The 12 Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet of 2022 (Review)

How To Buy the Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet

Now, let’s get down to it: How are you supposed to buy shoes for wide feet? I’m not sure why it’s such a headache to find footwear for wider feet, especially since it’s not a rare characteristic.

I mean, people aren’t only born with wide feet. In fact, your feet can get wider and longer as you age since the ligaments grow looser over time.

Still, whether you were born this way or not, you’ll need a wide shoe option with extra support – and it shouldn’t just be in the toe box. So, when you’re shopping, I recommend you have a careful look at the traits below so that you don’t wind up in the 63-72% of people stuck with incorrectly fitting footwear:

• Width: Of course, this is the most important feature you’ll be looking for. Look for running shoes that are available in sizes “wide” and “extra-wide,” usually denoted as “D” for women and “2E/4E” for men. (Larger sizes have a lot more Es.) If the width isn’t right, this could lead to some severe foot problems, even deformities.
  • Note: Make sure you’re not only looking at the toe box! A wide toe box is beneficial, but this is likely not the only wide part of your foot. Typically, this spans across the forefoot and the midfoot, so you need these parts of a sneaker to accommodate you as well (a flexible upper and supportive midsole are ideal). With that said, for runners with a wide toe box and a narrow foot, they don’t need running shoes that are wide throughout. 
• Proper Fit: It can be incredibly annoying to finally find a shoe that works for your foot’s width, only to discover that the upper is too rigid or tight or that the heel is loose and irritating. Many shoes offer a 3D Print upper, which can be great for structural integrity but might be rigid without added features like Saucony’s FORMFIT system. Also, for a perfect fit, it’s important to have the correct shoe size when shopping. 
• Comfort: Several features can add to or work against comfort for wide running shoes. First, check your arch and strike pattern. Some wide-footed runners also have low or no arches due to the weakened, aging tendons. This might necessitate low or zero-drop shoes. Note other factors like shock absorption, beveled heels, and heel counters.
  • Note: Weakened tendons can also lead to Flat feet, so your arch my lower as you age, too.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know if I Have Wide Feet?

Here’s how to check if you have fat feet:

• Slip on a pair of socks.
• Take two pieces of white paper and tape them to the floor. (Of course, this will be easier on tile, hardwood, etc., basically anything that isn’t carpet.)
• Trace the shape of your foot onto the paper or have someone do this for you.
• Measure the widest part of your foot on the drawing.

The shortcut: Have someone measure your foot width by simply holding up a ruler to the bottom of your foot.

There’s no hard rule on this, but most agree that if your foot is 4 1/16+” in a size 9 (women) or 4 5/16+” in a 10.5 (men), then you have wide feet.

How Wide Should Running Shoes Be?

There isn’t a single standard for how wide running shoes should be because runners have all different foot shapes and widths. For all feet, the shoe should fit snugly enough to prevent the foot from moving or sliding around inside. The most important things to pay attention to:

• You should be able to spread your toes.
• Your foot should not feel constricted at all.
• The shoe should cup your heel comfortably.

If you doubt whether it’s the correct width, try pinching the material on the sides and top. You should be able to grip a bit of the fabric.

Is It Better for Running Shoes To Be Tight or Loose?

Honestly? Neither. Your shoe should never be tight because it can restrict your blood flow and enhance the effect of impact with each step.

On the other hand, a loose-fitting shoe could slip off and lead to injuries. Plus, you won’t get a snug fit, negating the benefits of any added ergonomic features.

How Do You Know if Your Running Shoes Are Too Wide?

You can tell that a pair of running shoes are too wide if you have too much space to wiggle your foot around during use. If you’re still uncertain, note the presence of any blisters that might pop up, specifically on the ball of your foot. This will confirm that your shoes are too wide for your feet.

Conclusion

Having wider feet isn’t a bad thing. The worst part about it? Finding a shoe that fits! Thankfully, leading athletic footwear manufacturers have taken notice of how tricky it is to find a pair that suits you. So, they’ve offered their most dependable models to fit different foot types just right.

If you’ve been stuck looking for wide shoes with no luck, this list is chock-full of the best running shoes for wide feet on the market that’ll give you precisely what you need in terms of fit, ride, and longevity.

So, ready to hit the ground running? Pick from any of these top-of-the-line models listed above, and you’ll never have to worry about squeezing your foot into a standard-width shoe again.