For Rick Owens, fit logic is not the first thing that enters his mind when designing shoes – the silhouette, the behaviour of the shoe’s materials and the structural form is first. This not only results in shoes that are not like any other on the market, but it also causes footwear to be quite different between each silhouette of a collection. Each Geobasket, Ramones, Abstract and Runner is internally constructed in a way that can interact with the wider feet in various ways according to the last shape adopted, and the construction of the foot itself for that particular model. But the first step for anyone with a wider foot taking their first steps into Rick Owens is to understand that the brand’s sneakers aren’t built around a traditional athletic last, the curved shape that is used to construct the shoe. Lasts produced throughout the entire line of Rick Owens sneakers are more tapered and elongated, based on the design, instead of the various shapes of feet that will wear the shoes. This is not to say that the sneakers are not suitable for wider-footed individuals — it’s to say that the knowledge and understanding of the individual shoe construction is more critical for the individual with a wider or more average foot than it is for the narrow-footed individual.
The Geobasket and its width handling ability
One of the most identifiable Rick Owens designs, and one of the more flexible for those with wider feet because of its construction process, the Geobasket is one of the most recognisable Rick Owens silhouettes. A high collar on the ankle and wide sole platform (distributing weight across the widest part of the foot) means the Geobasket will not cause discomfort on the narrowest part of the foot that many shoes create. The upper is constructed from thick leather with a certain amount of give – not the soft leather that immediately conforms to the foot shape but the soft leather that gradually softens and moulds to the foot after a period of regular use of about a week or two. Many wider footed buyers that buy a Geobasket in their regular size report it to be tight at first, but becomes more comfortable after two to four weeks of use. To buy half a size bigger is a practice among the wider footed rick owens sneakers customers who wish to lessen the amount of break-in without compromising fit at the heel and ankle. The platform design ensures the shoe maintains its proportions and doesn’t appear out of place in terms of size, even if increased by half, in comparison to the more traditional sneaker styles.
The Ramones Silhouette and Wider Foot Compatibility
The Ramones is the most stripped back and low profile silhouette in the Rick Owens sneaker family, and noticeably has a different fit to wider feet vs the Geobasket, which makes all the difference when it comes to purchase. The Ramones features a narrower last than the Geobasket, which will limit the width of the foot inside the shoe from the first time it is worn and the toe box of the shoe. Customers with much wider feet – especially those in the wide or extra wide categories on standard foot width – often experience discomfort in the Ramones with little to no size difference. For buyers with the Ramones, it’s more common to have to size up by a full size as opposed to a half size, and even then, some people still find that they cannot get the width across the toe box. While the leather upper is breakable over time, the last is tighter so there is less leather surface area that can affect a Ramones’ comfort. Because of the difference between the upper construction of the high-top and low-top Ramones, the former can be slightly bigger across the forefoot for wider-footed buyers seeking the Ramones style but unable to find the extra space offered by the standard low-top version.
The effects of the materials on fit for wider feet over time.
The upper material in any Rick Owens sneaker will play a big part in the way the shoe will break-in and accommodate a wider foot. A natural characteristic of full-grain leather uppers, which are found on many of the most popular Rick Owens silhouettes, is that they conform to the shape of the foot that they encase as time goes on over the course of a few weeks. This moulding process also means that if a shoe feels too tight across the shoe’s width when first put on, after a month of daily wear, it will feel comfortable as leather moulds around the foot pressing against the broader shoe width from the inside. The materials used on some of the Rick Owens and DRKSHDW sneaker options differ from full-grain leather, for instance, they’re not as natural-giving and may not mold to a wider foot shape as a result of regular wear. For those who have wider feet who are interested in wearing Rick Owens sneakers, it’s best to choose leather upper constructions over canvas or synthetic shoes, not only because the fit accommodation offered by the break-in process is meaningfully higher in leather, but also because leather upper constructions are more comfortable in the long run. The conditioning of the leather upper using a high quality leather conditioner during the break-in phase increases the moulding process and decreases the discomfort of the initial weeks of use of the shoe without compromising the integrity of the shoe or the quality of the leather. Rick Owens Boots hit different when you pair them with the right top check out our essentials shorts guide to complete the look.
The sizing policy for those who prefer a wider footed purchase.
