Today’s article is for those gals and guys who cannot go to a store and simply find the best running shoes for wide feet.
These running shoes are not always sold in stores and your best option is to buy them online.
Ever since I was little, I can remember my mom holding me by the hand and bringing me into the shoe store passing all those fancy-looking shoes on the rack.
I had to go into the backroom and look at the catalog. I always was the kid who had shoes that nobody had in school.
As I grew up, it was just a pain to find shoes that actually fit my wide feet. Whenever there’s an outlet somewhere and if I find a pair of shoes that fit, I would buy up two pairs if they were available.
Luckily, there are a lot of running shoe stores that sell online and just offer the free-return option. This way, I was able to try on lots of running shoes and I’ve just become a kind of expert on what running shoe companies offer wider versions of their shoes and what models are actually great for wide-footed guys like me.
So, I’ve reviewed 11 great running shoes for wide feet that I hope will make your wide feet once again happy.
Let the scrolling begin …
11 Best Running Shoes For Wide Feet
Brooks Ghost 12
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The Ghost 12 has a lot of comfort right out of the box. If you’re a Brooks Ghost 11 fan, you probably really enjoyed the DNA Loft cushioning in the heel area. It’s one of the best running shoes for wide feet and high arches.
That was a big thing for heel strikers especially. One of the criticisms though of the Ghost 11 was that the cushioning felt so great that people wanted it throughout the shoe.
So, Brooks extended the cushioning and also that BioMogo cushioning as well.
What that does is that it really builds the responsiveness of the run and the comfort.
The other element of the shoe that’s changed from previous models is the 3D Fit Print engineered mesh upper.
This upper is super comfortable, it’s breathable, it really fits around your foot really nicely, and it has a secure feel. It’s also a really flexible feel.
Ghost lovers will also recognize that this shoe has the step-in plushness of other Ghost models. It has a 12-millimeter heel-to-toe drop.
The thing that you’ll really notice is it really does have that out-of-the-box comfort that’s kind of rare in shoes. A lot of people say this shoe fits true to size but for me specifically, I really felt that I could have gone half a size up.
The other thing that I really like performance-wise about this shoe is the cushioning.
The BioMogo DNA cushioning and that DNA Loft cushioning is not so springy and cushy that you feel like your foot is just kind of like gelling into your shoe.
It actually feels responsive and smooth and you can get a little bit of that ground feel with this cushion too. So, it really is just the right amount of cushioning and that’s what a lot of other people are reporting too is they love that element of the Ghost.
The other thing I noticed is upon putting my foot into the shoe it was incredibly plush and comfortable.
The tongue is a very padded cushy tongue and then just the whole heel area is very cushioned as well. The soft mesh upper feels really great.
So the three elements that I like most about the shoe are:
- that element of strong cushioning that isn’t so cushy that it’s mushy.
- the mesh upper is really breathable, really comfortable and provides the right amount of support without being constricting.
- the feel of it on my foot right out of the box is really plush cushy.
The Brooks Ghost 12 is a great cushioned shoe that’s great for people who want to do longer runs but want to feel a little bit of that road feel. It’s also great for shorter runs as well.
The Ghost 12 is a great high-mileage cushioned shoe because it has a combination of Brooks’ traditional BioMogo DNA throughout the forefoot and the super-soft DNA Loft at the heel.
So with Loft at the heel, you get a really soft landing especially if you’re a heel striker and then you have a little bit more responsiveness through the toe-off.
The Brooks Ghost 12 also great for shorter runs and for those who want to have a little bit of that road feel.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19
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The Brooks Adrenaline 19 is a totally different shoe from which you’ve probably been accustomed to with Brooks Adrenaline. Brooks has been making this shoe for a long time.
These are the best running shoes for wide flat feet and Achilles Tendonitis.
When you see a high number, that means it’s been a successful shoe for the Brooks family for a long time. This has been probably like the crown jewel of their stability shoe for quite a long time.
Upper
With a completely seamless upper, this shoe has no irritation anywhere and it’s accommodating for most foot widths.
