Bunions and Flat Feet: What Wyde Shoes Do and Don't Offer

Wyde Footwear shoes have a wide toe box, zero drop and no built-in arch support. Shoes do not treat bunions or flat feet. For a diagnosis or a treatment plan, see a GP, podiatrist or physiotherapist.

Which features do Wyde shoes have, and which do they lack?

Every Wyde shoe has a wide, foot-shaped toe box, zero drop, no toe spring and a sole that bends at the toes. No Wyde shoe has traditional built-in arch support, and every model has a removable insole.

Zero drop means the heel and toes are at the same height, like standing barefoot. Toe spring is the upward curve at the front of many soles that props the toes up. Wyde shoes have neither a raised heel nor an upturned toe.

Wyde says it designs its shoes to allow unrestricted toe bending, and that they bend where your foot bends, especially at the toes. It positions them for everyday wear on concrete and pavement. For a closer look at each feature, see Foot-Shaped Shoes: Wide Toe Box, Zero Drop and Flexible Soles Explained.

Which features come as standard on every model?

Toe box: wide and foot-shaped.
Heel: zero drop, so the heel and forefoot are level.
Toe spring: none.
Sole: bends at the toes.
Arch: no traditional built-in arch support.
Insoles: removable.
Sizing: unisex, in full EU sizes from 36 to 47.

Do Wyde shoes have arch support?

No. Wyde shoes have a flat, zero-drop sole and no traditional built-in arch support. If you need arch support, you can take out the removable insole and use your own orthotic.

Wyde also sells two spare insoles. The Replacement Insole is 2 mm thick. The Comfort Insole is 6 mm thick and is a thicker version of the standard insole, for people who want more cushioning underfoot without giving up a wide toe box or a flat profile. Because it keeps a flat profile, it adds cushioning, not an arch.

Both insoles cost 130 kr on wydefootwear.com and €12 on the EU store, as of October 2026. For what each shoe model costs, see Wyde Shoe Prices: What Each Model Costs and What You Get.

What does a flat sole mean in practice?

The heel and forefoot are level, with no heel lift.
There is no raised arch built into the shoe.
The insole lifts out, so an orthotic can take its place.
The Comfort Insole adds cushioning and keeps a flat profile.
If you need arch support, it comes from an insole you add yourself.

Can you use your own orthotics in Wyde shoes?

Yes. Wyde says all models have removable insoles, so you can replace them with your own orthotics.

On its sneaker and boot pages, Wyde adds that most customers find their orthotics fit well thanks to the generous toe box depth. It also says some customers use orthotics during a transition period and eventually switch back to the standard insole.

The most reliable test is your own orthotic in the shoe. Wyde gives you 30 days from delivery to register a return. Trying the shoes on indoors is fine, but visible outdoor wear means Wyde can refuse a return. Size exchanges are free in Sweden, the EU and the USA. A refund return has a fee of 100 SEK in Sweden or €10 in the EU.

What do the NHS and the AAOS say about shoes and bunions?

The NHS says surgery is the only way to get rid of bunions, and the AAOS says nonsurgical treatment cannot undo a bunion.

The NHS page on bunions (last reviewed June 2023) lists what you can do yourself to ease the pain: hold an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel to the bunion for up to 5 minutes at a time, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen. It also says you cannot get rid of bunions or stop them getting worse yourself.

The AAOS says that in most cases nonsurgical treatment can help reduce pain and keep a bunion from getting worse, and that a doctor can advise which options suit you. It notes that braces and splints have not been shown to permanently fix bunions.

What does the AAOS shoe-fit checklist include?

Avoid shoes that are too short, tight or sharply pointed, and heels higher than a couple of inches.
Have both feet measured and fit shoes to the larger foot.
Try shoes on at the end of the day, when your feet are largest.
Stand during the fitting and check for 3/8 to 1/2 inch of space beyond your longest toe.
Do not buy shoes that feel too tight in the hope that they will stretch.
Walk on different surfaces to check the shoe is as comfortable on a hard floor as on carpet.

What does the NHS say about flat feet and shoes?

The NHS says flat feet are common and usually nothing to worry about, and that you do not need to do anything if they are not causing problems. If they do cause problems, a foot specialist can give advice.

The NHS page on flat feet (last reviewed June 2025) says flat feet do not usually cause any problems, should not stop you doing any activities, including sports, and are rarely a sign of anything serious. Sometimes you may have pain around the ankle or lower leg, or the inner side of the foot may ache. Your shoes may also wear out quickly.

If flat feet are causing problems, a GP may refer you to a specialist such as a podiatrist or physiotherapist. In some areas you can refer yourself to a podiatrist. The NHS says a foot specialist can advise on foot stretches and exercises and on painkillers. These will not change the shape of your feet but can help with things like pain or stiffness.

When does the NHS suggest seeing a GP about flat feet?

Your feet are painful, stiff, weak or numb.
You often get foot or ankle injuries.
You have problems with walking or balance.
You did not have flat feet before.
Only one foot is affected.

Do Wyde shoes treat bunions or flat feet?

No. Wyde shoes are footwear, not medical devices. They have a wide toe box and no heel lift, no built-in arch support and no rocker sole.

What should you check before you order?

Your own orthotic: Wyde shoes have removable insoles, so try yours indoors within the 30-day return window.
Your size: choose by foot length only, and size down one size from your Wyde sneaker size for the Maia and Maia Strap.
The sole: stack height differs by model, and the next section lists the stack heights and materials.
Any other question about fit: write to support@wydefootwear.com.

How much sole do Wyde shoes have?

