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Runners with wide toeboxes may struggle to find a good fit. We've all been there - hearing about a shoe, reading about it, learning it's all you want and need, plus the price is great. Then you try the shoe on, and it cramps your toes. To put an end to this, we started measuring exact toebox widths in our lab.
Often, Altra, Xero, or Topo feature the wide toebox, but thanks to our lab measurements, you can find other brands that happen to deliver more room in the toebox!
Based on our test runs and lab tests, we picked the best running shoes with a wide toebox across different categories. You can read our arguments why we think those shoes deserve all the spotlight, or, you can read our guide where we dig deep and explain everything about toebox width.
How we test running shoes with a wide toebox
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, callipers, force gauges, smoke machines, etc.), we cut each model into pieces in the lab. We then measure and analyse 20+ parameters of the shoe. This way, the data backs up our first-hand experience.
- We log 30-50 miles in each pair on the test runs.
- Based on our test runs and lab tests, we publish in-depth reviews. These reviews feature all the lab data and you can compare the shoe of your interest to other shoes or to the category averages.
- We showcase the best of the best here as top picks!
Best running shoes with a wide toe box overall
What makes it the best?
High-stacked with a secure sensation without the toe pressure is how we can perfectly describe our runs with the Topo Atmos. Our lab results validate its excellent impact protection through maximum cushioning while ensuring stability through its rigid build and wide dimensions. Overall, it’s our top wide-toebox running shoe.
Topo Atmos is designed to accommodate wide feet, which is evident in its shape. To confirm further, we created a gel mould to measure the toebox, and it emerged an impressively spacious 85.0 mm in the big toe area. For reference, the average big toe area is 3.0 mm narrower. Together with its generous height, Atmos is suitable for those with wide, high-volume, or square-shaped feet.
Besides the front, the whole base is wide at 119.1/96.8 mm! We felt sure of each stride because our feet stayed contained in the shoe. Its high level of stiffness also contributed to its stable feel, validated by its 5/5 torsional rigidity score in our manual assessment.
Comfort is enhanced through its extra thick 37.8/32.5 mm cushion, delivering impact protection for multi-hour runs. It feels balanced underfoot with a 20.0 HA durometer reading without the sinking feeling. However, its energy return is underwhelming. Those seeking a responsive ride should stay away from Topo Atmos.
Pros
- Max-cushioned comfort
- Ultra-spacious toebox
- Stable ride
- Premium Ortholite footbed
- Midfoot-friendly geometry
- Lightweight for its huge size
- Great for easy long runs
- No heel slippage
Cons
- Lacks energy return
- Not for narrow-footed runners
- Could be a bit more flexible
- Not the best for walking
Best daily running shoes with a wide toebox
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 running shoes.
We measured the toebox with our calliper and discovered the gel mould in the big toe is 78.6 mm wide, 6.6% wider than average. This explained why our toes never felt cramped, 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 33.5% more adaptive than average.
The plush midsole allowed us to savour 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
- Optimised 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
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 28.6% 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 tapers lightly to the 83.5 mm big toe area. For reference, that’s 13.3% wider than average! 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
What makes it the best?
No room for toe stubbing and wobbling in the Hoka Gaviota 5, as it offers the best stability among wide toebox running shoes we tested on foot and in the lab. Besides its broad dimensions, it features the rigid H-Frame that offers solid support, while its cushioned base and breathable upper appeal us with comfort.
Offering generous space for wide-footed folks, the base is a massive 125.1/106.6 mm. Besides enhancing comfort, it secures our strides because our feet remain contained within the shoe. On top of this, the H-Frame’s rigidity helps avoid excessive lateral movements and ankle rolls, evidenced by its 4/5 torsional rigidity score.
Moving to the toebox, it barely tapers to its 77.2 mm big toe area. For reference, the average is pointier at 73.7 mm. This spacious room allows for natural toe splay and is kind enough even to those with big or pointy toes. Plus, the upper is exceptionally breathable, backed up by its 5/5 breathability score in the lab.
