Running shoes no longer made to fit wide toed feet in UK

OP, I have a similar problem but what I learned over the years is that sizing up for me is correct. It is not so much the foot measurement but the heel to ball measurement that is important. This means that the point that bends while you stand on tip toes should be before the shoe narrows. Basically if you will have short toes you will have to get a larger size. I have followed this and gone up half a size but I can’t wear ‘slip ons’.
Google ‘ measuring with a Brannock Device heel to ball’.
I read this post with interest as I am still after reading this look for a pair of wide toed trainers.

You should go a size up in sports trainers anyway. New Balance are wide anyway, and do a wide fit version in several shoes. Hoka and Brookes are pretty wide as standard too.

I buy Lems trainers.
they aren’t cheap but they have space for my toes.
You can get cheap foot shaped ones on amazon if you search for wide toe box

You should for a start be a start wearing a size bigger than your normal shoe size - are you?

Also Nike are absolutely still making shoes for wide feet and if you can’t get a woman’s shoe to fit you go to the men’s section where you won’t have a problem

And yes, check the toe to heel drop on the Altras. Might take a bit of getting used to. Some people slowly up their distance when going into no drop (0 mm toe to heel) to avoid Achilles/calf issues. Running flat as opposed to with an elevated heel means you favour and work different areas more. (Love my Altras; also wear Saucony and Hoka. Narrow ankle, wider forefoot, high arch. Will never put my feet into something that isn’t comfortable)

Once you buy a decent pair of running shoes, there’s no going back (and with good reason). Try on different shoes, different brands. Look for clearance sections or online sales if you’ve figured out what you’re looking for. We are lucky to have a local independent store with friendly staff, no pressure to buy as they’d rather you found something that works for you, and a small sale section (not seasonal, year round so stock changes; some runners go in and that’s where they head first).

Good running shoes are an investment. Go in and get advice, try on different shoes. A running shop will know that runners have different needs and not everyone is a long distance, high mileage every week.

You could keep trying to buy running shoes on the high street but as you have found it’s tricky. Specialist shops have good ranges and then once you know what you want you can order replacements online

I also recommend Topo Athletic, they are foot shaped but not zero drop so suit me better than Altras as I have achilles issues.

Also re running shops and gait analysis, not all of them require appointments nor put on heavy sales tactics, I've used Up & Running in the past and I found them fine.

I have a narrow heel and wide toes. Altras all the way

sportsshoes.com and others often have last seasons model half price.

Doesn't everyone need a pair of running shoes? Shouldn't everyone be running a few miles a week?

Er, no. Running is great for many people sure. But lots of us cannot (e.g. me, aggravates a hip issue, physio advised against it). Others just prefer other forms of exercise.

The prices feel scary when you are used to mass market versions for £60 and so think that's the "right" price. But getting yiur running shies fitting right will save you years of joint pain and the injuries you can get from running in badly fitting shoes are not funny. The extra £££ for good quality is a worthwhile investment so long as they are actually a good fit

I understand your frustration! I've ordered and returned nearly 20 pairs of trainers in the last 12 months.

Its a pita and make sure to buy from the brands websites that have free returns.

I ended up with Brookes this time round.

Last time was Adidas, but a version from three years ago.

Why do they change them every year??
So now I've learnt and if I can, but two pairs. Yes it's expensive but saves me the drama for a couple of years.

Try finding a wide fitting deep toe support shoe. They are practically non existent, and if you do find them they are so squishy they are not great for racing in. I always buy hoka arahi in a men’s wide and I’ve never found any other good ones, although apparently hoka come up narrow. I suppose it depends on the width of the foot and where the widest part is.

My feet are admittedly a little smaller than yours but still bigger than average - have you tried Brooks? I get the Ghost style in a mens wide size but they may not be wide enough for you. However your biggest mistake is going to high street leisure fashion retailers like Sports Direct - you need to go to a soecialist shop like a Runners Need where they have a treadmill to try out potential shoes on, a much wider range of sizes and proper specialist knowledge from the staff. The right pair will be at least £150 though. If that's out of your budget try thefitville.uk/ who specialise for wide feet and go up to a 4E width.

@ThunderFog
Altra Olympus is what you are looking for. They are brilliant

Altras are good for wide feet and usually very comfortable - but check the heel to toe drop as their USP was zero drop. Which can be a bit of a change if you aren't used to them, particularly on your calves. They do some models with a small drop though.

Worth talking to the running shops to get yoiur feet measured and testing models but then looking online for deals.

Sportshoes.com are pretty good for getting cheap deals. Runrepeat.com is good for lots of detailed reviews of all shoe models too and i think they link to the best deals.

Have you tried Northern Runner in Newcastle? They’re very helpful and knowledgeable

I wear a women’s 8 wide but for trainers I buy men’s size 7. Brooks for running.

Saucony have a wide toe box. I have the hurricane but I overprinted. I went up to a 6.5 when I'm usually a 6 in trainers. You need about an inch clearance (I've been told about 1.5 of you thumbs width.

Before that I had different saucony in a 6 but I redid the lacing to make them more comfortable. I think you need a different lace pattern-looser.

I think barefoot shoes might be what you need. They are designed to not squash toes. I know you tried vivos but there are other brands. How about ordering a selection from Happy Little Soles to try on?

I wear Brooks Adrenaline in an extra wide fitting because I have a little toe that needs extra space. They’re brilliant.

Online is the only way. Try sportsshoes.com searching for ‘EE’ or extra wide, men’s. Or wide fitshoes.co.uk. New Balance 880, Brooks, asics ee, hoka wide fit, innov8.

As pp’s have said, Altra have the widest toe box but be careful as they also have quite a low heel drop. Depending on what you are running in now it might be too much of a difference to go straight to the Altra.