Wide Shoes for Women: Sneakers in Wide (D) and Extra Wide (2E)

Women’s wide sneakers are labeled D, and extra wide is 2E, on the width charts of Brooks, ASICS and New Balance. New Balance also lists 4E for women. Altra makes its women’s Lone Peak trail shoe in wide, and Nike sells several running lines and a walking shoe in wide or extra wide.

How to read women’s width labels

The standard women’s width is B. Nike notes that most brands use B as the women’s standard and D as the men’s, which is where the confusion starts: a women’s D is not a regular shoe but the wide version.

Not every site shows the letter. ASICS puts WIDE or EXTRA WIDE in the product name on its US site, and retailer listings of Hoka shoes show women’s Wide as D and X Wide as 2E. The full chart for both genders is in the shoe width chart.

Which makers sell women’s sneakers in wide?

New Balance lists women’s widths from narrow 2A up to 4E, which it labels XX-Wide. That is the widest women’s letter on any chart covered here. See how New Balance sizing works by model.

Brooks sells women’s running shoes in narrow (2A), medium (B), wide (D) and extra wide (2E). Not every model comes in every width, so check the width options on the product page of the shoe you want.

ASICS lists women’s wide as D and extra wide as 2E on its width guide. Wide styles carry WIDE or EXTRA WIDE in the product name.

Hoka sells some models in women’s Wide and X Wide. Retailer listings show these as D and 2E.

Nike says many of its running models, including the Pegasus, Structure and Vomero lines, come in wide or extra wide. Width menus vary by model and size.

Altra builds a roomy toe box into every shoe, and says the base model of its women’s Lone Peak trail family comes in wide sizes.

Topo Athletic makes wide sizes in select models. Its standard women’s shoe is a D in the toe box and a B in the midfoot and heel; its wide women’s shoe is an E in the toe box and a D in the midfoot and heel.

Women's sneakers in wide (D) and extra wide (2E)

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Wide walking sneakers

For everyday walking, comfort across the forefoot matters as much as cushioning. Nike says its Promina walking shoe is available in extra wide sizing. Look for the same D and 2E letters on walking styles, and check the width menu on each product page.

APMA suggests a quick three-step check for any walking shoe:

1. Press on both sides of the heel; it should be stiff and not collapse.
2. Bend the shoe; it should flex at the toes, neither too much nor too stiffly.
3. Twist the shoe; it should not twist in the middle.

AAOS adds that a square or round toe box gives the toes room to lie flat. If your toes feel crowded but the rest fits, read about wide toe box shoes, and if you have bunions, see sneakers for bunions.

Roomy walking sneakers with wide toe boxes

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Should you try men’s sneakers instead?

Sometimes. ASICS notes that women can wear men’s styles to get a wide fit. A men’s standard D is the same letter as a women’s wide, so a men’s shoe can work when a women’s wide is hard to find in your size or color.

Convert the length first. Men’s and women’s sizes are numbered differently, and the men’s to women’s shoe size guide shows how.

Fit checks before you keep a pair

APMA says to measure both feet late in the day and shop for the larger foot, and to bring the socks you plan to wear. It adds that shoes should feel comfortable right away, because breaking them in will not fix a poor fit.

Try them on at home on a clean floor so they can still go back. For more on width and fit, return to the wide feet guide.