11 Best Wide Running Shoes 2020 – Wide Toe Box and Extra Wide Width Sizes

​For years now, athletes and casual runners have been looking for footwear that will revolutionize the industry. Having the right shoe not only helps improve your foot health, but it could also give you a significant advantage over the competition. This is why almost every runner is always on the lookout for new technologies, designs, and styles that will allow them to rule all terrains. Fortunately, there are some popular brands that have taken up the challenge to give athletes and casual runners exactly what they want. Today, there is an entire line up of the best shoes that a runner could possibly ask for. However, not all feet are made equal. Some people have numerous foot issues that could turn a simple run into a painful task.

​Important! Some runners find their shoes comfortable when they commence their run. But midway through their run, find that the shoes fit tighter due to the​ feet swelling up and then get cramped for space. ​​If you experience a similar situation​, then please ​read more below to find the perfect pair of shoes for you.

​If you want the best for your feet, doctors recommend that you avoid any shoe that squeezes your toes together. This could have adverse consequences such as the development of plantar fasciitis, bunions, corns, blisters and poor posture. As such, always look for shoes with a toe box that is wide and roomy enough but still offers a comfy fit. However, everyone should be aware of the difference between wide width shoes and shoes with a wide toe box. Generally, wide width shoes are for people with wide feet where the shoe is wider in all areas from from the heel to the toe. But shoes with wide toe box are ideally suited for runners that need extra space in the toe area while having a snug fit in the heel and mid foot. Here are out top 5 most popular ​running shoes with a wide toe box that are guaranteed to improve your performance.

​​Introducing the award winning, all popular shoe, the Altra Superior 3.5 Running Shoe boasts of exceptional traction and excellent cushioning. Just like all the artistic geniuses, Altra does not believe in messing with perfection. This is precisely why the 3.5 is version is going to be your new favorite. However, the superior ​is a more advanced and improved version of your favorite shoe. With a pair of these bad boys on your feet, men and women can claw their way to the very top without a worry.

This feature allows your toes to relax and naturally spread out. This extra wide toe box gives comfort to people with bunions and reduces the risk of hammertoes, plantar fasciitis and other issues. This shoe also incorporates a zero drop platform that equalizes the forefoot and heel and ensures they are on the same distance from the ground. This helps in getting rid of poor form and aligning your feet, back, body and posture.

Running shoes don’t have to sacrifice on style just because they have to accommodate a different shape of foot. This is clear from the Brooks Ghost 1​2, which is designed with a wide toe box, but also all of design features and style that we can expect from a training shoe. The Ghost 1​2, which is available for both men and women, comes in a range of color schemes to suit different tastes – from bold electric blues and limes, to more subdued blacks and grey. There is also a strong use of breathable textile across the uppers, which contrasts with the rubber sole, lacing and branding for an interesting look.

This shoe has the combination of a BioMoGo DNA midsole – which contains special omega flex grooves – as well as segmented crash pad for the heel and midfoot. This is all designed to provide stability and support across the foot, while maintaining the flexibility that runners need for their training session. The shoes are also pretty lightweight, thanks to this clever combination of materials. The Ghost is 1​2 also available in wide width sizes for women and extra wide width sizes for men.

​If you haven’t been paying attention, Altra’s One shoe intends to be solely what you need and nothing else. Sure, some may call their shoes minimal, but this is really not the case. Altra one is renowned for being one of the lightest shoes ever to be tested, but not in the slightest wanting. For people with wide feet, a roomy toe box is always welcome as we’ve already seen in the Superior ​3.5. However, the Altra ​​3 ​shoe​ aims at achieving higher speeds without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. 

​This is exactly why the One ​V3 running shoe by Altra incorporates a foot-shaped toe box that allows for optimum foot relaxation. A roomy toe box lets you move more freely with an additional level of stability and powerful toe-off. Another interesting feature is the inner flex technology that adapts to the slightest flexion in your foot. Altra also included highly responsive cushioning to protect sensitive feet against hard impacts.

For those of you unfamiliar with Invo-8, this is a British company that is highly passionate about specialist off-road running products and everything to do with creative, innovative and flexible footwear. While Invo-8 is not as old as some of the brands here, it has really done a lot since its inception back in 2003. Today, it is one of the fastest growing and quickly accelerating off-road running brand in the U.S. No matter what the company is working on, you can be sure that it complements the natural and innate functions of human body biomechanics.

