Bigfoot shoe shopping rage - why is it *still* so hard to buy shoes in larger sizes?

[Kernowgal]

Just been into my local town. Plenty of shops, department stores etc. Looking for a pair of walking boots and ideally a smarter pair of comfy winter ankle boots.

I am a narrow size 43 and I have come home empty-handed and full of The Rage. Women's walking boots all stop at a size 8 (except for the very expensive and too-wide Meindls) and the men's options are generally too wide. My Scarpas have just died at a little over two years old so I am reluctant to buy Scarpas again. Clarks have a nice range of ankle boots but you have to order in size 9s, they don't carry them in store. TK Maxx had sweet FA.

I don't have much of a budget either but I am willing to spend out on something if it's good quality and will last. But this is just tedious.

I saw size 8 boots in M&S yesterday, they may have larger sizes?

Size 8 is pretty standard. Just had a look on the size 8.5 and 9 section on M&S's website and they have just two pairs of shoes on offer! Can only think that they must be in the middle of updating their stock.

Thank you anyway

Most places are rubbish I agree; as a size 43/9 myself I have similar problems. Next sell 43s although they have seeminly got smaller over the years. Doc Martens have a huge range of nicely sized 9s in a massive selection of styles. Finally Birkies do a size 42 which fits me perfectly.

I'm an 8 (freakishly long fingers and toes) and I get annoyed by shops whose alleged size 8 is actually a 7! It's really noticeable where shoes have pointed toes. Dune are one of the worst offenders, and Office are pretty bad too.

Brantanos often have size nine. My mil is a nine and shops there.

Im a size 9 with wide feet and new look wide fit shoes are the only ones that fit me properly. Asda have size 9 and thats where I had to go for boots this year.

So many shops stop at a size 7 now and its so frustrating.

Next are really narrow - have you tried there? Probably better online there is a bigger selection

Hello ladies! I have indeed tried Next, and have found them hit and miss - it seems to depend on who is making the shoes for them. Boots seem to be OK but heels and flats are too small. A shame as they have a brilliant choice.

Clarks came up with the goods again, though it is a pain to have to order stuff in to try on. 30Seconds - top tip on Asda, I had forgotten about them. I have bought flats from them before. Brantanos is another good tip.

I've ranted on here before about the 9/42 thing that a lot of places seem to do. Bloody annoying, especially if you order a 9 only to find when it turns up that it's a 42.

I'm a very wide 8, so often have to resort to a 9. Have got a couple of 9s from Hush Puppies, in fact my only pair of girly going out shoes are from them, I was so chuffed when I found them.
Am with you on the continental size thing...No, that's a 42, it's an 8! Unless it's a Birkenstock, I'm wearing a 41 in those!