Shoe width is one of the things that you need to consider when you want to buy a shoe. To always keep your feet comfortable in your shoes, you need to choose the right shoe width. If you choose a too narrow shoe for your feet, you may begin to experience some foot problems like metatarsalgia, calluses, Morton’s neuroma, and ingrown nails.
Shoe widths are divided into medium-width and wide-width. It isn’t easy to get wide-width shoes in conventional stores, unlike medium-width shoes. The wide-width shoes are marked with 2e or 4e, but many people don’t know the difference between 2e and 4e.
When you understand the difference between 2e and 4e shoe width, you will choose the best shoe width for your feet.
What's Inside:
What is the difference between 2e and 4e shoe width?
The 2e and 4e shoe widths look very similar, but they have their differences. This article will discuss the difference between 2e and 4e shoe width and how to choose the best one for yourself.
The main difference between 2e and 4e shoe width is that the former represents an extra-wide width for females and wide width for males, while the latter represents the extra-wide width for men only. Sometimes, the 2e width is also indicated as “EE.” One major thing that is used to determine the best shoe width for your foot is the ball size of your foot.
When you compare men’s feet and women’s feet, you will notice that men’s feet are muscular. Aside from that, you will also notice that men have a wider ball of foot region. Because of the wider ball of foot region, some men may need extra-wide (i.e., 4e) shoes.
How wide are 2e and 4e shoes?
When going shopping, it is important to know how wide is 2e and 4e shoes. This will help you to choose the best shoe width for yourself.
To know your foot width, you can measure your foot in centimeters using the Brannock device. On the Brannock device, you will see a scale from A to E used to measure foot width. When you use this device, you will know your foot width; how wide is 2e, and also how wide is 4e.
Each shoe brand uses different shoe sizing, so how wide is 2e and 4e will be determined by the shoe brand you want to buy. So, we would have to consider two popular shoe brands to know the difference between 2e and 4e shoe width.
See Also: Can Women Wear Mens Shoes
NIKE SHOES 2e and 4e Width
When you carefully check the widths of Nike shoes, you will notice that the difference between the widths is around 1/3 inch or 1cm. Therefore, this means that the difference between 2e vs 4e shoes is around 1cm. Nike is a popular shoe brand well-known for making high-quality footwear in standard widths (i.e., narrow widths). But recently, Nike has started making wide-width and extra-wide width shoes.
Presently, this shoe brand has produced about 8 wide-width and 11 extra-wide width shoes. A typical example of Nike shoes available in both wide width (2e) and extra-wide width (4e) is Nike Pegasus. Men that have extra-wide width may also go for Nike Air Force Shoes.
NEW BALANCE SHOES 2e and 4e width
The difference between the new balance 2e and 4e shoe width is around 1.27cm or half an inch. When you compare the toe box of new balance shoes with other shoe brands, you will notice it wider. For example, New balance shoes toe boxes are wider than ASICS and Nike shoes.
What is 3e Shoe Width?
The 3e width shoe is the shoe width between 4e and 2e width. Some people also call it EEE or triple E width. Currently, there is no shoe brand producing this particular shoe size. I would recommend that you go for the 4e width if your foot width falls between 2e and 4e width (i.e., 3E). If you see a shoe with a label of extra-wide width, you should know that it represents 2e width for females and 4e width for males.
How is Shoe Width Measured?
Now that you know the difference between 2e and 4e width shoes, you may wonder how shoe width is measured. There are different shoe width types, including medium, wide, and extra-wide. To determine the shoe width, you need to consider the following factors:
- the ball width of your foot (i.e., the measurement between the inner edge of your forefoot and the outer edge of your foot);
- the circumference of your instep (i.e., instep girth);
- and the length of your foot.
You need to know that wide and extra-wide width shoes are deeper from bottom to top, have a generous instep, and have a wider toe box area. Wide width or extra wide with shoes can easily accommodate swollen feet.
Classification of Women’s width and Men’s Width
| Women’s Widths | Men’s Widths |
|---|---|
| Medium (B) | Medium (D) |
| Wide (D) | Wide (2E) |
| Extra Wide (2E) | Extra Wide (4E) |
How to Choose the Best Shoe Width for Your Feet?
You need to be very careful whenever you choose a shoe width for your feet because if you choose the wrong shoe width, you may experience some foot problems like metatarsalgia, calluses, Morton’s neuroma, and ingrown nails.
To choose a shoe width that will provide comfort, support, and fit your foot shape properly, you must consider some important features. One of the things that you need to consider when you want to choose a comfortable shoe for your feet is the depth design. Another feature that you also need to consider is the toe-box area. The toe-box area must be wide enough to accommodate your foot and provide enough room for toe movement.
One of the challenges that many people face whenever they want to choose a perfect shoe width for themselves is that they need a pair of stylish and comfortable shoes. Though it may take some time, when you search carefully, you will find a stylish pair of shoes that will fit your foot perfectly.
How to Measure Your Foot Width Using a Soft Tape Measure?
If you don’t have a Brannock device and need to measure your foot width, you can easily measure it using a soft tape measure. Follow the steps below to measure your foot with a soft tape measure:
- Place your foot on the ground the same way you would do when standing.
- Get a soft tape measure, and wrap it around your foot (the widest part of your foot).
- After that, you will use a marker to mark the size of your feet on the tape measure.
- Finally, you will check the width on a shoe-wide chart.
NOTE:
- Men’s shoe width chart is completely different from women’s. To avoid mistakes, men should check their width on the men’s shoe width chart, and women should check their width on the women’s shoe width chart.
- Measure each foot separately because one foot can be wider than the other.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between men’s and women’s medium shoe width?
The difference between the two is that men’s medium shoe width is indicated with the letter “B,” while the women’s medium shoe width is indicated with “D.”
Is it true that foot width can get wider over time?
Yes, foot width can indeed change over time. Some research also shows that your foot may continue to grow wider even when you stop growing.
What will happen to my feet if my shoe width is too narrow?
If you choose a too narrow shoe, you may begin to experience foot-related problems like hammertoes, foot deformities, ingrown nails, excessive sweating, and lots more.
What happens if my shoes are too wide for my feet?
You may begin to experience some common shoe problems like hammertoes when you choose shoes that that are wider for your feet. Your shoes may also experience shoe creasing while working.
What is the extra-wide shoe width for men and women?
Men’s extra-wide shoe width is marked with “4e”, while women’s extra-wide shoe width is marked with “2e”.
Conclusion
One important thing you need to know if you want to choose a perfect and comfortable shoe width for your foot is that women’s shoe width chart is completely different from men’s.
The different shoe widths for women include medium (B), wide (D), and extra-wide (2E), while the different shoe widths for men include medium (D), Wide (2E), and extra-wide (4E).
Looking at the different shoe widths for men and women, you should see the difference between 2e and 4e shoe widths. The “2e” represents wide and extra-wide for men and women, respectively. At the same time, “4e” represents extra-wide width for men.
By the way, If you love to wear sandals then you may love to read about Birkenstocks shoes. and here is one of our related articles if Birkenstocks sandals get wet or not.
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Referance:
https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/shoe-width-guide.html
https://answerstoall.com/object/how-much-wider-is-a-4e-shoe-than-a-2e-shoe/
Hello, I’m Kristin, the founder and main author of footwearsfact.com. I’ve been working as a footwear designer and have built a keen interest in different footwear problems, suggestions, and designing. I hope I’ll be able to serve your needs with my skillful team member.