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Shoes for Wide Feet: How to Find Sneakers That Fit

How to find sneakers for wide feet: signs your shoes are too narrow, what B, D, 2E and 4E mean, which makers sell wide widths and how to check the fit.

By Sneakers US editorial teamUpdated 5 min readHow we research

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A man sitting on a couch putting on a pair of sneakers

At a glance

Women's wide
D; extra wide is 2E
Brooks, Asics
Men's wide
2E; extra wide is 4E
Brooks, Asics
Going up a size
Adds length, not forefoot width
Nike
When to shop
Late in the day; feet swell up to 8%
AAOS

From the makers' own size charts and the sources listed at the end of this page.

To find sneakers for wide feet, buy a wide width instead of a bigger size. Women’s wide is usually D and men’s wide is 2E. Extra wide is 2E for women and 4E for men. Measure late in the day, check the toe box shape, and shop makers that sell widths, such as New Balance, Brooks, ASICS and Hoka.

Width is its own measurement, separate from length. A shoe can be the right length and still squeeze the ball of your foot. The fix is a wider version of the shoe, a roomier toe box, or both.

Are your sneakers too narrow?

Nike lists three signs that you may need wide running shoes: pinching across the forefoot, frequent blisters along the sides of your feet, and your foot spilling over the midsole. ASICS adds visible stretching or bulging on the outside of the upper.

Running Warehouse, a running retailer, also names toes that bunch together or overlap in the toe box, and blisters on the outside of the big toe or little toe. If any of these sound familiar, the shoe is too narrow for your foot, whatever the size on the label.

Why a bigger size is not the fix

Going up a size feels like the easy answer, but it changes the wrong measurement. Nike explains that a longer shoe adds length without adding forefoot width, which can still leave your toes cramped.

Tip

If a shoe does not come in wider sizes, AAOS suggests a different brand with a wider toe box instead of a bigger size. The bigger size may feel better across the foot but leave too much room at the toe.

What do the width letters mean?

AAOS notes that the same shoe may come in several widths, marked with letters or the word “wide.” The same letter means a different fit for men and women. Here is each letter in one line, as the New Balance, Brooks and ASICS charts use them:

  • 2A: narrow for women.
  • B: standard for women, narrow for men.
  • D: standard for men, wide for women.
  • 2E: wide for men, extra wide for women.
  • 4E: extra wide for men; New Balance also lists it for women as XX-Wide.
  • 6E: XX-Wide for men, on the New Balance chart.

The full table, with how each maker labels its widths, is in the shoe width chart.

Which makers sell sneakers in wide widths?

Not every brand makes wide versions, and those that do label them in different ways. This table sums up what each maker’s own pages say. Where a maker’s site could not be checked directly, the table uses an authorized retailer’s listing, named in the sources.

Maker Women’s wide options Men’s wide options How the maker labels it
New Balance D, 2E, 4E 2E, 4E, 6E Letter after the size
Brooks D, 2E 2E, 4E Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide
ASICS D, 2E 2E, 4E WIDE or EXTRA WIDE in the product name
Hoka D, 2E on some models 2E, 4E on some models Wide and X Wide
Nike Wide or extra wide on some lines Wide or extra wide on some lines Pegasus, Structure and Vomero running lines; Promina walking shoe in extra wide
Altra Women’s Lone Peak in wide, among others Roomy toe box on every model FootShape fits
Topo Athletic Wide in select models Wide in select models Separate toe box and midfoot letters

Two things stand out. New Balance lists the most widths, up to 6E for men. Altra and Topo build roomier toe boxes into their standard shoes and sell true wide widths only on some models.

Men's sneakers in 2E and 4E widths

Shop men's wide-width sneakers

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Do you need a wider width or a wider toe box?

A wider width and a wider toe box are not the same thing. A wide width adds room across the whole forefoot and often the midfoot. A wide toe box is about the shape of the front of the shoe, where your toes sit.

Altra says it plainly: its FootShape shoes are not “wide” shoes but shoes with a roomy toe box, while wide shoes add room in the midfoot, not necessarily the toe box. AAOS notes that a square or round toe box gives more room and lets the toes lie flat, while a pointed shape may crowd them.

If the ball of your foot spills over the sole, look for a wider width. If your toes feel squeezed but the rest of the shoe fits, a roomier toe box may be enough. Many wide feet need both. Read more in wide toe box shoes.

Bare feet standing on earth with the toes spread naturally
Toes spread wider when you stand, so judge width with your weight on your feet.

Women's sneakers in wide and extra wide widths

Shop women's wide-width sneakers

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How to get the fit right at the store

  • Shop late in the day. AAOS says feet may swell up to 8% during the day, so buy toward the end of it.
  • Measure both feet standing up. APMA says to measure both feet late in the day and shop for the larger foot. AAOS adds that standing spreads the foot.
  • Bring your own socks and insoles. APMA says to bring the socks you will wear and any orthotics, and try them in the shoes.
  • Leave half an inch at the toe. AAOS calls for about 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe.
  • Walk before you buy. APMA says a shoe should feel right in the store; breaking it in will not fix a poor fit.

Measuring at home works too. The foot measuring guide shows how to take length and width.

Guides for wide feet

A men's Brannock foot measuring device on display in a shoe museumShoe width chart
A woman tying the laces of a white running shoe outdoorsWide shoes for women
Legs of a person in running shoes and sportswear standing on a roadWide shoes for men
Chunky white sneakers worn with wide-leg jeans on a paved pathExtra wide shoes
Bare feet standing on earth with the toes spread naturallyWide toe box shoes
A runner walking along an athletics track, seen from behind at shoe levelWide running shoes

Start with the shoe width chart to learn your letter. Then pick the guide that fits your feet:

For brand-specific fit, see how New Balance widths and Hoka sizes work.

Frequently asked questions

What letter is a wide shoe?

It depends on whether the shoe is sized for men or women. On the width charts of Brooks and Asics, women's wide is D and men's wide is 2E. Extra wide is 2E for women and 4E for men.

Should I just buy a half size up if my sneakers feel tight?

Usually not. Nike points out that a longer shoe adds length but not forefoot width, so your toes can still feel cramped. AAOS suggests trying a wider width or a brand with a wider toe box instead.

Is a D width wide?

For women, yes: D is the wide width on the Brooks, Asics and New Balance charts. For men, D is the standard width, and wide starts at 2E.

What time of day should I try on sneakers for wide feet?

Later in the day. AAOS says feet may swell up to 8% during the day, and Nike and APMA both advise shopping or measuring late in the day, when your feet are at their widest.

Filed under Wide feet

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