Running Shoes with a Wide Toebox

[Ambikes]

I know I've read some discussion about runners with wide toeboxes around here, but I can't figure out where it is now!

Anyway, I've got duck feet with normal heels and wide toes. I'm currently running in Adidas Supernovas (have been for the past 3-4 pairs of shoes), but it seems like the toebox on this shoe is shrinking with every pair.

I'm ramping up my training for my first marathon soon, so I'd like to buy a nice, new pair of shoes.

What shoes are you other ladies with wide toes running with?

[zoom-zoom]

I used to be a die-hard NB gal, D/Wide widths. Unfortunately, when they swapped their SL-1 last for the newer PL-1 last even their wide shoes were sometimes narrower than other manufacturer's mediums.

I wear the Nike Lunarfly+ on the road and Mizuno Wave Ascend for trails. I may go back to NB for trails when they come out with the Minimus, though. I want something more minimal, but with a wide toebox (the Mizuno is an almost perfect fit, but is a bit clunky, I find).

You didn't state what sort of shoe you need, but the Nike Lunarglide tends to have a pretty roomy toebox. It ended up being too much shoe for me, but it really fit nicely. Nike doesn't do widths on a lot of shoes, but their shoes run wider than they did a few years back, from what I have been told.

Saucony also comes in widths with many of their models. Their heels tend to slip on me, otherwise I would probably really like their shoes.

[GLC1968]

There are no traditional running shoes wide enough and short enough for my foot, so I now run in VFF's or Terra Plana shoes.

Prior to that, I was a fan of certain NB shoes (all of which are now outdated and no longer made). I used to be able to wear a 6.5 D...but now even that size is too narrow for me.

Kirsten - I'm really surprized about the Nike Lunarfly shoes! I've NEVER had luck with any of their shoes because they ran so narrow. Interesting to learn that it's changed in recent years (I haven't tried Nike shoes in 7+ years).

[sjane]

I run in Feelmax Osmas, which have a great roomy toebox, but are also very minimal -- which may or may not be what you're looking for.

[7rider]

I don't have much experience with a lot of running shoes, but when I tried on a bunch of recommended shoes at a local running store - the shoe that seemed to me to have the most room in the toes - and the pair I got - were the Asics Gel Evolution 5s. They are maximum support for flat footed over pronators like me.

[pfunk12]

Brooks shoes have a wide toe box.

[OakLeaf]

I have huge duck feet.

Believe it or not I'm in Nike right now. I about fell on the floor when the shoe guy suggested them.

They're the Zoom Triax Structure 13. They come in Wide, and even in the wide width my heels don't slip (with the lace lock (http://www.sueferguson.co.uk/shoe-lacing-for-problem-feet.html) through the second holes the way I always lace my shoes, anyway).

The heel-to-toe drop on these shoes is a lot more than I'd like, but until I find a better pair, the fact that they fit on my feet is worth more than anything. They fit considerably better than anything I've ever worn before.

[zoom-zoom]

Brooks shoes have a wide toe box.

That's definitely not been my experience, but maybe they are just curved enough that they've felt narrow to me. I can't do a curved last at all, much less if it's not a true wide width.

[zoom-zoom]

Kirsten - I'm really surprized about the Nike Lunarfly shoes! I've NEVER had luck with any of their shoes because they ran so narrow. Interesting to learn that it's changed in recent years (I haven't tried Nike shoes in 7+ years).

The Lunarfly is still narrower than the Lunarglide, but I can get by in either. Maybe they just stretch a bit more than other makes. I'm still pretty mad at NB for ever ruining the best shoe ever--the 902. Dear gawd, I loved that shoe. The 903 was a weird fit and the 904 on the new last was a horrible fit for me--to get it wide enough it was 2 sizes too long. I gave up on NB after trying 3 different shoes on the new last and not liking the fit of any of them. Before that I could pretty much buy any NB shoe in an 8D and know it would fit my foot perfectly.

[Ambikes]

Thanks for all the replies so far! I knew there were a bunch of us around here ;)


You didn't state what sort of shoe you need.

I'm looking for a road shoe. I don't need a corrective shoe, but I do still run in a regular cushioned one. I've got a pair of VFFs that I've been doing short trail runs on, but I'm really not ready to do the kind of mileage I need to in a minimalist shoe right now!

I have a relatively high arch too.


Hi! Which Supernova shoe do you wear? (There are a few, Riot, Ride, etc etc)..

From what I can tell, they are an older Sequence 2 model. I bought them this season, but I think that we're little behind the US and Canadian coastal areas here in Saskatoon! I like these shoes, but I could stand a little extra room in the toe box. That problem isn't going to go away with additional miles.

