Comfy funky (ish) trainers for someone with feet like boats...

[AdaThorne]

...that don't cost as much as an actual chuffing superyacht!

Does anyone have any ideas please?

I am a women's UK size 9 (ie EU 42) and have been looking for literally months for a pair of nice trainers for outdoor use. I'm active but not an athlete so would use them for walking, running about in the park playing football with the kids, maybe even a run or two if I had a burning urge. They don't need bluetooth chips in them or anything like that or the more dramatic sounding sciency stuff but ideally cushioned and comfortable. Don't mind if they're waterproof but not bothered either way.

I just want them to look a bit feminine. Because my feet are so big and I am of a certain age I have spent my life being told 'these don't come in your size, why don't you buy boy's/men's shoes instead?' and I HATE it. So I'd like a funky colour or print - ideally purple, teal, darker blues possible but preferably not pink.

Budget no more than £75 (and ideally less than that!).

Fell in love with these Under Armour Hovrs in the sale but they've arrived and my toe basically pokes through the left foot despite me being assured that their 8.5 was equivalent to a 42
www.sportsshoes.com/product/und7971/under-armour-hovr-sonic-3-w8ls-women%27s-running-shoes/#sku-und7971

Sick of going into shops and being looked at like I'm Hagrid before being told they don't have anything in my size so looking to order online if possible.

Does anyone have any ideas please? I feel like there must be a market for this and I'm just not tapped into the right (running?) community to find it.

I swear by Skechers and walk around 40 miles a week through the woods, on the pavement, along the canal. They are very comfortable and lightweight and I usually pick up a pair for around £35. I don't know how they're sizing is though for bigger feet as I'm a 5. If I had size 9s I'd just buy from the men's section. I don't think trainers should be gendered anyway. I had a friend who was an 8 and bought men's merrels. I have some waterproof merrels but they are solid, heavy and I only use them for big walks when it's raining because they are proper walking shoes. In my long gone youth at uni I lived in Solomon approach shoes. You could try Amazon prime wardrobe to order different styles to try on and see which suits you best.

Sorry just remembered you said about possibly running. Skechers would be my choice every time. I wonder if they can be waterproofed?

Have you had a look at Next?
I've just done a search for size 9 trainers on their website and it's listing over 300, some of them also in wide fit.

@FlatteredFool

Sorry just remembered you said about possibly running. Skechers would be my choice every time. I wonder if they can be waterproofed?

I used to buy Skechers a lot but haven't had much luck in larger sizes lately unfortunately.

I might have overstated it about running and am definitely the definition of a fair weather runner, so lack of waterproofing isn't a dealbreaker!

@Clem4579

Have you had a look at Next? I've just done a search for size 9 trainers on their website and it's listing over 300, some of them also in wide fit.

I feel a bit daft because I figured Next would just sell shoes from Next so having a good look on the site now as there's loads of options.

It's a bit weird though because they're saying a women's size 8 is a UK 42 which seems to add to the confusion with bigger sizes. I know if I buy men's/unisex a 9 is a 42 but usually a UK 8 is a 41 so I'm a bit confused.

There's a few options there although most are more Vans/Converse trainer type things.

I might have just found a new pair of work shoes though... I think I just might suck at shoe shopping!

It might be a long shot but have you tried clarks?

I've bought a pair of women's Nike internationalist in a eu43. It is confusing because I am a 9, but a 43, so where companies say their 9s are a 42, I can't wear them!

Tom's do trainers, in our size, and they're comfy, but possibly not suitable for running. The Nike's are suitable for running, if not marathon training!

Keep checking TK Maxx as they have new arrivals daily.

This is size 9 women’s at the moment -

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/shoes/c/01050000?st=&sort=publishedDate-desc&facets=size:0007%2C0031%2CShoes%2C11.5:size:0007%2C0033%2CShoes%2C12.5:size:0007%2C0034%2CShoes%2C13:stockLevelStatus:inStock:size:0007%2C0024%2CShoes%2C9&page=0

Men’s size 9 some colourful ones -

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/men/shoes/c/02050000?st=&sort=publishedDate-desc&facets=size:0007%2C0025%2CShoes%2C9.5:size:0007%2C0024%2CShoes%2C9:stockLevelStatus:inStock&page=0&q=

@Mommyshere

It might be a long shot but have you tried clarks?

Sadly Clarks is one of the shoe shops that makes me all forlorn with my canoe shaped feet and yearning for nice shoes.

