5 Best Hiking Shoes With A Wide Toebox

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Give your feet a break from getting squished every time you hit on the trails. Get a glove-like feel with a dependable pair of hiking shoes for wide feet. Ill-fitting shoes can ruin an otherwise great outdoor adventure and put your feet and ankles at risk of injury or bruised toenails.
Having a wide-foot problem can be a real challenge when going for a day hike or a backpacking trip. You no longer have to suffer from unnecessary discomfort while tackling challenging terrains.
To help you find the ideal shoes for your feet, we’ve rounded up and tested the best hiking shoes for wide feet. When hiking in them, we paid special attention to the toe splay, and whether the toes got cramped in the toebox, and in the lab, we made 2 toebox measurements to double-check the width.
Take a quick look at our top picks in different categories.
How we test hiking shoes with a wide toebox
We hiked in these shoes for 30-50 miles in each pair. This allowed us to assess how the toes feel when the legs and feet swell. Are they cramped? Are there any blisters? And, in the lab, we measured the width of the toebox in 2 places: where it's the widest and at the big toe. This gave us the overall width and the info on how much the toebox tapers (how pointy it is) which is important for people with more square-shaped toes.
Our selection method includes doing the following:
- Investing time, energy, and our own resources to buy wide-toe box hiking shoes. This guarantees the 100% objectivity of our comprehensive reviews.
- Clocking up the miles wear testing the shoes on the trails. We specifically determine their fit, comfort, traction, heel protection, waterproofness, durability, and more. We also subject all the models further to technical terrains, murky routes, and tough weather conditions.
- We utilise our lab tools and equipment to measure 20+ parameters of the shoes. Moreover, we cut the shoes in half and into pieces using our saw machine. This puts all the elements on display and analyse the details.
Best hiking shoes with a wide toebox overall






















































What makes it the best?
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 is our best hiking shoe with a wide toebox because, besides its spacious toebox, it packs a LOT of cushioning, support, and deep lugs! All of that comes in a lightweight yet robust-looking package, so there's nothing we could ask more of it.
Looking at the toebox, Speed 2 is 75.1 mm wide at the big toe! This is certainly wider than the average and it feels so. Our toes were not cramped and we believe this is also great for hikers who cover longer distances because swelling is inevitable. Not just that, but this toebox is high as well! 7 mm higher than the average! We felt absolutely no pressure on our toes and we're sure there's no danger of getting black toenails in this roomy toebox.
Moab Speed 2 packs so much cushioning in its 38.8/23.8 mm (at the heel/forefoot) platform, erasing the harshness of the ground. We measured the foam at 19.0 HA with our durometer, proving its comfort by being 31.4% softer than average. Surprisingly, it only weighs 11.6 oz (329g), 12.3% lighter than average.
Each stride feels steady and controlled despite the shoe’s height. We discovered a FlexPlate in the midfoot that stabilises the ride and a reliable Vibram rubber in the outsole. No matter what surface we tackled, the grippy rubber and 3.7 mm lugs ensured our safety.
A small nitpick is the non-gusseted tongue that gives room for small rocks to get in.
Pros
- One of the lightest hiking shoes
- Plush and abundant cushioning
- Great support and stability
- Perfect grip for moderate terrain
- Excellent durability
- Breathable for summer
- Cosy step-in feel
- Two loops for easy on-off
Cons
- Frail inner lining
- Small debris gets inside
Best summer hiking shoes with a wide toebox







































What makes it the best?
Merrell Accentor 3 stands out at just £100, offering exceptional cushioning, protection, and support for hikers. It has a roomy fit that accommodates wide feet and swelling, allowing us to savour our treks with confidence. Among wide-toe-box hiking shoes in our lab, Accentor 3 provides ultimate comfort.
Measuring the heel thickness with our calliper, we found it to be a substantial 30.8 mm, effectively dampening repetitive impact and harsh objects underfoot. Adding to its gentle sensation is the Air Cushion in the heel, measuring a plush 18.0 HA on our durometer. Combined with a modest forefoot for heightened ground sensitivity, the result is a steep 14.1 mm offset that alleviates lower leg pressure.
Moving to the main foam, we discovered it’s 22.7% firmer than average, ensuring surefooted strides even under heavy loads. The cushion remains resilient, even with loaded backpacks and long mileage. Further enhancing our stability is its generous 108.0 mm toe-box that gently tapers to the big toe for our natural toe splaying.
A nylon shank is cleverly positioned beneath our arches for additional support without sacrificing manoeuvrability—Accentor 3 emerged 38.3% more flexible than the average shoe, boosting a natural and comfortable feel.
However, this Merrell drenched our feet in sweat. Its well-insulated nature only makes it comfortable in cold weather hikes.
Pros
- Top-level comfort
- Immensely breathable
- Sticks to various terrain
- Extremely durable outsole
- Quite lightweight
- Incredible support
- Relaxed forefoot fit
- Accommodating toebox
- Greatly flexible
- Locks the heel in place
Cons
- Unruly shoestrings
- Too airy for cold winters
- Not ideal for backpacking
Best waterproof hiking shoes with a wide toebox















































