Wide Slippers: How to Find a Wide-Fit Pair for Women and Men

Wide slippers are pairs sold in a wider width than standard, marked W, EE or simply “wide.” Most slippers come in one medium width, so look for the label on the exact style. Measure both feet standing, late in the day, and if a pair feels narrow, try a roomier style rather than a longer size.

How wide slippers are labeled

Wide slipper labels follow the same system as shoes, with a few variations by maker. AAOS says the same shoe model “may be offered in different widths, indicated by letters (A through E) or ‘wide.’” Slipper makers use their own shorthand on top of that.

Dearfoams says the styles on its site “are medium width, to accommodate various foot sizes,” and it keeps a separate wide width category with its own filter. Minnetonka says it offers “different widths in limited styles.” So width is a property of the style, not the brand: one pair may come in W and the next may not.

How to measure your feet for wide slippers

Measuring broad feet takes a few minutes and saves a return. AAOS gives these steps for any footwear:

1. Stand while you measure. Your full weight spreads the foot.
2. Measure both feet. AAOS notes that one foot may be slightly larger than the other, so fit the larger one.
3. Measure late in the day. AAOS says feet may swell “up to 8%” through the day.
4. Leave toe room. AAOS suggests about 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the tip.

If you plan to wear thick socks inside your slippers, measure with them on.

Wide slippers versus a bigger size

A bigger size is the usual shortcut when a slipper pinches, and it rarely fixes width. AAOS says that if a shoe does not come in wider sizes and your foot is too wide, “consider buying a different brand with a wider toe box instead of going up a size.” A slipper that is too long can slide at the heel, which matters on stairs.

That makes the size box the first place to look. Find a style offered in wide, then choose your normal length. If you are between two lengths on a chart, Dearfoams says to “pick the next larger size.” Our guide to slippers for big feet covers length in more detail.

Wide slipper styles that give more room

Wide slipper shopping also depends on shape. The Dearfoams wide category groups its styles as clogs, scuffs, moccasins and closed-back slippers, so every main shape has a wide version somewhere.

• Clogs and scuffs have an open back, so the heel does not press against a counter. They come off easily too, so they suit short trips on level floors.
• Moccasins wrap the whole foot. Minnetonka says its moccasins “should fit snugly without feeling uncomfortable” and “will stretch to the contours of your foot” over time. Our moccasin slippers guide explains soles and fit.
• Knit and felted uppers tend to give more than stiff leather or molded foam, in our reading of how the materials behave. Check that the sole still grips.

Wide slippers for men

Men’s wide slippers are fewer than women’s on most maker sites. On the Dearfoams wide page, the men’s options shown are a moccasin and a clog, while the women’s include scuffs, clogs, moccasins and closed-back styles. Minnetonka marks its men’s wide sizes the same way, with W or EE beside the size.

Men who wear extra-wide shoes should check the width on each style rather than the brand. Our men’s slippers guide compares moccasins, clogs and slipper boots, and our women’s slippers guide does the same for her.

Wide slipper checklist before you buy

Wide slippers come down to a short list of checks on the listing:

• The width letter or the word “wide” on the exact style.
• Your normal length, or the next size up if you fall between two.
• An upper with some give, such as knit, felt or soft suede.
• A sole that suits your floors.

More choices by need, from memory foam to slipper boots, are in our slippers guide.