Real heartbreak looks like this: You pick up a pair of shoes, slide them onto your feet, and they don’t make it past mid-calf. I know this to be true because it’s happened to me—a lot.I missed out on the 2010s tight-fitting sock boot craze because of it, and long before that, back-to-school shopping looked a lot like my mom playing detective, asking salespeople if they carried a wide-calf option, only to be met with a “No, we don’t. Sorry.” Like I said—heartbreaking! But luckily, as fashion evolved and its horizons broadened, boot circumferences and style options also expanded. So, long gone are the days of not finding a wider-fit option because brands we love, like Ganni, Larroudé, and Tory Burch, are churning out some stellar styles for those who need ‘em. Speaking of those searching for boots with the right fit, we’ve conducted hours of research evaluating top-rated shoe brands with sizing, material, and price in mind. After reading customer reviews, consulting with our experts, and considering dozens of wide-calf choices, we landed on these top-rated choices, from over-the-knee silhouettes to trendy western-inspired booties. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best Budget: Fashion to Figure Lisette Over-the-Knee Faux Leather Boots at Nordstromrack.com (See Price) Best Low Heel: Best Weatherproof: Naturalizer Darry Knee High Water Repellant Boot at Amazon ($100) Best Stiletto: In This Article Our Picks Where We Stand How We Researched What To Look For FAQ Why Trust Byrdie For a piece to earn our top spot, it has to be the real deal. We’re talking exquisite sizing, high-quality leathers, and tons of color options,all at a fair price. These Vince Camutos are that and so much more. Available in 12 shades from dark mahogany and bone, this boot is a sleek, square-toed boot with a flared heel. They’re pretty comfy because of their roomy feel (and their accommodating circumference of 15.25 inches). No wonder TikTok has deemed them the best boots for wide calves. Size: 5-12 | Material: Leather | Circumference: 15.25 inches This pair of patent leather effect stilettos proves that footwear can be sexy. Equipped with a pointed toe and a 4-inch heel, they’re not for the faint of heart, but they are, however, for the wide-calf. This sultry shoe has a tubular-like shaft that allows for movement and comfort, so you don’t have to worry about any frustrating friction when you tout these around town.They also come in a velvet finish if that's more of your vibe. Size: 7-13 | Material: Faux Leather | Circumference: 22 inches Chances are, you’ve seen a biker boot this season. And chances are, if you’re extremely online (like me!), you’ve seen biker boots everywhere this season. That’s because influencers and celebs alike are making these grunge-y, buckled and harnessed boots cool again. If you’re looking to splurge on this motorcycle-inspired trend, we recommend Ganni— a brand adored by Bella Hadid, Miley Cyrus, and Emma Chamberlain. We love that these boots from the brand have a circular calf-length shaft for comfort and pull tabs, metal detailing, and low block heels for walkability. Size: 5-12 | Material: Recycled Leather | Circumference: 16.93 inches Suede is tricky, but Madewell ensures that the material is anything but. These extended calf boots are easy to clean, which is important when you’re wandering around in these as much as we think you will be. This is partly due to its squared toe and easy-to-walk-in stacked heel, but also due to the cushy insert AKA the brand’s MWL Cloudlift Lite padding that feels—quite literally—like walking on clouds. Size: 5-11 | Material: Leather | Circumference: 14.5 inches “I’ll take any opportunity I can to talk about the Reformation Remy Knee boot because I’m obsessed with them,” says style influencer Kathleen Fialka. “Not to be dramatic, but these are probably one of the top three purchases I’ve made.” The higher price tag comes from the soft nappa leather and unique details like the wide shaft, kitten heel, and snip toe. Fialka notes that when spending a sizable amount of money on anything in your closet, you’ll want to ensure that you’ll wear them a lot and—in turn—withstand that wear. She says she reaches for them to pair with jeans, dresses, mini skirts, leather pants (and so on) since they’re so versatile. And despite “basically wearing them into the ground” for over a