UK Wide-Fit Shoe Brand Guide: Who Stocks What and Where

Width codes vary between the UK, American, and continental systems, which can make comparison shopping confusing. Here is a breakdown of each system:

UK letter codes:

• Women's: B (narrow), D (standard), E, EE, EEE, EEEE, 6E
• Men's: E (narrow), F (standard), G, H, K

American width codes:

• Women's: B (standard), M (medium), W (wide), 2E, 4E
• Men's: D (standard), 2E (wide), 4E (extra wide)

Continental (European) width codes:

• G, H, I, K (progressing from standard to extra wide)

Threshold for orthotics: As a general rule, orthotic users should look for women's EE or wider and men's H or wider. Thicker orthotics may require even wider fittings.

These brands cater to the widest fittings available in the UK market, serving customers whose needs go well beyond standard wide-fit:

• Cosyfeet: Women's up to 6E, men's up to 3H fitting. Cosyfeet is one of the most established names in extra-wide footwear in the UK, with a range covering shoes, boots, slippers, and sandals. All styles feature removable insoles. Available through their website with an affiliate commission of 4% through AWIN.
• DB Wider Fit: Available up to 8E width, making DB the widest-fitting brand commonly available in the UK. Recommended by NHS podiatry departments for patients requiring specialist footwear. Their range includes smart, casual, and outdoor styles. Available through AWIN affiliate network.
• Sandpiper: Specialises in seamless, medical-grade footwear designed for sensitive feet, including those with diabetes, oedema, and bunions. Their shoes minimise internal seams to reduce the risk of friction and pressure injuries.

These brands offer wider fittings while maintaining styles that appeal to the general market:

• Padders: Women's up to 6E, men's up to K width. Padders bridges the gap between specialist and mainstream, offering comfortable, well-made shoes in a range of styles. Stocked at Pavers and Charles Clinkard on the high street, making them easy to try before buying.
• Hotter: Women's up to EEE, men's up to H width. Hotter combines comfort features with contemporary styling, and their shoes are popular with customers who want wider fittings without a clinical appearance. Available through AWIN with affiliate commission of 5 to 10%.
• Pavers: A multi-brand retailer with over 150 stores across the UK, stocking a wide selection of wide-fit shoes from various brands. Their own-brand range includes wide and extra-wide options. Available through AWIN with affiliate commission of 5%.

European comfort brands have a long tradition of wider, deeper shoe construction that naturally accommodates orthotics:

• Gabor: Available in G and K width fittings, which equate approximately to EEE in UK sizing. Gabor shoes are well-made with quality leather uppers and removable insoles in many styles. Widely stocked in UK department stores and independent shoe shops.
• Rieker Antistress: While Rieker does not use traditional width codes, their Antistress range features hidden depth and generous internal volume that accommodates many orthotics. The elastic inserts and soft uppers provide additional give.
• Waldlaufer: Available up to H width, Waldlaufer is a German brand specialising in comfort footwear with removable insoles, anatomically shaped lasts, and high-quality leather. Less well known in the UK but highly regarded by podiatrists.
• Finn Comfort: A premium German orthopaedic brand with removable cork-latex footbeds and deep, anatomically shaped shoe lasts. Finn Comfort shoes are expensive but exceptionally well made and designed from the ground up for orthotic compatibility.
• Josef Seibel: Offers generous fittings with soft leather uppers and removable insoles. Their casual and smart-casual ranges are popular with orthotic users who want comfortable everyday shoes at a mid-range price point.

For active use, several major sports brands now offer wide-fit versions of their most popular shoes:

• New Balance: Available in 2E and 4E widths across many models. New Balance has the most comprehensive wide-fit range of any sports brand and has long been a favourite of podiatrists. Available through AWIN affiliate network.
• HOKA: Available in 2E width for selected models. HOKA's generous volume and cushioning make their shoes popular with orthotic users. Listed on the Royal College of Podiatry's recommended list (RCPod). Available through AWIN with affiliate commission of 7%.
• Brooks: Available in 2E and 4E widths. Brooks specialises in running shoes with biomechanical support features that complement orthotics well.
• ASICS: Wide versions available for selected models. ASICS uses Commission Factory for their affiliate programme in the UK.
• Skechers: Wide versions available across their walking and casual ranges. Skechers' relaxed-fit and wide-fit lines provide generous volume at accessible price points. Available through both AWIN and CJ affiliate networks.

Knowing where to find wide-fit shoes is just as important as knowing which brands to look for:

Online specialists:

• Simply Feet: Specialises in comfort and orthotic-friendly footwear with detailed product information including width and depth measurements.
• ShoeMed: Focuses on medical-grade and orthopaedic footwear with clinical fitting advice.
• Wide Fit Shoes: Dedicated wide-fit retailer with a curated selection of brands in extended widths.
• Missy UK: Stocks wide-fit women's shoes with a focus on stylish options in larger sizes and wider fittings.
• Wide Shoes: Another specialist retailer focusing exclusively on wide and extra-wide footwear.

High street retailers:

• Pavers: Over 150 stores nationwide stocking multiple wide-fit brands.
• Clarks: Offers wide-fit options in many styles and has trained fitters in most stores.
• Charles Clinkard: Stocks Padders, Gabor, and other comfort brands with knowledgeable staff.
• Shoe Zone: Budget-friendly wide-fit options available in stores across the UK.

In-person specialist fitting:

• Shuropody: Podiatry-led clinics with shoe fitting services and orthotic-compatible footwear.
• Foot Solutions: Franchise specialising in personalised shoe fitting with digital foot scanning.
• Society of Shoe Fitters members: Trained professionals who can assess your feet and recommend appropriate widths and styles.

The Society of Shoe Fitters is a professional body that trains and certifies shoe fitters across the UK. Their members have specialist knowledge in foot measurement, width assessment, and shoe compatibility; these skills are particularly valuable for orthotic users.

What a trained shoe fitter can help with:

• Accurate width measurement: Using calibrated tools to determine your exact width, rather than relying on shoe sizes alone.
• Orthotic compatibility advice: Assessing which shoes in their stock will work with your specific orthotics.
• Fitting adjustments: Recommending lacing techniques, tongue pads, or other modifications to improve fit.
• Ongoing support: Building a relationship with a fitter who understands your feet means faster, more accurate shopping in the future.

You can find a trained shoe fitter near you through the Society of Shoe Fitters directory on their website.