Despite it not having a lot of structural overlays, the lockdown in the midfoot is great. The GTS 19 keeps your foot from going anywhere while still being roomy in the toes.
With the large holes in the mesh, this shoe allows your feet to breathe very easily. But the downside to that breathability is that when you run through puddles or mud, your socks will be soaked.
Last but not least, the upper makes the GTS 19 great wide toe box running shoes for bunions.
Midsole
So now let’s move to people’s favorite part of this shoe and that is the midsole. The ride of the Adrenaline GTS 19 almost feels identical to the current Brooks Ghost.
It’s really nice to have a stability shoe that doesn’t have that stiff posting that makes the ride uncomfortable.
Speaking of stability …
Shift from stability posting to GuideRails
As technology and science have been evolving, we’re seeing that things that we’ve thought about pronation, stability, and motion control over the years may have been wrong.
That’s why we’re starting to see the market changing a little bit in how they’re doing the shoes.
In fact, by 2020, Brooks is taking away all of their stability posting and things that we’ve been accustomed to in pretty much every running shoe with stability over the years.
The Adrenaline GTS 18 has got a nice posting with some extra density on the inside. So what the GTS 18 and pretty much all the shoes in that stability family are doing is helping that runner who’s flat-footed, who overpronates, who’s rolling on the inside and it’s balancing them out.
Brooks thinks that the idea of pushing your feet out when they’re rolling seems a fantastic plan only when you’re running on like a treadmill or a track.
If you’re thinking about trail shoes, you don’t really see a lot of stability trail shoes because you’re moving around so much. The terrain is uneven and traditional posting systems won’t be able to adapt to those surfaces changing every single stride.
Now Brooks is introducing the new GuideRails which a lot of other shoes are adopting. GuideRails are on the medial and the lateral side. So, if you are going to the outside or if you’re going to the inside or if you’re just in the middle, those GuideRails are only there and they’re only going to activate if you need them.
I have a really good high arch and I tend to go to the outside of my foot.
So for somebody with high arches who tend to go to the outside of their feet, the previous Ghost models were just a terrible option for them.
Before, the Ghost would just push you so far out you could immediately feel it in your hips and knees because it’s pushing you to the outside all the time, which is already what your high arches are actually doing all the time.
Now, having these GuideRails, you could totally run in the shoe. With the GTS 19, if you go to the outside, the GuideRails will be activated and they’ll push you right back into the middle.
So, this new stability technology allows the shoe to be used by neutral runners, overpronators, and supinators because it gently prevents the over-rotation of your shin bone which helps align it with your ankle.
Yes, you heard it right “the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 can be used by neutral runners, overpronators, and supinators”. This is a breakthrough from Brooks.
So the good news is if you’ve never been able to run in the Adrenaline GTS, give it a try because it might feel different than before thanks to this new stability system that is effective and non-intrusive. I’d be very happy if every brand did stability like this.
Weight
For being a solid everyday trainer with good support, the weight on this GTS definitely feels a lot lighter than the Kayano and some other stability shoes. It has a good amount of cushion. It’s not pillowy though, but it also isn’t too little. Responsiveness-wise, the GTS 19 has a little spring in it but nothing like .
Outsole
The rubber covers the majority of the outsole and this helps give it good grip on most conditions. Even with over 100 miles on these shoes, you’d be seeing very little wear on the outsole, which is definitely a plus.
So, whether you’re a neutral runner that wants a little bit of support towards the end of a long run when your form breaks down or you’re an overpronator that needs that support throughout the whole length of the run, the Adrenaline has got you covered.
If you don’t want a shoe with over-the-top maximalist cushioning but you still want a nice plush ride with a little bit of bass to it, this is a good option for you.
Overall, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 is a turning point in running shoes. If you’ve never been a fan of the older models because of that overly stiff medial posting and the dated uppers, the 19th version sets the standard for stability shoes and luckily next year’s Adrenaline 20 won’t make any big changes to this overall design.
Last but not least, the GTS 19 is a great shoe for runners with ball of foot pain (Metatarsalgia).
