Standard or Wide
Wide Fit Guide
Built for Wide Feet. Actually.
If you've sized up, stretched, returned, and finally given up on boots - this page is for you. Our Wide version isn't a standard boot with a bigger number on the box. It's a different last, built around how wide feet are actually shaped. Real numbers below, so you can judge for yourself.
Units
Why Boots Fail Wide Feet
We spent months reading what wide-footed boot lovers actually say - hundreds of posts and reviews. The same four problems came up again and again. Here's each one, and what our Wide version does about it.
1. The forefoot squeeze
"Within 5 minutes of wearing, my pinky toe and outer foot are numb. By 20 minutes, I can't even walk."
Most fashion boots are built on narrow lasts. If the widest part of your foot - the ball - is wider than the boot's ball, no amount of breaking in fixes it. The upper simply has nowhere to go.
Our fix: +0.51 in+13 mm of circumference around the ball of the foot, and +0.20 in+5 mm of flat width at the widest point. The pressure is gone before it starts.
2. The size-up trap
"I size up 1.5 sizes to fit the width. Then the heel slips with every step, I get blisters on my heels AND my toes. It's lose-lose."
Sizing up is the advice everyone gives - and it doesn't work. A longer boot gives you width by accident, and takes heel security in exchange. Heel slip means friction, friction means blisters, and the boot never feels like yours.
Our fix: the Wide version keeps the same length as our standard fit, size for size. You order your true size. The width comes from the last, not from extra length.
3. The high instep clamp
"Boots are the worst because they won't close over the top of my foot - or if they fit the ankle, I have to lace them impossibly tight."
Width isn't only side to side. Many wide feet are also tall through the instep - the top of the foot - and that's exactly where boots close. A boot can fit your toes perfectly and still refuse to close over your instep.
Our fix: +0.51 in+13 mm of instep girth and +0.51 in+13 mm through the midfoot. Measured space over the top of your foot - not stretch, not wishful thinking.
4. Feet that grow during the day
"I can be a 9 wide in the morning, but by evening when my feet swell, I'm basically an 11. No boot can adjust like that."
Feet swell - from standing, walking, heat, long days. A boot that fits at 9 AM can clamp down by 6 PM. Wide feet feel this first, because there's no spare room to absorb the change.
Our fix: the extra girth through the ball, midfoot and instep is exactly the buffer swelling needs. And we recommend measuring your feet in the evening - so you buy for your biggest foot, not your smallest.
Standard vs Wide - The Actual Numbers
"Wide" means nothing without numbers. Here's exactly what changes between our Standard and Wide fit, measured on the same US Women's 8 last:
Units
| Measurement | Standard | Wide | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball girth (around the forefoot) | 9.29 in236 mm | 9.80 in249 mm | +0.51 in+13 mm |
| Midfoot girth (around the arch) | 9.33 in237 mm | 9.84 in250 mm | +0.51 in+13 mm |
| Instep girth (over the top of the foot) | 9.49 in241 mm | 10.00 in254 mm | +0.51 in+13 mm |
| Heel girth (instep, around the back of the heel) | 14.02 in356 mm | 14.49 in368 mm | +0.47 in+12 mm |
| Ball width (flat, at widest point) | 3.43 in87 mm | 3.62 in92 mm | +0.20 in+5 mm |
| Length | 10.00 in254 mm | 10.00 in254 mm | Same |
| Toe box height | 1.22 in31 mm | 1.22 in31 mm | Same |
Wide comes in every half size from US Women's 4.5 to 14 - the same full range as our standard fit, graded proportionally from this base.
The full graded run, size by size
The table above is our sample size, US 8. Here is the same comparison at every size we hold measured data for, straight off our factory's last sheets, US 5.5 to 14. All figures in inchesmillimetres. Every size gains the same +0.51 in+13 mm of ball, midfoot and instep girth and the same +0.20 in+5 mm of flat width, and every size keeps the standard length.
