7 Best Running Shoes For Wide Feet in 2025
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Runners with wide feet struggle to find that perfect, comfortable fit. If your toes need more room to splay, don’t worry. Whether you’re into long-distance running or simply need a comfortable shoe for a morning jog, we’ve rounded up wide-toebox running shoes that excelled on our wear tests and lab tests.
From Altra, Brooks, and Nike, to ASICS, Saucony, and Salomon, we reviewed all of the shoes in the database. Take a quick look below at our top picks!
We also wrote an in-depth guide on running shoes with a wide toebox, where we show how the toebox width measurements are done in our lab and rank shoes according to those widths.
How we test running shoes
We tested running shoes with a wide toebox both in our lab and on the test runs. For a pair to end up as a top pick, it had to go through the same procedure as any other running shoe we tested. Here's how we do it:
- We buy all the running shoes with wide toeboxes with our own money. This is to make sure we remain bias-free and transparent.
- Equipped with the necessary tools of the trade (scales, durometers, calipers, force gauges, smoke machines, etc.), we cut each model into pieces in the lab. We then measure and analyze 20+ parameters of the shoe. This way, the data backs up our first-hand experience with the shoes.
- We log 30-50 miles in each pair on the test runs.
- Based on our field tests and lab tests, we publish in-depth reviews. They allow us to showcase the best of the best here as top picks!
Best running shoes with a wide toe box overall

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What makes it the best?
The second Adidas Adistar truly shines in consistent support and comfort through its vast platform, balanced cushion, and top-tier upper. It's a neutral shoe with hints of stability. Giving our toes room to move and breathe, it wins the best running shoe with a wide toebox.
Its toebox feels round enough to allow our toes to splay naturally, especially in the big toe area, which has an extra 2.8 mm allowance vs. average. With an additional 4.9/6.0 mm in the forefoot and heel, the wide platform enhances free movement and planted landings.
Adistar 2.0 almost feels like a stability shoe with its dual-density foam. The first layer is a velvet cushion measuring 7.1% softer than average. Meanwhile, the second layer integrates the REPETITOR+ foam — which is firmer in the heel area. Our durometer shows it’s 30.6% tougher than average.
The upper keeps our runs sweat and blister-free as we feel the air flow in and out of the shoe. We’re not surprised that it scored the highest 5/5 on our breathability test since the mesh has large ventilation holes under our microscope.
With its accommodating fit, Adistar 2.0 sacrificed weight. At a monstrous 11.6 oz (328g) vs. the 9.5 oz (268g) average, it’s like running with weights on the feet.
Pros
- Cushioned for long miles
- Supportive for a neutral shoe
- Wide platform
- Secure foothold
- Well-padded interiors
- Highly breathable
- Great for casual wear
- Value for money
- True to size
Cons
- Heavier than average
- Firm heel landings
Best daily running shoes with a wide toebox
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What makes it the best?
All our lab results confirm the comfort and flexibility we experienced in the Adidas Ultraboost 5. Its spacious fit is complemented by a breathable upper, keeping us refreshed as we conquer everyday mileage. We always found ourselves reaching for this pair as it’s our best daily trainer among wide toebox running shoes.
We measured the toebox with our caliper and discovered it’s wider than average at 103.0 mm, and barely tapers to its 81.8 mm big toe area. This explained why we had generous room for toe splaying, especially since the soft Primeknit upper stretches easily. Our feet never felt restricted since we had seamless airflow, confirmed by our smoke test with a 5/5 breathability rating.
The flexible midsole keeps the ride effortless and smooth. We didn’t have to fight the midsole to bend our feet making it versatile for activities beyond running. Our flex test validated this with a rating of 32.4% more adaptive than average.
The plush midsole allowed us to savor and enjoy our runs, providing excellent impact protection and relief. Our durometer backs up our sensation with a reading 19.0% softer than average.
However, Ultraboost 5 weighs a heavy 10.3 oz (292g), Those seeking a weightless ride can find other lightweight daily trainers.
Pros
- Enhanced midsole cushioning
- Roomy, comfortable knit upper
- Suitable for daily wear
- Excellent durability
- Optimized for heel strikers
- Superior Continental outsole
- More cushioned than ever before
- Can handle forefoot strikers
- Great for summer
Cons
- Could still be lighter
- Not suitable for fast paces
- Potential for heel slippage
Best tempo trainers with a wide toebox
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What makes it the best?