It's nice to get some advice before going to the store. I swear I have to try on every shoe in the store when I need new footwear of any kind.

[jessmarimba]

I'd recommend Asics as well - I can't remember the specific model I used to wear (it isn't made anymore) but that's the only brand of shoe I've ever needed a narrow width in because of how much room they had.

[zoom-zoom]

Speaking of NB-- I just spoke with a rep today. Zoom-Zoom, they are coming out (or maybe just came out with?) a shoe thats neutral and meant to rival the Lunar series in Nike. It might be another option for you to look at! NB is also getting ready to change all the numbers and keep them that way... thank goodness. I can't keep them all straight!

Ooh, nice--when might these be available? I wish they would come out with names of some sort, like everyone else. But if they at least came out with #s and then did something like 902-2, 902-3, etc....at least that would make sense. That recycling once they get through the # series makes things even more confusing.

[pfunk12]

Not really sure about the curved fit. I do know that I need a shoe that fits my narrow foot but has a wide toe box and the Brooks shoes that I've worn have worked well for me. But given that every shoe company sells tons of different shoes (guidance vs. neutral vs. support, etc.), maybe the ones that I wore are wider than their other shoes.


That's definitely not been my experience, but maybe they are just curved enough that they've felt narrow to me. I can't do a curved last at all, much less if it's not a true wide width.

[nscrbug]

Thanks for all the replies so far! I knew there were a bunch of us around here ;)



I'm looking for a road shoe. I don't need a corrective shoe, but I do still run in a regular cushioned one. I've got a pair of VFFs that I've been doing short trail runs on, but I'm really not ready to do the kind of mileage I need to in a minimalist shoe right now!

I have a relatively high arch too.



From what I can tell, they are an older Sequence 2 model. I bought them this season, but I think that we're little behind the US and Canadian coastal areas here in Saskatoon! I like these shoes, but I could stand a little extra room in the toe box. That problem isn't going to go away with additional miles.

It's nice to get some advice before going to the store. I swear I have to try on every shoe in the store when I need new footwear of any kind.

Since you're in a stability shoe right now (the Sequence 2), my suggestion for a wider toe box would be the Nike Structure Triax 13. I was an avid Adidas Supernova Sequence wearer, too...and just like you, I found that the newer models were starting to squish my toes more and more. On the recommendation of my local running store, I tried the Nike Triax and was pleasantly surprised at how roomy they are in the toe box...very squared off at the front of the shoe...unlike many of their other models. I have since moved on to the Nike Free Run+, which is also quite roomy but is considered a minimalist type of shoe...so very little support and cushioning. But I would say try the Triax 13 and see how it feels for you.

[Ambikes]

Syndirelah - Thanks for all the advice. I really wish someone who knows as much as you about shoes worked at my local running store. They are not really known for employing experienced and/or knowledgeable people :(



To the OP- Do you know if you measure wide? (B or D width)?


I wear a B width shoe right now. Some time ago, I had a horrible experience with a NB D width shoe (don't remember which model). I have tried some Ds on since then, but I tend to feel like my heels are slopping around in most of them, so never bought another pair. After reading zoom-zoom's comments, though, I wonder if maybe the last on those NBs was just too flat for me. The problem with those shoes was that everything from the arch back slid around a bit, which led to giant arch blisters 4 miles into a 10 mile race in wet conditions. Not fun.


Since you're in a stability shoe right now (the Sequence 2), my suggestion for a wider toe box would be the Nike Structure Triax 13. I was an avid Adidas Supernova Sequence wearer, too...and just like you, I found that the newer models were starting to squish my toes more and more. On the recommendation of my local running store, I tried the Nike Triax and was pleasantly surprised at how roomy they are in the toe box...very squared off at the front of the shoe...unlike many of their other models. I have since moved on to the Nike Free Run+, which is also quite roomy but is considered a minimalist type of shoe...so very little support and cushioning. But I would say try the Triax 13 and see how it feels for you.

Will do nscrbug. Thanks!

[Dogmama]

I love my Saucony's. They are coming out with a minimalist shoe and have lots of other options. I have duck feet with a narrow heel.

[OakLeaf]

I had to replace my Nike Zoom Triax Structure 13's so I went to the running shoe store.

After showing the guy that yes, my feet really are that big (he said several times he couldn't believe how big they are :rolleyes::p) he brought me a pair of Sauconys to try in addition to another pair of Triax (half a size bigger than my old ones :eek:). I didn't even pay attention to what model Saucony ... but they had a very pointed toe box. They were probably as wide as the Nikes across the metatarsal arch, but they squished my toes all together. No go on those.

