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“You can never have too many pairs of sneakers,” is a trope that many of us have heard again and again. And any avid sneaker lover knows that certain sizes tend to sell out more quickly than others. But if you have wide feet, you’re probably painfully aware of how difficult it can be to find a comfortable pair of shoes. Shopping for a pair is tedious, because some makers overlook an important issue in sizing—width.
Those who go about their days on wider-than-average feet are familiar with discomfort in the wrong pair of shoes. “You can tell if you have wide feet if when you put on a pair of shoes your feet feel pinched or squeezed,” Dr. Sarah Richards, DPM, tells Byrdie.
Brands like New Balance, Hoka, Asics, and Adidas offer some shoes for wide feet, while others make pairs that simply run wide. If you have wide feet, it’s essential to find shoes that support them, as finding a sneaker that offers more room to breathe not only keeps blister-causing friction at bay but also helps to avoid long-term damage to your feet. We know this, because we’ve scoured the web and chatted with experts like Dr. Richards and Dr. Nelya Lobkova, DPM to compile a list of the best sneakers for wide feet and share everything worth knowing about wide sizing.
Keep reading for the best sneakers for wide feet on the market right now, as well as more detailed advice from the podiatrists on how to tell whether you have wide feet.
Best Overall
New Balance Women's Made in USA 993 Core
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New Balance
New Balance makes the holy grail of chic and comfortable footwear in regular and wide sizing. The 993s, which are made from suede and mesh, are billed to have responsive cushioning and compression at the midsoles and durability from thick outsoles. They come in four widths—narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide.
Colors: Grey | Upper Material: Suede and mesh | Size Range: 5-13 | Width Range: Narrow to extra-wide
Price at time of publish: $200
Best Budget
Sketchers D’Lites Fresh Start
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Sketchers
These popular sneakers will add a cool ‘90s flair without costing too much. Designed with a chunky platform sole, the style is sold in an array of colorways and boasts both a cushy foam insole and a roomy toe box.
Colors: White, Black/White, Grey, Navy/White, +more | Upper Material: Leather | Size Range: 5-12 | Width Range: Medium to wide
Price at time of publish: $65
Best Classic
Adidas Superstar Sneaker
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Nordstrom
You can’t go wrong with a pair of Adidas Superstar sneakers, which have been streetwear staples since their introduction in the late 1960s. The style’s heritage vibe makes it timeless, and since it runs slightly wide, it’s a good choice for those with slightly wider-than-average feet.
Colors: White/White/White, White/Magic Lime/White, White/Pale Nude/Gold, +more | Upper Material: Leather | Size Range: 5-11.5 | Width Range: Medium
Price at time of publish: $95
Best on Amazon
Asics Women's GEL-Kayano 27 Running Shoes
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Amazon
Asics’ GEL-Kayano 27 Running Shoes provide support and stability for standard and wide feet alike, according to several thousands of reviewers on Amazon. These sneakers are engineered to provide tons of cushion while incorporating other patented technology for an easy stride and accounting for issues like feet that roll inward.
Colors: Black/Pure Silver, Black/Black, White/Pure Silver, Digital Aqua/Pure Silver, +more | Upper Material: Mesh | Size Range: 5-13 | Width Range: Standard to wide
Price at time of publish: $160
Best On-Trend
New Balance MADE in USA 990v5 Core
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Zappos
Offered in narrow to extra-wide sizing, the 990v5 has the spirit of a chunky sneaker but doesn’t stand out so much that it distracts from an outfit. Based on the popularity of this mesh and leather sneaker, we’d wager that the “orthopedic chic” trend it encapsulates isn't going anywhere any time soon.
Colors: Black/Silver, Grey/Castlerock, Navy/Silver | Upper Material: Mesh and pigskin leather | Size Range: 5-13 | Width Range: Narrow to extra-wide
Price at time of publish: $185
Best Laceless
Vans Classic Slip-on Checkerboard
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Zappos
These sneakers by Vans are slip-ons, with all of the classic sneaker features except for the laces. Although the style isn’t offered in wide sizing per se, it accommodates wide feet well, according to reviews. “Elastic panels fit my wide feet comfortably,” wrote a Nordstrom reviewer. “I normally take an 8 for shoes I wear with no socks or 8.5 with socks and this shoe is no different.”
Colors: Black/Off White, Rainbow/True White, Gray Dawn/True White, Blushing Bride/Classic White, Pewter/True White, Rose Dawn/True White, +more | Upper Material: Canvas | Size Range: 5-14.5 | Width Range: Medium
Price at time of publish: $65
Best Leather
Superga 2750 Nappaleau Sneaker
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Superga
For a casual leather sneaker, Superga has you covered. The style is made with a cushioned footbed for comfort and a sturdy rubber sole for durability. According to reviews, it runs on the wide side, making them a good choice for those with wide feet.
Colors: Beige, Black, White | Upper Material: Leather | Size Range: 3.5-13 | Width Range: Medium
Price at time of publish: $70
Best Knit
Cariuma IBI Knit Sneaker
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Cariuma
While Cariuma doesn’t offer wide sizing, this is one of a few styles that customers with wider feet have said worked well for them, according to the brand. “Our IBI is made with Bamboo Knit material, and is made to mold to fit your feet, due to its flexibility,” explained Cariuma on Facebook. “This sneaker may be the best fit if you have width concerns.”
