Ever grabbed a shoe box and been left wondering what the cryptic "A" letter is doing next to the size? I've been there too, and trust me - knowing about shoe width can be a total game changer for your comfort.

After working with individuals for years to help them find their ideal match at Ardur Shoes, I've found that the majority of customers only care about length and not at all about width. But here's the catch - that small "A" mark may be what sets you up to stop your foot pain and actually find shoes that fit you correctly.

What Does A Mean in Men's and Women's Shoe Sizes?

The "A" in shoe width is width, not length. Imagine it as the measurement from the widest part of your foot across - generally around the area of the ball.

Narrow is an "A" width for women's shoes. It's for feet that are narrower than average. If you ever found yourself thinking your foot was floating around in normal shoes, you may require an A width.

For men's footwear, it is just a little bit different. Narrow width for men is labeled as "B", not "A". If you are a man in search of narrow shoes, therefore, seek out "B" width, not "A" width.

The shoe width scale ranges from narrow to wide as follows: AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE. Each grade is roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch wider.

What Does A Mean in Boot Width?

Boot width has the same rules as standard shoes. An "A" width boot is one that's designed for a narrow foot.

But I've found this to be the case - boots can feel slightly different than standard shoes even in the same width. This is because boots cover more of your foot and ankle. The additional material can make narrow width boots feel more secure.

A lot of my customers who use A width for sneakers discover that they require the same width for boots. However, others choose to go as high as B width in boots for additional comfort, particularly if they intend to wear thick socks.

Winter boots and work boots tend to be more spacious compared to dress boots, so be aware of this when buying.

What Are the Differences Between A, AA and AAA Widths?

This is where things become fascinating. Every extra "A" narrows the shoe.

• A Width: Narrow (narrowest of the narrow options)
• AA Width: Even narrower
• AAA Width: Very narrow (toughest to find)

Each width is typically different by approximately 1/8 inch. That may not sound like a lot, but believe me - your feet will perceive it.

I've watched customers wrestle with A width for years when they actually needed AA. Their feet would ride around, blistering and hurting them.

Most shoe stores have A width choices. AA widths are not as common but can still be found from many companies. AAA widths are uncommon and typically need to be special ordered.

How to Measure Your Foot Width at Home

Measuring your foot width is easier than you might think. Here's how I teach customers to do it:

What You'll Need

• A piece of paper larger than your foot
• A pencil or pen
• A ruler or measuring tape

Step-by-Step Process

First, place the paper on a hard floor. Stand on it with your full weight on both feet - this is important because your foot spreads when you put weight on it.

Trace around your foot, holding the pencil vertically up and down. Trace both feet because they tend to be a different size.

Measure across the widest part of the tracing. This is generally across the ball of your foot where your toes meet.

Do this for both feet and use the bigger measurement. Most individuals have one foot slightly larger than the other.

Reading Your Measurements

For women, if your foot measures:

• 3.4 inches or less = AAA width
• 3.5-3.6 inches = AA width
• 3.7-3.8 inches = A width
• 3.9-4.0 inches = B width (standard)

For men, it's different:

• 3.8 inches or less = B width (narrow)
• 3.9-4.0 inches = C width
• 4.1-4.2 inches = D width (standard)

Keep in mind, these are general guidelines. Slightly different brands may fit differently.

Gender Differences in 'A' Width Shoes

Men and women have varying foot shapes, so it is no surprise that the width systems differ.

Women's feet are generally narrower, so "A" is narrow for women. Men's feet are wider, so their narrowness is from "B".

Something that I've learned and found to be interesting - certain men with extremely narrow feet can actually fit into women's shoes in a larger size. A size 9 man may fit into size 10.5 or 11 in A width in women's.

But use this method with caution. Men's and women's shoes are constructed differently. The heel height, arch placement, and toe box shape are all different in relation to differing foot structures.

Women tend to have higher arches and varying heel shapes compared to men. So although the width may fit, the overall fit may still be incorrect.

Where To Buy 'A' Width Shoes?

Having narrow width shoes was almost impossible to find. Now, blessedly, more companies are realizing that individuals require various widths.

Best Places to Shop

Internet merchants such as Ardur have the greatest range of narrow width choices. We stock from sneakers to dress shoes in A width shoes.

Department stores occasionally stock narrow widths, but they have limited choices. You will have more choices in ladies' shoes than for men.

Most athletic shoe shops carry slim widths in running shoes and sneakers. New Balance, ASICS, and Brooks are excellent for narrow athletic footwear.

Best Brands for A Width

Certain companies always produce well-fitting narrow width shoes. The leader is New Balance with multiple width options. Clarks has very good narrow dress shoes and casual shoes.

For boots, Red Wing and Ariat provide narrow widths. For dress shoes, Cole Haan and Allen Edmonds are good options.