Saucony Kinvara 10
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Full review of the Saucony Kinvara 11
A lot of runners have been runners in the Kinvara since its original version. This is a favorite of runners seeking that lightweight and versatile daily trainer.
You may say that the Kinvara 10 reminds you a little bit of that original Kinvara and I’d agree. Kinvara 1 and maybe for the Kinvara 11, we could get back to more modern-looking designs.
What runners always liked about the original Kinvara was that simple design. It’s got that thin mesh upper and a sleek and versatile midsole, and of course, you’ve got that exposed outsole design.
With the Kinvara 10, we see a lot of those design philosophies continue to be used. But over the years, this shoe has changed quite a bit. Even compared to version 9, the Kinvara 10 gets a complete overhaul and it kind of has its distinct feel.
New modified midsole design
Once again, that EVERUN logo is plastered on the side. But don’t be confused. Unlike the Freedom ISO that has that full EVERUN midsole, the Kinvara 10 only is going to have an EVERUN top layer. EVERUN is Saucony’s responsive energy-returning foam.
The majority of the cushioning is going to come from that EVA+ compound.
Even though it looks pretty similar to the last couple of versions, the version 10 offers a little bit of a firmer ride. The Kinvara 10 kind of gives that energy back into your step. For some runners, they would have liked it a little bit softer for their daily training.
Outsole
There’s an all-new configuration that continues to offer that exposed midsole design. There’s strategic rubber in the heel and forefoot as well as a new flex groove configuration.
Between the exposed EVA foam and the strategic rubber placement, the Kinvara provides plenty of traction for the road or even getting in some luster and gravel.
Whenever you have that exposed design, it’s going to be a little bit lighter but you’ll have to make some tradeoffs in durability.
I know some people weren’t happy with the Kinvaras 7, 8, 9 saying they just wore off a little prematurely on the outsole, I think the Kinvara 10 is going to hold a little bit better.
As far as flexibility is concerned, even with the updated pattern, it is similar to that couple of versions.
Weight
Again, the outsole has a little bit of rubber on the high-wear spots of the shoe. We can’t complain about the lack of rubber, but when a shoe is this light and it works, we kind of have to give it a pass.
Saucony minimizes rubber on the outsole on purpose because they want to give runners a fast lightweight running shoe. Plus, none of the recent Kinvaras has much rubber anyway and it really didn’t seem to hinder this shoe.
Durability-wise, you might get about 200 miles out of this shoe. However, the Kinvara 10 is light and it has that natural flexible ride.
Upper
You’re going to like the improvements on the upper.
Initially, the heel pods on the inside, the cushioned heel collar, and the padded tongue really give your foot a pretty secure lockdown.
Moving on to the forefoot area, the engineered mesh is really adaptable, really breathable and it’s going to be perfect for your warmer weather runs when you’re starting to heat up.
Part of the reason runners love the upper on the Kinvara is it reminds them of the original Kinvara upper.
The Kinvara 10 has that simple design, but it’s even more breathable and way softer. The upper on the Kinvara 10 no longer has that Prolock lacing system in the midfoot, but it does a great job of maintaining that snug midfoot lockdown.
In the toe box, there’s a little bit more room for splay. Compared to the previous 9 versions of the Kinvara, I’d say this shoe has the most comfortable upper to date.
One last thing about the upper is its structure and stretchiness makes it a great shoe for people with top of foot pain and Extensor Tendonitis.
Fit
Getting a nice fit is simple enough with the Kinvara 10. The upper has no irritation, no hot spots and if you’ve tried the Kinvara 9, the Kinvara 10 may be a tad better in almost every instance.
The Kinvara 10 is known to be one of the most versatile and lightweight running shoes around.
Given how it feels going fast or slow, short or longer runs, the Kinvara goes as fast as you are. It’s a nimble natural-feeling ride.
Saucony Triumph ISO 5
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This is the 5th edition of this very successful shoe from Saucony.
If you ran in the Saucony Triumph ISO 4, you might have been let down quite a lot by a few things; the main things being the fit, the cushioning, and the overall look.
A lot of runners thought that this series may be a lost cause considering how much it has changed in every ISO iteration.