What makes it the best?
The Teva Grandview GTX Low proves to be a day-long hiking essential, delivering a liberating experience on extended treks. Its protective construction effectively addresses common concerns like wet feet, harsh landing impacts, and cramped toes, earning it the title of the ultimate wide hiking shoe with the best Gore-Tex.
On our encounters with rain and muddy puddles, not a single drop of water entered the shoe. Other than the Gore-Tex membrane, our microscope reveals a very compact woven material that repels water. Our lab confirms its impermeability with a 2/5 breathability score.
The spacious toebox of the Grandview GTX Low allows our toes to spread out comfortably, measuring 103.8 mm wide. What’s even more generous is its big toe area, measuring a massive 87.0 mm vs. the 81.5 mm average.
Even underfoot, Teva remains supportive. Right from the start, the cushioning made its presence felt. With a stack height of 33.6/23.0 mm, it delivers prolonged comfort and effective impact absorption. Further enhancing the comfort is its impressively soft midsole, measuring at 15.3 HA—44.8% softer than average.
This Teva’s extra layers of comfort and protection come at the expense of heavier weight. At 15.6 oz (441g), it’s 15.4% bulkier than its counterparts. Those who prefer lighter shoes should look elsewhere.
Pros
- Excellent waterproofing
- Softer than average cushioning
- Great impact protection
- Remains soft and flexible in low temps
- Very stable and supportive
- Deep lugs with top-notch grip
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Good wear resistance
- A dream for wide feet
Cons
- Heavier than average
- Not for narrow feet
- Heel lock is fiddly
Best water hiking shoes with a wide toebox













































What makes it the best?
Is there such a thing as a breathable hiking shoe that’s uber lightweight and suitable for wide feet? There is indeed, and it’s called the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker! Our feet feel light and airy, thanks to their lightweight, breathable upper and the wide toe box allows ample airflow to keep our feel fresh and comfortable, not to mention wiggle room! The Adidas Terrex Trailmaker is undoubtedly our best lightweight hiking shoe with a wide toe box!
Lightweight and flexible, it’s easy to forget we’re wearing shoes in the Trailmaker! The scales don’t lie; when we weighed them in our lab, we found them to be 9% lighter than the average hiking shoes! They keep our feet fresh while hiking, and our legs still have energy to burn at the end of the day.
Even at a glance, the Trailmaker is noticeably wider than the competition. Back in the lab, our callipers cinched it. Measuring 102.7 mm at the forefoot, they are 3.3 mm wider than average, leaving plenty of space for hikers with wider feet. It carries the advantage through to the toe, as well. Measuring 79.8 mm at the big toe, there is also 3.3 mm extra space at the end of the shoe. We found our toes could spread out more comfortably than in a narrower shoe.
This shoe is a cut above the rest on a hot day! Its durable upper may not look especially breathable, but our feet didn’t overheat on our hikes, and they dried out quickly after a soaking. When we pumped smoke into the shoe, it exited through the tightly woven upper quickly and evenly, taking us by surprise! In fact, we rated it a solid 4/5 for breathability, one of the more breathable shoes that we have tested.
In order to keep the weight down, this shoe lacks cushioning underfoot. The midsole is comfortably soft, but the stack height measures 3.1 mm less than average below the heel. Combined, this makes for slightly less cushioning (and more ground feel), which is why we don’t recommend the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker for long hikes or backpacking.
Pros
- Outstanding water drainage
- Immensely breathable
- Excellent abrasion resistance
- Very light on foot
- Amazingly grippy on wet
- Very grounded platform
- Bends along with the foot
- Adaptable fit with a roomy toebox
- Easy on-and-off
- Comfy in-shoe feel
- Bold aesthetics
Cons
- No arch or ankle support
- Catches debris and small pebbles easily
Best barefoot hiking shoes with a wide toebox









































