Running Shoes with a Wide Toebox

[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Prior to that, I was a fan of certain NB shoes (all of which are now outdated and no longer made).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.

[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.

[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 ) he brought me a pair of Sauconys to try in addition to another pair of Triax (half a size bigger than my old ones ). 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.

[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. 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.