The 9 Best Wide-Calf Boots for Women 2025, Tested by an Editor

Finding a good pair of boots can be hard in general — but when you have wide calves, that task becomes infinitely harder. In the past, I've probably purchased 20 pairs of boots and returned over a dozen because they didn't fit my 16.5-inch calves (or the site did not specify the calf width of the boots).

I know my problem is not singular, because I have had countless conversations with coworkers, friends and even internet strangers about what boots are actually wide-calf-approved.

After wasting money and time on a great pair of boots, my mission was set: I had to find the perfect pair of boots, for the good of the wide-calved people (aka, myself and millions of others). I took it upon myself to try out 11 pairs of "wide-calf" boots for one month and some change. During that timeline, I wore them to work, to dinners, while traveling and during my daily errands.

Since I tested these boots at the end of winter, it was pretty easy to plan outfits around them — and in the spring, I pretty much live in boots (so it's a win-win).

And while I consider myself an expert on footwear (I am a proud owner of 70 pairs of fabulous shoes), I knew I needed to consult the real styling experts, Nikki Venus and Ashley Afriyie, to help me in my journey.

I was the sole tester for this article, so all of the findings and ratings are based off my own experiences. Below, discover my favorite nine boots (out of the 11 I tested), and see what pair ended up being the overall winner.

Calf circumference: Over 17 inches with zipper | Colors: 2 | Material: Faux leather

Fit, shape: 5/5 | Feel: 5/5 | Durability: 4/5 | Overall rating: 4.67/5

Fit, shape: These boots were definitely wide-calf, as they reached up to 15.8 inches and featured a second zipper on the shaft that you could open to offer even more breathing room for your calves (over 17 inches). The boots are pretty sturdy but the second zipper makes them breathable and movable.

Feel: These boots are so comfy that I wore them for a full work day and then to my jewelry-making class (which is a bit of a walk), and they never caused me any issues. The heel is pretty wide, so your foot is fully supported and does not wiggle around. Plus, I thought the two zippers would rub against each other — but they didn't.

Durability: I was easily able to walk 10,000 steps in these on my busiest day of the week. It had snowed, too, and these boots had no issue; they were not drawing in moisture or getting scuffed.

Calf circumference: Not disclosed | Colors: 3 | Material: Synthetic leather

Fit, shape: 4/5 | Feel: 3/5 | Durability: 3/5 | Overall rating: 3.5/5

Fit, shape: These were a gamble because they were labeled wide calf but did not say the dimensions, so I tried them anyway because they were a great price. They slid on easily and feature an ankle zipper that’s meant to be unzipped before trying them on. I am generally not a fan of an ankle zipper, it makes no sense to me, but these did help to get them on.

Feel: These felt comfortable, but they were not made of sturdy material and the fabric did slag a bit. They also were a bit tight on the legs, but not super uncomfortable.

Durability: These shoes would probably not last more than a season or two because of the thin fabric; it was getting scuffed easily and felt like it could tear. For the price though, they are a great option.

Calf circumference: 16.5 inches | Colors: 5 | Material: Faux leather

Fit, shape: 4/5 | Feel: 4/5 | Durability: 3/5 | Overall rating: 3.6/5

Fit, shape: Although these aren't marketed as "wide-calf" boots, they're still wide-calf friendly and can really be made to fit various sizes, thanks to the laces. The shaft is really movable because of them; you can make them as tight or loose as you want.

Feel: These felt pretty comfy to me. The faux fur was a little scratchy, but I would just wear high socks with them. The tongue of the shoe did move around quite a lot, so make sure you secure it in place with the laces. The leather also pooled around the ankle, so make sure you buy the right size to avoid this.

Durability: While these shoes can definitely keep you comfy and warm with faux fur, I don’t see them lasting more than a couple of seasons.

Calf circumference: Not disclosed | Colors: 2 | Material: Synthetic leather

Fit, shape: 4/5 | Feel: 4/5 | Durability: 3/5 | Overall rating: 3.6/5

Fit, shape: These shoes also did not disclose the exact measurements of the calves, but based off of reviews, it seemed like they would work. They fit me perfectly; but there was not a ton of room, so if you are over a size 15- to 16-inch calf, I would not get these.

Feel: These were very comfortable to wear and the leather was more slick, so they felt sturdy and not slouchy.

Durability: I think if you want a good pair of walking boots, these are your best bet.

Calf circumference: 17.68 inches | Colors: 6 | Material: Faux leather

Fit, shape: 4.5/5 | Feel: 4/5 | Durability: 3.5/5 | Overall rating: 4/5

Fit, shape: These are super wide-calf-friendly and were easy to slip into, thanks to the stretchy back elastic at the top of the boot. They can definitely mold to a multitude of calf sizes.

Feel: These were easy to walk around in all day and did not have a ton of structure because the thin faux -eather does feel like a second skin to your legs.

Durability: These gave me no issues walking around, but I would only wear them in ideal weather (so no rain or cold conditions because of how thin the material is).

Calf circumference: 16 inches | Colors: 1 | Material: Leather upper, polyester inside

Fit, shape: 3.5/5 | Feel: 3.5/5 | Durability: 4/5 | Overall rating: 3.6/5

Fit, shape: These are wide-calf friendly, but they are on the smaller side of where I would want them to be. The shaft is very sturdy, but there isn't much room for socks or anything else.