For people with wide feet, it’s more crucial than for wider or narrow ones to create a sound-sized strategy before they buy their Rick Owens sneakers, as the repercussions of the wrong size are not likely to be as severe regarding comfort or price. Rick Owens sneakers are not cheap, so it’s not something to take lightly when you make a mistake regarding their size. While it’s pretty common knowledge, Rick Owens sneakers tend to run a half or full size depending on the silhouette, which is more about the length than the width and can mislead those who buy shoes that are on the wider side as they size themselves up on length, only to find that the shoe doesn’t fit their foot. For wider-footed buyers, it’s important to find the silhouette you want, and then read about other wider-footed people’s experiences with that particular model in terms of sizing, not that you should scale it to the whole range by applying general sizing guidelines from Rick Owens. The best way to try on the shoes is to get them at an authorised stockist first before buying, this eliminates the guesswork while playing with distance and width along. When this is not an option, buying from a retailer that has a simple return/exchange policy enables a “try on” with no financial risk in being “locked-in” to a pair that is not properly sized.
The insole and any modifications that increase width comfort.
If you already own some Rick Owens sneakers, but the width of the foot or the toe box is causing discomfort when wearing them, there are practical ways to adjust your shoes which make a significant difference without changing the way they look. By removing the stock insole and replacing it with a thinner aftermarket insole, you will increase the amount of vertical give in the shoe, which will also increase the amount of horizontal give between the widest part of the foot – a marginal but sometimes significant adjustment for borderline width cases. Thinner socks than the default size provided by the buyer is another easy modification to make that decreases the amount of sock inside the shoe and provides a foot a little bit more space width-wise. If the shoe is a leather Rick Owens sneaker and the cobbler is skilled and sensitive with a shoe stretcher, the shoe can be stretched out considerably by stretching the toe box and the ball area of the shoe; the leather and external shape of the shoe will not be harmed by the process. This is a stretching technique which is suitable for full-grain leather uppers and should only be done by a professional; not by a consumer who uses consumer products to stretch a shoe, as this can cause uneven stretching and result in permanent damage to a valuable shoe. These changes would not necessarily apply to feet that are truly narrow but rather if they are a little narrow without modification.
The Honest Answer for the Buyers who has a Wide Footprint.
The bottom line is that Rick Owens sneakers don’t necessarily fit wider feet without any problems, it will depend on the sneaker silhouette in question, as well as the width of the buyers’ foot. The Geobasket and some platform silhouettes in the range are more accommodating for moderately wider feet, especially if the leather has been broken-in by most of the purchasers so that they have had ample time to wear. Slimmer styles (such as the Ramones) can be more of a challenge with wider feet, and will need either a larger size or the understanding that they may need some break-in pain. While there are some adjustments that can be made to the size of the shoe, it may not work with a buyers’ foot if they value the fit of the shoe more than anything else and are willing to sacrifice that fit when they need immediate comfort out of the box. In fact, while the shoes may appear slim, they actually have more options for sizing when you’re seeking a wide fit, and those who are willing to put in the effort of a break-in period and carefully consider the sizing process with a silhouette-specific approach will find that to be the case. Nike shoes never feel like they’re the last shoe to be designed and are made for a buyer who does not rush to buy a pair of shoes that are supposed to fit the moment he steps into them, but comes back to the store with a level head and a pair of shoes that are well worth the wait.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do Rick Owens sneakers generally run narrow across the width?
Most silhouettes use a more elongated, tapered last that runs narrower than standard athletic sneakers. The degree of narrowness varies between silhouettes, with platform constructions like the Geobasket being more accommodating than slimmer options like the Ramones.
Q: How long does the break-in period take for wider feet in Rick Owens leather sneakers?
Most wider-footed buyers find that leather Rick Owens sneakers become noticeably more comfortable after two to four weeks of regular wear as the leather gradually moulds to the foot shape.
Q: Should wider-footed buyers size up in Rick Owens sneakers?
Sizing up by half to a full size is commonly recommended, but this primarily addresses length. Wider-footed buyers should research the specific silhouette they want and look for fit feedback from other buyers with similar foot widths before deciding on a size.
Q: Can a cobbler stretch Rick Owens sneakers to fit wider feet?
professional stretching of leather upper constructions by an experienced cobbler can increase internal width meaningfully without damaging the shoe. This should always be done professionally rather than with consumer stretching tools.
Q: Which Rick Owens sneaker silhouette is most suitable for wider feet?
The Geobasket is generally considered the most accommodating silhouette for wider feet due to its broader platform construction and thick leather upper that moulds more readily than the slimmer constructions used in other silhouettes.