Easy Spirit. Typically, if they fit in the toe area, they’re unstable on uneven ground…loose in the heal/sides. If they fit securely, they’re narrow at the widest area and my feet cramp. Easy Spirit are comfortable, and I’ve worn New Balance, but I’d like something better made for outdoor walking. I did just get Merrell’s hiking boots & so far, so good. Any suggestions for walking shoes for my “complicated” feet? (some of those you do suggest are unavailable & I’m not sure they would fit an Rx orthotic) Also, I see that your “online” sizing chart indicates that you should buy a 1/2 size up? Is that correct? Does that apply to using an orthotic or just as a rule for online?
Hello Patty,
I usually suggest getting shoes a half a size longer than the longest toe in order to prevent the longest toe from rubbing against the front part of the shoes. In some cases, for women who wear orthotics that take a lot of extra space inside of the shoes, they might need to get a whole size longer instead of a half size.
Do you wear a full length or a 3/4 length orthotic? If you tell me the name of your orthotic that will give me a better idea of how much space it will take inside of the shoes.
As far as walking shoe recommendations, take a look at the options below that provide rounded toe-boxes, narrower heel counters, and they also provide extra depth to accommodate orthotics:
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
I suggest that you apply this shoe lacing technique: How to Tie Shoes for Women Who Wear Orthotics — It Takes 3 Easy and Simple Steps!