Wide Snow Boots: Width Codes, Fit and Where to Find Them

Wide and extra-wide snow boots exist, but only some makers list them, usually as a separate “Wide” version of a regular boot. Kamik and Columbia both sell wide winter boots. Look for width codes: men’s widths run from D, the usual starting point, through 2E, 4E and 6E, and a “Wide” label can mean the calf, not the foot.

What the width letters mean

Width letters can trip up shoppers, and brands use different words for the same code. New Balance publishes one of the clearest charts:

New Balance’s men’s sizing article suggests starting with D for most people, and trying 2E, 4E or 6E if your shoes feel snug. Its conversion advice says the width letter stays the same when you switch between women’s and men’s sizes, so a women’s D is a men’s D. The words attached to each code vary, even between New Balance pages, so trust the letter over the label.

Snow boots often come in fewer widths than everyday shoes. A boot may be sold in just a regular fit and a “Wide” version, with no letter given, so read the size chart on that product page.

How to measure for a wide boot

New Balance’s printable sizing tool gives a method that works for any boot:

1. Measure the widest part of each foot, straight across.
2. Use the larger of the two measurements, since feet often differ.
3. Measure later in the day, when feet tend to be largest.
4. Compare the number with the maker’s width chart for your length.

Do it in the socks you will wear in the boot. A thick winter sock adds width, and our guide on how to choose snow boots explains why a little room for your toes keeps them warmer.

Where to find wide snow boots

Kamik and Columbia list wide winter boots on their own sites. Ranges change each season, so treat this as a starting list.

• Kamik sells “Wide” versions of several men’s boots, including the Fargo 2 Wide, the Greenbay 4 Wide and the Nation Wide. Kamik describes the Fargo 2 Wide as having a more generous fit for wider feet.
• Columbia sells a men’s Bugaboot III Wide, with 200 grams of insulation, and a men’s Bugaboot Celsius Wide.
• Wide calf, not wide foot. Kamik’s women’s Snowdon Zip Wide is described with a wide calf fit. That helps if the shaft is the problem, but not if the boot pinches across the foot.

On a marketplace listing, look for the width code in the title or item details, since “wide” in a title sometimes refers to the calf, not the foot.

Fit checks when the boots arrive

Try them on indoors, with your winter socks, before you wear them outside. You should be able to wiggle your toes, the widest part of your foot should sit at the widest part of the boot, and your heel should not lift much when you walk. If the boot is long enough but pinches across the ball of the foot, exchange it for the next width, not the next length.

Check the warmth and waterproofing details too: a wide boot still needs a waterproof shell, insulation and a deep-lugged sole. For icy sidewalks, add slip-on cleats over any boot. Our roundups of men’s snow boots for deep snow and women’s snow boots for real snow cover ratings, liners and wide calves.

Keep the rest of you warm

The right boots are one layer of a cold-weather kit. See our guides to fleece-lined vs insulated snow pants, heated jackets, vests and gloves and fleece-lined hiking pants. More boot guides are in the snow boots section.