The Topo Cyclone 2 manages to maintain a slim profile and low weight despite its very accommodating toebox. Its streamlined build and relentless grip impressed us greatly in the lab, delivering a highly agile, ground-connected, and responsive ride, making it our ultimate tempo trainer among wide toebox running shoes.
At just 6.7 oz (190g), Cyclone 2 is 28.3% lighter than average and manages to weigh below many racers! On foot, it virtually vanishes into thin air and gives a barefoot sensation since it doesn’t resist our movements. It adapted easily to twisting and earned a low 2/5 torsional rigidity score. In our bend test, it emerged 51.6% more flexible than average.
It managed to maintain its figure and flexibility due to its low 26.2/22.0 mm stack, offering both surface sensitivity and energy return. We had zero hesitations to speed through interval sessions since the outsole offered maximum traction. Our durometer shows a low 70.0 HC reading, which confirms its focus on grip.
Our feet had a lot of breathing room despite the narrow midsole thanks to the toebox that follows our natural foot shape. It’s a wide 98.3 mm and barely tapers to the 83.5 mm big toe area. However, its heel is very narrow at 86.0 mm, making the ride unstable for some runners. We recommend heel strikers to find alternatives for better comfort and surefootedness.
Pros
- Exceptionally roomy, foot-shaped toebox
- Outstanding value for the price
- Full-length Pebax midsole
- Impressively flexible for a natural ride
- Snappy, lightweight and fun
- Great as a plateless racing shoe
- Sticky rubber delivers great grip
- Excels in track workouts and intervals
- Superb breathability
Cons
- Not ideal for narrow-footed runners
- Limited cushioning
- Not very stable
- Durability concerns
Best stability running shoes with a wide toebox
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What makes it the best?
We searched high and low for the best stability shoe for runners with wide-foot concerns, and our lab analysis and test runs led us to Hoka’s Gaviota 5. With a forgiving fit, subtle stability features, and delightful cushioning, it gives all the support we need without sacrificing comfort.
The midsole felt unrestricted with its wider-than-average measurements of 125.1/106.6 mm. This extra space ensured our safe and sound strides. We also felt centered throughout our runs and our cut-in-half shoe reveals the H-Frame, which gently guides our foot alignment.
Gaviota 5 holds a superior blend of comfort and surefootedness by incorporating dual-density foams. The top layer is a firm 22.0 HA for enhanced stability, while the soft 12.9 HA foam absorbs impact landing.
What also keeps us refreshed is the breathable and spacious upper. Our breathability test reveals a well-ventilated 5/5 mesh material. Meanwhile, the toebox allows our natural toe splay with its 101.8 mm width that tapers gently to the 83.1 mm big toe area.
We anticipated this cushioned stability shoe to be heavy and unfortunately, it was. At 10.6 oz (299g), it proved to be somewhat burdensome during faster runs.
Pros
- Remarkably stable
- Breathable and comfortable upper
- Lightweight for its size
- Plushier than ever
- Good stability option for forefoot strikers
- Ideal for wide feet
- Excellent for long runs
Cons
- Low drop might pose issues for heel strikers
- Performs poorly in colder conditions
- Not for narrow feet
Best low drop running shoes with a wide toebox
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
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What makes it the best?
The Altra Experience Flow suits its name because “go with the flow” became our mantra while sporting this pair. Our lab reveals it has an effortless yet stable build, boosting comfort through its accommodating fit and low weight. Among the wide-toebox running shoes we’ve tested, Experience Flow is our best low-drop pick.
We felt grounded in the flat platform, which our caliper validates with a minimal 4.1 mm drop. The low incline naturally delivers a steady feel while the raised sidewalls and broad base further secure our foot alignment. Our measurements confirm an expansive 118.4/93.2 mm midsole.
Experience flow is undeniably agile, with our scales showing a mere 8.3 oz (235g) on the scale, 11.7% below average. The midsole bends seamlessly with our feet, which adds to its weightless feel. Our flex test shows it’s 27.5% more adaptive than average.
Our toes never felt restricted because of the generous 101.0 mm width for toe splaying. Even the big toe area mimics our natural foot anatomy with its square shape that measures 9.3 mm wider than average.
However, we felt uninspired with the dull ride. Runners who want more explosiveness should find more energetic shoes.
