Extra wide fit trainers

EEEE and 6E are not the same shoe

EEEE adds roughly 14 mm of girth over a standard fitting. 6E adds roughly 22 mm, plus meaningful extra depth over the instep. That instep depth is the part people miss: it is what decides whether a swollen foot will actually fasten, and it is why 6E is not simply EEEE with more room across the toes.

Choose EEEE for bunions, a spread forefoot or a custom orthotic. Choose 6E for oedema, lymphoedema, bandaging, or feet that change volume through the day.

Where the extra room is placed

Adding width badly produces a shoe that is wide at the toes and still tight where it matters. The Everyday's extra width is distributed through the forefoot and the ball of the foot, with the toe box height increasing alongside it so clawed or retracted toes are not pressed from above. The heel stays the same width in all three fittings, which is what stops a wide shoe from slipping.

Which fitting to choose

Beyond 6E

6E is the widest fitting generally available in UK retail. If it is still not enough, you are into prescribed or bespoke footwear, supplied through an NHS orthotics service after assessment. The NHS footwear guide explains who qualifies and how to be referred — it is worth reading before you spend more money on retail shoes that will not fit.

Common questions

Where to go next