Upper
The upper features an engineered Jacquard mesh, and just off the bat, this looks and feels much more premium than before.
You’ll notice that the upper in the Triumph ISO 5 is very breathable and has holes you can actually see daylight through.
The upper has enough stretch to accommodate your wider feet but still supportive enough to keep your foot in place. Breathability-wise, it’s about average. Your feet will never really get hot but I think the upper in some other Saucony models is a bit better.
The ISOFIT system around the lacing does the job of providing a comfortable wraparound fit without causing pressure. The lacing system adapts to the shape and the movement of your foot as you run.
As far as the overall feel, the heel and the tongue are still very much on the plush side.
In the Triumph ISO 4, the fit was narrow, but with the ISO 5, Saucony must have listened. Saucony has widened up the ISO 5 across the board and your wider feet won’t get cramped and your toes will have enough room to splay.
As far as the overall upper, it has improved just about every way. The ISO 4 felt firm, which in itself is not a bad thing.
Midsole
When comparing the Saucony ISO 5 to shoes like the New Balance 1080, the Brooks Glycerin or the Asics Nimbus, the ISO 5 has to be able to keep up with the cushioning.
So, Saucony added up 2 more millimeters of EVERUN cushioning in the midsole than the previous edition to give the shoe a bit more room for compression.
Did it help?
A little. You won’t feel like you’re running on pillow-soft, but it is definitely softer than the ISO 4.
The ISO 5 still provides a good amount of response and you get a nice sense of feedback through your foot strike. While it is not the softest, it has its benefits depending on the type of run you’re going on.
The Saucony Triumph ISO 5 is by no means a fast day shoe but more so a protective shoe that you can pick up the pace if you want to.
The cushioning is for comfort and speed. So, Saucony’s EVERUN cushioning material is three times as durable and twice as flexible as traditional EVA.
Outsole
It will last you for your long runs and your short runs.
The outsole has got an upgrade with the use of Saucony’s Crystal rubber. This is the same rubber used on the outsole on the Freedom and Liberty ISO series. This is one of the most durable outsoles on the market and runners are glad to see the benefits translate over into the Triumph series.
The traction has improved on wet areas compared to the ISO 4, but the flexibility is just a tad less.
Again, the Triumph ISO 4 was a disaster for many and the ISO 5 is much improved. Saucony is good at listening to their customers. They fixed the fit, they added to the softness and they gave us their premium outsole material.
But the one low key thing that you can appreciate the most is the modern look. The Triumph ISO 4 looked so bad so good job Saucony on the Triumph ISO 5.
Nike Zoom Pegasus 35
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The Nike Pegasus series has been known by Nike fans as one of the greatest all-around shoes. The Pegasus 35 are one of the three best Nike running shoes for wide feet with together with the Nike Air Zoom Structure and the Nike Vomero.
With so many models coming as of late, is the Pegasus still worth getting over any of the new React models?
Upper
The Pegasus 35 comes with a similar setup to last year’s. There’s a FlyMesh upper with the use of the FlyWire lacing system to help with the lockdown of the shoe.
The FlyMesh feels a bit more breathable compared to the Pegasus 34 and maybe even lighter feeling on the foot.
The FlyMesh contains your foot in well and gives you a nice balance of being accommodating and still having some structure.
The upper stays secure and you won’t have to think twice about too much movement even when taking on tight turns.
Upper – Heel cup
Nike has changed up the heel cup a bit. The Pegasus 34’s more rounded off heel cup, but the Pegasus 35’s more angled off cup is just fine.
Because of the way the heel collar curves outward, it prevents any irritation or rubbing from happening.
Upper – Fit
As far as fit, it feels too tight and a bit too snug in the toes at first, but after wearing the shoe for about a day, the FlyMesh upper will start to adapt to your foot.
Overall, the upper is pretty good. It feels more breathable, a bit more streamlined, and after you let it settle in, it feels a pretty solid setup.
Midsole
Nike stays true to the traditional Nike Pegasus setup. The Pegasus 35 features the full-length Zoom technology carried within Cushlon foam.