Underfoot, a dual-density midsole welcomes us with a plush 12.9 HA cushion for comfort and a firmer 22.0 HA foam in strategic areas for stable landings. However, it features a low 2.2 mm drop, which may not suit heel strikers. Midfoot and forefoot strikers will feel more at home with this minimal incline setup.
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
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 calliper 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 26.7% more adaptive than average.
Our toes never felt restricted because of the massive 80.6 mm big toe area of the gel mould. It’s less pointy compared to the 73.7 mm average big toe measurement in the lab and follows a rounded shape, effectively avoiding black toenails and calluses.
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
What makes it the best?
After thorough testing of wide-toebox running shoes, we found the Altra Lone Peak 9 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 9 is highly versatile because of its low 23.3/23.3 mm profile. Staying true to Altra’s core, it features a crystal-clear zero drop which enhances control and ground feel. The 23.6 HA midsole feels stable underfoot and gives off a nice rebound.
Improving our control and comfort is the spacious toebox since it avoids any unwanted pressure on our toes. Lone Peak 9 features a square-shaped toebox that barely tapers to the front, providing generous real estate for pointy or voluminous toes. Our gel mould confirms the big toe area is a massive 85.3 mm vs. the 74.8 mm average.
Further boosting our confidence on various terrains are the 3.8 mm lugs and the Vibram rubber of the LP9+ version. Strategically patterned and shaped, they enhanced our control even on slippery slopes.
However, the upper offers limited breathability. Those who need more ventilation should find an airier shoe.
Pros
- True zero-drop geometry
- Extra-roomy, foot-shaped toebox
- Vibram option finally available
- Improved forefoot stability
- Flat-profile, natural ride
- Secure lacing system
- Still a low-stack shoe!
- Standard and wide versions
- Good durability
Cons
- Feels really heavy for its size
- Stiffer than previous versions
- Lacks airflow
- Having two outsole versions adds confusion
Best minimalist running shoes with a wide toebox
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 design, making it our best minimalist wide toebox running shoe.
HFS II ensured maximum surface feedback with its minimum cushioning, with precise calliper 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 62.6% more adaptive than average in our bend test. It offered no resistance whatsoever which allows us to freely move, enhancing the barefoot sensation.
The toebox is designed to be forgiving, making even our pinky toes feel at home. Using our gel mould, we measured the big toe area at 86.7 mm, 10.6% wider than average, effectively avoiding cramped toes or unwanted pressure points.
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
This guide focuses on a wide toebox in running shoes. If what you actually want is wide running shoes overall, and not just a wide toebox, head over to Best running shoes for wide feet.
Unlike the overall shoe width, the toebox has no industry labels or standardised widths and brand measurements. It can be a cat in the bag if you're ordering the shoes online until you find our reviews that list exact lab measurements of the toebox width.
Do you really need a wide toebox?
If you've experienced any of these, then you most likely do need running shoes with a wide toebox:
- Your toes are often cramped in the toebox
- Your pinky toe wants to "escape" the toebox and it often pokes a hole through the upper, it blisters, or it makes the next toe bleed because pinky toe presses against it too hard
- You have bunions or bunionettes
- You must wear the thinnest socks only because anything thicker makes the toebox too tight.
Some runners also do this as a test: they take the insole out of the shoe and check whether their toes hang over the insole. If they do, a wider toebox is needed.
| If you keep running in narrower shoes while your toes are screaming for more room, you may experience black or ingrown toenails, painful corns and calluses, blisters, or bunions. |
Toebox width: lab data
Lasers and callipers that we could use to measure the width of the toebox can't fit into it. If we cut the shoe in half or into pieces, the upper loses its structure, making it impossible to assess or measure its width accurately. So, we use gels.
We pour our special gel into the toebox and freeze it together with the shoe. Once the gel has hardened, we can pick up our callipers and start measuring the width of the toebox because this gel mould perfectly fills the toebox and reflects its actual volume
When we take the gel mould out of the shoe, we measure the width of the toebox in 2 places, at the big toe and where it's the widest (around the ball of the foot).
However, for the toebox width, we focus on the width at the big toe. It actually tells us how wide the toebox is in the place where runners usually need more room when they say they are looking for a wide toebox.