Pros
- Broad appeal for various runners
- Exceptionally light
- Comfortable, durable upper
- Spacious foot-shaped toebox
- Ideal as a travel shoe
- Superior stability
- Highly breathable
- Fairly priced
Cons
- Lacks energy return
- Not for fast paces at all
- Non-gusseted tongue
Best trail running shoes with a wide toebox
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
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


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What makes it the best?
After thorough testing of wide-toebox running shoes, we found the Altra Lone Peak delivers the agility, stability, and grip needed for off-road adventures, ultimately leading the trail category. It gives us a high sense of control over unpredictable terrain with its minimalist, ground-sensitive build with an unrestrictive fit.
Lone Peak 8 is highly versatile because of its light 10.2 oz (288g) weight and low profile. Staying true to Altra’s core, it features an almost flat 1.4 mm heel drop which is crucial for control and ground feel. The midsole has enough cushioning for protection and gives off a nice rebound. Our durometer reveals a firm 29.3 HA foam, adding to our surefootedness.
Improving our control and comfort is the spacious toebox since it allows for our natural toe splay. Lone Peak 8 features a square-shaped toebox that tapers to the front by only 5.9% vs. the 20.1% average, providing massive real estate for wide and swollen feet.
Further boosting our confidence on loose ground and dry paths are the 3-mm lugs. Strategically patterned based on our foot anatomy, they allow bending without much resistance. True enough, it emerged 25.3% more flexible than average in our flex test, allowing us to adapt quickly. Unfortunately, we felt less confident tackling mud and wet surfaces. Those who need more grip should check alternatives.
Pros
- Responsive midsole
- Natural barefoot feeling ride
- Low to the ground and stable
- Doubles as a reliable hiking shoe
- Breathable and durable ripstop upper mesh
- Secure midfoot lockdown
- Accommodating toebox
- Generously padded and comfy
- Dries quickly
- Gaiter attachment ready
Cons
- Not so grippy in wet conditions
- Subpar outsole durability
Best minimalist running shoes with a wide toebox
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What makes it the best?
Our feet can attest to Xero Shoes HFS II’s exceptional ground feel and straightforward build. Our lab results confirm it’s a barefoot wonder with its low platform, zero drop, flexibility, and spacious toebox design, making it our best minimalist wide toebox running shoe.
HFS II ensured maximum surface feedback with its minimum cushioning, with precise caliper measurements of 13.1/12.1 mm. This configuration results in a 1.0 mm drop that feels flat—like we don’t have any shoes on. This setup strengthens our leg muscles since we have to do the work.
HFS refers to “Highly Flexible Shoe” and this shoe proves it’s perfectly named, emerging 62.9% more adaptive than average in our bend test. It offered no resistance whatsoever which allows us to freely move, enhancing the barefoot sensation.
The toe box is designed to the shape of our feet, which is why it barely tapers to the 86.7 mm big toe area. This space allows room for natural toe splay, swelling, and square-shaped feet.
However, what’s not minimal is its 8.6 oz (244g) weight. While this is lighter than average, we expected it to be much lighter because of its simple and humble construction.
Pros
- Anatomical toebox for natural toe splay
- Real minimalist design
- Reasonably priced
- Versatile for roads and light trails
- Amazing at gym workouts
- Ultra-flexible and easy to pack
- Full-length outsole coverage
- Superior ground feel
- Promotes feet strength
Cons
- Midsole lacks energy return
- Heavier than most minimalist shoes
- Durability still needs improvements
Do you really need wide running shoes?
Just because it might sound like a good idea, wearing wide running shoes might not be the right thing to do. Check whether you actually need them.
You can take the insole out of the current shoe, stand on it, and see if any part of your foot hangs over the insole. If it does, you might need wider shoes.
A few other ways to tell:
- Your toes are always cramped in the toe box
- Your bunions are hurting
- Your pinkie toe is trying to escape from the toebox and might be poking a hole
- You feel pressure on the instep even when the laces are not over-tightened
- Burning sensation all over your feet because the shoes are tight all over
- The moment you put on the right-size shoes, you want to take them off because they are so tight. And sizing up isn’t helping; they are long but still tight.
If you answered one or more questions with Yes, then welcome to our guide to wide running shoes.
When shoes are too tight, you might experience different problems: from black toenails because the nails are taking all the pressure from the upper, painful corns and calluses because they need more space, to blisters and ingrown toenails.
