I was a kid when my parents broke the news that I’d inherited my grandfather’s flat, wide feet, and decades later, I still have trouble fitting in shoes. A large portion of the U.S. population—upwards of 50%, according to some data—falls into the same category, with feet that are broader than average. Given that so many of us need wide footwear these days, I spoke with a physical therapist to find the best shoes for wide feet, before naming the the best option overall.
“Measure your foot yearly, and select the shoe that fits your foot,” suggests Dr. Milica McDowell, a physical therapist and the assistant vice president of education at U.S. Physical Therapy. “Brands and models vary, so if you are someone who thinks you’ve been wearing the same sized shoe since high school, it’s time to reconsider.” By evaluating styles for fit, comfort and price, I compiled a list of shoes that meet different needs, whether you’re an avid walker, runner, golfer or commuter. Ahead, find all the best shoes for wide feet that passed my review.
How We Chose The Best Shoes For Wide Feet
- We started by looking into brands that make wider shoe styles suitable for walking, running and everyday wear. Brands like Hoka and New Balance were some of the first ones we considered because they offer a broader selection of shoes with different widths.
- From there, we looked at specific shoes and evaluated options based on predetermined variables, chief among them width and overall comfort. Wide shoes should offer more room through the toe box and midfoot—spacious designs that provide additional room where it matter most were given priority.
- Next, we looked at other variables like materials, heel-to-toe drop and use cases. We sought styles with foot-shaped toe boxes, heel counters and breathable uppers that deliver a more comfortable fit and better long-term experience.
- When you combine these variables in just the right way, you wind up with a shoe that’s perfectly suited for wide feet. These are the strategies we employed to find options for walkers, runners, commuters, golfers and more.
How To Shop For Shoes For Wide Feet
Finding a comfortable pair of shoes to support your wide feet isn’t rocket science, but there are a handful of variables to consider as you shop. These include:
Width Sizing
Look for specific styles with actual width options, as opposed to shoes that purport to have a “roomy fit.” For example, many New Balance shoes come in narrow (B), standard (D), wide (2E) and extra-wide (4E) widths, and many Hoka shoes come in regular, wide and extra-wide.
According to McDowell, the first step in finding the right width is simple but essential: “Measure your foot. Take a stop by the shoe store and place your foot in the archaic measuring device. (It’s called a Brannock device and hasn’t been updated since it was invented in 1925.)” This can help you determine if you require a wide size shoe. “For an adult U.S. men’s size 10, a wide shoe is typically over 4.2 inches wide, while for an adult U.S. women’s size 8, it is around 3.9 inches wide,” she adds.
It’s also worth remembering that some brands are known for designing shoes that simply don’t support wide feet. For example, while I fit into most standard-width shoes, I have trouble fitting into styles from La Sportiva, Salewa and Scarpa—European brands known for their narrower designs. Once you find a comfortable width or even a brand you like, you can return to them as other footwear needs arise. And as McDowell notes, “a wide toe box doesn’t accommodate a wide-sized foot—you need a wide size shoe.”
Toe Box Shape
A wide foot needs a wide, high-volume toe box that allows your toes to spread out with each step and prevents unwanted rubbing. Look for rounded or anatomical toe boxes and avoid narrow, pointed toe boxes, as these can compress toes and lead to other foot issues, like bunions.
“When you have a wide foot and don’t accommodate your bony anatomy in a wide shoe, it’s common to end up with foot conditions that are a result of crowding your toes and squeezing your mid-foot area,” says McDowell. “If you jam your foot into a shoe that doesn’t accommodate your anatomy, it’s common to end up with bunions (big toe or pinky toe size), neuromas (nerve irritation from the metatarsals squeezing the nerves) and plantar fascia inflammation from the foot not being able to go through optimal range of motion.”
Upper Materials
Upper materials won’t make or break a shoe’s fit, but it’s important to consider shoe construction and how it might interact with your body. Generally speaking, athletic shoes tend to perform better for wide feet because “they are often more flexible and the uppers are softer which can help to accommodate the increased volume that comes with a wider foot," McDowell explains.
Meanwhile, “if you are taller or heavier, it’s smart to pick a stiffer material in the upper (canvas, leather), so your shoe will last longer if you are putting stronger body weight forces through it.”
Midfoot Support
Wide feet are often accompanied by flat arches or pronation issues, so look for shoes with built-in arch support or orthotic compatibility to prevent unwanted injury. Supporting the middle of your foot is just as important as providing your toes with room to move.
When it comes to sole flexibility, McDowell considers it “paramount for anyone (wide or otherwise) because if the sole is flexible, your foot can move with more natural biomechanics, which allows for a more optimal gait.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted gear team maintains a growing library of gear guides, including a plethora of footwear guides that cover everything from the best trail running shoes to the best barefoot shoes.
- This guide was written by Forbes Vetted’s gear editor, Cam Vigliotta, who spends hundreds of miles and hours testing shoes each year. He holds a degree in kinesiology and understands the pivotal role footwear plays in allowing us to move comfort, in part because he too has flat, wide feet.
- This story was edited by Forbes Vetted managing editor Emmy Favilla, a media veteran with two decades of experience. She has covered e-commerce for the last eight years—including consumer products in the fashion, health and wellness, home and kitchen, and sleep and mattress spaces.
- To learn more about shoes for wide feet, we spoke with l, a physical therapist and the assistant vice president of education at U.S. Physical Therapy.
- We frequently return to this guide to ensure the information we provide is updated, accurate and helpful. This article was last published in October 2025.