loafers for wide feet and high instep
Y’all I’ve been struggling with finding a good loafer for myself. I have pretty wide feet and a very high instep, making it difficult getting shoes without a lacing system.
I want a classic penny loafer type (with beefroll) with an overall more casual vibe (so no shiny leathers I guess) and either a leather or a thin rubber sole. My problem most of the time is that they’re not high enough and hurt my feet even after a longer break in period, so yeah.
If a penny loafer turns out to just not be in the cards for me that’ll be fine too - I’d love recommendations for similar moccasin type shoes with laces as well!
A pair of Russell Moccassins has been tempting, but shipping (and returns) and Europe would be a big advantage.
16 Replies
Have you tried orthotics?
Like inserts? Those make my shoes even tighter, don’t they?
In short, yes, but two things:
1- custom orthotics can be made for dress shoes / boots where you can't remove the insoles, so they cut it in half so your toe isn't cramped. Will post pic in a moment.
2-i would then try on with orthotic in store, but basically you go up half a size, and make sure you're getting the right width (I'm a EEE)
Thanks for the free foot pic. I might be stupid but I don’t see how that helps with it being painful at the top of the foot?
I guess I'm suggesting this lets you upsize for wider/get higher lift without the shoe not fitting
And these are made for high arches specifically, which in my experience is the root cause of the pain
Ah I see! That makes sense. I’ll check how the height varies with bigger sizes and try and work with appropriate inserts.
Cool penny loafer recs are still appreciated though!
Rancourt has E and EE widths, and their online sizing guide is usable and accurate in my experience.
These are classic beefrolls in a very nice leather: https://www.rancourtandcompany.com/collections/loafers/products/beefroll-penny-loafers-carolina-brown-chromexcel
Rancourt & Co.
Beefroll Penny Loafers - Carolina Brown Chromexcel
The Beefroll Penny Loafer is our most iconic style. Cut from unlined Horween Chromexcel it doesn't get any more uniquely American than this. Chromexcel is the flagship leather from the iconic Horween Tannery in Chicago, IL. Chromexcel is impregnated with a proprietary blend of natural oils and waxes, this special tanna
They have the same style in several different soles. The links above is all leather, but they have leather + rubber and moccasin (all rubber) versions.
Here's rubber: https://www.rancourtandcompany.com/collections/loafers/products/beefroll-penny-loafers-lh-carolina-brown-chromexcel#
Rancourt & Co.
Beefroll Penny Loafers LH - Carolina Brown Chromexcel
The Beefroll Penny Loafer is our iconic shoe. Cut from unlined Horween Chromexcel it doesn't get any more Uniquely American than this. Chromexcel is the flagship leather from the iconic Horween Tannery in Chicago, IL. Chromexcel is impregnated with a proprietary blend of natural oils and waxes, this special tannage giv
Here's moccasin: https://www.rancourtandcompany.com/collections/loafers/products/pinch-penny-loafers-carolina-brown-chromexcel#
Rancourt & Co.
Pinch Penny Moc - Carolina Brown Chromexcel
Pinch Penny Loafers in unlined chromexcel. These are our most lightweight and flexible loafers. They will break in and mold to your feet quickly, offering fast relief from other more rigid shoes and boots. Horween Chromexcel leather with lightweight Rancourt signature camp-moc soles. Genuine Handsewn Moccasin Construct
I’ve seen rancourt before yeah, but getting them to Europe is a bit scary to me!
I have a pair of Meermin penny loafers. I don't like the styling as much. They are more "European", a little dressier than the beefrolls.
But recently they started doing a different model with a more US-style toe profile:
Meermin Shoes
101483 - BLACK CALF - E
The classical black calf penny loafer, a very solid & versatile choice, in our ERIK last with low instep & a pronounced contour rounded toe loafers last. Medium fitting UK E (Medium fitting). Used only on our classic & elegant penny loafers. Made just using the finest French boxcalf & finished with sing
But not beefroll and not available in a huge number of colors (yet?)