- Alan Martin
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So, you’ve got wide feet. Odds are, you’ve searched and searched, and you just cannot for the life of you find a well-fitting Running shoe with good comfort and support.
You might get discouraged, but believe me, it’s not time to give up and go running barefoot down the road. There are some manufacturers out there that recognize how prevalent wide-footed runners are.
Below you’ll find some of the best, tried-and-true running shoes for wide feet on the market. They’ve guaranteed a secure fit for runners with wide feet and specialized support throughout the gait cycle with balanced, responsive rides. Read on for the details.
The Clifton 7 retained many of the most favorable qualities of past versions and enhanced them further, specifically in the full-compression EVA midsole and soft, responsive ride.
It features HOKA’s Meta-Rocker technology, contributing to a smooth ride and reducing your “plantar force” (the amount of pressure present between your foot and the ground), thus lowering your chances of injury.
This pair of shoes has a small drop at only 5 mm and weighs 8.70 oz (men) or 7.10 oz (women). Plus, it’s available in wide (D for women, EE for men) to accommodate those with wide feet.
The feature that is immediately noticeable upon seeing and wearing this New Balance 1080v10 shoe is the aggressive rocker design.
As mentioned previously, this characteristic is especially beneficial for those with plantar fasciitis since it helps relieve excess pressure and supports a smooth heel-to-toe transition.
Of course, apparent in the name, this pair of shoes features NB’s Fresh Foam X, a fresh take on the traditional EVA midsole, designed for ultra-cushioning without any extra weight.
The midsole also integrates NB’s ABZORB blend, a type of foam cushioning and compression set that integrates rubber for a nice, springy ride.
The 1080v10 (8 mm drop, 9.5 oz for men, 8.4 oz for women) is available in wide (E, 2E, EE), extra-wide (3E+), and extra-extra wide (5E+) sizes.
SEE ALSO: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11
This updated model integrates the premium Quantic™ midsole (excellent flexibility and shock absorption) and FootPod™ outsole (maps your foot’s anatomy for optimal fit and mobility) you experienced in previous versions, offering that familiar, responsive, smooth ride.
The most important trait to note is that it is a zero-drop shoe (shout out to my forefoot and midfoot strikers!). Yet, these athletic shoes have a 28 mm stack height for ample underfoot cushioning.
The Torin 4.5 Plush (9.1 oz for men, 7.4 oz for women) also features Altra’s signature FootShape™ technology, allowing your toes to spread out naturally and comfortably to maximize stability even when running on uneven terrain.
Brooks’ newest Ghost model, the Ghost 13, is heavily cushioned, featuring their DNA LOFT technology throughout the midsole for an optimal heel-to-toe transition.
This shoe also features Brooks’ Segmented Crash Pad, a “caterpillar” shaped system of fully integrated shock absorbers designed to accommodate a wide range of foot shapes and optimize each wearer’s ride.
It’s got a high drop at 12 mm, so it’s excellent for heel strikers. This neutral shoe weighs 10.1 oz for men and 8.8 oz for women and is available in wide (2E for men and D for women) and extra-wide (4E for men) sizes.
SEE ALSO: Brooks Ghost 13 GTX
The low-drop (4 mm) Bondi 7 (10.70 oz men, 8.90 oz women) features HOKA’s signature Meta-Rocker technology. You can also expect a smooth, responsive ride from the full-length, compression-molded EVA midsole.
The Bondi 7 has a beveled heel design, improving your landing by minimizing the impact on the heel. This provides substantial support, especially due to its pairing with the padded internal heel counter and memory foam collar, keeping your foot comfy and anchored to that midsole.
The TPU (thermoplastic urethane) overlay provides additional support on the midfoot. If you’ve got wide feet, this can accommodate you, as it’s available in many wide sizes: D, EE, 4E.
Right out of the gate, Asics wants runners to feel the newly-designed upper in the GT-2000 9, maximizing support in key areas on the midfoot at each point throughout the gait cycle.
For the bottom of your foot, they’ve integrated a blend of their new FLYTEFOAM ® (approximately 55% lighter and 76% better cushioning) and GEL ® (reduces the impact on heel strikes and absorbs shock on forefoot strikes) tech to optimize cushioning for an amazingly comfortable ride with minimal shock impact.
