The Best Walking Shoes for Wide Feet, According to Podiatrists

If you’re a regular stroller who often feels like your sneaks are fighting against your feet, take it from us: Shopping for the best walking shoes for wide feet now can save you a lot of discomfort (and frustration) later on. “Do not really expect to break in [the width of] a fitness shoe; if it’s uncomfortable and too tight in the store, it will not feel good with exercise,” April Borchardt, DPM, a podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon at Prevea Ashwaubenon Health Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, tells SELF.

Luckily, lots of podiatrist- and SELF editor-approved brands (including Hoka, Brooks, and New Balance) make wider walking shoes that’ll feel comfy right out of the box. Here, we found the best pairs you can try and spoke to experts about the most important features to look for while you browse.

Our top picks

1. Best Overall: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24, $140
2. Runner-Up: Altra Paradigm 7, $170
3. Best Max Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5, $175
4. Best Budget Pick: Ryka Devotion X Max, $120
5. Most Width Options: New Balance 990v6, $200
6. Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Saucony Echelon 10, $150
7. Best for Stability: Asics GT-2000 13, $140
8. Best for Standing All Day: Dr. Scholl’s Feel Good Sneaker, $125

Shop the best walking shoes for wide feet

Dr. Borchardt says there’s no one-size-fits-all shoe for wide feet, so don’t worry if you have to try a few different pairs before you find the right one. Our picks below are a great place to start—they’re highly recommended by the experts we spoke to, SELF staffers, and online reviewers.

Best Overall: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24

Brianna Albers, DPM, a podiatric surgery specialist based in Matthews, North Carolina, likes Brooks sneakers for wide feet, and the Adrenaline GTS is our favorite model. It has a seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), which means podiatrists consider it a good choice for overall foot health.

We’ve previously recommended the Adrenaline GTS for people with flat feet, and many of the features that make it well-suited for low arches make it an exceptional pick for wide feet too. It features Brooks’s internal GuideRails system, two pieces of firm foam on either side of the shoe that are designed to keep your foot in alignment.

“I overpronate when I run, and while I can run in neutral shoes, I do appreciate the extra control, especially when I find myself getting tired,” SELF’s director of fitness and food says, adding that “it’s a solid shoe for easy days and also for walking.”

With its mesh uppers and multiple width options, the Adrenaline GTS is a structured (yet comfy) option for wide feet. Another tester, whose podiatrist recommended she try Adrenalines for her wide feet, says her pair feels “solid and supportive,” but with enough bounce to keep her feet happy all day. Plus, it has a decent heel-to-toe drop, which, as SELF has previously reported, helps better distribute the pressure on your foot (and may help alleviate back pain for some).

Runner-Up: Altra Paradigm 7

Dr. Borchardt recommends Altras, with the caveat that the brand specializes in low- or zero-drop shoes (meaning they have little to no difference in height between their forefoot and heel), which can take some getting used to.

The Paradigm 7 is particularly great for wide feet because its spacious toe box allows your toes to spread comfortably while you walk. “I LOVE the roomy feel around the toes,” one Altra reviewer wrote on the brand’s site. “I wear wide [shoes] and rarely get to experience this nice roomy feel. Most models are simply too tight, unless I size up, and then they are too long. But these shoes are great.”

The pair is also designed to feel plush yet stable, with a well-padded platform and extra structure along the sides of the shoe.

Best Max Cushioning: Hoka Gaviota 5

Both Dr. Albers and Dr. Borchardt recommend Hokas, and the APMA-accepted Gaviota is a standout for its highly supportive, padded design. “I’ve been wearing them for over a year, and have not experienced any changes in fit or rubbing or pinching—they’re always extremely comfortable on my feet,” one SELF tester says.

“I have a Morton’s neuroma in my foot (a bundle of irritated nerves in the ball of the foot between the third and fourth toe), and my podiatrist recommended switching to Hokas to give my toes some more cushioning and space, which can ideally take some pressure off the neuroma. I notice a HUGE difference when I wear these vs other sneakers that are narrower and less plush.”

One thing to note: Some Zappos reviewers found that the wide model of the Gaviota 5 felt too wide, so consider trying it on in person before you buy.

Best Budget: Ryka Devotion X Max

“Trying the Devotion X Max on for the first time was a near religious experience,” SELF’s senior commerce editor, who has wide feet, wrote in her review. “I’ve never, ever slipped my feet into a more comfortable sneaker. “My jaw literally dropped when I first stood up in them!”

She immediately fell in love with this sneaker’s marshmallowy cushioning, shock absorption, and impressively roomy fit. The fact that it also kept her feet cool in the summer heat was a big bonus. Despite all those comfy features, the walking shoe never felt too clunky or heavy, even after putting some serious miles on it around New York City.

Most Width Options: New Balance 990v6

One SELF editor tried the New Balance 990s in a wide size after getting measured in person at a store, and that’s all it took to make them her new go-tos. “They are the comfiest shoe I own (I started reaching for them over my Hokas, honestly),” she says. “They’re super cushy and have a really roomy toe box, and I can see a difference in quality compared to my other New Balances—they’ve all held up well, but my 990s are going on two years and looking really good even though I wear them out and about in NYC all the time.”

The style comes in an impressive number of widths, but if you don’t see the one you want featured at a certain retailer, head over to New Balance’s site, where they’re all reliably available.

Best for Plantar Fasciitis: Saucony Echelon 10

Erik Sims, DPM, managing partner of Sims & Associates Podiatry in New York, previously recommended the Saucony Echelon to SELF, explaining that its thick foam footbed can help alleviate heel and foot pain related to plantar fasciitis. He noted that it’s compatible with most orthotics and fits well through the midfoot, but not to the point that it feels too narrow. Instead, it provides a nice amount of support.

