These Are the Best Sneakers for Wide Feet, According to a Podiatrist

A close-up street style photo of women wearing the best sneakers for wide feet.

(Image credit: @thestylestalkercom)

It’s an age-old tale: You see a pair of shoes you absolutely love and insist on buying them, even though the fit isn’t perfect. You reason to yourself that you’ll be able to wear them in, eventually making them comfortable. Unfortunately, according to podiatrist Scott M. Whitney, DPM, this shoe-shopping philosophy is an absolute no-no, especially when you’ve got wider feet.

"When shopping for shoes, individuals with wide feet should prioritize finding the right pair," Whitney explains. "It's crucial for them to look for shoes with wide widths and large toe boxes to accommodate their feet. Without the proper shoes, people with wide feet, including those with bunions and hammertoes, may experience foot health issues."

Luckily, finding sneakers that comfortably fit a wide foot isn’t that hard. According to Whitney, styles made with flexible materials like mesh or knit tend to accommodate a wide foot better, as the fabrics stretch easily. He also mentions that lace-closure sneakers are the best options because people with wide feet can more accurately fit the sneaker to their size.

Whitney notes that bunions, hammertoes, calluses, corns, pinched nerves, and toenail problems are some long-term effects of wearing footwear that doesn’t fit properly. He also listed New Balance, Asics, and Brooks as three of the most trusted offerings, as these brands allow shoppers to pick their preferred width (e.g., M for medium and W for wide). See and shop our favorite sneakers from each brand—plus a few others—below.

New Balance 2002R Sneakers

Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 Running Sneakers

New Balance 574 Core Sneakers

Brooks Launch 9 Running Sneakers

Brooks Addiction 2 Walking Sneakers

Shop more sneakers for wide feet: 

Vionic Walker Classic Sneakers

On Cloudnova Form Sneakers

Gola Elan Sneakers

APL Techloom Breeze Knit Running Sneakers

Vans Old Skool Sneakers

Adidas Response Cl Sneakers

Veja Campo Leather and Suede Sneakers

Nike Waffle Debut Sneakers

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lift Low Top Sneakers

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Sneakers

Reebok Club C 85 Classic Lace Up Sneakers

Saucony Integrity Walker 3 Sneakers

Vince Suede Warren Sneakers

Vionic Walk Max Water Repellent Sneakers

Vans Classic Slip-On Sneakers

Keds Champion Sneakers

Golden Goose Ball Star Sneakers

Puma Palermo Leather Sneakers

Hoka Bondi 8 Sneakers

Nike Cortez TXT Sneakers

Adidas Superstar Sneakers

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Eva Thomas
Contributor