Most shoe brands make one width: standard for men, standard for women. If your feet fall outside standard — wider, narrower, or different between feet — your options are to squeeze in, or buy a size up and deal with too much room at the heel and toe.

That changes with Adelante. Our made-to-order model unlocks 7 width options in handcrafted leather boots, shoes, and loafers.

Ever wondered if you need a wider fit? You've come to the right place!

Signs Your Shoes Are Too Narrow

You don't need a measuring tape to know something's off. These are the signs that your shoes have been the wrong width all along.

• They feel tight across the ball of the foot — even when the length is right. This is the clearest indicator of a width mismatch. Length and width are two separate dimensions. Don't try to solve a width problem by going up a size.
• The sides of your shoes bulge or pucker above the sole. That's your foot forcing the shape of the shoe. It should be the other way around.
• Your pinky toe presses consistently against the edge of the shoe.
• Blisters show up on the outer sides of your feet or toes. Friction blisters at the edges aren't a break-in problem — they're a width problem.
• Bunions, corns, or calluses have developed over time. These aren't inevitable. They're typically what happens after years of wearing shoes that are too narrow — and never knowing there was another option.
• Your shoes come off the moment you get home. A well-fitted shoe doesn't create that need.

The One Measurement That Matters: Ball Girth

If you want a number to work from before you order, there's one measurement that tells us what we need to know: your ball girth — the circumference around the widest part of your forefoot.

How to get it:

1. Stand up. Your foot spreads under your full body weight. Measurements taken sitting run smaller than your actual standing size.
2. Wrap a soft measuring tape around the widest part of your forefoot — across the ball, just below where your toes begin. Pull it snug, but not tight.
3. Record the number in centimeters. That's your ball girth.

From there, there are three ways to determine which of Adelante's 7 width options fits you best:

• Take the Find My Size quiz on any product page — a size and width recommendation in about two minutes.
• Email your ball girth and typical shoe size to support@adelanteshoes.com — we'll come back with a width recommendation for the specific style you're considering.
• Book a free Virtual Fitting — a 15-minute call with our sizing expert, Crhis, who'll walk you through your correct width and answer any questions before you commit.

Already Know Your Width? That's all you need.

If you already wear a wide, extra wide, or narrow in other brands, skip the quiz. Just use the men's and women's shoe width sharts below to find the Adelante equivalent and select it at checkout — the same way you'd select your size.

Men's Width Conversion

Men's standard is D. Wide starts at EE (2E). Adelante offers widths C through EEEEE across every men's style — loafers, dress shoes, oxfords, and boots — in sizes 4–17 with half sizes.

Shop men's wide width shoes — widths C through EEEEE, sizes 4–17 →

Women's Width Conversion

Women's standard is B or C. Wide starts at D or E. Adelante offers widths A through EEE across every women's style — boots, loafers, sandals, and dress shoes — in sizes 4–15 with half sizes.

Shop women's wide width shoes — widths A through EEE, sizes 4–15 →

One More Thing: Split Sizing

If one foot is wider than the other — or a different length entirely — split sizing is available at no extra charge. A different width, size, or both for each foot, built into one pair. Because every Adelante pair is made-to-order, each shoe is built individually regardless.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have wide feet?

The clearest sign: your shoes feel tight across the ball of the foot even when the length is right. Other indicators include the sides of your shoes bulging above the sole, your pinky toe pressing against the edge, and recurring blisters on the outer sides of your feet. These aren't break-in problems — they're width problems.

What is ball girth and how do I measure it?

Ball girth is the circumference of your foot at its widest point — across the ball, just below where your toes begin. Stand up, wrap a soft measuring tape snugly around that point, and record the number. That's the measurement we use to determine your width. Share it with us by email, through the Find My Size quiz on any product page, or during a free Virtual Fitting.

I already wear a wide in other brands. How do I find my width at Adelante?

Use the conversion tables above. Men: Wide or 2E → EE at Adelante. Extra Wide or 3E → EEE. 4E → EEEE. Standard → D. Women: Wide or W → D or E at Adelante. Extra Wide or 2W → EE. Standard → B or C. If you're between widths or want to confirm your width, a Virtual Fitting is the fastest way to get it right.

Are men's and women's shoe widths the same?

No — the scales are different. Standard for men is D; standard for women is B. A men's wide is 2E (EE); a women's wide is D or E. Adelante offers widths C through EEEEE for men and A through EEE for women, across every style in both ranges.

Is it normal to have one foot wider than the other?

Yes — far more common than most people realize. If the difference is large enough to affect fit, split sizing solves it at no extra charge: a different width, size, or both for each foot, built into one pair.