The Best Shoes For Wide Feet, Based On Expert Advice And Our Review (2024)

Footwear, like fashion, is becoming a lot more size inclusive these days. The best shoes for wide feet provide the right amount of space in the toe box to keep your feet comfortable all day, and the options aren’t limited to one or two styles anymore. After researching and reviewing the top-rated pairs, we selected the Hoka Clifton 9 as the overall best shoes for wide feet, since it’s a versatile pick for serious walking or casual wear. From there, we found specific shoes for different needs, including running sneakers, dress shoes and heels.

A bit about our selection process: We evaluated many contenders for fit, comfort, price and style, removing any shoes that didn’t receive excellent scores (at least four stars) in all categories. We then parsed through the highest-rated shoes from brands that we have personal experience wearing ourselves. We also consulted Dr. Matthew Conti, foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, to discuss the benefits of wearing shoes for wide feet. Ahead, you’ll find all the best shoes for wide feet that passed our review and that we highly recommend.

• Best Shoes For Wide Feet Overall: Hoka Clifton 9
• Best Walking Shoes For Wide Feet: Brooks Glycerin 21
• Best Running Shoes For Wide Feet: New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v14
• Best Wide Toe-Box Shoes: On Cloudpulse
• Best Affordable Shoes For Wide Feet: Under Armour Charged Assert 10
• Best Hokas For Wide Feet: Hoka Bondi 8
• Best Dress Shoes For Wide Feet: Margaux The Heel
• Best Flats For Wide Feet: Birdies The Starling
• Best Heels For Wide Feet: Naturalizer Michelle Pump

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team includes fashion editors, writers and researchers who are always on the hunt for the best products. When it comes to footwear, we’re downright obsessive about picking the most comfortable pairs. We’ve spent countless hours assessing and testing just about every shoe category, from the best travel shoes to the most comfortable heels to the best slippers for sweaty feet. No matter what fashion topic we’re deep diving into, the goal is always the same: to bring you the highest quality and most stylish fashion and accessories at a variety of prices. Online shopping can overwhelming for anyone, and we’re here to help you make smart, informed decisions.

How We Chose The Best Shoes For Wide Feet

Shoes are an everyday essential so it’s important to get the proper fit, support and comfort. To find the best shoes for wide feet specifically, we focused on top-rated brands and styles that the Forbes Vetted has personal experience with, and those that stand out for their size inclusivity, fit features, versatility and overall value. We’ve tested several of the pairs on this list ourselves and also analyzed real customer reviews for additional independent feedback. We also spoke with Dr. Matthew Conti, foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery, to discuss important factors to consider when choosing shoes for wide feet. Finally, our deputy editor, Kari Molvar, who has more than two decades’ of experience in the fashion and lifestyle space, helped us finalize the list of best shoes for wide feet.

What To Consider About Shoes For Wide Feet

• Fit: When it comes to wide sizing, one size does not fit all (literally). While a medium in some brands are roomy enough, you might need a wide or extra wide in other brands. “Overall, think about heel position, arch position and what your forefoot looks like,” says Conti. Look for a toe box with extra room for movement and an upper that doesn’t feel too tight across the top of your foot. Pay attention to brand fit recommendations, user reviews that rate sizing and size charts—which sometimes include helpful instructions for taking actual foot measurements. Margaux, for instance, says The Heel runs a little long and narrow and suggests sizing down in length but going up in width.
• Comfort: If a shoe isn’t comfortable, it can ultimately lead to rubbing, blisters and other foot pain. All of our wide foot shoe picks include cushioned midsoles that absorb impact and pressure, and some, like our favorites from Hoka, have rocker soles designed to promote heel-to-toe comfort with every step you take. “Certain brands will be more comfortable, and finding the right one can be a work in process,” says Conti. “Often if you’re running or traveling your feel swell, so you want a shoe that can accommodate that. A mesh toe box also allows for breathability.”
• Support: We typically recommend supportive footwear at Forbes Vetted. Support is an important factor that shouldn’t be ignored, as it can actually prevent foot pain after your shoes comes off. Since wide feet cover more surface area than narrow feet, you’ll want to be sure you’re giving them the extra support they need. Look for cushioning with responsiveness features to eliminate pain in the arch and heel, and soles that are built to withstand many hours of wear.

How Do I Know I Have Wide Feet?

Foot width can be a tricky thing to navigate, especially if you’ve never had wide feet before. “In general, you know you have wide feet if you start to have pain on the inside or outside of your forefoot while in sneakers,” says Dr. Conti, who points out that people with wide feet usually feel like they can't find a shoe that accommodates their forefoot. “Sometimes, you may feel as if you have to go up a shoe size. Often, you may have a bunion deformity or bunionette, [which is the] widening of outside of the foot.” Pronation plays a role in this too. “People who pronate can have a flatter foot and some foot deformity like a bunion or hammer toes, so they require a wider toe box,” Conti says. Genetics or lifestyle changes—think aging, injuries, weight gain or pregnancy—can also contribute to changes in your foot width. If you’re worried about changes in your feet, see a podiatrist to ensure your feet are healthy.

What Are The Benefits Of Wide Shoes?

Wearing a wider style will give wide feet a little more room to naturally expand, so expect increased stability, comfort and potentially even an improvement in posture since you’re not squeezing into a too-narrow pair. “If too-narrow shoes cause irritation and inflamation it can be challenging,” says Conti. “Wide shoes really just lessen pressure on the foot by decreasing the force on the inside and outside of the forefoot.” If you struggle with plantar fasciitis, flat feet, bunions, hammer toes or other painful conditions, wearing a wider pair of supportive shoes might help. Just make sure they’re not too big; a pair that’s too wide and roomy can also cause rubbing, blisters and pain, and cause you to trip easily. Wide width shoes should fit comfortably and securely.

How Do I Know If A Shoe Is Made For Wide Feet?

Wide shoes usually have a wider toe box; the forefoot width can be up to a quarter-inch wider than a standard, medium width shoe. Most shoe brands will clearly label their sizing as “wide” or “extra wide,” or they might use a letter-based system: A and B widths are generally considered to be narrow to medium, while D and E widths are wider widths, depending on the shoe and brand. Some shoes might technically be sized as a medium width, but are made with a wider toe box—a feature runners and walkers like for increased mobility—and can likely accommodate a wider foot. When in doubt, pay attention to the brand’s sizing, take your foot measurements (we like Nordstrom’s simple how-to guide) and check the store’s return policies. You can often try on at home and exchange for a different width if necessary. It’s not uncommon to have to size up or down depending on the brand and the specific model.

Can The Wrong Shoes Cause Long-Term Foot Problems For People With Wide Feet?

Conti gets asked this question a lot, and the answer is nuanced. “The natural history of a lot of problems in the feet is that they gradually get worse over time,” he says. Almost everyone who has a bunion has a genetic predisposition to it, according to Conti, and if they have that predisposition and are wearing tight-fitting shoes it could exacerbate or accelerate the formation of a bunion. “There’s no study that a shoe or orthotic prevents the disease process, but wearing comfortable shoes could potentially slow down the progression of problems.” What is for certain? “Chronic trauma to the foot can cause long-term pain,” says Conti.

More Footwear Stories To Shop

• Best Shoes For Standing All Day
• Best Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis
• Best Walking Shoes For Women
• Best Walking Shoes For Men
• Best Sneakers For Arch Support