How to recognize wide running shoes
If you need wide running shoes, look for the labels below. You can find them on the shoe box, on the shoe itself, and in the description (when buying online) as a part of a shoe name or under more details.
If you’re a man, look for 2E for wide shoes and 4E for extra wide running shoes. If you’re a woman, look for D or 2E, depending on whether you need wide or extra-wide shoes.
Width |
Men |
Women |
Narrow |
B |
2A |
Medium/Standard |
D |
B |
Wide |
2E |
D |
Extra wide |
4E |
2E |
Industry labels for different widths of running shoes
Women and men have different labels because their feet are different. Women’s heels tend to be narrower and forefoot wider.
Precise lab measurements and shoe recommendations
When it comes to the type of the upper, knit uppers are best for wide feet because they are soft and stretchy. Mesh uppers can be too harsh.
One of our tests is measuring the width of the toebox. We use a digital caliper to measure how wide the running shoe is a) at the widest part (ball of the foot) and b) at the big toe.
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These numbers tell us the obvious: how wide the shoe is at the toebox. However, the difference between them also tells us how much the toebox tapers. The bigger the difference, the more pointy the toebox is.
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Depending on the shape of your toes, you will care more about the one width (at the ball of the foot) or the other (at the big toe). It’s up to you what you will prioritize.
For people who love it when their toes can splay, the big toe width matters more. They want the least pointy shoes. Actually, not pointy at all.
Here, we list (and automatically update) daily running shoes with the widest toeboxes.
If you’re looking for a tempo shoe with a wider toe box, here are the top 10 from our database. This table is dynamic, so if a new shoe that comes through the lab has a wide toebox, it will be here.
Although races, especially shorter ones, ask for a snug and aggressive fit, some find it too uncomfortable and maybe even painful. If that someone is you, here’s a list of the widest competition running shoes. It is automatically updated at all times.
In trail running, it’s even more important for the fit to be just right, because the terrain is uneven and ever-changing. Sliding and slipping can have more serious consequences than when running on the roads.
This also means it’s very important not to go too snug because the pressure points can become unbearable and end with blisters (best-case scenario).
Here’s our list of the widest trail running shoes at the toebox. This list is dynamic, which means whenever we test a trail shoe whose toebox is wide enough to end up here, it will.
Why is no one talking about the toebox height?
Runners whose big toes are pointing up are usually the only ones talking about the height of the toebox. Such toes can’t wait to hit the toebox ceiling and maybe even try to dig through it.
Close inspection of a knit upper
If the upper material is soft, sooner or later, a hole appears. Big toe breaks free. If the material is stiff, harsh, or maybe it has protective overlays in that spot, we’re talking about blisters, bleeding, and black toenails. To start with.
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Because of this, we pay attention to the height of the toebox. There isn’t a measurement for it, so we advise runners to:
- Look at the images of running shoes cut in half
- Try the shoes on.
Fortunately, all the shoes that we tested have been cut in half, so it’s easy to compare and understand which toebox is higher/lower.
Foot-shaped toebox: should you go for it?
In short, if you have a wide forefoot and you love it when your toes have enough room to splay, you could give it a try.
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However, the so-called foot-shaped toebox is a trademarked shape from Altra, and all Altra shoes are zero-drop.
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This means that there’s no drop between the heel and the toes, it is 0mm. For context, beginners are advised to use running shoes with an 8-12 mm drop. Changing the drop suddenly, and especially going for the 0mm when you’ve never done it before, is not something we recommend. We wrote about this and covered many details in the Ultimate guide on the heel drop.
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Although it’s called foot-shaped, there isn’t only one such shape made by the Altra, there are actually 3: original, standard, and slim. What’s great is that they are all on the wider end. The only caution here is related to the heel drop, as explained above.
When is wide too wide?
When you can’t achieve a proper and secure lockdown in your running shoes. You experience:
- Heel slipping
- Feet sliding from one side to another in the shoe
- Toes have too much wiggle room, so you feel insecure and like you’re losing grip, especially on the trails
- Changing the stride because you’re trying to compensate for a fit that is too loose which results in premature foot/leg fatigue
- Your ankles might be twisting/turning more often because the shoe isn’t locked to your foot properly.
- You’re trying to grip the ground using the toes, which results in pain and can get worse.
A fit that is too loose brings unnecessary (big) risk to your runs.