Trail runners with wide toe box

New Balance not only offer a range of shoe widths – which most shoes companies don't, but they even TELL you what widths they offer for any shoe. (I'm 4E width.)

Cheers

Try to find a store with Altra shoes, they have a unique toe box that may fit well

ASICS are my go-to hiking shoe too, and for the same reason. I've used a couple of model year versions of their "Gel Kahana's", and they've served me very well.

The new La Sportiva Wildcat called the 3.0 have a very wide toe box and the best grip I have ever used in a boot or shoe.

I also like a wide toe box. La Sportive's have been narrow for me in the past but I will check out the new Wildcats. These are the ones I have liked the most:

Inov-8 Roclite 295 (lower drop, roomy toe box)
Saucony Xodus 5 (beefier shoe, grippy)

I've tried most everything as far as brands go. If you really need a wide toe-box without going up in shoe width (ie. New Balance), Altra is your only option. The Vivo Barefoot line is next best, then the New Balance Minimus and/or Merrell Bare lines. Which of those fit best may also vary based on your foot shape. Most of the population is Egyptian in which case any of the above may work well. I have a Roman (square) foot so only Altras truly fit.

I have a Roman foot and some Altras fit and others are still too narrow in the toebox.

The widest toebox shoes I've ever found were:

– Altra Superior 1.5 (not a trail running shoe) Pros: fit is great. Cons: not breathable, too hot for me, only fit well if I take out the insoles.
– New Balance Minimus 607 (not a trail running shoe and the D width was fine.) Pros: fit is great and they were super cheap. Cons: sole has places on the bottom that are exposed foam and I have had thorns go right through those places into my foot.
– Some model of New Balance street running shoe I don't remember that came in a 4E width. Pros: Perfect toebox width. Cons: None. Well maybe that they were kind of high off the ground.

a less than roomy toe box has nixed a couple of dozen different trail runners for me

my go to shoe is the Pearl Izumi N2, great shoe with a ample toebox, I'm on 6th or 7th pair (they usually get retired @ 5-600 miles)

the Altras fit great in the toebox, but prefer a mild drop to a 0 drop

having tried a number of different shoes i've gone with the merrill trail glove. they are my go to non-work shoe. the caveat with the trail glove is you have to be ok with a minimalist zero drop shoe. it does have a rock plate that i've found sufficient. they aren't for everybody and some acclimation may be required.

> If you really need a wide toe-box without going up in shoe width
Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

Cheers

I second the La Sportiva Wildcat 3.0. Not Altra wide, but fit my flipper feet pretty well and pretty grippy.

My complaint is thay are a bit beefier than I like.

I can definitely vouch for the original Wildcat for those with duck feet (wide forefoot, with a narrow to average size heel). I like the width of New Balance, but I tend to get blisters on my heel just by looking at them. Never used to be the case up until a couple years ago. Such a shame. (Anyone want to buy a like-new pair of NB 1210v2 in a 12 4E?)

I've been looking at the Wildcat 3.0 as of late. I know they're supposed to be a little bit wider, but can anyone speak to the overall difference in feel between the original and the 3.0?

I've got pretty broad feet. The best fitting pair I found was the La Sportiva Helios. Feel great! (I'm a tad concerned about the durability of the sole, though, as it seems to be wearing a bit thin in places, and I didn't expect that already from my mileage).

The fit of the new Wildcat 3.0 is totally different from the regular/older wildcats. I have a wide forefoot and pretty narrow heels and ankles. I love the design of the La Sportiva shoes, but just never could get one to fit even close to okay. I have a shoe measurement between 11 and 11.5, so I almost always go with 11.5 with shoes and boots. I tried the Wildcats and Ultra Raptors (love the ultra raptor design the best and really wanted to make them work)in 11.5 and my toes were really tight and rubbed. In 12's, in both of the above I felt like I was wearing "clown shoes" and the forefoot flex was annoying and in the ultra raptors my outside toe still rubbed against the wall excessively. Then, I heard online about the 3.0 and ordered them in 11.5 and 12 and I kept the 11.5. The forefoot room is very roomy for me and I love it. However, the ankle fit is a bit loose for me (shouldn't be a problem for "normal" sized ankles) and they grip my feet better in lightweight Smart Wool socks than in my UL weight PHD Socks. However, as I have broken them in more over a month of use (19 actual trail days), they are gripping my ankle better and better with UL weight socks. However, I would have preferred, that the 3.0's kept the beefier rubber toe guard of the older Wildcats and the current Raptors. I know that I have to be a bit more cautious with foot placement because of the lack of toe guards. One think that amazes me is that the grip blows away the grip of any boot that I've ever worn (EMS brand, Asolo, and Zamberlains)….especially on rock and scree. I hope this helps.

