Looking to get more comfort and stamina out of your footwear? Wide toe box shoes may be the answer!
In this hand-crafted guide, Lori and I have ranked this year’s six best wide toe box shoes for men and women for maximum comfort. Take a look!
Best Overall
Brooks Ghost 14
$140
Top Pick
ASICS GT-2000 10
$110
Top Pick
New Balance Roav V1
$75
Top Pick
Altra Paradigm 6
$170
Top Pick
Saucony Cohesion 13
$49
Top Pick
Inov-8 Roadclaw
$85
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Choosing the right shoe is vitally important for getting the most out of your time on your feet.
Comfortable footwear can significantly improve your workout. And it can make all the difference when exploring a new travel destination as well.
I suffered from pain and blisters for years while hiking, running, and walking without even knowing that better options were available.
My feet aren’t particularly wide. But I discovered that shoes with extra space in the toebox offer superior comfort and support compared to the standard toe box of my old shoes.
And, wide toe box shoes even fit my feet better all around!
Today, there are so many more options on the market, it’s hard to pick the best one. If you’re struggling to find the right walking or running shoe, our guide is here to help!
Related
Why Wide Toe Box Shoes?
Wide toe box shoes have become increasingly popular in recent years owing to a number of benefits they have over regular [narrow toe box] shoes with regards to foot health and performance.
As the name suggests, the toe box widens at the forefoot, allowing a more ground-gripping surface.
Footwear that is designed with more room around the toes can better accommodate swelling, reduce blisters, and improve pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
Wide toe box shoes also provide a more natural heel-to-toe weight distribution and better support. This prevents painful blisters and contact points that can ruin your workout or day on your feet.
Furthermore, this type of shoe allows for a wide range of motion, making it a great choice for just about anyone.
What are the Best Wide Toe Box Shoes?
Every person who reads this guide is going to have a different idea of what makes for the best wide toe box shoes, because every person’s body, circumstances, and goals are different.
Some runners and walkers prefer a zero-drop sole, while others are looking for a shoe that offers stability and support for over-pronation.
Or, you may spend on all day on your feet and need a comfy shoe that can keep up.
Better yet, you may be planning a big trip and just want a shoe that offers superior comfort for long days on the road.
Lori and I have put together a list of the top six wide toe box shoes that we believe are the best on the market today for comfort and performance.
No matter what you plan to use them for, you’re sure to find the right footwear below!
Here are our top picks for the best wide toe box shoes for comfort and performance.
➊ Brooks Ghost 14
12MM DROP ▪ NEUTRAL ▪ 10.1 OZ.
The Brooks Ghost 14 tops our list of best wide toe box shoes for their exceptional comfort and versatility for whatever your day has in store.
Designed for comfort, first and foremost, the Brooks Ghost 14 also offers strong performance for serious runners.
The shoe’s Segmented Crash Pad adds superior cushion and grip that’s great for pavement and trail running, alike.
The Ghost 14 comes in four widths using Brooks’ 3D Fit Print technology offering a snug, yet breathable fit.
Reasons to Buy (+)
- Great for trail and road running
- Durable, contoured, and breathable design
- Oodles of bright and neutral color options
- Available in various widths (Narrow, Medium, Wide, X-Wide)
Reasons to Pass (-)
- One of the heavier shoes on our list
Shop Men’s & Women’s Brooks Ghost 14 at:
➋ ASICS GT-2000 10
10MM DROP ▪ OVER, NEUTRAL ▪ 8.6 OZ.
The ASICS GT-2000 10 is a lightweight, neutral-cushioned, and versatile shoe, perfect for daily training or a comfortable casual look.
A flexible mesh upper provides increased support and a stylish look, while the shoe’s thick FlyteFoam mid-sole provide stability, impact protection, and energy return.
It also has a wide toe box for comfort and breathability, while still providing the feeling of snug fit.
The GT-2000 10 comes in a range of colors for both men and women.
Reasons to Buy (+)
- Breathable and lightweight
- Excellent stability for overpronators
- Extra cushy for long workouts and all-day use
- Comes in Medium, Wide, and X-Wide
Reasons to Pass (-)
- A bit bulkier looking than some of the shoes on this list
- Less frontal stability than other wide toe box shoes
Shop Men’s & Women’s ASICS GT-2000 10 at:
➌ New Balance Fresh Foam Roav V1
8MM DROP ▪ NEUTRAL ▪ 7.8 OZ.
New Balance shoes have long been a favorite among people with wider feet, not just for their wide toe box, but wider everything!
The Fresh Foam Roav V1, on the other hand, offers a slimmer lightweight design with a large, roomy toe box, making it an excellent bet for high-intensity workouts as well as casual all-day wear.
New Balance’s Fresh Foam midsole gives this shoe a softer feeling, which means less knee and back pain for many runners.
The Fresh Foam Roav V1 comes in dozens of bold and neutral colors for men and women.
Reasons to Buy (+)
- Cushy, springy, and lightweight
- Lots of colors and styles to choose from
- Particularly great for wide feet
- Comes in Medium and Wide
Reasons to Pass (-)
- Medium and narrow feet might not like the larger than average toe box
- Factory sole may be inadequate for some runners
Shop Men’s & Women’s New Balance Roav V1 at:
➍ Altra Paradigm 6
ZERO-DROP ▪ NEUTRAL SUPPORT ▪ 9.2 OZ.