Zoom is Nike’s answer to a more responsive faster ride. This midsole provides a great snappy feel while still providing impact protection for longer runs.
A few models ago, Nike introduced a dual Zoom unit setup in which there was a Zoom unit in the heel to help with impact protection and one near the midfoot for a springy toe-off.
With the Zoom Pegasus 35, Nike has decided to change things up a bit by implementing one full-length Zoom unit that runs from the heel to the forefoot of the shoe.
The Pegasus 35 feels pretty good. It’s not very different from the Pegasus 34, but it has a little more bounce to it in the midfoot. Actually, it’s not the cushion that feels so much different but more so in the transition the full-length Zoom unit provides.
When running, it offers a responsive ride and it just feels smooth going through your midfoot and into your next ride. With the 35 the ride stays smooth even when picking up the pace.
Although the full-length Zoom unit feels like it’s a subtle change, it’s noticeable and runners appreciate it.
So whether you’re going fast on the track or working on slower runs, the Pegasus 35 feels great.
Outsole
Although the outsole kind of changes up a bit, Nike still uses their pentagon pattern rubber setup with a Crash Rail on the lateral side of the shoe.
The pentagon pattern on the outsole starts off long and narrow and become smaller near the forefoot. The traction is great on all typical surfaces like road, dirt, and grass, but I would still advise to stay off the trail.
The Pegasus 35 looks quite a bit different than the 34, but the shoe is essentially just subtle changes.
The new full-length Zoom unit really gives the shoe more of that sass. It kind of has that aerodynamic, tapered off edges and kind of retains the theme of Nike’s Zoom Fly and VaporFly.
The fit is a bit off at first and Nike is now offering a wider version of the shoe.
Altra Olympus 2.5
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The Altra Olympus 2.5 is a zero-drop trail running shoe designed to provide maximum cushioning for a smooth ride. Its durable Vibram outsole can stand up to the toughest trails. It delivers all of this in a lightweight package that won’t slow you down.
When Altra says maximum cushioning, they’re referring to the 32 millimeters of EVA foam between the outsole and where your foot rests on the inside of the shoe.
That much cushioning and an included stone guard means that you won’t feel sharp rocks underneath your feet.
The Olympus 2.5 is built on a zero-drop platform, which means there is no difference in height between the heel and the forefoot.
This is believed to encourage proper running technique and that is to land on your forefoot rather than striking hard with your heel.
Another Altra feature is the foot-shaped toe box. It’s big and wide and allows your toes to splay naturally.
There’s even a removable 5mm thick insole. It’s breathable and cushioned as well.
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Outsole
The aggressive outsole is a Vibram rubber compound called Mega Grip. This is the stickiest rubber that Vibram makes, which makes the Olympus 2.5 an excellent choice if you’re expecting slick rocks on your run.
If you look at the bottom, it’s easy to see how the shoe is really shaped and contoured to your foot.
The upper is mesh covered in a synthetic skeleton that deflects rocks and dirt that might get kicked up. This skeleton travels all the way around the heel to enhance the structure and durability.
There’s something I really like about the Olympus 2.5 as well is the gaiter trap feature. I usually use lightweight gaiters when I’m either trail running or backpacking.
So that nice little piece of metal at the end of the lacing system can connect the hook on your gaiters.
The rear of the shoe also features another closure point for the gaiters so the back of the gaiter can be attached really easily to what they call the gaiter trap.
The Olympus 2.5 makes for a great ultralight backpacking shoe because of the amount of cushioning that it provides.
After hundreds of miles in the trails, your feet will begin to hate the big heavy boots. A lot of trail lovers replaced their boots with the Altra and they’re glad they did.
Last but not least, the Altra Olympus 2.5 trail running shoes have a zero drop heel-to-toe differential. If you’re not used to that, Altra recommends you start slow and then work your way up to your normal miles.
Mizuno Wave Rider 21
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Firm and reliable cushioning paired with an all-new upper design, the Mizuno Wave Rider 21 is built for your daily training. It’s also a great shoe for Plantar Fasciitis flare-ups.
