Best Shoes for Narrow Feet
Updated on May 3, 2024
Those with narrow feet know the struggle: jostling feet, heels slipping out of your shoe, blisters from too much friction, and often inadequate support.
Shoes for long, narrow feet should offer adjustable laces or straps and plenty of cushion so you can achieve a snug fit even with a sleeker foot profile.
KURU offers a lineup of some of the most comfortable shoes for narrow feet. KURU shoes have given lasting relief to many customers with narrow feet, bunions, hammertoe, plantar fasciitis, and many other painful foot conditions.
Our ergonomic, cushioned shoes layer three technologies for superior arch support, shock, absorption, and heel protection.
What are Narrow Feet?
Narrow feet are those that have a slimmer or sleeker profile than the average foot. Those who have narrow feet typically feel a bit of extra space around the foot in standard-fit shoes.
Some of the best tennis shoes for narrow feet feature either stretchy, sock-like upper or extra eyelets so you can adjust your laces to fit your foot.
Or, styles with adjustable straps like TREAD for men and women or stretchy uppers and adjustable laces like the FLUX or STRIDE can help a narrow foot fit nice and snug in a shoe.
Whether you need tennis shoes for narrow feet, shoes for narrow feet with high arches, or shoes for narrow feet with bunions, we unpack how to find the best fit for you.
In addition to finding the right shoes, it’s also important to take care of your narrow feet. One way to do this is through regular foot massages, which can help alleviate any pain or discomfort. In the video below, we demonstrate a simple water bottle foot massage that can be done at home to help soothe and relax your feet.
- Genetic predispositionSome people are simply born with narrower feet due to their genetic makeup. This can make finding comfortable shoes a challenge, as many shoe styles are designed for individuals with wider feet. Narrow feet can also be accompanied by other foot conditions, such as high arches or overpronation, which can cause additional discomfort or pain.Genetic predisposition
- GenderGender can also be a contributing factor to narrow feet, with women being more likely to have narrower feet than men. This is thought to be due to differences in the structure of the foot between males and females, with women generally having shorter and narrower feet than men. As a result, women may find it more difficult to find shoes that fit comfortably and provide adequate support, which can lead to foot problems such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, and other conditions.Gender
Symptoms & Diagnosis
As with any medical condition, it is always best to make an appointment with your doctor to get a formal assessment and diagnosis of narrow feet.
That said, there are a few common symptoms people experience when suffering from narrow feet that might help you know when it’s time to visit the doctor:
- Heel slipping out of shoesIf you find your heels consistently slip out of your shoe, this could be an indication of narrow feet or heels.Heel slipping out of shoes
- Blisters, corns, callusesWhen your shoes are too wide for your narrow feet, your feet can move around in the shoe more than they should, causing excess friction which can lead to these painful conditions.Blisters, corns, calluses
- HammertoeIf your shoes are too loose, activities like running can cause your foot to slide forward in the shoe and put excess pressure on the toes and ligaments. This can lead to toe deformities, including hammertoe.Hammertoe
- BunionsWhile narrow feet don’t cause bunions, wearing too-narrow footwear can. Avoid wearing narrow shoes on wide feet to help prevent this condition.If you have developed a bunion but have otherwise narrow feet, opt for a shoe with a wide toe box to help give your bunion space while the rest of the shoe remains snug.Bunions
Facts and Stats
- Nearly 33% of all women have narrow feet.
- If you think you might have narrow feet, you can get fitted using the Brannock device to find your shoe width. Many shoe stores will have this device on hand.
- To help avoid bunions when you have narrow feet, opt for a shoe that offers a generous toe box, yet remains snug on the rest of the foot.
- Women’s feet are more likely than men’s to taper at the heel.
- To help narrow feet fit in regular shoes, you can add heel pads, cushions, or inserts to your shoe to help remove any gaps.
Treatment
When you have narrow feet, you’ll want to make sure your foot fits as snug as possible in your shoes to help avoid pain and conditions such as hammertoe, blisters, or calluses.
One of the simplest ways to help support your narrow feet is to wear well-fitting shoes. Shoes that offer adjustable laces or straps, extra eyelets, or flexible fabrics can help you achieve a snug fit and a healthy gait.
A Few Tips for Narrow Feet Treatment:
- Wear adaptable footwearShoes that fit narrow feet well often feature additional eyelets, adjustable laces, or stretchy uppers to adapt to your unique foot shape.Wear adaptable footwear
- Use foot pads as neededAdding a pad under your heel or to the tongue of the shoe can help fill any gaps in your shoe for a snug feel.Use foot pads as needed
- Use custom shoe insertsFor cases in which your foot is uniquely shaped, you can consider getting a custom insert to help your shoes fit more naturally on your feet.Use custom shoe inserts
- Consider your unique foot shapeYou may need specific shoe features depending on your unique foot. Some have a wider forefoot and narrow heels, in which case a sleek shoe with a wide toe box can help. There are also people with high arches who have narrow feet. The best tennis shoes for narrow feet with high arches offer a higher instep and plenty of adjustability to fit their sleeker foot profile.Consider your unique foot shape
FAQs
What widths do you offer? Do you have wide or narrow widths?
At KURU, we currently offer shoe sizes in standard and wide widths. While we do not currently offer narrow sizes or a narrow shoe width, some of our styles emphasize a sock-like, stretchy upper and adjustable laces or straps, which can help hug and support the whole foot.
I just received a pair of your shoes and my feet are sore/hurt after wearing them. Why is that?
Some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs.That’s ok! Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology.
Our shoes are also designed to mold to your unique foot shape, which takes a bit of a break-in period.
To help mitigate this, we suggest you follow our break-in procedure, including wearing your KURUs for a couple hours perday around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
That said, many of our customers tell us theKURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don’t need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
While our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURUs helped reduce or eliminate their pain—including narrow feet!
How do I know which shoes to buy? Which is best for me?
The best shoe for you will depend on your unique foot type. The best walking shoes for narrow feet offer adaptability and stretch along with adequate arch support and cushion. Whether you’re looking for narrow-fitting running shoes, tennis shoes, or shoes for high arches, KURU’s line of shoes help alleviate foot pain symptoms for all-day comfort.
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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
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. …Show More
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps us use our body’s natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad.
…Show less - 2
KURUCLOUD
Our KURUCLOUD base layer acts as a cushioned footbed to offer padding and shock absorption with every step. This layer of lightweight …Show More
Our KURUCLOUD base layer acts as a cushioned footbed to offer padding and shock absorption with every step. This layer of lightweight EVA foam offers plenty of comfort and helps absorb impact to protect your joints, ligaments, and bones.
…Show less - 3
ULTIMATE INSOLE
The top layer of our tech trio, ULTIMATE INSOLES feature a bridge of arch support and advanced, dual-density foam that forms to your foot for the best …Show More
The top layer of our tech trio, ULTIMATE INSOLES feature a bridge of arch support and advanced, dual-density foam that forms to your foot for the best fit. These durable 5mm insoles provide lasting comfort no matter the width of your foot.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps us use our body’s natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad.
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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