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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Hobbit Feet & Cruel Work Footwear

62 replies

PetitePiggy · 02/10/2021 08:59

I have really wide feet. As in, forget about wide fitting from places like Clarks or M&S. E and EE width are definitely not wide enough. My feet are shaped not unlike the boxes that shoes come in. Only size 5 though. The only place I can find anything with a really wide box toe that fit is Keen but they currently don't stock anything suitable for a return into the office. The only things I've found online have looked like something my late grandmother would turn her nose up at. All ruched leather bootees and whilst I'm no style guru, even I have some standards. Please does anyone know where I can get some flat, lace up boots or v smart trainers that I can wear with trousers ? Thank you.

OP posts:

balzamico · 02/10/2021 09:05

My friend swears by Ugg (trainers and sandals)

NotImpossible · 02/10/2021 09:09

Have you ever tried 'barefoot' shoes? They're often wider than normal shoes as they're made to allow feet to move and splay naturally. Sorry I don't have any specific recommendations as I don't have any 'smart' lace-ups but there are lots on groups and discussions on Facebook.

ThatLibraryMiss · 02/10/2021 09:17

Skechers work for my super-wide feet - would their black trainers be smart enough for you? Their wide fit is wide all over and their relaxed fit is wide at the toe but regular at the heel.

BrilloPaddy · 02/10/2021 09:23

I've got very wide feet...... I share your pain. As a rule of thumb, I stick to

Skechers
Vionic
Fitflop
Hotter
Some Ugg (I've got leather bonham boots)
Dr Martens (though they're bastards to break in)

Special occasion shoes - Sargasso & Grey.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/10/2021 09:31

I came on to say Hotter. I've had some fabulous shoes from them for work and have had loads of compliments!

coodawoodashooda · 02/10/2021 09:34

Yeah sketchers. I haven't found anything lovely though

Original poster

PetitePiggy · 02/10/2021 09:35

I've tried Sketchers but sadly they weren't wide enough. I had a fitting in a sports shop before lockdown and the man smirked when I asked how wide, said I didn't want to know and said the only ones that would come close were the Keen ones. They were a revelation - I didn't know shoes didn't have to hurt but sadly they aren't suitable for work. I'll get carted away for contempt. As I have been working from home, I promised my freaky feet that I'd never crush them again but.....
I will have a look at those barefoot ones @NotImpossible. Can you actually "feel" things you can't avoid walking over, like cigarette butts, as though your feet were literally bare? Manchester is a pretty grimy city. :)

Thank you all for the speedy replies

OP posts:

Chocolatecoatedkettlebell · 02/10/2021 09:54

If you are at least a 5.5 Nike do extra wide fitting trainers but only for men. My husband got some for his wide feet and there is actually room to spare and he raves about the comfort. All the black trainers have white soles though so not sure about work.

Chocolatecoatedkettlebell · 02/10/2021 09:54

Sorry, you are a size five 🤦🏼‍♀️

NotImpossible · 02/10/2021 09:56

@PetitePiggy

I've tried Sketchers but sadly they weren't wide enough. I had a fitting in a sports shop before lockdown and the man smirked when I asked how wide, said I didn't want to know and said the only ones that would come close were the Keen ones. They were a revelation - I didn't know shoes didn't have to hurt but sadly they aren't suitable for work. I'll get carted away for contempt. As I have been working from home, I promised my freaky feet that I'd never crush them again but..... I will have a look at those barefoot ones *@NotImpossible*. Can you actually "feel" things you can't avoid walking over, like cigarette butts, as though your feet were literally bare? Manchester is a pretty grimy city. :) Thank you all for the speedy replies

It depends on the shoe - some are thinner soled than others. In general you can feel things like gravel so you're aware but it's not painful. I'm not sure I'd notice a cigarette butt.

bonzo77 · 02/10/2021 09:58

One of my children has extremely wide feet. He finds mostly that adidas branded footwear is wearable.

NotImpossible · 02/10/2021 10:05

Ok, in the name of research I've just popped on odd boots and been outside to try walking on a few small soft twigs and other fallen-tree-bits 😁 I could feel them all through the soles of both. Not sure I'd notice a cigarette butt in a street but, yes, you could probably feel it if you tried.

It's not at all the same as bare feet though - I wouldn't hesitate to walk down a city street in my boots.

Sewaccidentprone · 02/10/2021 10:05

Have you tried the Hotter extra wide?