year, Fialka says that her pair still look like new. Size: 5-11 | Material: Nappa leather | Circumference: 15.25 inches You don’t have to have a flight booked to Jackson Hole to wrangle that same Western vibe into your wardrobe. In fact, the past few years in fashion have shown that a contemporary cowboy boot style can add an edgy touch to almost any outfit. And this low-block heeled number from Schutz proves exactly that. Crafted from genuine leather, these boots will only get softer and rugged with age. Coming in rich brown and black with subtle stitching, these boots are easy to incorporate into your closet, even if they are your first cowboy boots. Size: 5-11 | Material: Leather | Circumference: 15 inches These water-repellent knee-high boots with a lug sole prove that weatherproof wear can be practical and stylish. The chunky sole, rounded toe, and buckle strap play up the retro vibe. Moreover, they debunk the common misconception that suede shoes aren’t suitable for rainy days, as both the suede and smooth leather options are water-repellent. And with a wide circumference and full length zipper, these will be a breeze to take on and off. Size: 6-12 | Material: Polyester| Circumference: 16.3 inches These Vagabond riding boots serve Ralph Lauren realness at almost half the price. In timeless silhouette fashion, these riding boots possess a polished, smooth finish, pointed-toe shape, slanted low-stacked heels, and a classic curved shaft for those with wider calves. Plus, that decorated buckle on them gives them an extra special oomph. Size: 5-11 | Material: Leather | Circumference: 16.33 inches Dolce Vita is a reliable label for comfortable and on-trend shoes, and this pair is no different. Coming in a range of must-have leathers, this minimally heeled boot is the kind you can slip on, stroll a few blocks, and do so without the fear of a blistering ankle afterward—which is a huge undertaking for a boot with a 3-inch heel. Size: 6-11 | Material: Leather | Circumference: 15.6 inches Anyone who claims that all stilettos are uncomfortable—obviously—hasn't experienced the comfort of Larroudé. Created by Marina Larroudé, the former VP Fashion Director at Barneys and the head of Schutz, this beloved brand is likely familiar from your Instagram feed or worn by celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo and Gwyneth Paltrow. Surprisingly, this trendy label doesn't sacrifice comfort for style, even when crafting heels with a 3.8-inch height. Case in point: this pair. There's cloud memory foam for extra cushioning and a comfortable toe area. We appreciate their sleek design, perfect pitch height, and the added wear-all-day ease they bring. Not to mention…that golden Larroudé "L" logo? Stunning! Size: 5-11| Material: Leather| Circumference: 15.75 inches In case you haven’t heard of DuoBoots, here’s what you need to know: They are the only contemporary boot brand that offers multiple calf and foot sizes in knee-high and over-the-knee boots. Under their “Find your Fit” dropdown on their site, you are free to customize sizes to your own needs, with circumferences running up to 19.6 inches, like this pair of sleek, mid-heel boots. With a memory foam insole and sturdy block heels, these boots offer all day comfort. Not only do they come in eight different calf sizes, but they also come in petite and tall heights, since “knee high” can hit differently on everyone. Talk about inclusivity to boot! Size: 6.5-11 | Material: Leather | Circumference: 19.6 inches Anthropologie clothing has long been praised, and it’s about time its for-your-feet accessories gain the same cult following. This pair is fierce and comfortable, made from snakeskin-embossed leather and a 2-inch baby heel that’ll make you question why you haven’t been shopping for their footwear longer. Size: 5-10 | Material: Leather | Circumference: 15 inches Maguire is an independent, sister-led label that makes high-quality shoes that will stay in your closet for years to come. These sturdy flatforms with a lug sole bring a modern take on classic riding boots. More edgy and arguably more comfortable too, these chunky boots feature a rounded toe and detailed seams along the upper. Size: 5-12 | Material: Leather | Circumference: 18.11 inches If 2023 was the year of Barbie fashion, then I hereby declare 2024 as the year of the Bratz Doll. And these statuesque square-toed, platform