Difference between M and W width shoes

Walking around in shoes that don’t fit properly can cause a number of different issues from blisters to calluses or even bunions in extreme cases. Have you been wondering whether a wide fit meaning shoes that are specifically designed to give more room to your toes and foot, maybe the best option for you?

There are two simple components to shoe sizing: length and width. Everyone is familiar with shoe length sizes, but shoe widths are indicated by letters or by simply indicating wide or medium. There is a difference between wide shoes and medium width shoes and understanding that difference is essential to choosing a shoe that fits as best as possible. Keep reading to find out the difference between regular and wide shoes and hot to measure your foot width.

Difference Between Medium Width Shoes and Wide Width Shoes

The difference between medium width shoes and wide width shoes may be small, but it is very important. If you have wide width feet and you are fitting them in a pair of medium width shoes, you are likely smushing your toes against the side or the front of the shoes, which can cause irritation, blisters, corns, or calluses.

The difference between a medium width shoe and a wide width shoe is very small, about 1/8 of an inch. But this 1/8 inch can make all the difference in the world when it comes to comfort. With wide width shoes, the entire shoe is wider, but especially in the area just before the toes. This extra space will help give feet and toes enough room to prevent them from overlapping or rubbing against the inside of the shoes.

The most common mistake people with wide widths make is ordering a longer shoe size, because shoes may feel too tight around the width area. If you try a shoe on in the medium width, and the shoe feels too tight around the widest part of the foot, then opt for a wide width in the same size, instead of sizing up.

How To Measure Your Foot Width

To determine your correct shoe size and width, you can always get your feet measured at a shoe store. Otherwise, you can use the Brannock foot-measuring device. If you don’t have access to a Brannock device, you can always follow these instructions to manually measure your foot at home.

Shoe Widths: Men’s & Women’s

The lettering system is different for men and women. A women’s medium width shoe will typically be marked as a letter B, whereas the letter D is used for a wide shoe. The letter D for a man is medium while it is wide for a woman. Like men’s shoes, not every shoe will be identical. A medium width shoe for one company may fit, but another company may require a wide for the same fit. A man’s medium width shoe is designated either as a C or D. A man’s wide shoe carries the letters E or EE. It’s important to keep in mind that size D or medium width shoes can vary slightly by brand.

Always Try It On

Having your foot width professionally measured is certainly helpful to give you an exact idea of how wide your foot is. But no matter how sure you are of your shoe size and width, medium and wide widths will always be different for each shoe manufacturer. That being said, the only way to know if a new shoe is medium or wide is to try it on and walk around. Having the proper shoes with a wide fit meaning no discomfort while walking, will allow you to enjoy your day to its fullest. Check out our variety of shoes that come in wide and narrow fits.

VANELi is a proud leader in the specialty shoe size industry offering a wide selection of beautiful and trendy shoe styles available in narrow, slim, medium, and wide widths. Check out our selection of casual shoes, athleisure shoes, flats, dress shoes, and sandals.

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.

The main difference between medium shoes and wide shoes is that medium shoes are ¼ inch wider than narrow-fitting shoes whereas wide-fitting shoes are designed for wider feet and are ½ inch wider than narrow-fitting shoes. The wide shoes are also ¼ inch wider than the medium shoes. 

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 generally 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 forefoot and toes and that is why the wide shoes come with a slightly increased toe box.

The width of these shoes varies from extra narrow to extra-wide.

Comparison Table Between Medium Shoes and Wide 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 edema or feet swelling benefit a great deal.

People who require a medium shoe their feet is a slightly broader than normal feet and faces 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, it is always recommended to measure both the width and length of a foot before buying a pair of shoes.

The sizing for medium shoes also varies for both men and women. For men, the medium shoes are labeled as D whereas for women the medium-fit shoe is labeled as B.

What are Wide Shoes?

Wide shoes are required for comparatively wider feet but they are the same in 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 the medium shoes.

People with wide feet feel very uncomfortable in 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 it is problematic for them to adjust in normal-fitted shoes.

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 labeling of wide shoes is different for men and women. For men, wide shoes are generally labeled with E or 2E whereas extra wide shoes are labeled as 4E+.

For women, wide shoes are labeled as D whereas extra wide shoes are labeled either as E or 2E.

Main Differences Between Medium and Wide Shoes

1. 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. 
2. The alphabetical labeling for medium shoes starts from B whereas the alphabetical labeling for wide shoes starts from D.
3. For men, medium shoes are labeled D whereas the wide shoes are labeled E or 2E.
4. For women, the medium shoes are labeled B whereas the wide shoes are labeled D.
5. 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.

Conclusion

The medium and wide shoes are designed especially for people with broader feet. They are extremely comfortable for people who have some foot disorder like edema, flatfoot, or suffering from blisters.

Medium and wide shoes leave more space for the feet to breathe properly and move comfortably.

If someone finds it very difficult to adjust their feet in normal shoes such that their toes overlap or cause pain in the front region of the foot, they should take the right measurements.

After taking appropriate measurements for length and the widest part of the foot one can understand if they need a medium or wide shoes. 

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0737080615006590
2. https://journals.lww.com/corr/Fulltext/2000/03000/Foot_Health_and_Shoewear_for_Women.5.aspx

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Table of Contents

• Medium Shoes vs Wide Shoes
• Comparison Table Between Medium Shoes and Wide Shoes
• What are Medium Shoes?
• What are Wide Shoes?
• Main Differences Between Medium and Wide Shoes
• Conclusion
• References