When it comes to finding the right running shoe for wide feet, it can feel like a never ending hunt. But a seriously important one and luckily our gear testing team has plenty of wide feet to put a ton of shoes to the test for you.Wide Feet Shoes

A wide shoe has more room throughout the entire width of the shoe. Where a wide toe box is focused on increasing the space for the widest part of your foot, known as the ball of your foot.

The difference does matter, as we’re looking to find that great fit where you foot doesn’t slide around, but has enough room to spread out.

Most of the shoes we mention here are available in WIDE width, but we look at the average model and then determine if the wide is needed. You’ll also find that on every single individual shoe review we do, there’s a section at the top letting you know how that shoe fits a wide foot!

Wide Foot Running Shoes We Loved

As noted our team has tested hundreds of shoes over the last few years and that’s given us a chance to see how different brands feel. We like to pull options from a variety of brands, but have 3 brands that generally top the list which you can see at the bottom.

All right, here’s what our team recommends right now!

Best Lightweight Trainer  – HOKA Mach 6

Hoka is one of our top picks for shoes with a more accommodating mid-foot.  If you like a lighter shoe with that slight rocker to help you feel speedy, then this is a winner for wide feet.

One of the things I really like about this shoe is that it’s not JUST a speed shoe. It’s honestly a great daily trainer and I’ve logged as many easy days in it as I have interval or tempo runs.

A big updates for the 6 is a change in the midsole to a SCF EVA foam for an even more snappy ride. (Supercritical EVA is considered the top of the line foam right now.)

hoka mach 6 review

I thought past versions ran a bit more narrow than other Hoka’s, but that’s not true with the Mach 6. It actually feels like a great width and good room in the toebox.

Best Extra Wide Daily Trainer – Asics Gel Cumulus 27

If you like a nice moderate cushioned neutral running shoe to be the work horse in your rotation this is a great option. We also appreciate it based on the price, durability and it’s not super heavy, a reasonable stack height and comfortable!

The midfoot in the regular is decent, but more importantly it’s available in both wide and extra wide to help you get exactly what you need!Asics Gel Cumulus ReviewThe Cumulus is a unexceptional shoe in a really nice way. It was enjoyable to wear, I didn’t think about it, I just put in my miles and went on about my way.

While the Nimbus 28 is considered their max cushion shoe, there’s plenty to love here. We’ve had the Nimbus on this list previously, but it’s only available in Wide and no extra wide, so take your pick!

Best 4E Wide Long Running Shoe – Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25

The brand’s most popular road running shoe (GTS stands for go-to-stability) comes in a swath of colors, but of course you won’t be surprised to find the 4E is generally limited to black. This supportive shoe is best for a medium to high arch, and is part of their cushioned line up of shoes.

It’s absolutely a quality plush ride for long miles and long days on your feet. The benefit of the GTS with some of these higher stacks can be that little added support to prevent your foot falling inward, but it’s also available in a non-GTS.

Best widefoot running shoeThis shoe is great for runners who need more support without sacrificing comfort or cushion. For runners who have enjoyed past versions of the Adrenaline, we think this is truly an upgrade as there is more room throughout the mifoot and toebox.

It’s not the lightest shoe, so don’t look to it for going fast, but great for going far.

Light Stability Shoe – Saucony Guide 18 Extra Wide

When you need that shoe with enough cushion to get through a lot of weekly miles and just a subtle amount of stability, the Guide is a great choice. I’m not a stability shoe runner, but enjoy the feel of this under foot.

It’s not a flashy shoe, it’s not super duper cushioned, but it’s a darn good shoe for everyday miles and available in both wide and extra wide, so bonus points.

Saucony traditionally runs more narrow but even the original version has a little more mid-foot room.

Saucony Guide 18 OutsoleWhether you’re heading out for a 5k or your 13-mile long run, this shoe provides the comfort and support you need. We like these moderate cushioned shoes for so many runners because they still have plenty of cushion, but don’t require quite so much stability from the knee and hips.

The newest model will be released in March 2026, so we’ll update again then!

