Women with extra wide feet have the hardest finding a comfortable pair of running shoes that doesn’t put too much pressure on their feet and toes. I know this because I get contacted by them daily. After having worked for a specialized women’s shoe store for many years, I now dedicate myself to helping women with “complicated” foot shapes (wide, extra wide, high instep) find the perfect pair of shoes for their feet. This is the reason why I have put together a list of almost every extra wide running shoe for women that I’ve fitted before and that is currently available.
Women with extra wide feet also face one additional challenge which is how their feet swell during a long run. This means that the shoes need to be made of mesh upper material that stretches to adjust comfortably to their feet.
Unfortunately, very few shoe companies care about manufacturing running shoes for women with extra wide feet. Finding the perfect pair of extra wide running shoes for your feet takes more than just choosing a shoe style that is labeled as wide (“W”) or extra wide (“XW”) and hoping that it will accommodate your foot shape. Your running shoes must also be deep to allow your feet to fit comfortably inside of the shoes, and prevent the top part of your foot or toes from rubbing against the front part of the shoes.
Do You Know Whether You Have a High Instep or Not?
It’s important to find out whether you have a high instep or not as women with high insteps tend to feel extra pressure on the top part of their feet which makes their feet and toes go numb. For example, do you usually experience extra pressure on the top part of your feet? Do you notice indentations or red marks? Below you can find how a foot with a high instep looks like:
Here is another image of a woman’s foot with a high instep. Do you notice how there is a lot of extra foot volume that needs to be fitted inside of the shoes?
Stay Away from Nike, Asics, Adidas, and Under Armour!
Even though these are some of the most popular running shoe brands for women, they all tend to manufacture shoes that fit on the narrower side. Some Asics running shoes are available in extra wide widths but even those styles tend to be too narrow for a person with extra wide feet.
What Are My Go-To Shoe Brands for Women with Extra Wide Feet?
My favorite shoe brands for women with extra wide feet are:
- New Balance
- Saucony
- Brooks
Keep in mind that not all shoes made by these 3 shoe brands work well for women with extra wide feet. There are only a few shoe styles among each of these shoe brands that do.
Running Shoes for Extra Wide Feet – Look Out for These 2 Features!
1️⃣ Extra Depth
This feature allows your feet to fit deeply inside your running shoes and prevents the top of your feet (instep) and toes from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
2️⃣ Round Toe-Boxes
Your running shoes must come with a round toe-box to prevent your toes from overlapping and rubbing against each other or the side of the shoes, since this might lead to blisters, calluses, corns, ingrown toenails, and bunions.
Should Your Running Shoes Be Available in Extra Wide Widths?
Yes, that will definitely help accommodate your extra wide feet. You will notice that most of the running shoes that I recommend are available in extra wide widths.
Below you can find a set of guidelines for women’s shoes:
- D: Wide
- 2E: Extra Wide (X-Wide)
- 4E: Extra Extra Wide (XX-Wide)
You will notice that the list I have put together of the best extra wide running shoes for women is New Balance-heavy, as this shoe brand consistently offers the most diverse options in the wide segment. It’s a fact that New Balance tops the list of brands that specialize in wide feet.
The Best Extra Wide Running Shoes for Women
Take a look at the description below each running shoe to find out what additional features the shoe provides. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodate high insteps
- Engineered mesh upper for breathability
- EVA foam insert increases comfort
- AT Tread outsole provides versatile traction during both on and off-road activities
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- CMEVA (Compression Molded EVA) midsole delivers lightweight, durable, responsive cushioning
- Strategic high-abrasion rubber zones to reduce weight
- Soft, stretchable knit fabric uppers with extra foam padding ease pressure on the foot and provide superior comfort and protection for sensitive feet
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- FuelCell foam midsole delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Ground contact IMEVA cushioning provides ample comfort without adding extra weight
- Mesh upper for a lightweight, comfortable fit and feel with an electric print.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits women with medium, wide, and extra wide feet and also accommodates high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Accommodates orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- The updated midsole is now 100% DNA LOFT cushioning paired with the Segmented Crash Pad for an even softer, smoother ride and easier flow from landing to toe-off
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet and also accommodates high insteps
- VERSARUN cushioning absorbs impact and reduces pressure for comfortable strides at every level of walking and running
- Added heel support for a more comfortable, secure hold.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Supportive outsole and firm heel counter provide excellent cushion and support
- Removable foam insole for excellent underfoot comfort and support.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodate high insteps
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Dual-density collar foam that offers support and comfort for your heels and ankles
- Synthetic and mesh upper has stretch for breathability, comfort and a stable fit
- Accommodates orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
Are You Unsure About What Shoe Size Should You Order?
Take a look at the description below each shoe that I recommended to find out what shoe size you should order. However, if you don’t know your exact foot size, you won’t be able to order the correct shoe size online.
Buying shoes online can be a challenge. If you are unsure of your current foot shape or foot length, I suggest that you take a look at a different resource I created where I help women determine their exact foot shape from home:
How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
Are Any Other Running Shoe Choices Available?
Keep in mind that everyone’s feet are different, and what might work well for some women with extra wide feet might not work as well for others.
Do not hesitate to contact me via the comment section below or at my email if you are unsure about which specific running shoe will work best for your extra wide feet:
comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Do you know of a child who likes to run and also has extra wide feet? Take a look at the resource below:
Best Running Shoes for Kids with Extra Wide Feet — Available in Extra Wide Widths (XW)!
Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below. Also, please let me know if you have found a specific shoe brand or style that worked well for your extra wide feet!
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