What makes it the best?
We put wide-toebox hiking shoes to the test and found Nike ACG Watercat+ to be the best for water hiking. It shines the most in and around water with its effective drainage system, easy-to-manoeuvre build, and reliable traction on slippery surfaces.
The wickerwork upper keeps our feet dry from water and sweat because the woven cords have large ventilation holes. Amazingly, the bottom part has drainage holes for faster drying too.
We felt as nimble as a cat manoeuvring through slippery rocks and tricky underwater surfaces. Watercat+ has a flexible build and low stack providing good ground feel for better balance. In our lab bend test, it needed 30.7% less force than the average hiking shoe to bend to 90 degrees. Its heel and forefoot cushion stand lower than the average, resulting in a more levelled 4.7 mm drop. This makes us more sensitive to the ground.
Enhancing our control further is the generous toebox that offers 7.9 mm extra space than average. Even at the big toe area, it gives 10.8 mm more room than the average — allowing our natural toe splay. We have no doubts about grip because the sticky patterned outsole keeps us steady through all conditions.
Unfortunately, the holes in the upper leave room for small rocks to get in.
Pros
- Top-notch comfort
- Superior level of protection
- Powerful grip and traction
- Glove-like fit
- Incredibly Supportive
- Durably built
- Performs consistently in the cold
- Quick drying
Cons
- Needs breaking in
- Hard to put on
Make sure you actually need wide hiking shoes
Because if you don’t, you can get injured in hiking shoes with a loose fit. Make sure you follow these tips when trying on hiking shoes:
- Go shopping for hiking shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are most likely a bit swollen from a day of work and activities. The swelling happens when hiking and this is how we take it into account.
- Try the shoe on, lace it up and check if there are any pressure points. Is the shoe too narrow? Are your toes cramped inside the toebox? Does the shoe feel too tight all over? There should be a thumb’s width space between your toes and the front (or the back) of your shoes. Aim for a snugly comfortable fit that is non-constricting.
- Use the socks you usually use for hiking when trying the hiking shoes on for the first time.
- If you’re using orthotics or special insoles, use them in the store when giving new hiking shoes a try.
- Use the ramp! Walk up and down. If there are different surfaces (grass, huge rocks, concrete), try the shoes on all of them. You should not be sliding forward in the shoes when going downhill, and your feet should not slide to the sides (a sign of the shoes being too wide).
Don’t forget: many hiking shoes need a break-in period. Before setting out for a long hike, break your shoes in first.
Industry labels for wide hiking shoes
How to notice wide or extra wide shoes? You can recognise wide hiking shoes by examining the label on the shoes or on the shoe box: men should look for 2E for wide or 4E for extra wide, while women should look for D or 2E.
These letters are different because men's feet are different from women's feet. Women’s heels tend to be narrower and forefoot wider than men’s. This is a general rule, and, of course, exceptions exist.
The shoes for men and women are labelled like this:
Men |
Women |
|
Narrow |
B |
2A |
Medium/Standard |
D |
B |
Wide |
2E |
D |
Extra wide |
4E |
2E |
Keep in mind that the extra width is mostly reflected in the toebox.
On our website, you can always filter the hiking shoes by gender and width. But, because the extra width is mostly about the toebox, we will now take a deep dive into that topic.
Exact width measurements with shoe suggestions
In the lab, we use our calliper to measure the width of the forefoot in 2 places:
- Toebox width at the widest part, around the metatarsal joints
- Toebox width at the big toe.
We're able to do this thanks to our special gel formula. We pour it into the hiking shoe and then freeze it.
Once the gel settles, we can take it out and voila - we have a gel mould that perfectly reflects the inner volume of the toebox

Then, we measure the width of the toebox at the big toe.

What this allows us to conclude is not just how wide the toebox is at the widest part, but also how much it tapers moving higher up. The bigger the difference between these 2 measurements, the more the shoe tapers.
This is extremely important for people who have toebox shapes that ask for more attention.
Hiking shoes that are narrower at the big toe would obviously work better for the Greek type than any other toebox shape. Just like the Roman and the German type would most likely need extra wide shoes/toeboxes.
What lab numbers are not telling us?
While these upper width measurements are done in the RunRepeat lab and nowhere else, we are aware that these measurements should be taken with a grain of salt because they don’t tell the whole story. This is exactly why we also do wear tests and don’t rely on lab tests only!
The calliper measurement of the toebox width means we measure how wide the shoe is on the outside, where we press our calliper on both sides of the toebox. What’s not included here is the thickness of the upper and, more importantly, whether it has some give!
First, the upper can be made of a stretchy material, which would allow the pinky toe to “breathe” a bit more or the toes to splay. Stiff materials would cramp that adventurous pinky toe and glue it to the rest of the toes.
Second, hiking shoes prioritise protection. The toe bumper can work wonders, but sometimes it extends all around the toebox, or the shoe features overlays that make it more supportive and stable.