Offering the same midsole and outsole design as version 20, the Rider 21 continues to deliver a quick and versatile running experience that feels great over any distance.
An identical Cloud Wave plate maintains a snappy ride while a combination of U4ic and U4icX foam creates plenty of shock absorption.
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Upper
For added comfort, the shoe provides an all-new engineered mesh upper that further improves the on-foot experience. It helps eliminate some of the fit issues we’ve seen in recent versions.
The upper is great and super breathable. You’ll really like how wide the forefoot is. It will allow your toes to splay a little bit more than most other daily trainers.
The new engineered mesh upper adapts well to your foot and you won’t have to size up like you would typically have to do in other shoes. With the Rider 21, you could easily transition to the midfoot for a speedy turnover if you really want to pick up the pace.
The updated upper offers a fit closer to those Riders from a couple years ago that runners have really enjoyed.
The shoe offers an 18-millimeter forefoot, a 12-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and weighs in at 10.1 ounces for a men’s size-nine.
The Rider 21 is a great shoe to get the job done. It’s got a nice soft step-in feel, but once you get running, it’s got a real firm and responsive ride. In terms of keeping your cadence fast, this is a great shoe.
If you tend to prefer a softer shoe for most of your daily mileage, this is a little firmer than you would generally go. Also, you will actually like it a little bit more at faster paces.
In terms of the ride, when you’re on those up-tempo runs and you tend to be more on your forefoot, the forefoot of the Rider 21 has a nice amount of flex giving you a really fluid stride.
The Rider 21 has a great ride and a good amount of protection that you would use on your daily training runs or long runs.
Overall, this Mizuno Wave Rider 21 is a great option for the runner who wants to get that little bit firmer cushioning and a faster foot strike.
While a lot of runners haven’t been huge fans of the Rider series over the past couple years, the Rider 21 is a step in the right direction. It offers a nice step-in feel that feels a little softer than you’d expect initially, but once you get going, it has that nice firm responsiveness that you’d be looking for.
You can use the Rider 21 for your daily miles, but you would also have no problem picking up the pace in this shoe. You could even consider using it for a tempo run on days that you might want a little more underfoot cushioning.
If you’re a runner who tends to run in a low drop shoe, then this might not be the shoe for you. If you usually run in an 8 or 10-millimeter drop shoe, the added heel height really shouldn’t be that noticeable.
Overall, the Rider 21 is a step in the right direction for Mizuno and it is a good shoe for the runners seeking a reliable daily trainer with a firmer underfoot feel.
Con
The biggest downside of this shoe is the heel. It feels a little bulky and I would have preferred some more cushioning in there especially during my longer runs.
Hoka One One Bondi 6
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The Bondi 6 is one of Hoka’s first designs and it has the most cushion of any road model as well as the highest stack height. It’s also a great shoe for bad knees.
The 6th edition is maximally cushioned and surprisingly lightweight. It’s great for those full days on your feet covering long distances.
This shoe has a massive 37mm stack height in the heel and then 33 in the forefoot. Subtract both of those and you’ll have a heel-to-toe drop of 4 millimeters.
Although it looks like it is heavy, the size 9 comes in at 10.8oz.
Midsole
The midsole is where the Bondi 6 really shines and it’s what makes it a great shoe for runners with ball of foot pain (Metatarsalgia).
Looking at the midsole, you’ll see the most highly cushioned running shoe that Hoka has to offer. This midsole was modified to create a smoother ride and a more enhanced underfoot feel.
Hoka uses EVA foam but this EVA on the Bondi 6 is allegedly 36% lighter than all other brands across the running spectrum.
When you touch this EVA foam, it feels really nice and soft and springy. It just feels a little bit like the React foam on the Nike Zoom Fly.
Again, it’s soft to the touch, but it feels like it has a lot of bounce to the shoe.
Stack height
Both the men’s and women’s of the Hoka Bondi 6 have a 4-mm offset. The men’s version goes from a 33-millimeter stack height in the heel down to 29-millimeter stack height in the forefoot.