It depends on the model. Stack height, which is how much shoe sits between your foot and the ground, runs from 10 mm plus the insole on the Nova to 24mm on the Chelsea and Norra boots.

Every model has zero drop, so a thicker sole does not mean a raised heel. The AAOS suggests walking in a shoe on different surfaces before you decide, to check it is as comfortable on a hard surface as on carpet.

How do the stack heights compare?

Nova: 10 mm plus the insole, with a rubber outsole.
Maia, Maia Strap and Nilo: 14.6mm, made up of a 10mm cork midsole and a 4.6mm rubber outsole.
Soma: 22mm, with an EVA midsole and a rubber outsole. It weighs 300g in size 39.
Chelsea and Norra: 24mm, with a cork insole and a rubber outsole.

Wyde says its shoes may feel more spacious at first, and that this is intentional. If you have worn narrow, stiff shoes for years, Wyde says your feet need time to adjust, and that it is smart to ease in gradually, just like starting a new workout.

What are Wyde shoes made of, and where are they made?

The Nova, Maia, Maia Strap, Nilo, Chelsea and Norra are handmade in Portugal. The Soma is made in China. Wyde says its leather models come from three family-run factories in Portugal, and that the Soma line comes from a long-standing partner in China, chosen for its expertise in suede and textile construction.

The Nova is a leather sneaker with a rubber outsole, and its upper depends on the colourway. Nova White has an aniline leather upper, Nova Beige/Green has a nubuck and aviator leather upper, and Nova Patent Black has a patent leather upper. Nova White and Nova Beige/Green have a Coolmax lining.

Which materials does each model use?

Nova: leather, nubuck or patent leather upper depending on the colourway, and a rubber outsole.
Soma: air mesh and suede upper, velvet lining, EVA midsole and rubber outsole.
Maia and Maia Strap: sandals with adjustable straps and metal buckles, a waxed leather upper, a suede lining, a cork midsole and a rubber outsole.
Nilo: slip-on with a suede upper and lining, a cork-based footbed and a rubber outsole.
Chelsea and Norra: boots with a leather upper, an Acquastop membrane that Wyde says keeps out wind and water, a cork insole, a piquet knit lining and a rubber outsole.

Are Wyde shoes unisex, and how do you choose a size?

Yes. Every Wyde shoe is unisex and comes in full EU sizes 36 to 47. Wyde says to choose by foot length only, because the wide toe box is standard and you do not need to size up for width.

Wyde's size guide asks you to stand upright with your full weight on the foot you are measuring. Measure both feet from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe in a straight line, compare the length in centimetres with the chart, and choose the size that fits your larger foot. That matches the AAOS advice to have both feet measured and to fit shoes to the larger one.

There are no half sizes. If you normally wear a half size or you are between sizes, Wyde says to size up. The Maia and Maia Strap follow a different rule: if you use any Wyde sneakers, Wyde recommends one size down.

Wyde lists the insole width for each size, from 10.0 cm in EU 36 to 12.2 cm in EU 47, with 11.2 cm in EU 42. For more on sizing, exchanges and returns, see Wyde Footwear Sizing, Size Exchanges and Returns Explained.

What are the sizing rules at a glance?

Choose by foot length, not width.
Full EU sizes only, from 36 to 47.
Between sizes or at a half size: size up.
Maia and Maia Strap: one size down from your Wyde sneaker size.
Measure both feet standing, and size for the larger foot.

When should you see a GP, podiatrist or physiotherapist?

For bunions, the NHS says to see a GP if the pain has not improved after trying home treatments for a few weeks, if it stops you doing your normal activities, if your bunions are getting worse, or if you have bunions and diabetes. The signs to look for with flat feet are listed above.

The NHS says foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes. It also says you might be able to refer yourself directly to a podiatrist, and that a GP may refer you for bunion surgery if your bunions are very painful or have a big effect on your life. Surgery is not done just to improve how your feet look.

A new pair of shoes does not replace that advice, and Wyde shoes do not treat bunions or flat feet. If you have a question about how a Wyde model works with your own insoles, write to support@wydefootwear.com or use the contact form on wydefootwear.com. Wyde says its support staff are all trained foot specialists and/or physiotherapists.

FAQ

Do shoes get rid of bunions?

No. The NHS says surgery is the only way to get rid of bunions, and the AAOS says nonsurgical treatment cannot undo a bunion. Wyde shoes have a wide toe box, and they do not treat bunions.

Can I use my own orthotics in Wyde shoes?

Yes. Wyde says all models have removable insoles that you can replace with your own orthotics. Try yours indoors first: you have 30 days from delivery to register a return, and shoes with visible outdoor wear can be refused.

Do Wyde shoes have built-in arch support?

No. They have a flat, zero-drop sole and no traditional built-in arch support. If you need arch support, you can replace the removable insole with your own orthotic.

Do Wyde shoes treat flat feet?

No. The NHS says flat feet are usually nothing to worry about and need no action if they cause no problems. If they do, a foot specialist can give advice. Wyde shoes are not a treatment, and any arch support would come from your own insole.

Which sizes do Wyde shoes come in?

All Wyde shoes are unisex and come in full EU sizes 36 to 47. Choose by foot length. There is no need to size up for width, and between sizes you should size up.

Are all Wyde shoes handmade in Portugal?

No. The Nova, Maia, Maia Strap, Nilo, Chelsea and Norra are handmade in Portugal. The Soma is made in China.

Where can you ask a question about fit?

Write to support@wydefootwear.com or use the contact form on wydefootwear.com. Wyde says its support staff are all trained foot specialists and/or physiotherapists.