These additional overlays prevent the upper from stretching and toes from pushing against it a bit more than the official width allows them.

Leather is not stretchy at all, while knit and mesh can allow for some toe splay if there are no harsh overlays present where you'd want them to stretch. Best to examine the shoe or its specifications if you worry about those few millimetres that only stretchy materials can allow.
Toebox height: who should pay attention to it
Hikers whose big toe naturally points up and not straight forward. When in contact with the upper, there’s rubbing, which can lead to blisters and black toenails.

Of course, assessing this on whole shoes is almost impossible. Protective overlays and toe bumpers can be too thick. Fortunately, we have a gel mould that enters the scene.

We also recommend examining the upper: some materials are stretchy and, therefore, less likely to hurt the toes and toenails pointing up. Other uppers, like leather, or shoes with stiff toe bumpers and protective overlays, are very hard and have no room for your toes to “breathe”.
Foot-shaped toebox: what to expect
The name is self-explanatory and here’s what that looks like in the hiking world: See this Altra hiker that has a foot-shaped design (up), vs this shoe that has a regular design (down).
There are different brands that make hiking footwear with, what is usually referred to as, natural design (Altra, Topo, Vivobarefoot, etc.). These shoes are great for people who have a wider forefoot and who enjoy the feeling of the toe splay inside the shoes. This is a huge pro.
However, such shoes tend to come with a few warnings (technically, they are not cons): they tend to be minimalist, which means low to the ground. This equals less cushioning and more ground feel. Also, it means having a lower heel-to-toe drop that could also be 0 mm.
Making sudden changes in heel drop, especially when going from, say 10 mm, to zero drop, is a dangerous move and should be done cautiously.
If this is something that peaks your interest, we strongly recommend reading our in-depth guide on Heel drop: Heel to Toe Drop: The Ultimate Guide.
Consequences of a tight toebox
We can usually feel whether the toebox is narrow: our feet get cramped and we might fell the pain in an instant. However, the discomfort can happen later on as well, once our feet swell and we cover longer mileage.
Here, we list most common consequences of a tight toebox. This does not mean that the tight toebox is always the only responsible cause, so consider the list as a general guideline, not precise diagnosis.
- Ingrown toenails and Morton’s Neuroma can both happen when the toebox is not wide enough. Best to look for a wider forefoot.
- Black toenails can happen both when the toebox is too tight or too low. This is when you should pay attention to the height of the toebox as well.
- Painful corns and calluses may not be painful at the beginning but should be “treated” with a wider toebox so that the condition does not worsen.
- Blisters, especially at the big toe or the pinky toe, can happen when the toebox of your hiking shoe is not wide enough.
- Hallux rigidus and Hallux valgus (bunions) should be treated with a wide toebox, to start with.
Why loose fit is a bad idea
Hiking shoes should fit properly, just right. Not tight, not loose. Here’s what can happen if you decide to get wider shoes than you actually need:
- Feet slide within the shoes, side to side. This is uncomfortable and risky, it means that you don’t have the needed lockdown for hiking and you will feel less stable and secure.
- With such sliding, your toes might instinctively try to stabilise the feet by clawing into the ground. This might lead to hammer toes and more tired feet.
- Lose fit can also lead to more ankle instability because legs will try to compensate but the base is not locked as it should be. Think ankle twists and sprains.
- Constant rubbing can lead to blisters as well.
How hiking socks can help with the fit?
The most popular choice in hiking is Merino wool. Most socks have it, at least to some degree. But, what matters when we’re discussing the fit and not just performance is the thickness of the socks.
Very thin ones can definitely help, especially if they also do compression. They feel like the feet have got thinner a bit! And compression helps with (against) blisters as well. Regular socks are, well, regular and the shoe should feel normal in them. Thick socks, on the other hand, which are great for winter and because they offer a lot of cushioning, might make the shoes feel tight.