> If you really need a wide toe-box without going up in shoe width
Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

Cheers

Roger- not in the least bit, I have a very normal width foot, but long toes that don't angle down like "normal" toes (my Mum dubbed them Irish toes!)- if I go wide enough to accommodate my toes, the heel and midfoot are sloppy, so what I need are shoes that are sized "normally" with a very roomy toebox

the Helios weren't near enough roomy for me, they went back, as did a pair of Ultra Raptors (and many other shoes!) and these were sized up from my normal size

I am giving La Sportiva one more go- I won a pair of La Sportiva shoes (my choice) at a race last weekend, going to try the Mutants- evidently a wide toe box and this time went a full size up, we'll see

Wow, never knew about all these foot classifications. It looks like i'm some sort of mix between Roman and Greek foot, with a nice buldge on the side right before the pinky toe. I'll definitely check out the wildcat 3.0 and Pearl Izumi N2.

I've never had good luck with any of the NBs i've tried on, they always fit weird and usually felt narrow. Maybe I just wasn't trying on right lasts. I did just get a Merrell bareline, and it fits pretty good. Thanks.

Piper – are you sure you meant the Superior? They're absolutely a trail running shoe. Maybe you confused the name? FWIW though, I do have to size up on the Superior as compared to the Instinct road shoe. I had to size up even further for the Lone Peak and still didn't like them.

Appreciate the info Michael, thanks.

I have a size 17 and these are the best I have found. Before that I was with the NB 587 but they don't fit any longer? IMHO Very few runners have a toe box that compares to the ASICS GT series. I am on my 5th pair
:)

Bringing this one back.  I’ve been trying a lot of the recommended white toe box shoes lately.  The latest ones are the Wildcat 3.0 and Pearl Izumi N2.  I like the Izumi N2 a lot, but found while wearing my wool socks that the mid-section was a tad tight.  It felt like my foot was rolling over the arch.  Same thing w/ the wildcat 3.0.  I ended up sizing up half a size on the wildcat to make it work for a trip and regretted it.  Tore my heal up b/c they we’re just too long.

I’ve been measured professionally before and was assured I was not a wide toe.  I’m thinking it might be due to the socks (Darn Tough 1/4 light cushion) that’s causing my foot to be a tad wide for a typical size D.  Tempted to get down to a running store known for good specialists to help with fitting, but I’m not sure how big their trail running selection is.

Moving forward, I’m wondering if I should try a true wide shoe next (maybe not known for a wide foot box), or If I should ditch the socks and get something more minimal.  Suggestions?

BTW, I do have a Merrell barefoot line shoe and think it fits very well.  Granted, I’m not using the same wool socks with it though.  Not really interested in anything that minimalist for backpacking though.

Best thing is to spend a lot of time trying of shoes. A lot of time.

And take a selection of insoles and shocks of different thicknesses. Don’t be married to any particular socks. They all have to work together for the best fit… socks, insoles, and shoes. Many shoes come with thick insoles these days… i guess it makes them feel comfortable in the fitting and boosts sales. But having a wide toe area I find I need to remove the insoles completely or change to thin ones in order to have enough room form my toes.

I really like the Altra Olympus 2.0… I like the cush and I like the protection from rocks, and I like the Vibrum sole and I like the wide toe box… but the men’s are too wide for me so I order the women’s… to order women’s take men’s size and add 1 1/2… so my 8 in men’s is a good fit at 9 1/2 women’s

billy

And don’t worry about what they measure and tell you should fit.

When fitting boots or shoes fit is king… I’m talking about how they feel on YOUR foot… not how someone else interprets the look of your feet or measurements.

billy

Topo! shoes have a very wide toe box and a fitted heel.

Those TOPOs look nice Justin…

Do they have any ‘cush’ to them or just typical firm trail runners?

(I really like the ‘cush’ of the Olympus 2.0s for my knees)

billy