We also like that the Echelon has a seamless mesh upper—Dr. Borchardt explains that shoes with seams around the toes can chafe or create hot spots. Plus, it helps the sneaker feel more flexible and breezy.

Best for Stability: Asics GT-2000 13

This stability sneaker has a sturdy platform that’ll keep your strides smooth and steady. (As SELF has previously reported, a shoe with a larger, wider outsole can provide some extra support and reduce strain on your lower body.) It balances that stabilizing effect with a moderate amount of lightweight padding: The gel in the heel absorbs impact, while foam cushioning throughout the midsole puts a little spring in your step.

According to Dr. Borchardt, most Asics designs feature a wider forefoot and narrow heel—so if you deal with slippage, this is a good brand to consider.

Best for Standing All Day: Dr. Scholl’s Feel Good Sneaker

This 2024 Sneaker Award-–winner kept our tester comfy while working, logging up to 25,000 steps in a day, and standing for hours at a time. “The shoe is lightweight and comfortable—I could easily be up on my feet all day with no pain or discomfort,” they said. “I would recommend these to a health care worker or someone looking for something plain and not too showy to walk in.”

According to the brand, it’s on the roomier side, making it a great pick for people with wide feet. “I’m usually an 8 but ordered them in a 7.5,” one Dr. Scholl’s reviewer wrote. “I also have wide feet but these shoes, although they seem narrow, don’t feel narrow once my feet are in!”

Best Casual Sneaker: Adidas Gazelle

When you just need a cute sneaker to throw on (and trust that it’ll go with anything in your closet), you can’t beat a casual-cool pair of Adidas Gazelles. They come in a ton of sizes and colors, all grounded with a just-vintage-enough gum sole for a little grip.

SELF’s senior commerce editor loves her pair—specifically in men’s sizing—for how well it fits her wide, high-arched feet. “I tried the men’s version and never looked back,” she says. “They have a perfect little pod of support right under my arch that helps me walk longer and farther pain-free.”

Best Work Sneaker: Cole Haan GrandPrø Topspin Triple Strap

A good work sneaker is a bit of a footwear fantasy—it should keep your feet happy all day, but it shouldn’t look out of place with the rest of your office attire. Enter the Sneaker Award–winning Cole Haan GrandPrø Topspin Triple Strap, a polished pair of Velcro shoes that make that dream a reality.

“They’re sleek, modern, and look great on my feet,” our tester said. “I think they’re very classy and perfect for when you want to look more polished (say, for dinner, brunch, etc.).” Another tested loved how they fit—with a quick pull of the Velcro straps, they’re snug where it counts. “I need a wider toe box, but these shoes still fit perfectly,” she said.

Best Sandal: Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed Sandals

Birkenstocks are some of our favorite supportive sandals, and it just so happens that they’re a natural fit for wide feet too. Our senior commerce editor swears by them for staying comfy in warm weather, noting that the more you wear them, the better they feel. Their signature cork insole has a deep heel cup to keep your foot from slipping and breaks in over time to match your foot shape.

The Arizona is the classic option, but if you want to mix things up, our editor also loves Birkenstock’s Milano Big Buckle Sandal: “The footbed is similar to the Arizonas (the OG), but the big buckles and extra backstrap are so cute and functional at the same time,” she says. “As someone with wide feet and high arches, it’s important that my shoes have a little extra room for my feet to swell throughout the day. These are spacious, super breathable, and supportive enough that I can run errands all summer long in them.”

Best Hiking Boot: La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX

La Sportiva’s TX Hike Mid Leather boot won a 2023 SELF Sneaker Award specifically for its wide fit. Our testers noted that it felt true to size, gave their toes room to wiggle, and didn’t feel cramped when paired with a padded hiking sock. And, equally important, it performed well on the trail: “Sometimes hiking shoes can be clunky and clumsy; these are not. They feel so light, the arch support is perfect, and I did not develop any blisters or hot spots,” one tester wrote. “I felt very connected to the terrain and very much in control of every step.”

Best Clog: Rothy’s Casual Clog

“My wide feet got MUCH wider during pregnancy, and Rothy’s Clog was legit the only shoe I could comfortably wear,” SELF’s special project director says (pregnancy can cause some people’s feet to widen, flatten, or increase in size). It doesn’t come in multiple width options, but this cozy clog is on the wider, larger side by design.

Many Rothy’s reviewers with wide feet say they can wear their regular shoe size without complaints, and some note that they still have plenty of room in the Casual Clog even when they’re wearing thick socks. It’s also made of breathable, temperature-regulating Merino wool (no sweaty feet here).

How to tell if you have wide feet

If standard-width shoes feel uncomfortable, meaning they chafe, pinch, or rub against the sides of your foot, that’s a sign that you need wider shoes, Dr. Albers says. She adds that bulging and stretching along the sides of your footwear can also indicate that they’re too narrow for you.

The best way to determine your foot width is to have a professional—like a podiatrist or an employee at a specialty shoe store—measure it for you, Dr. Borchardt says. They’ll be able to tell you if you should look for wide, extra-wide, or xx-wide shoes.

You can also check your foot’s width at home by standing on a ruler or tape measure in bare feet and measuring your foot at its widest point, Dr. Albers says. She recommends referring to that measurement when browsing brands’ sizing guides, to make sure you choose the right width.

How to choose the best walking shoes for wide feet

Knowing your foot’s measurements is a good first step (heh) toward finding a truly comfy pair of walking shoes, but you should also take the following features into account while you shop.

Related:

• 15 Breathable Shoes for People With Sweaty Feet
• The Best Running Shoes for Easy Jogs, Marathons, and Everything In Between
• Our Favorite Workout Shoes for Every Kind of Activity

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