Best Wide Running Shoes: 9 Expert Picks for Ultimate Comfort

Are you searching for the best wide running shoes?
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🦶You know...

• You've got wide feet
• Maybe you just prefer more room in the toe box
• Or searching for the perfect running shoe seems extremely difficult

👟Ever walk into a store looking for the best wide running shoes they've got...and they've got nothing.
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Fortunately, there are so many more options for wide running shoes than there used to be.
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Just 10 years ago, it was challenging to find just one wide option. Now, there are dozens of running shoe models made in wide.
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👍Check out Hollie Sick's top 9 picks of the best wide running shoes available...

(Fun fact: Hollie has personally helped 1,000-plus runners find the right shoe for their running goals).

Your toes need enough room to splay, otherwise, you're setting yourself up for injury.
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Do you need wide running shoes?
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If you've ever struggled to find running shoes that fit because they feel too tight or too narrow, you're not alone.
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But is going wide right for you?
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🦶Signs you might need wide running shoes include:

• Running with bunions
• Frequent blisters on the sides of feet or toes
• Holes on the sides of shoes where your pinkie toes are
• Numb feet from tight shoes
• Regular black toenails from running
• Corns or hammertoes
• And sometimes, it's just about needing more room for comfort. 

For most people, it's almost impossible to have a shoe that is "too wide." You can always manipulate the shoelaces to get a more secure fit. 

There’s a lot to consider when choosing wide running shoes. Here are THREE tips to help you find a pair that works for you:

1. Try them on

• When trying on shoes, you never want them to feel tight in the store. They should feel secure but never tight. 

2. Expect comfort

• You want them to feel comfortable. That means comfortable in the fit but also when you are running. 
• In 2023, research points to having a shoe you feel comfortable in. How do you know a shoe is good for you? You are comfortable and running well. If you're injury-free and running well, it's a good shoe for you. 

3. You never need to 'break in' a shoe

• The reason most people feel they need to "break in a shoe" is that they buy their shoes too small. You shouldn't need to break in a running shoe. 

Some brands offer wide options. For instance:

• Altra makes "foot-shaped" shoes with a wider toe box.
• HOKA and Saucony are known for their wider toe boxes.
• New Balance has a long history of providing various widths.

This list is divided into FOUR categories:

Best wide running shoes for:

1. Daily trainers & walkers
2. Speed
3. Trails
4. Cross training

The Brooks Ghost 15 is one of the most traditional running and walking shoes out there. 

• Size: Plus, it comes in wide for women and double wide for men (known as 4E). 
• Comfort: The Ghost 15 is a top seller in the running industry because it usually feels good the minute you slide your feet into it. 
• Tech: The DNA LOFT v2 foam in the shoe is soft and lightweight, making sure your feet feel great whether you're running or walking. The upper now features 3D Fit Print that keeps your foot in place and allows your feet to feel secure without the Ghost feeling tight. 
• Price: $140

Let me preface this with the ASICS Nimbus is not a wide shoe, but the ASICS Nimbus in 4E? 

• Size. It's wide. It's a great traditional running or walking shoe. With plenty of cushion in the heel, you won't find many shoes with more.
• Comfort. Over the past few years, the Nimbus has drastically changed. It used to be an old-school traditional shoe. Now? It's lighter and softer than ever. 
• Tech. The Nimbus 25 uses FF Blast+ Eco. It's similar to FF Blast+, but it's made with materials that are 20% from plants. ASICS has struggled with fit in the past, and while this version is not perfect, it is much wider than previous versions. 
• Style. Plus, it's one of the few running shoes that does look good. It can make for a great casual shoe or running shoe. If you are looking for a comfortable and cushioned walking or running shoe, consider the ASICS Nimbus in 4E for men and 2E for women. 
• Price: $160

New Balance may have been known for their wider dad-style shoes, but that is a thing of the past. 
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New Balance makes all sorts of shoes from racing to their more traditional wide walkers, including the New Balance 1080.