This shoe has a 10 mm drop and weighs 7.8 oz for women and 9.9 oz for men. It’s available in D, 2E, and 4E sizes.
This 10 mm-drop shoe features New Balance’s famous Fresh Foam technology in the two-part midsole for a balanced, ultra-cushioned ride.
One of the 860v11’s unique features is the medial post. This EVA component is located within the midsole, which is firmer than the rest of this shoe to provide incredible stability.
Note that this stability shoe is relatively heavy, weighing in at 11.4 oz for men (as opposed to the optimal 10 oz or less for the average wide running shoe, according to the American College of Sports Medicine). Women’s shoes are lighter at 9.6 oz, and both are available in wide and extra-wide sizes.
This 10 mm-drop Asics shoe features the brand’s signature FLYTEFOAM ® technology, promoting a more “pillowy” ride and added support up through the toe-off.
Asics redesigned the shoe’s under-heel section, with deeper flex grooves (typically associated with the forefoot outsole) in the heel design for better support.
Speaking of the outsole, Asics integrated their hard-wearing AHAR ® rubber compound in this component in high-impact points to enhance the shoe’s durability and extend its lifespan.
Of course, what would the Gel-Cumulus 22 be without their GEL ® technology? This feature mitigates shock impact and helps improve movement.
You can buy this wide-width shoe in many sizes, including D, 2E, and 4E.
One of the premier features of the Adrenaline GTS 20 is the GuideRails support system. This feature reduces excess rotation in the shin and heel, supporting optimal knee motion to reduce pain and injury risk.
Your feet will also benefit from the support provided by Brooks’ BioMoGo DNA (an adaptive midsole material that offers dynamic cushioning, according to your body) and DNA LOFT Crash Pad. Together, these add a bit of spring to the ride, keeping you running at top-performance mile after mile.
This comfortable shoe has a large 12 mm drop and weighs 10.6 oz for men and 9.4 oz for women. It’s available in wider widths; D, 2E, and 4E.
SEE ALSO: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21
The lightweight (5.5 oz for girls and boys) New Balance 880v10 boasts an “unmatched” underfoot feel, thanks to the inclusion of the Fresh Foam technology in the midsole. This creates an ultra-cushioned ride that offers balanced, lightweight support to keep you going comfortably and confidently.
Since this tech is combined with the engineered HYPOKNIT upper, you’ll have support around your entire foot.
Plus, the molded external heel counter will help you maintain control of heel movement, optimizing your performance on the run.
Anyone who needs an wide or extra-wide shoe, New Balance has got you covered.
The integrated MIZUNO WAVE ® plate helps disperse energy upon impact, distributing the force across the foot to increase stability and enhance the benefits of the cushioning.
They’ve also integrated the U4ic midsole into the Wave Inspire 16, which mitigates shock and supports the ride’s responsiveness. The lightweight material also works alongside the SmoothRide technology, which helps a smooth transition from heel to toe with every stride.
Mizuno assures runners that this wide shoe will last for many miles, primarily because of the X10 outsole (a resilient material composed of durable carbon rubber).
This supportive shoe has a 12 mm drop, weighs 10.1 oz for men and 8.5 oz for women, and is available in D and 2E widths.
SEE ALSO: Mizuno Wave Inspire 17
The Triumph 18 features numerous upgrades that are designed to improve the quality and duration of your runs – and perhaps even your speed at the same time.
How in the world is a shoe supposed to make you faster? Well, it’s probably in part due to the midsole upgrades that give a springier, snappier ride. The midsole features Saucony’s PWRRUN+ technology that’s 25% lighter with added flexibility and resilience. (The outsole’s rubber doesn’t hurt either.)
Plus, the TRIFLEX quickens your transitions through the gait cycle and enhances the shoe’s flexibility. With the FORMFIT system, you’ll enjoy a snug fit that optimizes your mobility.
This 8 mm-drop cushioned shoe is a bit hefty at 11.1 oz for men, but it’s 9.7 oz for women. It is available two wide options: D and 2E.
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:
Here’s how to check if you have fat feet:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Run Trails is an independent website created by trail running enthusiasts. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of Run Trails or any other organization.
