Buying the wrong size shoe causes discomfort and sometimes becomes the origin of conditions like ingrown toenails or calluses. People with wider feet find it difficult to get the right size as medium and wide shoes are not readily available in every store.
These types of shoes are very comfortable for wider feet and are also easily distinguishable.
Key Takeaways
- Medium shoes have a standard width that fits most people, while wide shoes have a wider width to accommodate those with wider feet.
- Wide shoes are ideal for people who experience discomfort or pain due to the tightness of regular shoes, while medium shoes are suitable for people with standard foot width.
- When selecting a shoe size, it is important to consider both the length and width of your feet to ensure a comfortable fit.
Medium Shoes vs Wide Shoes
The shoes which are ¼ inch wider than the narrow-fitting shoes are called medium shoes. Sizing for medium shoes are different for men and for women. Women’s medium size is labeled as B and men’s size is labeled as D. Wide shoes are the shoes which are ½ inch wider than narrow-fitting shoes. Wides shoes labels for the men are E or 2E and D is used for women.
Medium-fitted shoes are slightly narrower as compared to wide shoes, but they are wider than normal-sized shoes. If someone is uncomfortable wearing a normal-sized shoe because their toes might overlap, they end up buying a size up.
But, this is a common mistake made as the person needs comparatively wider shoes (they can try medium shoes) and no longer shoes.
Wide-fitting shoes have a similar length as any normal-sized shoes, but they are wider to accommodate wide feet. People with wide feet have wider forefeet and toes, so the wide shoes come with a slightly increased toe box.
The width of these shoes varies from extra narrow to extra wide.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Medium Shoes | Wide Shoes |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Medium shoes are ¼ inch wider than narrow-fitting shoes. | Wide shoes have ½ inch more width than any narrow-fitting shoes. |
| Labels | The alphabetical labelling for medium shoes starts from B. | The alphabetical labelling for wide shoes starts from D. |
| Men | Medium shoes that are made for men are labelled D. It is the standard shoe size for men. | Wide shoes that are made for men are labelled either E or 2E. |
| Women | The standard or the medium shoe size for women is labelled as B. | In the case of women, D is used for labelling the wide shoes. |
| Measurement | The difference in width of the feet is less than or equal to ¼ inch than narrow-fitting shoes. | The difference in width of the feet is more than ¼ inch and less than or equal to ½ inch than narrow-fitting shoes. |
What are Medium Shoes?
The medium shoes are ¼ inch wider than the narrow-fitting shoes and ¼ inch narrower than the wide shoes. Medium-fitted shoes are also designed for people with broad feet, but their feet width is comparatively lesser than those fit for wide shoes.
These shoes are designed specifically to give clinical support to the feet, and people who are suffering from oedema or foot swelling benefit a great deal.
People who require a medium shoe their feet is a slightly broader than normal feet and face lesser difficulty when wearing a narrow-fitting shoe.
But, their toes still tend to overlap, or they forcefully have to squeeze their entire feet inside a normal shoe. And if the lack of comfort continues for a long period due to negligence, it can give rise to foot or leg disorders.
So, measuring both the width and length of a foot is always recommended before buying a pair of shoes.
The sizing for medium shoes also varies for both men and women. For men, the medium shoes are labelled as D, whereas for women, the medium-fit shoe is labelled as B.
What are Wide Shoes?
Wide shoes are required for comparatively wider feet but are the same length. People with broader feet think that they are uncomfortable in narrow-fitting shoes because they have bought one size smaller than they need.
But wide feet are about the increase in the width of the feet and not the length. So, buying a bigger narrow-fitting shoe doesn’t help.
Wide shoes are referred to as those types of shoes whose width is ½ inch more than narrow-fitting shoes and ¼ inch broader than medium shoes.
People with wide feet feel very uncomfortable wearing standard or narrow-fitting shoes, which ultimately results in overlapping of toes or causing painful blisters.
Several causes of wide feet lead to the necessity of buying wide-fit shoes. For example, people with flatfoot have comparatively wide feet, and adjusting in normal-fitted shoes is problematic.
Another temporary condition is pregnancy because during this time, the ligament around the feet loosens up, and as a result, a wide-fitting shoe is required.
The labelling of wide shoes is different for men and women. For men, wide shoes are labelled with E or 2E, whereas extra wide shoes are labelled as 4E+.
For women, wide shoes are labelled as D, whereas extra wide shoes are labelled either as E or 2E.
Main Differences Between Medium and Wide Shoes
- Medium shoes are ¼ inch wider than narrow-fitting shoes, whereas wide shoes are ½ inch wider than narrow-fitting shoes and ¼ inch wider than medium shoes.
- The alphabetical labelling for medium shoes starts from B, whereas the alphabetical labelling for wide shoes starts from D.
- For men, medium shoes are labelled D, whereas wide shoes are labelled E or 2E.
- For women, the medium shoes are labelled B, whereas the wide shoes are labelled D.
- If the difference in width of the foot is ¼ inch or less, medium shoes are recommended. On the other hand, if the difference is between ¼ inch and ½ inch from the normal size chart for shoes, one requires wide shoes.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080615006590
- https://journals.lww.com/corr/Fulltext/2000/03000/Foot_Health_and_Shoewear_for_Women.5.aspx
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
Pregnancy and temporary foot conditions are highlighted as factors necessitating wide-fit shoes, underscoring the diverse situations where wide shoes are beneficial.
The specific details provided on width measurements, labelling, and fitting criteria for medium and wide shoes are extremely helpful for readers seeking appropriate footwear.
The article addresses common misconceptions about proper shoe sizing and provides valuable information for those experiencing discomfort due to poorly fitting shoes.
The distinctions between medium and wide shoes are clearly delineated, shedding light on the precise differences in width, labelling, and measurements for both categories.
This article provides a comprehensive comparison between medium and wide shoes, offering insights into the distinction in sizing and who might benefit from each shoe type.
The tables and detailed explanations in the article effectively illustrate the differences in shoe width and sizing for both men and women.
It is crucial to emphasize the importance of proper foot measurements to ensure proper shoe fit, particularly for individuals with specific foot conditions.
Wide-fitting shoes play a critical role in providing comfort and addressing issues such as overlapping toes or painful blisters, making them essential for individuals with wider feet.