Units
| US size | Ball girth | Ball width (flat) | Midfoot girth | Instep girth | Heel girth | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Std | Wide | Std | Wide | Std | Wide | Std | Wide | Std | Wide | |
| US 5.5 | 8.67220.1 | 9.18233.2 | 3.2281.7 | 3.4186.7 | 8.71221.1 | 9.22234.1 | 8.86225.1 | 9.38238.2 | 12.93328.5 | 13.31338.0 |
| US 6 | 8.79223.3 | 9.30236.3 | 3.2682.8 | 3.4687.8 | 8.83224.3 | 9.34237.3 | 8.99228.3 | 9.50241.3 | 13.15334.0 | 13.54344.0 |
| US 6.5 | 8.92226.5 | 9.43239.5 | 3.3083.8 | 3.5088.8 | 8.96227.5 | 9.47240.5 | 9.11231.5 | 9.63244.5 | 13.37339.5 | 13.78350.0 |
| US 7 | 9.04229.7 | 9.55242.7 | 3.3484.9 | 3.5489.9 | 9.08230.7 | 9.59243.7 | 9.24234.7 | 9.75247.7 | 13.58345.0 | 14.02356.0 |
| US 7.5 | 9.17232.8 | 9.68245.8 | 3.3885.9 | 3.5890.9 | 9.21233.8 | 9.72246.8 | 9.36237.8 | 9.88250.8 | 13.80350.5 | 14.25362.0 |
| US 8 | 9.29236.0 | 9.80249.0 | 3.4387.0 | 3.6292.0 | 9.33237.0 | 9.84250.0 | 9.49241.0 | 10.00254.0 | 14.02356.0 | 14.49368.0 |
| US 8.5 | 9.42239.2 | 9.93252.2 | 3.4788.1 | 3.6693.1 | 9.46240.2 | 9.97253.2 | 9.61244.2 | 10.13257.2 | 14.23361.5 | 14.72374.0 |
| US 9 | 9.54242.3 | 10.05255.3 | 3.5189.1 | 3.7194.1 | 9.58243.3 | 10.09256.4 | 9.74247.3 | 10.25260.4 | 14.45367.0 | 14.96380.0 |
| US 9.5 | 9.67245.5 | 10.18258.5 | 3.5590.2 | 3.7595.2 | 9.71246.5 | 10.22259.5 | 9.86250.5 | 10.38263.5 | 14.67372.5 | 15.20386.0 |
| US 10 | 9.79248.7 | 10.30261.7 | 3.5991.2 | 3.7996.2 | 9.83249.7 | 10.34262.7 | 9.99253.7 | 10.50266.7 | 14.88378.0 | 15.43392.0 |
| US 10.5 | 9.92251.9 | 10.43264.9 | 3.6392.3 | 3.8397.3 | 9.96252.9 | 10.47265.9 | 10.11256.9 | 10.63269.9 | 15.10383.5 | 15.67398.0 |
| US 11 | 10.04255.1 | 10.55268.1 | 3.6893.4 | 3.8798.4 | 10.08256.1 | 10.59269.1 | 10.24260.1 | 10.75273.1 | 15.31389.0 | 15.91404.0 |
| US 11.5 | 10.17258.2 | 10.68271.2 | 3.7294.4 | 3.9199.4 | 10.21259.2 | 10.72272.2 | 10.36263.2 | 10.88276.2 | 15.53394.5 | 16.14410.0 |
| US 12 | 10.29261.4 | 10.80274.4 | 3.7695.5 | 3.96100.5 | 10.33262.4 | 10.84275.4 | 10.49266.4 | 11.00279.4 | 15.75400.0 | 16.38416.0 |
| US 12.5 | 10.42264.6 | 10.93277.6 | 3.8096.5 | 4.00101.5 | 10.46265.6 | 10.97278.6 | 10.61269.6 | 11.13282.6 | 15.96405.5 | 16.61422.0 |
| US 13 | 10.54267.8 | 11.05280.8 | 3.8497.6 | 4.04102.6 | 10.58268.8 | 11.09281.8 | 10.74272.8 | 11.25285.8 | 16.18411.0 | 16.85428.0 |
| US 13.5 | 10.67270.9 | 11.18283.9 | 3.8898.7 | 4.08103.7 | 10.71271.9 | 11.22284.9 | 10.86275.9 | 11.38288.9 | 16.40416.5 | 17.09434.0 |
| US 14 | 10.79274.1 | 11.30287.1 | 3.9399.7 | 4.12104.7 | 10.83275.1 | 11.34288.1 | 10.99279.1 | 11.50292.1 | 16.61422.0 | 17.32440.0 |
Toe box height is identical between Standard and Wide at every size, rising from 1.12 in28.5 mm at US 5.5 to 1.46 in37 mm at US 14. Length is identical between Standard and Wide at every size. Heel girth is the diagonal loop measured from the instep, around the back of the heel. It does open on the Wide last, but deliberately less than everything else: at every size it gains a smaller proportion than the ball and the instep do. On our US 8 sample that is +0.47 in+12 mm at the heel against +0.51 in+13 mm at a forefoot barely two thirds its size, which leaves the heel about 0.28 in7 mm tighter than a proportional scale-up would have made it - so it still holds your foot while the forefoot opens up. Sizes outside US 5.5 to 14 are graded from the same base at the same rate. These are last measurements, not foot measurements, so please don't measure your own foot against them; use the measuring steps further down this page instead. Inch figures are converted from the millimetre last sheet and rounded to 0.01 in, so a difference can read 0.01 in off the two figures beside it.