Moderate Cushion Daily Trainer: Saucony Kinvara 16 Wide

For over a decade now I’ve been running in the Saucony Kinvara. It used to be my go to half marathon racing shoe even!

Trust me, I’m as in love with all the great max cushioned shoes as anyone else, but the Kinvara is meant to be more of that  moderate shoe which can pick up the pace and still carry you for longer miles.

Saucony historically runs narrow, so we appreciate them making this shoe available in wide. Not extra wide, so for those among you who truly need a lot of space it still won’t be the right selection. But a great one shoe option for hitting speed, miles and comfort.

Saucony Kinvara 16 Review

Best Max Cushion for Run/Walk – New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5

New Balance’s Fresh Foam is every bit as lovely as it sounds. These shoes feel fabulous when you slip them on and yet maintain good responsiveness.

In fact, I’ve been running A LOT of miles in the NB 1080 v15 model and it’s one of our top long run shoe recommendations. But the More has additional cushion that a lot of folks love. We recommend this one for run/walk because it doesn’t feel quite as stable, but absolutely is going to ensure your legs feel really good for those 5 hour marathon days!

With a roomy area for your mid-foot, it still has a good heel cupping to help prevent your foot from sliding out.

NB Fresh Foam More v5 OverviewThis is a maximal road shoe, meaning it has a higher stack height from toe to heel. If you’ve never run in a shoe like that, trust me within a few minutes you don’t notice anything different (except the great cushion here!).

More isn’t always better, which is why we like to recommend the Kinvara, but everyone finds comfort in different styles and it’s worth testing, especially because New Balance is known for providing shoes in a variety of widths.

As noted below, New Balance does a great job of offering shoes in a variety of widths. Now the colors available always so so, which we do get is a bummer. But a few more options to checkout from the brand:

  • New Balance 1080 – max cushion daily trainer super comfortable for long runs (available in 2E)
  • New Balance Rebel V5 – lightweight, soft, can pick up the pace (available in 2E)

Best Traditional Running Shoe for Wide Feet – Nike Pegasus 41 Extra Wide

I know, I know Nike is NOT known for being wide and this is clearly only applicable to the wide version.

But the Nike Pegasus is one of the most popular running shoes of all time and it’s one that my husband of the flat footed variety really enjoys.

The Nike Pegasus has all the bells and whistles that a runner could ask for: just the right amount of cushion in midsole for maximum comfort, durable rubber outsole to withstand, and a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet feeling fresh and dry.

This is a good option for your easy weekday runs or for the support of a marathon training run.

Nike Pegasus 41 Review

Best Zero Drop With Wide Toebox Road Shoe – Altra Torin 8

Note the Altra Olympus is max cushion and I absolutely think it’s even wider! But it’s a big stack height and not our favorite shoe.

This is a great lighter weight moderate cushioned trainer for up to the half marathon distance. Enjoy the benefits of the wide toebox in a shoe that delivers a solid ride.

I’ve taken these out for quite a few miles now and surprised myself by finding my calves didn’t scream. I think a good sign that I’ve been rotating through a large variety of heel stacks.

Altra Torin 8 Feel

Altra is well known for their toebox, but also for offering more width through the midfoot. It’s a go to for many of our trail runners. If you aren’t interested in Zero drop, the great news is they have started to throw in some 4mm shoes too. Currently their 4mm do not offer a wide option, but again have plenty of room.

Best for Speedy Trails – Brooks Cascadia 19

If you’re a trail runner and need a wider shoe, Brooks Cascadia has got you covered. It is an extremely protected shoe so you don’t have to worry about your feet getting banged up on rough terrain, while remaining light and agile.

I used these on all the trails when we first moved to Colorado!

They’re also built for distance meaning they won’t wear down on you. Trail runners need shoes that offer stability and comfort whether their feet are wide or narrow. Cascadia delivers.

Brooks Cascadia 19 wide

Runner Up Trail Runner for Wide Feet: HOKA Speedgoat 6 Wide

I’m trying to give you a variety of brand options in case you already know you don’t like a certain type. But I have to include the Speedgoat because it’s a favorite of mine.

I’ve put a lot of trail miles on this shoe and it can take it.

