Wyde Nova & Nova Fly Review
Why this shoe stands out for us — and how we use it
We didn't just test the Wyde Nova. We helped build it.
For years at MFF we've been recommending barefoot footwear to customers with wider feet who also want something that looks and feels premium. Time and again we reached the same frustrating ceiling — a shoe was either functional or beautiful, either foot-healthy or well-made. Rarely both.
When Wyde approached us to be part of the Nova's development, we brought everything we'd learned from years of customer feedback, foot assessments and personal experience into the process — the toe box shape, the zero drop geometry, the cushioning balance, the materials. The Nova is the result of that collaboration.
"The shoe we always recommended but could never find — so we helped build it."
We wear the Nova for work — on our feet all day, moving between appointments, standing, walking. It performs exactly as we intended it to.
Shape — taper line, volume and heel fit
The Nova has almost no taper. The toe box follows a very straight line that closely mirrors the natural shape of the foot — your forefoot sits exactly where it wants to without any lateral compression.
Volume is medium — comfortable for the majority of foot shapes. If you have a very high volume foot, the Soma may suit you better. For most people the Nova fits with a secure, comfortable hold across the whole foot.
The heel is generally well held, though on very long days some wearers notice a small amount of movement. This is easily managed with lacing — pulling the mid-foot section slightly tighter resolves it for most.
Function — fit for purpose
The Nova is built for lifestyle and work. It is not a trail shoe or a running shoe — it is the shoe you wear when you need to be on your feet all day and still look considered at the end of it.
Zero drop is present throughout, but unlike more minimal options the Nova has enough cushioning underfoot to make all-day standing and walking genuinely comfortable. The combination of barefoot function and real-world comfort is what we always wanted to achieve — and what the Nova delivers.
It debuted at Milan Fashion Week. It works equally well for a full day in a clinic or a long day in a city. That versatility is rare and deliberate.
Who we believe this shoe is for
The Nova is for anyone who needs a wider, foot-shaped shoe, appreciates a premium feel, and where comfort across a full day is non-negotiable. Specifically:
- People with medium to extra wide feet who want barefoot benefits but with more comfort
- Those on their feet all day at work who need comfort and function in equal measure
- Anyone who has been told they need a wide fit shoe but refuses to compromise on quality or style
- Orthotics users — the removable insole accommodates custom footbeds
- Those who want one shoe that works across work, smart casual and travel
If your feet are very high volume, start with the Soma. If you need a trail or active shoe, look at the Bahe Revive. But if you want the best all-round, premium, wide-fit everyday shoe available — this is it.
Our verdict
We are not neutral on this shoe. We helped build it, we wear it, and we recommend it without hesitation to almost everyone who comes to MFF looking for a shoe their feet will thank them for.
That's not a sales pitch. That's two years of wearing it, recommending it, and watching what it does for people who've spent years in shoes that didn't fit properly.
Would we actually buy it? We helped make it — that should answer the question.
Who for? Wide feet, premium taste, all-day comfort.
Who not for? Very high volume feet, trail use, tight budgets.