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If you have a wider than average forefoot, then look for shoes made of materials that will stretch, such as calf leather, nappa leather or suede. Shoes or boots made from stretchable materials can be taken to a trusted shoe repair shop where they can be stretched. In general, fabric-made shoes are less easily stretched, however your trusted shoe repair shop can give you insights on a particular fabric and its ability to stretch. Depending on the material, some lace and mesh materials may have some flexibility and may soften with wear over time.

On our website we have added a “Fit Recommendations” page where we have presented a number of styles that we find are either running wide or are designed with features that make them adjustable to better fit wider feet.

If you have any additional questions, then our Customer Care team can be reached for support at care@marionparke.com.

We realize that individuals with narrow feet tend to have the most difficulty with shoe fit. After all, shoes are not like clothing and cannot be tailored or adjusted quite as easily.

On our website we have added a “Fit Recommendations” page, where we have presented a number of styles that we find are either running narrow or are designed with
features that make them adjustable to better fit narrower feet.

If you have any additional questions, then our Customer Care team can be reached for support at care@marionparke.com.

If you have a narrow heel, then typically slides and mule-type shoes are a good option. Adjustable straps behind the heel can also help to improve fit.

We suggest avoiding d’Orsay style shoes, which will likely be loose around a narrow heel and result in the heel lifting out of the shoe while walking.

Instead of adding a pad inside the heel counter of the shoe, which will push the foot forward into the toe box of the shoe, try adding a pad beneath the forefoot (or “ball of the foot”), which will help position your heel further into the back of the shoe and help to better secure the heel of your foot in the heel counter of the shoe.

On our website we have added a “Fit Recommendations” page, where we have presented a number of styles that will fit a higher arch for a variety of reasons, particularly those that have adjustability over the midfoot or do not have straps over the midfoot.

If you have any additional questions, then our Customer Care team can be reached for support at care@marionparke.com.

If the length of the shoe fits both feet, however the width of the shoe across the forefoot is too small on one side, then we suggest buying the correct size for the smaller foot and taking your shoes to a trusted shoe repair shop for stretching the shoe that is narrow across the forefoot. Buying shoes a size up to better accommodate the wider foot will lead to slippage on the smaller foot and discomfort in the shoe over time.

If your feet are different lengths however the widths are the same, then consider buying the correct length for the longer foot and adding a pad to the toe box of the smaller shoe. We do not recommend adding pads to the heel counter (around the heel) of the shoe, as these pads will force the foot further into the toe box and lead to cramping and discomfort around the toes.

If you have any additional questions, then our Customer Care team can be reached for support at care@marionparke.com.

Our twice-patented Triple I™ insole is made with a medical grade material that has similar properties to the naturally occurring soft tissue on the plantar aspect (or “bottom”) of the foot. This material provides additional shock absorption for standing and walking and also molds to the foot over time.

If you have what is considered a flexible flat foot, then our Triple I™ insole should feel like wearing a low profile and supportive orthotic in your shoes and we think you will love them.

If you have what is considered a rigid flat foot, then the contoured insole may not be as comfortable around any fixed bony prominences.

On each product page, scroll past the “Add to Cart” button and you will find FIT NOTES written specifically for each style in our collection. Our team spends a tremendous time focusing on fit and wearability, and these notes are written after several fit sessions and much consideration. We hope you find them helpful.

We also have a page dedicated to sizing, which presents a number of ways to choose the size that is best for you.

You can compare your US size with our Italian size recommendations, measure your foot (either in millimeters or inches) or you can estimate your shoe size based on other Italian-made brands.

If you have any additional questions, then our Customer Care team can be reached for support at care@marionparke.com.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common (if not the most common) problems that foot and ankle specialists treat. I (Marion) have experienced plantar fasciitis myself (during my surgical residency) and know first hand how uncomfortable it can be.

We suggest wearing shoe gear that supports the medial arch of the foot, and we encourage you to avoid shoes that have a completely flat insole, as well as shoes that are flexible or can be bent or folded across the midfoot of the shoe.

A small wedge can also be a helpful shoe feature if you have experienced plantar fasciitis.

While shoe gear plays an important role in managing plantar fasciitis, it is important to note that our shoes are not intended to be therapeutic for any foot or ankle problems, including plantar fasciitis.

There are a number of qualities to look for in a shoe when you are expecting. 

Adjustable straps are helpful as our feet tend to swell over the course of the day and over the course of your pregnancy. 

Given the weight gain and challenges to balance that women experience during pregnancy, consider avoiding taller and narrower heels and wearing lower and wider heel shapes. 

Lastly, we suggest avoiding going barefoot and wearing shoe gear with an arch support, which can help reduce your risk of developing plantar fasciitis (a problem that can develop as a result of weight gain during pregnancy).

If you have a wider than average forefoot as a result of a bunion (the medical term is “hallux abducto valgus”), then look for shoes made of materials that will stretch, such as calf leather, nappa leather or suede. Shoes or boots made from stretchable materials can be taken to a trusted shoe repair shop where they can be stretched. In general, fabric-made shoes are less easy to stretch, however your trusted shoe repair shop can give you insights on a particular fabric and its ability to stretch. Depending on the material, some lace and mesh materials may have some flexibility and may soften we wear over time. 

On our website we have added a “Fit Recommendations” page, where we have presented a number of styles that we find are either running wide or are designed with features that make them adjustable to better fit wider feet.

If you have any additional questions, then our Customer Care team can be reached for support at care@marionparke.com.

If you have a neuroma, then we suggest avoiding high heels and any shoe gear that increases pressure on the forefoot (or “ball of the foot”). Consider wearing flats and a carefully placed neuroma pad.