• Size. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 got a major update a few years ago and has become a staple high cushioned trainer. The regular width is wider than average, but the wide width is super wide.
• Comfort. For version 13, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 has gotten a serious upper upgrade. The upper is now softer and more padded. If you are looking for a high-cushioned running shoe or walking shoe in wide, the 1080v13 is a great option. 
• Tech. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 uses Fresh Foam X with moderate support for stability.
• Price: $164.99

Why did the Brooks Adrenaline GTS make the list? 

• Size. It's one of the best wide-stability shoes. Stability shoes are slowly becoming a thing of the past, but the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 still remains. 
• Comfort. Fun fact: Did you know the GTS stands for "go to shoe"? It features a wider base and it's available in wide. 
• Tech. The Adrenaline now uses Brooks "3D Fit Print Technology" on the upper to make sure they feel secure but not heavy. They also fit insoles well! They come in several widths, including wide and extra-wide. 
• Price: $140

Why did the New Balance 860 v.13 make the best wide running shoes list? 

• Size. It has the most aggressive stability of any shoe out there right now. If you are someone who needs arch support and stability and a wide shoe, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 is one of your best choices. It can be used for walking or running!
• Comfort. If you first try on the 860, you might think it's "way too firm," but it softens up with every use. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13 is one of the most traditional, consistent running and walking shoes out there, which means you can come back to it year after year and don't have to worry about huge changes.
• Tech. Like many New Balance shoes this year, the 860 got a massive upgrade. The width is wider, and it's a lighter overall shoe.  Plus, it's available in wide and double wide for both men and women. It's hard to find a double wide fit for women! 
• Price: $139.99

What makes the Hoka Rocket X 2 one of the best running shoes? 

• Size. It is probably the widest carbon-plated shoe out there. Wide-footed people want to run fast too! It's still baffling there aren't wide carbon plated shoes yet. 
• Tech. It's received a big update in its carbon plate design, making it definitely faster than the first version. 
• Comfort. This year there are two layers of foam that respond quickly and perform well. The upper is made with an engineered-mesh material that fits well around your foot and makes it easy to run fast. If you are looking for a carbon-plated shoe on the wider side, consider the Hoka Rocket X 2. 
• Price: $250

Another carbon-plated shoe, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3, is one of the lighter options. 

• Size. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 is wide everywhere. It has a wider toe box, midfoot, and even slightly wider in the heel (but it's "just" a regular width). 
• Comfort. If you are looking for a lower drop, carbon-plated shoe, consider the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3. Jam-packed in the shoe is a carbon plate for speed, a thick but legal midsole, and a super light upper that feels like there is almost nothing on your foot. 
• Tech. As far as carbon-plated racing shoe uppers, the Saucony Endorphin Pro 3 might just be the best. The upper part of the shoe is made from a very thin layer of mesh. You can see your socks right through the upper, but that doesn't mean it's not durable. This durable upper makes for a light but tough option. It looks like Saucony really focused on cutting weight down but not sacrificing anything. 
• Price: $225

 If you are looking for a trail shoe that can do it all, the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is an excellent option. From hiking to long runs (like really long ultramarathons) to short trail jaunts, this wider shoe can set you up for success. 

• Size: Hoka is known for their wider toe box, and the Hoka Speedgoat falls along that line. It even comes in wide, which is rare for a trail shoe.
• Comfort. The Speedgoat is a great option if you aren't really sure what kind of trail shoe you want or need and are looking for one that can handle almost anything.
• Tech. The patented "Vibram MegaGrip" has lugs along the bottom for added traction. 
• Price: $155

• Size. If you've never heard of Altra, they are a running shoe brand designed to be "foot-shaped." They worked very hard to remove the word "wide" from descriptors of their shoes. 
• Comfort. These foot-shaped models are designed to be the shape of your foot, not narrow in the midfoot with a small amount of room in the forefoot. The Altra Solstice XT is a great option for those wanting to hit the gym. 
• Tech. It's made with a durable caged upper for improved performance, and it has a full rubber outsole. Perfect for working in the gym, going for a run, or both. The newer version, Altra Solstice XT 2, has a reinforced upper and added toe guard, making this shoe even more versatile.
• Price: $130

Hopefully, this helps you find the best wide running shoes for you. 
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Just let comfort be your guide. If you're running well and feel comfortable, it's likely a good shoe for you.