I also tried on a pair of Nike Free just for grins. There was a whole lot I liked about the way they felt. They don't come in Wide, so I tried on men's shoes. They had just as much room for my toes as the Triax, and I really liked not having the huge built-up heels. Downside, they were a lot wider in the heels than the Triax - but I don't know whether that's because they were men's shoes, or whether the women's version is made the same way. They also don't lace all that high on the instep and don't have an angled second hole, so I couldn't get as good a heel lock with the laces as I normally do.

Since I obviously was not going to race in the Free's two weeks from now after training in the Triax all summer, I didn't buy them, but they're still in the back of my head.

Just a fit note for you. :)

[zoom-zoom]

I also tried on a pair of Nike Free just for grins. There was a whole lot I liked about the way they felt. They don't come in Wide, so I tried on men's shoes. They had just as much room for my toes as the Triax, and I really liked not having the huge built-up heels. Downside, they were a lot wider in the heels than the Triax - but I don't know whether that's because they were men's shoes, or whether the women's version is made the same way.

I'll bet it's because they are men's. This is why I have never bought men's shoes, even though a men's medium (D-width) would likely fit me well through the toes...that heel thing would be a deal-breaker. Men's heels aren't as narrow as women's. Plus men's shoes often don't come small enough to fit. I typically wear an 8-8.5 in women's running shoes.

[KnottedYet]

I run in Chaco Z1 and Z2 sandals.

Very wide "toe box", no heel-toe drop (I measured it with a caliper, ignore the medial and lateral walls to the heel, it only *looks* higher), good arch support - including a long metatarsal portion, quite breathable, can be resoled and rewebbed, come in regular and wide widths.

[OakLeaf]

Knott - or anyone else who runs in sandals or huaraches - how long did it take you to develop the calluses you need between your toes and across the tops of your feet?

And what do you do for blister prevention on the bottoms of your feet and toes? Will Compeed pads stay on, and/or will they get road grit underneath?

[snapdragen]

I needed a bigger toebox too, my LRS put me in a pair of Nike Zoom Vomero+ 5s. I really like them, but they might be too much shoe for your taste.

One thing you might try is roadrunnersports. com (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/womensshoes/womensrunning/) -- they have a shoe search, it helps you find shoes that might be a good fit for you.

It looks like the NB Minimus is scheduled for March 2011. Even though my "marathon career" is over, I'd be interested in seeing these.

[OakLeaf]

Well, as long as a spammer has revived this thread ... as I posted elsewhere, Altra Intuition has a very square toebox, which is great, although unfortunately for me they're not particularly wide in the forefoot and don't come in widths.

According to the staff at a NB corporate store I visited recently, NB Minimus series uses the same last for women's and men's shoes, which is kind of odd, since they really pioneered women's athletic shoes back in the day. I'm wearing a pair of men's wide NB Minimus cross-trainers in the gym now and the heel slip isn't intolerable, so I'm considering a pair of the road shoes, even though the toe box is pointy and leaves a lot of clown shoe. Next year's model is supposed to have zero heel/toe drop (the current ones have 4 mm).

[GLC1968]

The Altra's weren't wide enough for my toes even though the shape is correct. I suspect if they came in a wide-width, they'd be perfect.

Currently, I'm now happily running in the NB Minimus trail (women's D width) and they are perfect for me, even for road running. I tried on the Minimus road (last years version) over the weekend and found them too cushy and not quite wide enough. Of course, the store didn't carry women's D width, so I was trying on the regular width. I had NO intentions of buying anything from them purely because the sales associate was horribly ill-informed and I didn't want to give them my business for that reason alone. She was rambling off all sorts of misinformation! She insisted that NB didn't make the Minimus in a wide width for women (multiple times) even though I told her that's what I run in. She told me I must be mistaken. Wrong thing to say to a customer - even if I had been wrong (which I wasn't, of course :p).

[OakLeaf]

Anybody run in the Brooks Pure Connect yet? (2 mm drop) I wonder how they fit ...

ETA - but they don't come in wide. Sniff.

[Trek420]

DW is running in these. Somewhat minimalist but very wide toe box. She says they are comfy. I have their hiking shoe and like them a lot. Also have duck toes so can attest they are good:

http://www.lemsshoes.com/womens-primal-2-slate.html

[OakLeaf]

Almost all of my streetwear shoes are Lems! I have four pairs of the Primals and two pairs of the Boulder boots in different colors. :D Also a pair of the Sweet Janes, which I don't like as much (too wide in the instep makes for a weird fit). But, they're too minimal for me to run in. I've bruised my foot more than once through a conventional sole, when one of the bigger rocks escapes the #57 screen, or when the top layer of stone washes away to expose the #4 underneath.