Here's how such a difference (tapered or pointy vs rounded) looks when we look at the gel moulds:
The other measurement, the toebox width measured where it's the widest, reflects the overall shoe width. While it matters, of course, it matters much less than the big-toe width when we talk about how roomy a toebox is. We talk about this in great detail in our guide Best running shoes for wide feet.
Toebox height: a hidden gem no more
Some runners may say they need a roomy toebox because they keep feeling pressure on their toes or even getting black toenails. When the upper presses on the toes from above, it's about the need to have a higher toebox.
Runners whose big toes are pointing up, whose toes can’t wait to hit the toebox ceiling and maybe even try to dig through it, can now look at the lab data and see how much vertical room each toebox has to offer.
Knit uppers are softer, kinder to the toes, and easier to make a hole in. They are also less breathable and offer less structure
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.
Here's what that difference between a high and a low toebox looks like when we look at shoes cut in half:
And here's what it looks like when we look at the gel moulds:
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.
However, the so-called foot-shaped toebox is a trademarked shape from Altra, and all Altra shoes are zero-drop or low-drop (heel drop of 4 mm).
For context, beginners are advised to use running shoes with an 8-12 mm drop. Changing the drop suddenly, and especially going for the 0 mm or 4 mm when you’ve never done it before, is not something we recommend. This transition is definitely possible, but it should be slow and gradual! We wrote about this and covered many details in the Ultimate guide on the heel drop.
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. We went down the rabbit hole and looked at the numbers for different Altra models in our guide on Best Altra running shoes. The only caution here is related to the heel drop, as explained above.
Is your toebox too wide?
Your toebox is too wide if you can feel sliding from side to side in it, if you can't achieve a secure lockdown, if you feel insecure the moment the terrain varies even slightly, or, simply, if your toes can splay and it's a very roomy feel in there.
Breathability of running shoes with a wide toebox
Breathability depends on the material and the overall design. The type of material is what we first notice when we hold the running shoes in our hands. Knit uppers are soft and stretchy but also less durable and less breathable. Mesh uppers offer more structure but may be harsh.
We pump the smoke into the shoe and there, it's directed toward the toebox using a 3D-printed cast that perfectly fits into the shoe. Based on how much smoke comes out and at which pace, we assign a breathability rating on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable
However, this is not enough for us. We then inspect the upper under the microscope.
This is where we learn more about the design - are there any ventilation holes that we can see with the naked eye, is there a 2nd layer that impacts the breathability heavily, are the threads tightly packed or loose, etc?
We recommend wide running shoes that scored 5/5 on our breathability test to those who have sweaty feet or who run in very warm climates.
Running in shoes that scored 1/5 or 2/5 on our smoke machine test is great for colder weather.
Everything in between, running shoes that scored 2/5, 3/5, or 4/5, can be used during all seasons, although with no extremes. You can simply adjust by picking thinner/thicker socks.
Durability of running shoes with a wide toebox
You may worry that your toes will stretch the upper too much to the point of premature breaking. Or you want to make sure other areas, like padding behind the heel or the outsole, don't die on you too soon. Awesome news, we test that in our lab!
In all of our durability lab tests, we use a Dremel. Then, we either assess the damage and assign a durability score on a 1-5 scale (5/5 being the most durable), or we measure the depth of the dent.
Testing the durability of the toebox in RunRepeat lab
Knit uppers are less durable but more pliable and kinder to our toes. Mesh uppers, on the other hand, are more breathable and have more structure.
Then, we move to the heel. For many runners, it's the padding behind the heel that gets destroyed first, be it due to the way they put the shoes on, the slight heel slipping, or the shape of their heel and the shape of the shoe's heel area.
Testing the durability of the heel padding with a dremel
Then, we test the outsole's durability. Having rubber coverage here does wonders, such outsoles are way more durable. When greeted with the exposed midsole, our Dremel simply digs in as if it were pudding.
Testing the durability of the outsole in RunRepeat lab
Here, we don't have to assess the damage on a 1-5 scale because we can use a tyre tread gauge to precisely measure the depth of each dent.
The deeper the dent, the less durable the outsole, of course.
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