 Whether you’re on a single track or an overly steep descent, this bad boy will perform on the toughest range of terrains imaginable. Thanks to Invo-8’s unique lug design, you get more grip with every foot strike especially in wet conditions.

​Whenever Hoka releases a brand new shoe, it is always a great day for the modern athlete and general shoe lovers. There is just something about Hoka’s designs that makes all their products stand out even in a crowd. The Clifton​ 5 shoe is no different. This ​fourth model of the Hoka One One combines the soft cushioning and lightweight build of the first model with the refined upper and much-improved durability of the Clifton ​shoe. You will find many runners recommending these shoes for Plantar Fasciitis.

​It incorporates a highly accommodating forefoot and seamless frame construction to make sure you don’t get any unnecessary friction. If you are looking for the best performance in a light and striking package, then the Clifton ​5 is the ultimate

After ASICS founder watched little kids wandering barefoot, he made up his mind to help out the youth. His approach was not only to provide these kids with high quality, athletic shoes, but to also promote the value of sports. At the time, he had no idea that his kind nature was the start of one of the biggest shoe companies on the globe. ASICS has been at the forefront of providing shoes that not only help athletes perform their best, but also prevent and remedy an array of foot issues.

For people with wide feet, wearing the wrong type of shoe can have adverse effects on your feet and overall health. However, it is never really easy to identify which shoe will fit your feet best. The most common mistake that men and women make when buying shoes for wide feet is to go in blind and get a bigger shoe. First off, you need to have an idea of how wide your foot is and what width size shoe will work best.

Sizes C and up are considered as wide shoe sizes. It is interesting to note that women tend to have wider feet than men due to their broader hips that tend to make their feet roll inwards or overpronate. However, running shoes in extra wide sizes for women are only available in limited styles. Other common causes of wide feet are aging, pregnancy, obesity, and excessive standing. Fortunately, companies like New Balance, Brooks, Mizuno, and ASICS have some pioneering products that quickly solve this issue. Let’s check out the top 5 ​​running shoes for wide feet​.

​Dedicated to lending a helping hand (or foot) to athletes of all types of sports, New Balance has made it their mission to focus on the development of leading products. For more than a century now, these guys have been at it relentlessly, delivering excellence every time they try. As if that wasn’t enough, New Balance is now geared towards alleviating several foot issues and making both men and women as comfortable as possible on the track. People with wider feet will be particularly happy to hear about the latest beauty from New Balance; the Fresh Foam 1080v​9 Running Shoe.

​New Balance has taken things a stride further using data from an array of runners. Wide-footed men and women will especially love the extra wide footprint and soft cushioning that the shoe offers. For men with wider feet, they can choose between the following width sizes- N, B, 2E or 3E. On the other foot, women get width sizes starting from 4A, 2A, B, D all the way to 4E.

​A lot has been said about ASICS, but we’ll add a little more to it. ASICS has been around for a very long time and these guys really know their stuff. ​This is exactly why they worked so hard and put their all in their latest creations. Among these unique works of art, is the ​ASICS GT-2000 ​7 which can accommodate foot sizes upto 4E. So if you have huge feet, here is a perfect pair for you.

​With a pair of these shoes on, you too can now enjoy the fore and rearfoot gel cushioning systems that are more adaptive and conforming. This means more support for overpronators that prefer more support. This shoe is available in widths of N, M, D, 2E or W and 4E for men and D, B,2A and 2E for women.

​Whether you are a professional runner or a fitness fan, I’m almost sure that you have heard of Brooks. That’s because this running company is renowned for creating some of the best designs for high-performance men’s and women’s running apparel, shoes, and accessories. Recently, their focus has shifted towards developing products for people with foot issues. That’s right, if you have plantar fasciitis, overpronation, bad knees or supination, Brooks most definitely has something for you. For those of you with overly wide feet, there’s nothing to be worried about.

​For men, the shoe is available in width sizes of B or D and E (2E & 4E) while women can find their pair in D and 2E. The Addiction 13 by Brooks features an outsole unit with HPR Plus Technology. This means that no matter how wide your feet are, you get the highest levels of traction thanks to high abrasion resistance capacity.

