Narrow Shoes for Comfort and Arch Support
Got narrow feet? If so, you’ll need to wear narrow shoes, whether you’re hiking, running errands, playing sports, going to work, or just strolling around the city with your friends. In particular, you’ll have to choose narrow width hiking boots, narrow width tennis shoes, narrow sandals, or narrow width casual shoes.
Wearing the wrong type of shoes, especially ones that are too big or wide, will just end in discomfort, ingrown nails, calluses, Morton’s neuroma, and other foot issues. At KURU, you can enjoy wearing narrow width shoes as our collection is engineered for comfort. Each pair of narrow shoes matches the shape of your foot, helping you to move freely while experiencing the best cushion and maintaining natural posture.
Moreover, KURU’s narrow shoes feel like a gentle hug for your heels. With increased cushion and zoned support, wearing your narrow shoes helps you avoid foot problems and rather protect your feet’s long-term health.
What are Narrow Shoes?
Narrow shoes are usually one-fourth inch narrower compared to regular shoes. Then, they’re also half an inch narrower compared to wide shoes. Having narrow feet is common. In fact, the National Shoes Retailers Association noted that among women, 33% have narrow feet, and the numbers are underestimated.
If you have narrow feet, you’ll see that you have extra room on each side of the shoe. That is why various shoes with narrow width are available to give you the fit you need. Narrow sandals, narrow boots, and narrow width casual shoes for women often have sizes labeled as A or AA. Shoes that have greater than 2A sizes are already considered extra narrow.
Meanwhile, narrow hiking boots, narrow width tennis shoes, and narrow width casual shoes for men often have B sizes. Then, an A width already belongs to the extra narrow category. Sometimes, these narrow or extra narrow shoes are referred to as slim or super slim. A and 2A sizes only have minimal differences. Thus, manufacturers often provide 2A and 4A sizes.
Wearing the right narrow ankle shoes or narrow width hiking shoes is crucial if you have narrow feet. Choosing footwear that’s too wide for your feet will lead to calluses, black toenails, blisters, corns, and other foot problems. That is why you should pick narrow width shoes that give you the perfect fit and allow you to move comfortably all day.
Types of Narrow Shoes & Finding the Best Fit
Are you looking for the perfect pair of narrow width shoes? Learn how to find a great fit and style that's right for you.
When looking for narrow shoes, you have a wide range of options, including narrow boots, narrow hiking boots, narrow sandals, narrow width casual shoes, and narrow width tennis shoes. Selecting the right narrow shoes for you depends on the activity that you’ll engage in the most.
To get the best narrow shoes with the right fit, don’t make your shoe size the basis. Get your feet measured, especially their width. When trying on narrow shoes, stand and walk around to find out whether they’re comfortable enough and fit perfectly. This means that your heel must not slide or slip as you walk.
Then, consider the shoe shape too. It should resemble that of your foot just as how KURU adapts to your foot shape for enhanced comfort and mobility. Checking the width of the shoe is also crucial. The ball of your foot must fit well in the widest part of your shoe. Lastly, get your feet measured in the afternoon or evening since your feet tend to swell later in the day.
To help pick the perfect shoes for narrow feet, you may also want to find snug-fit features. While some shoes don’t have the explicit label for narrow width, they offer a narrow fit. For instance, the shoe size for women is B, but the features make them great for narrow fit.
KURU shoes cup and contour to your feet, so you get the breathability, support, and cushion you need for your narrow feet. Another feature that offers a snug, narrow fit is lace. Tightening the shoelaces offers a secure and stable feel.
If you’re playing a sport, doing training, or running, you may want to pick shoe styles that provide a naturally narrower fit. These include shoes with internal webbing for an even distribution of pressure and a comfortable stable feel even during unexpected stops.
Do I Need Narrow Shoes? Here's How To Tell
You might not know it, but you may need narrow shoes. Here's why and how to tell if you do.
Having the right size of shoes does not necessarily mean the width is also perfect for your foot. You may have narrow feet, which means you’ll need to wear narrow width tennis shoes, narrow sandals, narrow ankle boots, or narrow width hiking shoes. One sign of having narrow feet is if your feet usually slide side to side in your shoes.
To tell if you need narrow shoes, you can try on various shoes and see how they feel. If you’re wearing shoes that lace up, for example, chances are you’ll need to tighten the laces quite a bit so that the panels overlap.
See if there’s extra room on both sides of your feet even if the shoe size fits the length of your foot. Then, step side to side to know if there’s enough stability and security for your foot. If your foot slides sideways, then you’re more likely to have narrow feet, and thus, need narrow shoes.
Another effective way to determine if you need narrow ankle boots or narrow hiking shoes is by measuring your shoes with a Brannock device, which is also what KURU uses. Shoe stores often use this device to measure the length and width of your feet. Simply ask the salesperson for assistance. By knowing your foot width, you’ll learn whether you have narrow feet and need shoes with narrow width.
Understanding Narrow Width Shoe Measurements
We'll discuss common sizing standards as well as how to measure your foot for a better fit.