I don't know what I'm going to do when my last pair of Altra Torin 1.5 wears out. The 2.0 are made for someone with much greater foot volume than me, and I can't wear them. I'm trying out a pair of Skora Tempo - there's a lot I like about them, but they don't quite work for the shape of my rearfoot, there are a couple of places where they chafe pretty badly and I don't think I'll ever be able to do more than 6-8 miles at a time in them. For comparison, they're about the same shape and width in the forefoot as the wider Altras (Torin and One). Their more minimal shoe, the Phase, fits me better, but again, too minimal for me for road running.

[Catrin]

I've a wide toe box and a narrow heel. I've found that Brooks Cascadia (trail runners), and Brooks Ghosts (regular runners) work well for me. My hiking boots are Salomon Comet 3D GTX and they are fantastic. I've a lot of foot issues and they make it possible for me to hike without pain.

[Skierchickie2]

Less than 2 weeks ago I tried on both the Brooks Cascadia and the Altra Lone Peak 2.5, among others.

I have a wide forefoot & narrow heel. I also have bunionettes on my right foot. The Cascadia toe box felt pretty narrow to me. Not sure why my experience was different than yours, Catrin - maybe a change with a newer model? The Altras felt WONDERFUL - the toe box was dreamy (no contact anywhere!) they were cushy and slipper-like. But the heel was very wide. I was heartbroken (although the zero drop concept sort of scares me). They let me take them outside and run around. Ran some tight circles in the grass, and felt like my whole foot rolled around inside. Probably not the best, since I was shopping for trail shoes for more rugged terrain. Also, I found that without special fancy lacing, the heel was so loose I could just twist the shoe right off my foot. I think they could be a dream shoe for somebody with a wide foot overall.

Had to give up on the trail shoes - out of everything I could find when we were in Appleton & Oshkosh Wisconsin, nothing worked better for me than my Salomon Speedcross. They fit really nice in the heel, and the toe box is just roomy enough for me (I'd rather it were slightly wider, but it works with minimal blisters)

I did find road shoes that worked. Nike Air Zoom Structure and Brooks Adrenaline. It was a tough decision, but I went with the Nikes (and Nikes generally don't work for me).

It was the next day when I crashed out on my trail run - have been on crutches ever since, so have not actually run in them

[OakLeaf]

FWIW, the One and the Torin are on a last that's wider in the forefoot than Altra's other models.

I've always had to lock-lace my shoes. I don't consider it special or fancy. :) Lots of runners do that. I do have to cushion my flexor tendons with a little foam rubber though, so they don't get irritated by the laces.

I ran my first three or four marathons in the Nike Structure 13. Then they went through a few generations I couldn't wear at all. When they came out with the 17 (not sure what they're up to now), those would go on my feet, and I bought a pair, but the sole was super rigid, the "high heel" irritated my Achilles, and I wound up giving them away with less than 100 miles on them. I ran one in the Brooks Adrenaline in men's EEEE, even though they're heavy as concrete on my feet, because they were the closest to fitting I could find at the time, but my feet were in agony by the finish because they're just too narrow.

The other day I tried on the Hoka One One Bondi in men's wide, and they fit wonderfully. Significantly wider in the forefoot than the Altra Torin 1.5, without being any looser in the heel. Unfortunately (contrary to the reputation) the maximal sole is VERY squishy. They let me run outside in them a little bit, I just went up and down the sidewalk, and I could feel my weak ankle working very hard to stabilize. That is their most maximal shoe, and they have another model that comes in wide, but the store didn't have them in stock in my size, so I might yet try those. I think if the Brooks Adrenaline fit you, you should be good in most Hoka models in Medium width.

I've ordered a pair of the Skora Form (similar to the Tempo, but with a goatskin upper). They're way expensive, but Skora has a reasonably generous return policy, plus they were on sale, and I think the leather might solve some of the issues I have with the Tempos chafing. Then again, the soles on my Tempos are wearing out very, very quickly, and if it's the same sole, I don't know if I can justify a $180 shoe that only lasts 250 miles, unless I can't find anything else that's even close to fitting. :(

I'm intrigued by Carson. They've got foot outlines on their site for sizing, but for the life of me I can't get it to print in actual size. I have a feeling they'll be both too narrow and too minimal for my needs, but I love that they're USA made, so if I can't get the stupid thing to print I'm just going to measure with a ruler for proportions and do the arithmetic by hand. :rolleyes:

I'm down to the last two pairs of Altra Torin 1.5 I stocked up on when they discontinued them - 100+ miles on one pair, just a few on the other. Need to find something else that works, pronto.