​Since its inception in the early 1900’s, Mizuno takes all the pride and pleasure in being part and parcel of today’s active sports scene. Guided by the stern ideals of true sportsmanship, Mizuno aims to be a world leader in the development of unique and high-performance sportswear. Just taking one look at their products is enough to see their sheer dedication to serving the modern athlete. And while technology may not have been where it is a century ago, years of advancement and research have finally caught up to where it needs to be. As we speak, Mizuno’s products are being put to good use by millions of athletes all around the globe.

​That’s not all! Mizuno also incorporated a refined toe spring for a smooth, brisk and effortless toe-off from the ground. People with wide feet have something to look forward too since men can get the shoe in manufacturer widths of​ D ​and 2E while women can grab the ​B or W​ widths

​Dedicated to lending a helping limb to athletes of all types of sports, New Balance has made it their mission to focus on the development of leading products. For more than a century now, these guys have been at it relentlessly, delivering excellence every time they get in the lab. As if that wasn’t enough, New Balance is now geared towards alleviating several foot issues and making both men and women as comfortable as possible on the track. And now, even kids can get a foot in on the matter.

​the Zante V4 is quite a sight to behold. This impressive work of art is engineered for ultimate comfort during high speeds and demanding terrain. One of the most exciting features is a sticky, high traction outsole that will not give in to any type of pressure; no matter where you are going. For men with wider feet, they can choose between the following width sizes- B (medium) and 2E. On the other foot, women get the same choice too.

​If you have ever paid close attention to shoe shopping habits, you will find that most people buy their shoes according to the style and length. This is undoubtedly why almost everyone can’t wait to take off their shoes once they get home. The truth is that a properly fitting shoe should never pinch or rub you in the wrong way. The shoe should also mold comfortably to your without leaving any excessive space in the heel as well as the toe box. The arch support should also be the correct width and fit your arch naturally. However, when it really comes down to a properly fitting shoe, the only thing that matters is where exactly you need the width. Let’s take a gander at how this difference will affect your shoe type.

While some people have feet that are uniformly wide all over, others have feet that are much broader at the toes yet very narrow at the heel. This means that if your feet are wider at the toes than at the heel, buying a wide width shoe will translate to excessive space at the heel. Alternatively, if your feet are uniformly wide along the length and you buy a shoe with a wide toe box, the rest of your foot will be squeezed and cramped.

Wide width shoes are more suited for people with uniformly wide feet while shoes with a wide toe box are designed for those with a wider forefoot that the heel. However, both extra wide shoes and those with a wide toe box allow your toes to spread out naturally; as if you were barefoot. Other shoes usually cramp your toes together and could cause adverse health issues, not to mention make it really painful to walk for long distances. With your toes spread out, impact and pressure are spread out equally all through your foot.

​Like most fashion lovers will tell you, there is nothing more heartbreaking than trying to manage an uncomfortable pair of gorgeous shoes. This is why most people end up choosing hours of mind numbing pain for class and beauty. It does not have to be this way. Fortunately, there are plenty of methods you can use at home to make more room in your favorite pair of shoes. These techniques include:

Lacing Techniques

There are ample factors that could contribute to the comfort and fit of your shoes. Each pair of feet is unique, and while your shoes may feel super today, they may not behave so well the next day. Even with high-quality construction, immense cushioning and all the bells and whistles that come with today’s shoes, some factors could make it almost impossible to enjoy a nice walk in the park.

One of these factors is the lacing techniques used. If you use the wrong lacing method for your feet, you could end up squeezing some areas more than others while leaving parts of your feet too loose. For those of you with wider forefeet, lacing the shoe loosely at the front might make things a bit easier. Also, if your feet are wide all over, try skipping out a few holes when lacing to give your feet room to expand.

Stretching the Shoes

Hands up if you can recall what your science teacher was trying to teach you back in the day about solids, liquids, and gasses? Just as I suspected; nobody. The main point here is that when you freeze water, it expands and takes up more space than when it was a liquid. So, where does frozen water and shoes come in? Well, if you want to make more room in your shoe, here is what you need to do.

Fill two plastic bags almost all the way up and make sure that they are completely sealed. The next step is to place the bags carefully in your shoes and then throw the entire shebang in the freezer or out in the snow. As the bags gradually freeze, they expand and gradually stretch your shoe outwards. After the bags are fully frozen, take them out and immediately wear your shoes (ignore the cold). After a while, your newly expanded shoes should mold to your feet as they constrict due to warming up.