The women’s version goes from a 31-millimeter stack height in the heel down to 27 millimeters in the forefoot.
Meta-rocker design
Before moving up to the upper, Hoka refined the Meta-Rocker geometry in this shoe for an overall smoother ride and plush cushion.
If you’ve ever stepped foot in a Hoka, you’ll notice their shoes sort of propel you forward.
So when your foot lands and goes to toe-off, this Meta-Rocker design is going to help you toe-off with a little bit more ease.
Upper
Hoka utilizes a full engineered lightweight mesh upper that’s more breathable than the previous versions. The updated design has a slightly more accommodating fit. They also fuse on their Hoka logo to reduce weight.
Right behind the logo and going all the way around the lateral and medial side of the shoe, you’ll see that fused piping as well, which helps give the shoe a little bit more structure.
Looking at the toe box and moving all the way up to the ankle collar, you’ll see just how breathable that engineered mesh is.
The ankle collar is nice and plush and on the inside, it feels like it’s made of a Nylon material.
The back has a sturdy internal heel counter to give you that nice one-to-one fit to make sure that your foot doesn’t slip out of the shoe.
The sock liner is actually branded as an Ortholite insole.
Outsole
High-abrasion rubber is strategically placed to make sure that the shoe doesn’t weigh a lot. Where you don’t see rubber, it is actually full-ground contact EVA foam.
Lastly, the heel bevel makes transition smoother as you land and go to toe-off. What they mean by that is when you look at this outsole, there’s all this beveling that goes in and out of the outsole.
So when you land, the foam basically compresses and then as you go to toe-off, it comes back to shape.
The Hoka Bondi 6 is a great option if you’re looking for an ultra-cushioned, super comfortable shoe.
Brooks Addiction 13
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The Addiction is Brooks’ maximum support shoe for anybody who severely overpronates. Brooks integrated all different materials and technology to give you a really soft, springy bouncy energy return with every strike you take.
These are absolutely great running shoes with wide toe box and narrow heel.
Throughout the midsole of the shoe, Brooks uses their DNA for a lightweight, responsive midsole. The BioMogo DNA midsole supplies long-lasting cushioning.
It does have a lot of cushioning down in that foam insole.
Upper
Moving down the upper, you’ll see that they use a lightweight, flexible breathable moisture-managing mesh upper with synthetic overlays and a little bit wider base.
There’s a lace-up closure to provide a secure fit. The Addiction 13 offers a padded tongue and collar for additional comfort around the ankle.
On the inside, there’s a smooth fabric lining for a great next-to-skin feel. It features a removable foam footbed that will provide comfort and support. You can also add your custom orthotics if you like.
Looking at the medial side, you can see where the support system is located throughout the shoe starting at the front of the arch and moving all the way throughout the heel.
This system gives the runner that maximum support that they’re looking for from heel down to to-off.
The back of the shoe has a heel counter that provides extra stability and extra support for the heel as well as locking your foot into place giving you that extra security.
One thing to add here is the cushion around the heel collar and the padded tongue for extra comfort.
There’s a really breathable moisture-wicking interior lining to keep your feet feeling cool with strong overlays on top of that to give you great structural integrity.
Outsole
The bottom features the DNA cushion as well as the Straight Line last for the overpronator.
The back of the shoe has a heel counter that provides extra stability and extra support for the heel as well as locking your foot into place giving you that extra security.
There’s also a crash pad to give you a smoother landing and a super thick rubber outsole to help keep you steady.
Take your running experience to a whole new level with the Brooks Addiction 13.
Adidas Ultra Boost ST
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The Ultra Boost ST actually replaces the Adidas Adistar which some of you might be familiar with.
There are some characteristics that are different from the Ultra Boost ST than the Adistar and the main thing is actually that it is a full-length Boost foam underneath the entire foot.
So where the Adistar used to have a posting towards the rear heel area, the ST actually features Boost the entire way through to give you a really soft smooth transition from rearfoot to forefoot.
You might be asking yourself how without a posting does the Ultra Boost ST get its stability.