Shopping online provides you with the widest choice, but ensure that you know the return policy. Fit may be problematic when you shop online.

Tips for Choosing 'A' Width Shoes

Buying narrow shoes is done differently than if you were buying regular width shoes.

Try Before You Buy

If at all possible, always get shoes on in person first. Even in the same brand, the same style may fit differently in A width.

Shop for shoes in the afternoon when feet are a bit swollen. This provides you with a more true fit for all-day use.

Find Adjustable Features

Shoes that have laces, straps, or buckles are better suited for narrow feet than slip-ons. These give you options to adjust the fit.

Steer clear of shoes with stretch panels or elastic materials. These are for wider feet and will not provide support for narrower feet.

Check the Toe Box

Ensure there's still space in the toe area. Occasionally when you switch to a narrower width, the toe box becomes narrower as well. You desire close sides but roomy toes.

Think about Insoles

Even with the correct width, you may require additional support. If you have narrow feet, they tend to have higher arches, therefore a proper arch support insole can be of great help.

Read Reviews

Other individuals with narrow feet leave online reviews that are goldmines of information. Read for feedback on fit, comfort, and size.

Problems with Wearing Wrong Width Shoes

Donning the wrong width creates more issues than most individuals are aware of.

Too Wide Shoes

If shoes are too wide, your foot moves around inside. This produces friction, resulting in blisters and hot spots.

Your foot also has to work extra hard to hold the shoe on, which can result in fatigue and muscle tension.

Too Narrow Shoes

Too narrow shoes compress your foot, which can lead to bunions, corns, and ingrown toenails eventually.

The pressure can also cut off blood flow, making your feet numb or tingly.

Signs You Require A Width

• Your foot slides forward when wearing shoes
• You develop blisters on the sides of your feet
• Shoes are loose even when tightly tied
• Your feet feel unstable while walking
• Regular width shoes make your foot overhang the sole

Special Considerations for Various Shoe Types

Various types of shoes function better or worse for narrow feet.

Athletic Shoes

A width running shoes are becoming increasingly available. Opt for companies that deal primarily in running shoes - they know the significance of correct width.

Cross-training shoes are less available in narrow widths, but they're available. Use large athletic brands.

Dress Shoes

Narrow dress shoes are more readily available than casual narrow shoes. Several traditional dress shoe manufacturers carry multiple widths.

Oxford and lace-up shoes are preferable to loafers for narrow feet.

Boots

Ankle boots suit narrow feet well since they offer greater support around the ankle.

Tall boots are tricky - you may require narrow width for the foot but regular width for the calf.

How Foot Shape Impacts Width Selection

Not all individuals with narrow measurements require A width shoes. Foot shape is also important.

Some individuals have narrow heels but wider toe spaces. Some have narrow toes but wider heels.

If you have a normal width toe but a narrow heel, try searching for shoes with heel grips or adjustable heel straps rather than a full width size down.

Individuals who have high arches tend to require narrow widths since high arches cause feet to look narrower.

Low arches or flat feet may require wider shoes even if the measurement indicates narrow width.

Breaking In A Width Shoes

Narrow width shoes may require a different break-in strategy.

Begin by wearing them for short time periods - perhaps 30 minutes initially. Narrow shoes can cause pressure points that it takes time to accommodate.

Use thick socks during the break-in period if the shoes feel slightly loose. This helps them mold to your foot shape.

If shoes feel too tight in specific spots, try using a shoe stretcher or take them to a cobbler for professional stretching.

Never try to stretch shoes more than half a width size. Going from A to B width through stretching rarely works well.

Taking Care of Your A Width Shoes

Narrow width shoes tend to be more expensive than regular widths, so they require special care.

Use shoe trees when you're not using them. This keeps them from losing their shape and the narrow design from folding in on itself.

Switch between multiple pairs of shoes. This allows each pair time to air out and keeps them in good condition longer.

Think about waterproofing treatments for leather narrow width shoes. Water damage can alter shape and make narrow shoes tighter still.

Finding Your Perfect Fit

Don't forget that the "A" in shoe size is just the beginning. Your ideal fit is based on your own foot shape, the particular brand and the type of shoe.

Don't be hesitant to experiment with varying widths in the tight range. One brand's A width accommodates like another brand's AA width.

And here's my greatest advice - once you've located a style and brand that fits well in A width, stick to it. Purchase numerous pairs in various colors if you adore how they fit.

Ready to Find Your Ideal A Width Shoes?

Now that you know what A width is and how to determine the best fit, let's go shopping!

At Ardur Shoes, we are experts at assisting others in finding their ideal fit, including the difficult-to-find narrow widths. A width styles are featured in our selection of athletic shoes, dress shoes, boots, and casual shoes from leading brands.

Browse our narrow width collection today and feel the difference a proper fit can make. Your feet will thank you!