Feel: Because the boots are so stiff, it can make them feel a little awkward at the knee, especially if you are shorter, like me (I'm 5 foot, 4 inches tall).

Durability: The bottom of the shoe features a gold detailing that was starting to scuff after the first couple of wears. I think with time it could rust or look more dull. The overall shoe felt very durable.

Calf circumference: 16.54 inches | Colors: 2 | Material: Leather

Fit, shape: 4.5/5 | Feel: 4/5 | Durability: 5/5 | Overall rating: 4.5/5

Fit, shape: These are wide-calf friendly, and the shaft is pretty sturdy as the leather is thicker here (and the buckles add more structure).

Feel: The boots feel very snug and sturdy, I don’t think you could wear thick socks under them. However, they’ll likely last you many years and get better with age.

Durability: These feel like they are made to last, and the sole didn’t wear down at all.

Calf circumference: 16.5 inches | Colors: 1 | Material: Synthetic leather

Fit, shape: 4/5 | Feel: 5/5 | Durability: 4/5 | Overall rating: 4.3/5

Fit, shape: This boot is naturally slouchy, and the width is wide-calf-friendly.

Feel: The boots feel very soft and buttery, and they are not super structured because they are made to slouch. The inside has a synthetic sock, so they’re easy to slip on. I will say they are sweaty if you’re wearing them in the heat, so the inside sock will stick to you.

Durability: I wear these all day all the time in the office, at home, and out and about. They are really comfy, and the square toe makes them more durable when I inevitably stumble over something. Because the leather is so soft, it can get little scratches, but I will say this adds to the charm of the shoe.

Calf circumference: Up to 20 inches | Colors: 1 | Material: Leather upper, synthetic outsole

Fit, shape: 3/5 | Feel: 3/5 | Durability: 5/5 | Overall rating: 3.6/5

Fit, shape: Out of all the boots I tried, these are the most wide-calf friendly — however, you need to make sure you read the diagram to see if your shoe size will match with the calf width you want. These, of course, had a wide shaft, but the ankle was a lot smaller than I expected.

Feel: These were very easy to put on — but I think next time I need to size down to regular-wide calf, not extra-wide (since they were a little big at the top). I will say, if you have wide ankles like I do, do not expect them to be wide. It felt like they got stiffer as they went down.

Durability: These shoes were fine to walk around it, I probably just would not choose them because they did not fit perfectly.

Before shopping for wide-calf boots, there’s one thing you’ll need to do: measure your calves. Then, while scanning shoes, you you’ll know what shaft size to look for.

While online shopping, you can normally find the boot-shaft size in the description section under the product — however, not all companies list that particular sizing. In that case, you should opt for a different pair that showcases the measurements you’re seeking.

Afriyie also says that “closures (i.e. zippers, lace-ups, ‘slip on’) are also important.” She continues, “This plays a big factor, because boots with a zip closure are harder to close over a lace up where you have the option to loosen the ties. The material also plays a big factor. Go for leather, as it can stretch slightly with wear, while suede is softer and offers instant give.”

Afriyie mentions she has been loving over-the-knee boots because they make her legs look longer. She also loves a thick-heeled boot for extra support when walking.

Style coach Nikki Venus agrees that calf measurement is the most important (as well as shaft height) when it comes to finding the right boot.

For material that has stretch, Venus says, “Leather tends to hug your calf over time and is more durable for long-term wear. On the other hand, faux leather is often more affordable and comes in a wider variety of styles — plus, many brands carry faux leather, which includes stretch panels for added comfort.”

I, Annie Shigo, tested these boots over a couple of weeks and wore them everywhere — from the office to parties, to travel on the train, in the snow, anywhere you can imagine. I judged them thoroughly on their feel, fit and durability on a scale of 1 to 5:

The main way I tested them was by walking around in them for hours. Normally, when you put a boot on, you can tell instantly if it will hurt or work for the day. I put all these pairs to the test throughout about one month.

Yes, stretch is important in wide calf boots because it makes them easier to mold to you legs.

Venus notes, "If you have wider calves, stay clear of boots that lack any stretch; they can feel tight and uncomfortable."

You can find great options of both, it just depends what you are looking for. There are many pairs of faux-leather boots that can last a long time and not tarnish.

Venus also notes, "Leather tends to hug your calf over time and is more durable for long-term wear. On the other hand, faux leather is often more affordable and comes in a wider variety of styles, plus many brands carry faux leather, which includes stretch panels for added comfort."

There are a bunch of different styles of boots. Some pairs are pull-on, some are zipper and some are both. Afriyie brings up, "Go for zip closure[s]; go for boots with side zippers for easier on and off."

I have been writing for Shop TODAY since 2023, and much of my content focuses on fashion, beauty, cleaning and home articles (including a Ranked article that was recently published, so I am familiar with our testing processes). In my work, I am constantly searching out new trends and pay attention to online discourse on topics like wide-calf boots.

I tested all these boots individually and rated them on three variables I consider important to the wide-calf community.

Annie Shigo is a social media editorial assistant for Shop TODAY.