First, the two letters ‘ST’ in the name stand for ‘stability’. The Ultra Boost ST is actually the first-ever Boosted shoe that has multi-density Boost within it.
So as opposed to putting like a plastic shank or just a really thick more rigid dense arch support in the shoe, Adidas is actually getting firmer Boost pellets towards that arch area and softer Boost pellets towards the forefoot and the rear foot.
This is meant to give you that stability through the arch for someone that might tend to overpronate or need a little bit more stability.
Upper
One of the big changes that you’ll see from the Adistar into the Ultra Boost is in the upper. Adidas is calling this their seamless Primeknit upper which kind of has this stretchy feel to it but not as stretchy as the Adistar was.
One thing you might notice in the difference between the female version of this shoe and the male version is the cage where you see the patented very iconic three stripes from Adidas.
On the women’s, it’s actually very pliable and very soft while on the men’s side it’s a little bit more rigid. I think this is because men do need a little bit extra stability in general, but I would prefer that Adidas went for that more pliable material on the side to kind of give you that support.
One other thing that is really cool about the ST is the Boost material is actually temperature-resistant. So when it feels like -18°F, the Ultra Boost ST is going to perform just as soft as it would be in a cool calm 70°F spring day.
Another key feature to the Ultra Boost ST from Adidas Adistar is the S-curved Achilles system. Its heel area gets a little bit narrow and it’s almost a kind of tongue looking piece that sticks up to hug the Achilles a little bit more.
The Ultra Boost ST does have an external heel counter on both sides so you can get that kind of harder plastic down towards the base of the heel. This component is a little bit more adaptive and dynamic so when the foot strikes, it’s going to adapt a little bit more towards the motion of your foot.
Outsole
Last but certainly not least, Adidas uses what they call a Stretchweb rubber outsole on the bottom. It’s a little bit different from the Adistar.
However, if you are familiar with the Ultra Boost, which is the neutral version of this shoe, the Ultra Boost ST is a very similar pattern.
Adidas uses Continental rubber much like the rubber that’s on your car tires. The really nice update about the ST in the outsole is that there’s no exposed plastic.
So for those of you who might have been running in the Adistar recall there was a large piece of plastic that would come in contact with the ground directly.
So if you’re running on the roads or trails and you happen to step on a rock or a root and it hits that plastic, you either slip or slide or it just delivers a rough landing. So Adidas corrected that when they came out with the Ultra Boost ST.
Featuring an 8mm drop, the Ultra Boost ST checks in at 11.1oz on the men’s side and 9.8oz on the women’s version.
Mizuno Wave Inspire 15
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This is the 15th generation of the Wave Inspire and if it’s made it this far, it’s gotta be good.
Upper
The Inspire features a redesigned upper which Mizuno calls Dynamotion Fit. This means the shoe is going to mimic your foot’s movement and be comfortable throughout your run.
There’s a mesh in the forefoot and a little bit in the midfoot which makes the shoe really breathable. The rest of the upper is really going to secure your foot in, which gives you a nice secure feel in the shoe.
The front of the toe box has a little bit extra toe protection so your toes are not going to poke through the shoe at all and you get a little extra protection from anything that might be hitting your toes. Also, the upper has durable eyelets.
Midsole
The midsole uses a technology called Smooth Ride. This technology allows for smooth rides throughout the entire gait cycle and regulates the movement of your foot during acceleration and deceleration.
The midsole also features the U4ic and U4ic X midsoles that are layered on top of each other to give you that extra cushioning, extra responsiveness, and even more energy return throughout your run.
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This is really cool and that, of course, combines with the Mizuno Wave Plate technology to give you that extra little spring in your step that you need.
All that cushioning and responsiveness is going to give a nice smooth ride the entire way through.
The Wave Inspire 15 features Mizuno’s Wave Plate technology which allows for smooth transitions from heel to toe, extra impact protection, and stability for overpronation issues.
Outsole
The bottom has a segmented rubber outsole to give you a lot of flexibility even with a stability shoe.
Thanks for making it to the end of this article. These were some of the best running shoes for wide feet. If you swear by any shoes, please let us know down below.