Similar to clothing, shoe width varies per brand and style, so things can be a little bit confusing. For shoe widths by letter, an A usually means a narrow shoe for women. When extra As are added, this means the shoes are narrower too. For instance, you’ll find a 2A, 3A, or 4A. These sizes may also be labeled as AA, AAA, or AAAA. These extra narrow shoes (3A and 4A) are also known as super slim.
For men, if the shoe width is B, it falls under the narrow shoe category already. Then, an A size is equivalent to an extra narrow. If you can’t have your feet measured at physical stores that use the Brannock device, you can still do the measurement at the comfort of your home.
You can start by taking a piece of paper and placing them on an even surface. The paper must be large enough to accommodate both of your feet when you stand up. Then, stand on such paper, and trace your foot’s outline.
Afterward, get the measurements in centimeters using a ruler. If possible, ask someone to help you get the right measurement. Note that your foot bed’s width means the distance between your foot’s two wides parts. Then, see how these measurements compare with those in the Brannock size chart.
FAQs
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What is narrow width in shoes?
Compared to regular shoes, narrow width shoes are one-fourth inch narrower. Then, compared to wide shoes, narrow width shoes are a one-half inch narrower. A and AA sizes are considered narrow for women, while B sizes are narrow shoes for men.
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Are women's shoes more narrow?
Women’s shoes are designed to be narrower in the heel but wider in the toe area and forefoot compared to men’s shoes. Moreover, men’s shoes are often wider with larger sizes compared to women’s shoes.
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What widths do you offer? Do you have wide or narrow widths?
All of our styles are offered in medium (standard) width, and some are available in wide width. Each product description page also includes fit notes and width measurements.
Our sizes are based on the Brannock device, which is that metal measuring plate you can find in most shoe stores. If you are unsure which size or width you need, we highly recommend getting your foot measured.
Women's Medium: B Wide: C+ (Other brands may label their wide shoes as CC, 2C, W, or just C.)
Men's Medium: D Wide: E+ (Other brands may label their wide shoes as EE, 2E, W, or just E.)
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How do I know what shoe width should I buy?
KURUs, and many shoes, are sized based on the Brannock device—which is that metal measuring plate you can find in most shoe stores. If you are unsure which size or width you need, we highly recommend getting your foot measured.
You can also measure your feet at home this way. It’s easiest if you can find someone to help you:
1.) Tape a sheet of plain paper to the floor with one end against a wall, 2.) Put your foot on the paper with your heel flush against the wall, 3.) Trace the outline of your foot, 4.) Use a ruler to measure the longest and widest parts of the outline in centimeters, and 5.) Compare measurements with the Brannock size chart
KURU cannot provide an accurate size recommendation based on inches, centimeters, or a foot drawing. We make it easy to find your fit with free shipping and returns/exchanges in the domestic US. Go ahead and try them on first to make sure you are soulmates before you commit to being sole mates.
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Three Layers of Support
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
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KURUSOLE
...Show LessOur patented KURUSOLE technology is designed to match your body’s natural biomechanics. Thus, it offers dynamic heel support while maximizing natural cushioning. With its rounded heel cup design, walking on shoes with narrow width gives you all-day comfort, reducing risks for foot pain and other issues.
Our patented KURUSOLE technology is designed to match your body’s natural biomechanics. Thus, it offers dynamic heel support while maximizing natural cushioning. With its rounded heel cup design, walking on shoes with narrow width gives you all-day comfort, reducing risks for foot pain and other issues.
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KURUCLOUD
...Show LessTrue to its name, our KURUCLOUD midsole feels like walking on clouds. It contains a combination of premium-grade, lightweight EVA foams, so wearing your narrow shoes offers unparalleled comfort. They also offer maximum shock-absorbing cushion, so you can still feel the Earth’s smoothest ride while wearing narrow width shoes.
True to its name, our KURUCLOUD midsole feels like walking on clouds. It contains a combination of premium-grade, lightweight EVA foams, so wearing your narrow shoes offers unparalleled comfort. They also offer maximum shock-absorbing cushion, so you can still feel the Earth’s smoothest ride while wearing narrow width shoes.
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ULTIMATE INSOLE
...Show LessThis top layer of our three-part technology contains a top-quality polyurethane foam instead of the typical EVA foam you’ll find in several insoles. Thus, you can expect better responsiveness and durability with our narrow width shoes. Our ULTIMATE INSOLE dual-density design also allows for targeted support, where it can be both firm and soft according to your foot’s needs.
This top layer of our three-part technology contains a top-quality polyurethane foam instead of the typical EVA foam you’ll find in several insoles. Thus, you can expect better responsiveness and durability with our narrow width shoes. Our ULTIMATE INSOLE dual-density design also allows for targeted support, where it can be both firm and soft according to your foot’s needs.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE technology is designed to match your body’s natural biomechanics. Thus, it offers dynamic heel support while maximizing natural cushioning. With its rounded heel cup design, walking on shoes with narrow width gives you all-day comfort, reducing risks for foot pain and other issues.
Our Secret
Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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