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

Width codes vary between the UK, American, and continental systems, which makes comparison shopping confusing. Here's how each system works:

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: If you're using orthotics, aim for women's EE or wider and men's H or wider. Thicker orthotics may need even wider fittings.

These brands stock the widest fittings you'll find in the UK. If standard wide-fit isn't cutting it, start here:

• Cosyfeet: Women's up to 6E, men's up to 3H fitting. Cosyfeet is one of the best-known extra-wide brands in the UK, covering shoes, boots, slippers, and sandals. All styles have removable insoles. Available through their website with an affiliate commission of 4% through AWIN.
• DB Wider Fit: Goes up to 8E width, making DB the widest-fitting brand you'll commonly find in the UK. NHS podiatry departments recommend them for patients needing specialist footwear. The range covers smart, casual, and outdoor styles. Available through AWIN affiliate network.
• Sandpiper: Specialises in seamless, medical-grade footwear for sensitive feet. If you have diabetes, oedema, or bunions, Sandpiper shoes minimise internal seams to reduce friction and pressure injuries.

These brands do wider fittings without looking like specialist footwear:

• Padders: Women's up to 6E, men's up to K width. Padders sits between specialist and mainstream. Comfortable, well-made shoes in a decent 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 with contemporary styling. Popular with people who want wider fittings that don't look clinical. Available through AWIN with affiliate commission of 5 to 10%.
• Pavers: A multi-brand retailer with over 150 stores across the UK. They stock wide-fit shoes from various brands, and their own-brand range includes wide and extra-wide options. Available through AWIN with affiliate commission of 5%.

European comfort brands tend to build wider and deeper as standard. Many of these work well with orthotics straight out of the box:

• Gabor: Available in G and K width fittings, which equate approximately to EEE in UK sizing. Well-made with quality leather uppers and removable insoles in many styles. You'll find them in UK department stores and independent shoe shops.
• Rieker Antistress: Rieker doesn't use traditional width codes, but their Antistress range has hidden depth and generous internal volume that fits many orthotics. The elastic inserts and soft uppers give you extra room too.
• Waldlaufer: A German brand going up to H width, specialising in comfort footwear with removable insoles and anatomically shaped lasts. Less well known in the UK but podiatrists rate them highly.
• Finn Comfort: Premium German orthopaedic brand with removable cork-latex footbeds and deep, anatomically shaped lasts. They're expensive, but built from the ground up for orthotic compatibility.
• Josef Seibel: Generous fittings with soft leather uppers and removable insoles. Their casual and smart-casual shoes are popular with orthotic users who want something comfortable for everyday wear at a mid-range price.

Several major sports brands now do wide-fit versions of their popular models:

• New Balance: Available in 2E and 4E widths across many models. New Balance has the widest range of wide-fit options of any sports brand. Podiatrists have been recommending them for years. Available through AWIN affiliate network.
• HOKA: Available in 2E width for selected models. HOKA's generous volume and cushioning work well with orthotics. They're 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 built-in 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 give you generous volume at a reasonable price. Available through both AWIN and CJ affiliate networks.

Knowing where to buy matters as much 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 trains and certifies shoe fitters across the UK. Their members know how to measure feet properly and assess shoe compatibility, which is particularly useful if you're fitting orthotics.

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.