Shoes for wide feet and bunions: wide widths to shortlist

Updated 2026-10-28 · Sources listed at the end

Short version: with a bunion, the side of the shoe presses on the bony lump at the big toe joint, so the extra room you want is at the ball of the foot. The NHS advises wearing "wide shoes with a low heel and soft sole" and not wearing "high heels or tight, pointy shoes". On 28 October 2026 we checked retailer product pages and found 79 casual, walking, running, dress, sandal, boot and slipper styles (no heels) listed in an extra-wide or XX-wide fitting: 42 on Zappos (US sizes) and 37 on Wide Fit Shoes (UK sizes). For the very widest, look at Drew, Orthofeet, Propet and New Balance walkers in the US, and DB Shoes in the UK.

A wider shoe is about comfort, not treatment. The NHS says surgery is the only way to get rid of a bunion, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) says nonsurgical treatment "cannot actually reverse a bunion". If a bunion hurts, is getting worse, or you have diabetes, see a GP or a podiatrist. Nothing on this page is medical advice.

What the NHS and AAOS say to look for

From the NHS bunions page and the AAOS OrthoInfo bunions page:

• Wide, with a low heel and soft sole (NHS). AAOS: "Choose shoes with wide insteps, broad toe boxes, soft soles, and plenty of stability."
• Avoid tight, pointed and high-heeled shoes. AAOS adds that heels "higher than a couple of inches" put more pressure on the forefoot. That's why heels are left out of this page.
• Rocker soles, if movement at the joint hurts. AAOS says that with pain on motion at the big toe (MTP) joint, "a shoe with a slight rocker bottom will be helpful". Ask your podiatrist whether that applies to you.
• Fit to your bigger foot, late in the day, standing up. AAOS recommends measuring both feet, trying shoes on at the end of the day, leaving 3/8 to 1/2 inch at the toe, and making sure "the ball of your foot fits well into the widest part (ball pocket) of the shoe".
• Don't count on stretching. AAOS: "Do not buy shoes that feel too tight, expecting them to eventually stretch to fit properly."
• Pads, insoles and toe spacers may help, but NHS and AAOS both suggest getting advice. AAOS warns that a bunion pad can add pressure if it's too big, so try it for a short time first.

Extra-wide and XX-wide shoes, women's US sizes

Extra-wide and XX-wide shoes, men's US sizes

Extra-wide and XX-wide shoes, women's UK sizes

Extra-wide and XX-wide shoes, men's UK sizes

DB Shoes uses its own fitting codes. According to the retailer's width labels, 2V fits roughly 2E to 4E and 6V roughly 6E to 8E.

Shortlist: the widest fittings we found

Widths are copied from each product page on 28 October 2026. Widths can differ between colourways, so check yours before you buy.

Women (US)

• Orthofeet Jessa: B, D, EE and 4E - XX-Wide. Its Zappos description says it has "a wide toe box design that alleviates pressure on swollen feet, bunions, and hammertoes" (the brand's claim, not ours).
• Orthofeet Coral: A to EE - X-Wide. The description mentions a "wide toe-box" and a "4-way stretch knit fabric" upper.
• Propet Tour Walker and Propet Stability Walker: M (B), N (AA), W (D), X (2E) and XX (4E).
• New Balance WW928v3: 2A to 4E - XX-Wide.
• Drew Bobbie: M (B), W (D), WW (EE) and XW (4E). The Drew Prim goes to WW (EE).
• SAS Tour Mesh Comfort Walking Sneaker: up to WWW (EE). SAS labels its W as (C) and WW as (D), so its "wide" is narrower than Propet's.
• Brooks Ghost Max 3: B and EE - X-Wide. Zappos says its construction "adds more volume to the shoe for a more inclusive fit and accommodates orthotics" and mentions a "Glideroll Rocker". The men's Ghost Max 3 page listed D - Medium only.

Men (US)

• Drew Ledger: D, EE, 4E, 6E and 8E, the widest US fitting we've verified so far.
• New Balance 928v3 and 608v5, Orthofeet Edgewater and Monterey Bay: up to 6E - XX-Wide.
• Propet Stability Walker: up to XX (5E).
• Rockport ProWalker M7100: up to XW (4E), if you need a smarter lace-up.

UK

• DB Shoes lists casual shoes, sneakers, loafers, sandals, boots and slippers in 2V (2E - 4E) and 6V (6E - 8E), for women and men.
• New Balance WW928WB3 (women's) comes in 2E and 4E. Tredd Well Toony Boot (men's) comes in 4E and 6E.

How to use these tables with a bunion

1. Start one width up from what you wear now, in your normal length. Going up a whole size mostly adds length.
2. Look at the shape as well as the letter. A round or square front leaves more space beside the big toe joint than a tapered one, even in the same width.
3. Soft or stretch uppers (knit, mesh, soft leather) give a little where stiff leather won't. Check where the seams sit relative to the bump.
4. Adjustable fastenings (laces, straps, touch-fastening) let you open the shoe up over the forefoot.
5. Read the width label in brackets. "W" can mean C, D or E depending on the brand. Our guide to width letters: 2E, 4E and UK EE explains the scales.
6. Order with free returns where you can, and try shoes on in the evening with the socks you'll wear.

When to see someone

The NHS suggests seeing a GP if bunion pain hasn't improved after a few weeks of home treatment, if it stops you doing normal activities, if the bunion is getting worse, or if you have diabetes, because foot problems can be more serious then. In many parts of the UK you can refer yourself to an NHS podiatrist. A podiatrist can also advise whether insoles (orthotics), toe spacers or a splint might help, and whether a particular shoe style suits your feet.

Related guides

• Wide and wide-toe-box running shoes compared
• Wide width dress shoes for women
• 2E vs 4E vs UK EE: shoe width letters explained

Width availability is copied from the retailer pages listed below on the date shown in the table. Health information is summarised from the NHS and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and is not a substitute for advice from a podiatrist or doctor. Stock and widths change, so please check the product page before you buy.