The Paradigm 6 by Altra is a lightweight, responsive zero-drop shoe that offers an excellent combination of comfort and stability.
This shoe has a wide toe box with a mesh liner with perforations. The liner is both breathable and lightweight with a durable moisture-wicking fit.
It also has a plush gel-cushioned foot-bed that allows for a soft, cushioned feel while providing dynamic arch support and stability while you work out.
The Paradigm 6 comes in men’s and women’s styles offering a handful of bright and subdued colors.
Reasons to Buy (+)
- Breathable and lightweight
- Doesn’t feel bulky like some wide toe box running shoes
- Advanced tech like the cushy Altra EGO™ midsole and GUIDERAIL™ system for increased support
Reasons to Pass (-)
- A bit narrower-feeling in the toe box than its predecessors, but still offers more room than most
- Heel strikers may not like the zero-drop aspect of this shoe
Shop Men’s & Women’s Altra Paradigm 6 at:
➎ Saucony Cohesion 13
12MM DROP ▪ NEUTRAL ▪ 7.7 OZ.
The Saucony Cohesion 13 is a great pick if you want something that’s comfy and light on the feet. It might just be the lightest shoe found here on our list.
Saucony also designed these running and walking shoes with performance in mind for a great balance of both function and fit.
The Cohesion 13 is a great general use comfort shoe for a wide range of activities. Shoes come in men’s and women’s styles offering more subdued color styling.
Saucony’s latest iteration of this shoe is the Cohesion 15, but we’re still partial to the 13’s lower counter (back of shoe) and comfy fit.
Reasons to Buy (+)
- Good, all-around shoe for a variety of activities and occasions
- Comfortable, lightweight, and durable
- Excellent value for the low price tag
- Medium & Wide options
Reasons to Pass (-)
- Color choices may be a plus or minus depending on what you’re after
- Narrower toe box than some other shoes on the list
Shop Men’s & Women’s Saucony Cohesion 13 at:
➏ Inov-8 Roadclaw 275 V2
8MM DROP ▪ NEUTRAL ▪ 9.7 OZ.
The Inov-8 Roadclaw 275 V2 is created from ultra-breathable synthetic materials offering a snug fit and great cushioning.
Inov-8 being primarily a trail-running oriented brand has designed this shoe with a dense, sticky rubber outsole with 3.5mm lugs, and a responsive midsole that delivers a low-profile running or hiking shoe.
The toe box on this shoe has a wide and rounded profile that prevents your toes from pushing against the front of the shoe.
Reasons to Buy (+)
- Superior ventilation system
- An excellent value at this price point
- Versatile shoe for trail and road running
- Medium & Wide options
Reasons to Pass (-)
- Not as many style or color options as other shoes on our list
- May not offer the level of durability as other shoes on our list
Shop Men’s & Women’s Inov-8 Roadclaw 275 V2 at:
Wide Toe Box Shoes FAQ
What are wide toe box shoes?
A wide toe box shoe is a shoe with a regular width that splays out around the toes to prevent toe crunch and provide more wiggle room up front. Wide toe box shoes differ from “Wide” shoes where the shoe is designed with additional width the full length of the shoe.
Shoes with a wide toe box are generally designed to provide more comfort and stability to those with average-width feet, whereas a wide shoe is designed primarily for those with wider feet. Learn more in our detailed guide to the best wide toe box shoes for 2023.
Where to buy wide toe box shoes?
These days, wide toe box shoes can be found just about anywhere. Unfortunately, they are rarely marked as such, and it can be difficult to tell regular shoes from wide toe box shoes when shopping online. For this reason, our guide to the best wide toe box shoes is a great place to start your search!
Thanks for reading our top picks for the best wide toe box shoes!
No doubt, wide toe box shoes are a great option for runners with wider feet.
But they are also a superb bet for travelers looking to squeeze more miles out of their walking shoes while helping to prevent aching feet or squished toes.
I’ve used shoes with a wide toe box for just about everything over the years, from marathon training to long work days on my feet, exploring some of the world’s largest cities on foot, and even mountain trekking.
Do you have a favorite that we didn’t feature on our list? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover photo credit: Brian Erickson, Unsplash.
Have waisted hours probably weeks over the years going to different stores looking for a wide tie box shoe and more recently online purchasing and returning a shoe store full of shoes that painfully squeeze my poor feet .Now l have corns on my toes from wearing wrong size that slip and slide just to alleviate the squeeze . 😳🙄woke up this morning and finally dawned on me to google wide toe box. As opposed to wide shoe. I have asked companies for wider toe box and there solutions were wider widths. I have neuropathy and vertigo. Your research has offered shoes that will support both of these conditions. I just want to take long walks again. The podiatrist was not helpful with this. Looking forward to being on my feet again.Grateful for your time,energy,and intelligence. You are improving my mental and physical health. You are an answer to my prayers .😇God bless
Thanks for sharing, Nancy! Really hope they work out for you!