Original poster

PetitePiggy · 02/10/2021 10:09

@NotImpossible

That is incredibly kind. Thank you. I recall wearing Doc Martens and despite their think soles, felt like I could "feel" the pavement and I was very conscious of every step and gave them away after a few wears. I think maybe I have "issues".

OP posts:

Original poster

PetitePiggy · 02/10/2021 10:10

Or even "thick" soles.

OP posts:

purplesequins · 02/10/2021 10:16

is the men's section a option for you?
at your size possibly boy's school shoes?

have you looked at ecco, gabor, hotter?
the 'old trick' of going a size bigger?

I feel for you. I usually get shoes in the orthopaedic section and even there often have to go a size up.
my running shoes are from the men's range...

RubyGoat · 02/10/2021 10:17

@NotImpossible re the barefoot shoes, can I ask how long a pair usually lasts? We don't have a car so we walk everywhere. I have freaky feet also (not tremendously wide, but I have to wear orthotics with standard shoes, & I'm only a size 3, & my little toes curl under so I have considerable pain if I wear unsuitable shoes). My last pair of suitable trainers are wearing out & my choices for replacement are to try out barefoot shoes, or switch to DMs. Either will be pretty different from what I've been wearing previously, & both are expensive.

Also, I presume you can wear socks with them as with regular shoes?

ohdeariforgot · 02/10/2021 10:21

I have ridiculously wide feet. EEEEEE when I can find them. I wear BIRKENSTOCK Linz Super Grip. Not lace up, but great for work

Original poster

PetitePiggy · 02/10/2021 10:28

I saw Birkenstocks but just saw the "regular" or "narrow" on the page and assumed they weren't Hobbitesque. Thanks @ohdeariforgot

OP posts:

biggirlknickers · 02/10/2021 10:28

I have wide feet and bunions which have increased my need for super wide toe boxes.

My best find has been AllBirds. Smart enough for work, very comfy and lots of room.

I’ve also gone up 1 size.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 02/10/2021 10:33

I've switched over to men's shoes as my wide feet got even wider over lockdown. Fortunately I'm size 6.5 and most men's ranges go down to that small. I know that Ecco (which are my favourite) go down to a size 6 in their men's range, would it be worth trying on a pair just to see if it would work for you?

NotImpossible · 02/10/2021 10:42

[quote LegoCaltrops]@NotImpossible re the barefoot shoes, can I ask how long a pair usually lasts? We don't have a car so we walk everywhere. I have freaky feet also (not tremendously wide, but I have to wear orthotics with standard shoes, & I'm only a size 3, & my little toes curl under so I have considerable pain if I wear unsuitable shoes). My last pair of suitable trainers are wearing out & my choices for replacement are to try out barefoot shoes, or switch to DMs. Either will be pretty different from what I've been wearing previously, & both are expensive.

Also, I presume you can wear socks with them as with regular shoes?[/quote]
I think toes curling under can be an issue caused by too narrow shoes (not an expert though). I always had this issue with hiking boots - I thought they fitted fine but I nearly always ended up with a sore little toe and sometimes blister (those boots would be far too narrow for me now).

I've found Vivobarefoot very hard wearing but I think mine are older models - newer ones are narrower I think and I don't know if the quality is as good. I've only just bought some other brands as my Vivos are starting to feel a bit narrow for me too so I'm hoping they're as good.

They can be very expensive new (especially now, as some of the more well known brands are in the EU) but I've always bought secondhand.

However, if you have orthotics for a foot issue you might want to be careful and research barefoot shoes before trying - it does change the way you walk.

For anyone interested there's a really helpful Barefoot Shoes UK discussion group for shoe reviews of FB. And I like Older Yet Faster for foot exercises (the Facebook group is really helpful).

Thunderface · 02/10/2021 10:43

You sound like my foot twin. I'm also a 5 and have hobbit feet. I've been wearing wide fit boots and trainers from Vionic and they are so comfortable.
I wore wide fit sandals from Hotter this summer and can also highly recommend them.

NotImpossible · 02/10/2021 10:44

Oh, and yes to socks! Some people look for less restrictive socks as their feet widen but I just wear normal ones.

ToManderleyAgain · 02/10/2021 10:51

You could try adding Calla to your list. They are designed to accommodate bunions so larger at the toe end. The sandals I’ve tried may be too snug for you, but I found the boots were much wider fitting.

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