How to Buy Comfortable Sneakers for Wide Feet

Published: April 23, 2024

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While Highsnobiety's breadth of sneaker coverage is geared towards anyone and everyone, no two feet were created the same. Anyone who keeps up with the latest hyped releases will know that certain sizes tend to sell out faster than others, but we often disregard another key component of sneaker sizing — width. This being the case, we've compiled a selection of all the best shoes for wide feet available right now.

For those going about their days on wider-than-average feet, you'll know all too well the struggle of tightness when you're not rocking the right footwear. Just like how anyone with narrow feet should pay attention to the width of their shoe to make sure they don't come loose, people with wider shapes should be mindful of finding a sneaker that offers more room to breathe, not only to keep blister-causing friction at bay, but to avoid long-term damage to your feet.

Fortunately, brands such as New Balance, HOKA One One, adidas, and more all produce shoes tailored toward wide feet. We'll all be able to readily recite the length of the shoe we need at the store, but do you know which of the nine widths your feet require? From narrowest to widest, width measurements go from AAA (super narrow) through AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, and EEE (very wide).

On the wider end of the spectrum, EE-width sneakers aren't carried for every model, and measure between 3.4 and 5.4 inches across the bottom of the ball of the foot depending on the length of the shoe. As a wider foot generally comes with a wider trunk on top, many EE-sized shoes also come with lightweight soles and extra comfort-enhancing tech, too.

Lucky for those who need them, the chunkier styles of many of the sneakers available in these sizes have also long been having their moment among fashion circles, and recent street style lookbooks show no sign of that trend abating any time soon.

For those looking for a wide fitting shoe who don't want to bother themselves with searching for the correct width classification, further reddit investigation found that shoes with a naturally wider toe-box — such as the Nike SB Dunk Lows or Off-White OOO Sneakers featured in our list — tend to be a safe bet. That means that 2022 is a great year for those with wider feet.

Take a look at our full round-up of shoes for wide feet below, which features everything from orthopedic dadcore vibes available in any width, to slicker silhouettes that'll naturally give you the space you need. And, if you're in the market for basketball shoes or running shoes, be sure to check out our selections too.

Shop the best shoes for wide feet below.

Lanvin Curb Sneakers

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Lanvin's Curb sneakers take after old skating shoes: big tongue, big laces, big everything. That goes for the width, too. This new-season pair comes in a low-key black glitter colorway which might be our favorite yet.

HOKA One One Bondi 8 Sneakers

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HOKA One One has been a revolution in running sneakers. The chunky-soled masterpieces deal in extreme comfort and have made a graceful leap into the world of lifestyle footwear, too. That makes them ideal for those looking for a pair of everyday sneakers for wide feet. The HOKA Bondi 8 is up there with the most popular designs from the brand yet for good reason. Maximum tech equals maximum comfort and it looks great too.

Axel Arigato Dice Lo Sneakers

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Axel Arigato has one of the best collections if you're in the market for versatile luxury kicks. Within the world of luxury sneakers, it can be hard to find good sneakers for wide feet but Axel Arigato solves that with the Dice Lo. With a similar fit to a Dunk, these wide-toe sneakers comfortably fit a wider sole.

New Balance x Stone Island FuelCell RC Elite v2

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Not only is this New Balance's premiere running shoe for road races, which means that optimal comfort is pretty much guaranteed, but its wide fit means that it can accommodate a range of foot shapes. And if you're wondering about the deconstructed upper on this particular pair, that comes courtesy of Stone Island.

Off-White OOO Sneakers

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Designed after basketball and skate silhouettes, the OOO Sneaker has a naturally wide toe box. It makes it a dream for those with wide feet, welcoming them into the world of luxury sneakers which has classically ruled them out.

Balenciaga Track 3 Sneakers

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Balenciaga has been on a mission to provide for the wideboys since it started producing hit luxury kicks. Since the Triple S, Balenciaga has been one of the only houses offering a genuinely comfortable option for people who don't want to wedge their feet into narrow hellholes. The Track Sneakers have arguably been the most successful in this arena.

adidas ULTRA 4DFWD Sneakers

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There's some controversy around the 4DFWD. While some wide-foot shoppers say it's a life-changer thanks to the Primeknit textile upper, others say that you're better off with a wider sole. We're on the life-changer side, by the way.

New Balance 990v5 Sneakers

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New Balance's 990v5 is a certified classic for the wide-feet crew. While they're on the top end of the comfort spectrum for all foot sizes, the hefty sole unit forms the perfect foundation for a wide toebox.

Nike Dunk Low Team Green

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Life with wide feet means that many sneakers are completely off-limits. Luckily, the Nike Dunk is a big yes. Listen to all of those wide-feet sneakerheads rejoicing.

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