boots from Labucq fit that aesthetic oh-so perfectly. We appreciate how beautifully proportioned and powerful these look; plus, along with their edgy appearance, they’re got a triple stacked welt and 2 inch block heel that make them easy to walk in all day long. Size: 5-12| Material: Leather | Circumference: 16 inches Have you seen a boot that just looks so rich? Take a moment to appreciate these over-the-knee boots by Loeffler Randal, crafted in rich espresso Italian vachette leather, and you’ll understand what we mean. Each detail is as high-end as it is functional, including a padded leather footbed, an elegantly shaped almond toe, an internal zipper closure (for easy on-off), and a staggering 3.5-inch heel. Talk about luxe. Size: 5-12 | Material: Cow Leather | Circumference: 17.25 inches Overall, our favorite boots for wide calves are the Vince Camuto Women's Sangeti Stacked Heel Knee High Boot. They are stylish, comfortable, and come in a range of materials and colors. For a budget-friendly pick, we recommend Fashion to Figure Lisette Over-the-Knee Faux Leather Boots. For this article, we spoke to several shoe experts for their advice on how to pick boots for wide calves as well as their product recommendations. With their advice, we looked for boots with the best wide calf size opens, paying special attention to features and customer reviews. We evaluated each boot on these attributes: FAQ What are wide-calf boots? Simply put, wide-calf boots are designed to fit calves with a wider circumference. “While wide-calf designations change from brand to brand based on their sizing, typical wide-calf sizing starts at a 16-inch circumference,” says Calderon. A smaller circumference could be an option if a super stretchy material or elastic panel is involved. Extra wide-calf sizing starts at 18 inches and can go up to 24 inches in circumference. Just don’t confuse wide-calf with wide-width sizing, as the latter refers to your foot measurement. A customer could have a wide-calf but standard-width foot or vice versa, How should wide-calf boots fit? While materials like leather will stretch a bit over time, you want your boots to fit well out of the gate. “We caution customers that if boots are a bit too snug, this may cause circulation issues that [could cause discomfort],” Calderon says. She recommends leaning on customer reviews for better insight before buying. You’ll get insight into how the boot fits from someone who has seen them in person and tried them on. Sites like Zappos also have customer service teams that can help guide you. Can you widen boots on your own? “It’s really tough to widen boots on your own as you’re relying on the natural properties of leather to stretch (which it can do!) but they never go very far,” says DuoBoots Fit Specialist, Zara Thacker. “Perhaps one or two cms, but it’s always better to buy your true size to begin with.” Byrdie contributor Morgan Sullivan has over half a decade of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, writing for some of the most prominent magazines and websites. Along with writing about beauty, she also frequently covers relationship, wellness, and lifestyle topics. She interviewed the experts below to help her uncover the best wide-calf boots to buy now: Holly Carter is a longtime writer and editor specializing in fashion, lifestyle, and beauty. She served as beauty director for numerous publications like People StyleWatch, OK! Magazine, and In Touch Weekly and was the style features director at O, The Oprah Magazine. Her more recent work can be seen in outlets such as Oprah Daily, Better Homes & Gardens, InStyle, People, POPSUGAR, Editorialist, and Ebony. When she’s not in a stylish pair of sneakers, she’s rocking a boot or bootie albeit with a somewhat sensible heel. According to ourDiversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough wide-calf boots from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.comand we will evaluate the product ASAP.Best Overall
Vince Camuto Sangeti Wide-Calf Boot
Best Cowboy
Schutz Zachy Up Leather Boot
Best Weatherproof
Naturalizer Darry Knee High Water Repellant Boot
Best Over-the-Knee
Loeffler Randal Deidre Espresso Thigh-High Boot
Where We Stand
How We Researched
What to Look for When Buying Wide-Calf Boots
Why Trust Byrdie
Jump to Review
Jump to Review
Jump to Review
Jump to Review
Jump to Review