Why the length staying the same is the whole point
Most brands sell you width by selling you a bigger boot. The length grows, and your heel starts travelling inside it. Our Wide version is built on its own last: the length is identical to Standard at every single size, and the extra room is placed where wide feet actually run out of it, around the ball, the arch and the instep. The heel does open a little too, but by a smaller proportion than the forefoot at every size, so it still cups your heel instead of giving it somewhere to travel. You order your true size, and the width arrives without the extra length you never wanted.
Wide Fit - Every Question, Answered
Fit & Sizing
How do I know if I need Wide instead of Standard?
Wide is for you if any of these sound familiar:
- Your pinky toe or the outside of your foot goes numb or sore in "normal" boots
- You've been sizing up to make boots fit your width
- You have bunions, or your toes feel crushed even when the length is right
- You have a high instep - boots barely close over the top of your foot
- You've been told your feet are "too wide" for fashion boots, or you gave up on them years ago
Should I just size up instead of buying Wide?
No - and this matters. Sizing up gives you width by giving you extra length you don't need. The boot gets longer, your heel starts slipping with every step, and heel slip means blisters, toe-rubbing, and a boot that never feels secure. It's a lose-lose trade, and it's the #1 mistake wide-footed boot buyers are forced into. The Wide version fixes width where width actually lives - around the ball, instep, and midfoot - while keeping the length exactly the same. Order Wide in your true size, not a size up.
I already own Skatheia boots but I sized up to get more room. What Wide size should I order?
Go back to your true size. If your measured foot length puts you in a US 8 but you bought a 9 in Standard to get width, order the Wide in US 8. The Wide 8 has the same length as the Standard 8 - the extra room is all in the width and instep, where you actually needed it.
What width letter is this? D? EE?
We deliberately don't print a letter, because letters lie. There is no cross-brand standard for shoe widths: one label's D is another label's EE, and a letter tells you nothing at all about the instep, which on boots is usually where the real trouble is. So we publish the actual measurementsmillimetres instead, and you'll find every one of them on this page. What we can say plainly: our Standard fit already runs roomier than most fashion boots, and the Wide version adds 0.51 in13 mm of circumference on top of that, at the ball, the arch and the instep alike, plus 0.20 in5 mm of extra flat width at the widest point. If a letter is all you have to go on, measure your foot with the steps below and compare against the table instead.
I have a high instep - will the boots actually close?
This was one of the main problems we built Wide to solve. The instep girth is 0.51 in13 mm larger than standard - real, measured space over the top of your foot, not stretch or wishful thinking. If you've ever had a boot fit everywhere except the part where it closes, that extra 0.51 in13 mm is for you.