Colors: Black, Navy, Sun Yellow, Rose, +more | Upper Material: Knit | Size Range: 5-13 | Width Range: Standard
Price at time of publish: $98
Best Canvas
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low Tops
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Amazon
You can never go wrong with Chuck Taylors, especially the canvas version of them. Given their popularity and timeless appeal (the shoes’ tagline is “any age, any one, any era, anywhere”), it’s no wonder why Converse offers them in standard and wide sizing, as both low tops and high tops, in the brand’s most classic colors.
Colors: Optical White, Red, Black, +more | Upper Material: Canvas | Size Range: 5-20 | Width Range: Standard to wide
Price at time of publish: $60
Best for Athleisure
Vionic Tokyo Sneaker
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Amazon
Vionic’s Tokyo Sneaker offers podiatrist-approved practicality and a sleek aesthetic to give you just the right amount of panache from day-to-day. Support-wise, it has a removable, cushioned insole with arch support and patented orthotic technology.
Colors: Black, Grey, Navy, Cream, White, +more | Upper Material: Mesh | Size Range: 5-12 | Width Range: Medium to wide
Price at time of publish: $130
Best for Outdoors
On Running Cloudflyer Wide
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On
On Running’s Cloudflyer is perfect for long outdoor runs on asphalt and dirt. The sneaker is lightweight yet supportive and specifically made for wider feet—4 millimeters wider than the brand’s medium width around the ball of the foot—which may be why it was among Dr. Lobkova’s top recs to Byrdie.
Colors: Black/White, Glacier/Rose Brown | Upper Material: Mesh | Size Range: 5-11 | Width Range: Standard to wide
Price at time of publish: $160
Best for Hiking
RYKÄ Trailhead Hiking Boot
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Nordstrom
When adventure awaits, you need to be prepared with a lightweight yet sturdy sneaker, like that from RYKÄ. The brand promises the Trailhead Water Repellent Hiking Shoe will keep you snug and supported with patented cushion technology and arch support.
Colors: Snowline Ecru, Black | Upper Material: Mesh | Size Range: 5-11 | Width Range: Medium to wide
Price at time of publish: $145
Best Dad
New Balance Women's 574 Sneaker
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The "Dad" sneaker trend is alluring for its pragmatism, and no style showcases this better than New Balance’s 574. It’s a comfort-first shoe that’s rounded out with a chunky shape and retro detailing.
Colors: Burgundy/Black, Workwear/Henna, +more | Upper Material: Suede and mesh | Size Range: 5.5-15 | Width Range: Standard to wide
Price at time of publish: $85
Best Flatform
Vans Old Skool Sneaker
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Nordstrom
Vans Old Skool Platform Sneakers are the ultimate flatforms, and because of their broad silhouette, they support wide feet well. One reviewer said she had been skeptical about the fit of these sneakers, since she has wide feet, but they ended up fitting perfectly.
Colors: Black/White, Turtledove/True White, Grape Wine, True White, +more | Upper Material: Suede, canvas | Size Range: 5-11 | Width Range: Medium
Price at time of publish: $70
Best for Running
Hoka Clifton 8
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Amazon
Hoka One makes running shoes that deserve some hype. Dr. Lobkova recommends the Clifton 8 style for its structure (it has a rocker bottom sole for even weight transfer) and its cushion (thanks to a plush foam midsole), as it maximizes stability and comfort for medium- and wide-sized feet.
Colors: Blue Fog/Plein Air, Aquarelle/Eggshell Blue, Cantaloupe/Silver Peony, +more | Upper Material: Mesh | Size Range: 5-12 | Width Range: Regular to wide
Price at time of publish: $140
Most Sustainable
Veja Recife Logo Sneakers
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Bloomingdale's
Veja is a champion of sustainable, stylish sneakers. The brand ensures that its production methods positively impact the environment; for example, it procures natural rubber from communities in the Amazon rainforest to support fair trade and organic sourcing. While the brand doesn’t offer wide sizing, this style, in particular, has a wider-than-average shape, according to Zappos customers.
Colors: Almond/White, Extra White/Babe, Extra White/Steel, Matcha/White, Extra White/Black, +more | Upper Material: Leather and suede | Size Range: 4-10 | Width Range: Standard
Price at time of publish: $165
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Sarah Richards, DPM, a foot specialist in New Jersey, working at FootDRx.
- Dr. Nelya Lobkova, DPM, is an ABPM Certified Surgical Podiatrist and founder of Step Up Footcare in NYC.
What to Look for in Sneakers for Wide Feet
Credibility
In looking for a pair of wide sneakers, Dr. Richards says it’s important to go to a trusted running store “where they carry many makes and models of shoes." She recommends trying on many styles and sizes to find a pair that is comfortable and otherwise fits your needs.
Design
It’s also essential to try on a few styles and sizes, as many shoes, even by the same maker, run differently because of their silhouette. “Shoes with a wider or square toe box can also help accommodate a wider foot,” Dr. Richards explains.
Material
The upper material is also important when deciding what sneaker will be comfortable on a wide foot. “A soft and flexible upper material like goat leather or neoprene will conform to many forefoot deformities, like bunions, that contribute to a wide foot,” Dr. Lobkova advises.
Why Trust Byrdie
This shopping guide was written by Byrdie contributor Hayley Prokos. A seasoned commerce writer and keen editor, she’s passionate about sourcing fashionable footwear that’s also practical and comfortable. Her work has appeared in SELF Magazine, Newsweek, and the daily Greek newspaper Ekathimerini. Hayley holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. For this roundup, she spent upwards of 10 hours researching the best wide sneakers on the market.
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