“Choosing the wrong footwear can wreak havoc on your feet. It’s important for people to look for shoes that suit their arch, support their feet and ankles, and fit appropriately,” says Dr. Cunha. For those with wide feet, Dr. Cunha’s top tip is finding a shoe with a wide toe box.
The best running shoes for wide feet
Below, we’ve outlined the best running shoes for wide feet—and why. All expert-approved.
The Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet for Women
Hoka One One Clifton 8 — $130.00
Dr. Cunha’s first pick is the Clifton 8. It’s the “perfect combination of soft and light,” according to the Hoka One One product description. It has a streamlined silhouette but still gives your feet space to breathe and move, so you don’t have to worry about being uncomfortable on your runs.
The Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet for Men
Why you need a wide toe box
A wide toe box helps to prevent bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, and ingrown toenails. “In order to determine whether the toe box is wide enough, I suggest tracing your foot onto a piece of paper at the end of the day when your feet are most swollen,” says Dr. Cunha. Save your new piece of art, and the next time you go to the shoe store or order shoes online, pick out a pair of shoes and place them on top of the tracing. “If the tracing of your foot surpasses the margins of your shoe, then you know that your shoes are too narrow,” he says.
How to get measured for a wide running shoe
For a more precise fit, you have your foot measured with a Brannock device (make sure to get both the width and length measurements), says Dr. Cunha. He also suggests purchasing new footwear at the end of the day because this is when your feet are the most swollen, and if the shoe feels comfortable at the end of the day, it’ll more than likely feel comfortable throughout the day.
Your shoe size may vary depending on the material used and designs and your feet also change in size due to hormones (like during pregnancy) and as you age, so Dr. Cunha recommends trying on at least three different pairs of running shoes. Try two different shoes at the same time, wearing one on each foot. “The tip of your thumb should fit between the end of the shoe and the end of your longest toe,” explains Dr. Cunha.
The toe box should also be wide enough to accommodate your toes comfortably, and you should have enough room to slightly wiggle your toes, he says. “If you can’t move your toes at all, then the shoes are too tight and will eventually become painful.”
Finding the best pair of running shoes will require some testing, but with Dr. Cunha’s tips, you’re set up for success. Plus, he shared his go-to pairs of running shoes for wide feet to jumpstart your search.
Editor’s note: While we suggest shoes for both women and men, we only do this based on search results. You can wear whichever shoe you want, however you identify.
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