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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To never be able to find nice, wide fit trainers?!

81 replies

BagelandEggs · 11/08/2025 12:20

Just ordered some trainers recommended on Mumsnet Swears By which arrived this morning - nice style but so narrow - sending them back! Any recommendations please for trainers which fit wider feet with some support and comfort? Seems an impossible task at the moment! Thanks!

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hooverthefloor · 12/08/2025 11:41

Barefoot shoes. You may find the width restriction on mainstream shoes is mainly the toe box, rather than the body of the shoe, and barefoot shoes have wider toe boxes (varying between brands still, but none of them are pointy like mainstream shoes are).

UnnTheDeepMinded · 12/08/2025 11:35

BurntBroccoli · 12/08/2025 08:03

Do they do arch support?

They do versions for people who pronate and you can always remove the original footbed and add your own orthoses.

Girlintheframe · 12/08/2025 08:08

Is it fashion trainers or for running?

I have wide feet too. I like The North Face wide fit, Nike, Hoka wide fit, converse and if I can’t find anything in those I resort to the same size but in men’s which usually fit

BurntBroccoli · 12/08/2025 08:03

UnnTheDeepMinded · 12/08/2025 00:37

I’d echo recommending Altra. Footshaped toe box so they don’t come to an unnatural point.

I don’t wear anything else now.

Do they do arch support?

BurntBroccoli · 12/08/2025 08:02

Skechers are very wide. Quality has gone downhill a bit though recently and they don’t last long. They are the only trainers I can wear due to my osteoarthritis. Expensive too!

DorothyWainwright · 12/08/2025 08:00

Basically, go to a running shop and try loads on. Shoe shops don't really do decent trainers.

UnnTheDeepMinded · 12/08/2025 00:37

I’d echo recommending Altra. Footshaped toe box so they don’t come to an unnatural point.

I don’t wear anything else now.

TwoBlueFish · 12/08/2025 00:31

New Balance, go into a shop and they’ll scan your feet to find the right style for your feet.

ChildFreeAndOhSoHappy · 12/08/2025 00:12

Have you looked at ON trainers? Not cheap but without a doubt the most comfortable trainers I own. I've bought 3 more pairs, can't wear any other trainers now.

PickAChew · 12/08/2025 00:12

It depends where you need the width. I have a wide forefoot and a narrow heel and find that a lot of styles of Nike and On fit me well. Wide Skechers and hotter just seem to be made for fat feet and don't fit me at all - they just slop about but still squeeze my toes.

As for men's vs women's, I had some Nike dart 10s, about 10 years back, both the same size, one pair from the women's section and one from the men's. They were identical apart from the colour. I haven't bought anything of theirs for a while, but the last time I was in the local store, they had done away with separate men's and women's.

makavelicoffee · 12/08/2025 00:01

Are they for running or for fashion?
fellow wide foot here, and I wear Hoka runners, they do wider fit on some of their range, I recently bought the Bondi 8 which are wide.

Mama2many73 · 11/08/2025 23:55

New balance do different width fittings on many of their trainers. I bought a pair to do Disney and they are light and a great fit!

MrsMariaReynolds · 11/08/2025 23:47

Brooks are my usual go to. I have a pair of Ghosts for running and Adrenalines for my everyday trainer. For a fashion statement, sometimes I wear Vans (but my plantar fasciatis pays for it if I wear them too long.)

Tryingnottobeamouse · 11/08/2025 23:36

I absolutely love my wide fit converse! They only do them in a few colours but they're so comfy and have lasted ages

abricotine · 11/08/2025 23:33

MaybeItsTimeForMeNow · 11/08/2025 22:56

I have a similar issue OP but im struggling way more with slippers. I also have plantar fasciitis.

Birkenstock Zermatt in normal width are great for both!

i have same trainer problem. New balance 327 in the size up fit me well. Some on styles are also ok but not the slip on style.

.

AnotherNewName456 · 11/08/2025 23:20

After a similar thread on here I bought new balance 574s. In most shoes I am an extra wide fitting but wasn’t sure what to get. I have plantar fasciitis and arthritis and am awaiting a steroid injection in my foot so a bit awkward.

I ordered 574s in women’s standard, women’s wide and men’s standard. I tried them all on and actually ended up with the women’s standard as the toe box was nice and wide. For the other sizes they were just too wide on the back of my ankle so kept slipping.

it did cost a fair bit to order three pairs directly from new balance but I sent two pairs back and they refunded quickly.

stayathomer · 11/08/2025 23:16

Brookes are apparently the ultimate for wide feet and they’re the only ones I’ll wear now but so expensive and never on sale!

OnGoldenPond · 11/08/2025 23:15

I take a G fitting and have always found Puma trainers to be a good fit. Also M&S wide fitting are good and they do often have nice stylish trainers.

slidingsideways · 11/08/2025 23:09

Hoardasurass · 11/08/2025 22:48

The problem for those of us with wide feet is that an A or B is often considered standard for women so a wide is often only a B or C and an extra wide will be a C or D which really aren't wide at all.

@BagelandEggs I'm a F width fitting and gave up on trainers as also being a size 3 I'm stuck in kids shoes and trainers and they either dont fit widthwise or their styled for tweens so I feel your pain

I understand the issue, I also have wide feet and sympathise. Some brands are just a complete no. New balance state they have standard (B), wide (D) and extra wide (2E) so think it’s worth a look.

MaybeItsTimeForMeNow · 11/08/2025 22:56

I have a similar issue OP but im struggling way more with slippers. I also have plantar fasciitis.

NewsdeskJC · 11/08/2025 22:55

Id also recommend trying a half or full size up in trainers.

NewsdeskJC · 11/08/2025 22:53

Skechers archfit in wide fitting

Hoardasurass · 11/08/2025 22:48

slidingsideways · 11/08/2025 12:26

Maybe you could give us a bit more steer on what you are looking for? Nice is very subjective as we all have such different style. Agree it can be hard to find something comfortable and stylish!

Have you tried New Balance? On their website you can filter shoes by width and many styles are available in a wide or extra wide fit.

The problem for those of us with wide feet is that an A or B is often considered standard for women so a wide is often only a B or C and an extra wide will be a C or D which really aren't wide at all.

@BagelandEggs I'm a F width fitting and gave up on trainers as also being a size 3 I'm stuck in kids shoes and trainers and they either dont fit widthwise or their styled for tweens so I feel your pain

Bakewellbakewell · 11/08/2025 22:48

Hoka wide fit are amazing. More sporty than fashiony. At least mine are. They’re very comfortable for my wide feet and think I went up by half to a whole size too.