This is currently the only pair of women's trainers they sell in a size 9.
www.clarks.co.uk/c/Un-Adorn-Lace/p/26136071

Thanks for the thought though :)

[quote Galassia]Keep checking TK Maxx as they have new arrivals daily.

This is size 9 women’s at the moment -

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/shoes/c/01050000?st=&sort=publishedDate-desc&facets=size:0007%2C0031%2CShoes%2C11.5:size:0007%2C0033%2CShoes%2C12.5:size:0007%2C0034%2CShoes%2C13:stockLevelStatus:inStock:size:0007%2C0024%2CShoes%2C9&page=0[/quote]
Oooooh I hadn't thought about TK Maxx having shoes in my size! Might keep this page open and just check every day!

@DonLewis

I've bought a pair of women's Nike internationalist in a eu43. It is confusing because I am a 9, but a 43, so where companies say their 9s are a 42, I can't wear them!

Tom's do trainers, in our size, and they're comfy, but possibly not suitable for running. The Nike's are suitable for running, if not marathon training!

I'm glad it's not just me being inept! I just went on a hunt for purple Skechers and found some lovely trainer style ones, but they only seem to come in an 8/41 despite saying otherwise elsewhere.

I think a lot of confusion about the sizing comes from the fact some places are selling American sizes, some UK and some continental. But having just had to pay to send back the Under Armour Hovr ones I'm not risking ordering anywhere without free returns now!

Ha! Found some Under Armour Hovrs in another colour I like elsewhere... apparently here a UA 7.5 is a 42. Which is confusing because I sent back an 8.5 which was definitely a 41 at best.

Won't someone think of the frustrated big-footed women?! :S

Another size nine lass here and I feel your pain.

In the past few weeks I found some trainers in the Next sale that are white/cerise pink/yellow/gray and are definitely not masculine looking. I'm not sure they're entirely age appropriate for me but I'm just so happy not to be wearing something from the men's section I don't care.

OP we must be a similar age, in sports shops I've regularly been directed to the men's shoe department and loathe it. If they'd run out of gents size seven trainers would they show them the ladies selection? Don't bloody think so.

Yeah, it's a nightmare. I totally feel your pain.

I only search by EU sizes now.

I've bought my Nike's from ASOS, but they're out of stock. Just found this link for them in a different colour (I had the plain black and white) cheap as chips...
www.hotukdeals.com/deals/womens-nike-internationalist-trainers-now-ps32-free-delivery-at-zalando-3775773

I haven't checked the Tom's trainers for stock though.

Fellow flipper here but bigger flipper. Shoe shopping is hell! I wear mens mizuno wave knit trainers and they come in some good colours. They're not remotely fashionable. However they fit me really well, last FOREVER and are so unbelievably comfy.

Zalando is pretty good for size 9. I recently bought Adidas Terrex walking shoes that are pretty good (try their website direct). I always size up in trainers I'm a 8.5/42 and always wear a minimum 43 in trainers

I recently bought a pair of Nike MD Runner 2 and I bloody love them. I have size 9 feet and the first thing DD said when I tried them on was that my feet look small. DP, who is notoriously fussy about trainers has told me several times how cool they look. They're so light and really comfortable too. Don't think I'll ever go back to Vans now. Should have bought 2 pairs!

@Gobolino80 that's what I always do...buy a second pair. As soon as I find a size 43 that fits, I immediately order a second pair! Those Nike's are very similar to the internationalists I bought. Very comfy and you're right, my feet look small in them too!

Have you tried Asics?

www.asics.com/gb/en-gb/gel-excite-8/p/1012A916-705.html?width=Standard

www.office.co.uk/womens/trainers?size=9&page=1

I’m an 8 and have always thought this was a 42. Certainly that’s typical in the UK isn’t it? Clarks, M&S and Next all have size 9s in women’s. Long Tall Sally is worth a try too.

OP, try Magnus or Cinderella shoes. There’s also Crispins. These 3 are UK based.

Stateside you could try ZAPPOS or NORDSTROM who deliver world wide.

Also, you really need a table that sets out shoe sizes in UK/European/USA show sizes. Some of them also show the length of the shoe in cms and measuring your foot is easy.

Sorry OP, just wanted to say I’m a UK size 10, USA size 12, European size 44 and sometimes a 45 depending on the make.

New balance do larger women’s sizes in various colours (or tbh most of the shoes are the same in men’s and women’s and just different colours!)