I have bunions. Will these work for me?
The Wide version adds room exactly where bunions need it: +0.51 in+13 mm of girth and +0.20 in+5 mm of flat width at the ball of the foot - the bunion zone. And because the length stays true to size, you're not forced into the size-up-and-slip compromise that usually makes bunion pain worse. If your bunions are severe, we recommend measuring both feet at the end of the day and emailing us your measurements - we'll tell you honestly whether Wide will work for you.
My feet swell during the day. Will these still fit by evening?
The extra girth through the ball, midfoot, and instep gives your foot room to expand without the boot clamping down. Pro tip from us: measure your feet at the end of the day, when they're at their largest, and buy for that foot - not your morning foot.
How do I measure my foot to pick between Standard and Wide?
- Stand on a piece of paper on a hard floor, full weight on the foot, at the end of the day.
- Trace your foot, then measure the length (heel to longest toe) and the width at the widest point (across the ball).
- Do both feet - use the larger one.
- Use the size finder on our Size Chart page - or print our exact-size measuring guide there (US Letter or A4, in inches or cm) and read your size straight off the page.
Design & Construction
What's actually different about the Wide version?
Everything that should be - and nothing that shouldn't. Compared to our standard fit (same US size): +0.51 in+13 mm around the ball of the foot, +0.51 in+13 mm around the instep, +0.51 in+13 mm around the midfoot, and +0.20 in+5 mm of flat width at the widest point. What we deliberately did NOT change: the length, and the height of the toe box. Both are identical to Standard, size for size. So you order your true size, and every bitmillimetre of the extra room goes where wide feet actually need it instead of into extra length you then have to fight.
Is this just a wider toe box?
No - it's wider through the whole front half of the foot. Shoemakers measure width as girth: the circumference around your foot, not just how wide the sole looks. Our Wide version increases girth at all three points that matter - the ball (+0.51 in+13 mm), the instep (+0.51 in+13 mm), and the midfoot (+0.51 in+13 mm). A boot that only splays the toe still pinches everywhere else. This one doesn't.
Will the boot swim on me like other "wide" boots?
This is the difference between a real wide last and a scaled-up one. Most brands make "wide" by enlarging the whole boot, length included, so you get a longer shoe and a heel with somewhere to travel. Our Wide version keeps the length identical to Standard and puts the extra room around the ball, the arch and the instep instead. On the lace-up styles you get real adjustment on top of that: the instep room is there on the days your feet want it, and the laces take it back up on the days they don't.
Does the Wide version look bigger or clunky from the outside?
Barely - and most people can't tell at all. The flat width grows just 0.20 in5 mm at the widest point, the length is identical, and the sole, silhouette, and height are unchanged. All of the extra room is in the internal volume. Same boot, same look - it just stops fighting your foot.
I'm a woman who's been buying men's shoes just to get the width. Do I still need to?
Not anymore. Men's shoes give you width but the wrong proportions - bigger heel, different instep, longer fit. The Wide version is built on a women's last, with the width added where women's wide feet actually need it and the whole shape still cut for a woman's foot rather than scaled off a man's. You get the width without the compromises.
Ordering & Guarantee
What sizes does the Wide version come in?
Women's US 4.5 to 14, in every half size - the same full range as our Standard fit. Same size logic too: if you're a US 8 in Standard length, you're a US 8 in Wide.
What if the fit still isn't right?
You're covered: one size exchange per order. If Wide turns out to be too roomy, we'll swap you to Standard - and vice versa. Shipping on that swap is free when your order includes Delivery & Fit Protection; without it you cover shipping both ways. Either way, you'll never be stuck with a boot that doesn't fit.
Can I mix - one Standard pair and one Wide pair?
Of course. Standard and Wide are the same boots, same designs - just two different fits. Order whichever fit suits each pair.
Find Your Size
Two minutes with our size finder, and you'll know exactly which fit and size is yours.
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