For my newer trail runners, you’ll feel really secure in footing and for my advanced trail runners you’ll feel really secure in footing! With the deep lugs and grip, it’s a shoe that’s going to cover green to black trails with ease.

Hoka Speedgoat 6 Review

Best for Hiking or Rocky Trails – Salomon Speedcross 6 Wide

Many experienced trail runners swear by their Salomon Speedcross shoes. The Salomon Speedcross Wide takes everything we already loved about the Salomon Speedcross and adapted it to a wider shoe.

This shoe prides itself on its push-off and braking grip on all types of surface conditions. It cradles your heel, making it both comfortable and stable, but also giving a clean foot strike.

waterproof trail running shoes

Our Top 3 Wide Fit Running Shoe Brands

Before diving in to specific shoe models, there are a few brands that have a lot more options to fit the wider running foot. I want to cover these first so you can look at additional models if needed.

Each of these plenty of room and extra wide sizing so your toes don’t feel cramped.

Altra Running Shoes

Altra boasts its Altra FootShape toe box that allows the toes to fan out naturally while the big toe remains in place. This gives your toes the space they need and allows the foot to naturally stabilize unneeded pronation.

In other words, instead of tapering like a traditional running shoe the Altra shoe remains more rounded for the toes to lay in a more natural position. Mimicking your barefoot posture.

wide toe box for running

It is important to understand that Altra shoes have a zero-drop platform, meaning that when wearing the shoes, your heel and forefoot are at the same distance from the ground making it a neutral shoe. For some runners, it easily lines up with their natural gait, but it’s not everyone’s thing.

HOKA Running Shoes

Hoka running shoes are great for runners who need wide width shoes.

If you tend to feel like shoes are tight on you, Hokas may definitely be worth a try. While the normal shoes generally seem to be a bit wider and certainly have a bigger toe box, Hoka also offers all of their key running shoe models in wide widths.

It’s a great idea to test these out in a running store and see how both the regular and wide width feel on your feet.

New Balance Running Shoes

New Balance has been offering wide widths in their shoes for pretty much forever. They offer different widths for their models of shoes so you can find one that works for your feet especially if you have a wide midfoot.

In fact, they are some of the most expansive when it comes to offering a variety of widths from 2A narrow to 2e and 4e wide.

wide running shoe brands

Do You Need a Wide Running Shoe?

So you have an idea of different shoes that come in a wide option, but how do you know if you need a wide running shoe?

Most of us could get some benefits out of having more space for our toes. But there are a few clear signs that you really should be looking in to a wider running shoe.

Or you may simply discover that a regular running shoe doesn’t give you the room that feels good. This could be because you have wide feet or that the additional space around your toes simply provides more proprioception (feeling the ground).

If you’re not sure whether or not you need running shoes for wide feet, it’s always best to consult with a doctor or podiatrist. They’ll be able to help you figure out if you have any problems with your feet that require a wider shoe.

How to Know if You Have a Wide Foot?

You may simply know based on the comfort of many shoes, but there are also measurements that can determine foot width.

From the example below, you are going to measure at point B. The determination of a wide foot actually changes based upon the length of your foot as well.

For example, a women’s size 8 at 3.95″ is wide and 4.3″ is extra wide.

A men’s size 8 is considered wide at 3.9″.

wide toe box measuring
From https://shoegazing.com

Issues With A Shoe That Is Too Wide

While running shoes for a wide foot can be great for people with certain foot problems, it’s important to make sure that the shoe isn’t too wide.

If a shoe is too wide, it can cause blisters and other issues. This is because your foot has too much room to move around in the shoe and as a result creates the friction that leads to blisters or even chaffing.

Make sure that you try on the shoe and run around in it before you buy it to make sure that it’s the right fit. Or order from places that have awesome return policies (generally directly from the brand, REI, Zappos).

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having wide feet. But now the goal is to find shoes that FIT WELL.

Hopefully this helped provide you with more understanding about wide toe box running shoes and wide running shoes in general. They really can be more comfortable for many runners and are just worth seeking out.

Looking for additional running shoe information?

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