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

[ThunderFog]

Are my feet normal or AIBU?

I can't find a pair of proper sports trainers to put on my feet. Getting exasperated. I've been into the Sports Direct, Skechers and similar, and into scary running shops where trainers cost £££. I've ordered and returned at least six pairs now, some of which claimed to be "foot-shaped" or "barefoot" (Vivo), and some which claim to be the latest version of shoes I own, but which are different shape side by side.

My feet are 260mm long and 110mm/105mm wide across the toe. My foot has not changed shape: I have various worn-out broken mens size 8 shoes and trainers, and one pair of Clarks men size 8 shoes that I got last year, but for two years now literally zero new trainers in the UK fit my feet. Anything wide enough is an inch too long, and anything the right length I can't put my wide foot into.
How can there be so many vast shoeshops yet all the shoes are basically the same? Why have manufacturers changed the shape of the lasts?

Or are my feet really genuinely unusual and I'm being unreasonable to expect to be able to buy a pair of running shoes?

Try proper running shoes like Hoka. They're expensive but do wide fit.

Have you looked at Altras. They make foot shaped toe boxes and come in a variety of widths.

Also, I don't think you're going to find what you're looking for at ships like Sports Direct - they sell mass market cheap shoes. The brands they sell may make very good running shoes, but they don't necessarily have them on the shelves.

Altra lone peak wide are amazing for the wide foot shaped toe box

Buy a size up on shoes that claim to be wide and use the lacing to prevent movement - works best if there are the extra holes at the very top

if you have a European holiday this year, try there as they use different lasts

Go to a proper running shop instead of a High Street fashion trainer one.

Inov8 are the ones I find best.

Have you spoken to someone in the running shops? To have a look at your feet etc? Your meant to go up a size in running trainers also.

Most trainers were very uncomfortable around the top of my foot until I had someone look at my feet and recommend.
I love my Brooks trainers they’re so comfortable.

Keen are known for making wider shoes.
They have a measuring guide too.
But I agree with pp, would be best to go to a running shop and get some help there.
In case it helps:
Durable Trail Running Shoes – Keen Footwear UK

If you want “natural” toe box as opposed to just a wide fit, then Altra or Topo. Topo are less well known but some running shops have them and can get them online. I find they have a slightly more rigid heel box than altras so good if you have any Achilles niggles.

I have really wide feet, and my DD is even wider footed than me. I'm a 7, she's a 6. We can both wear Nike pegasus, Saucony Jazz, and Salomon GTX trail shoes. I have also had Inov8 trail shoes in the past which were very good. Buy the men's Salomon as the women's version toe box is narrower.

Have a look also at the arch support and check your pronation type. These all make a difference to the fit. Steer well clear of Sports Direct!

I have wide toes too and I wear New Balance (men's mainly as I wear a 8.5 or a 9, plus I prefer the brighter colours vs all the namby-pamby pastels usually lurking in female ranges)

I recommend the Altra. Had a pair a while back although I don't do running! They were fine for MA.

Their measuring guide is really clear.

But apparently their customer service is shocking!

DH has been looking and looking for trainers that fit his feet. Never used to have this problem. Only Hoka seem to have anything suitable.

Agree with PP - try Hoka wide fit

Adding another vote for Hoka wide fit. I also always buy men's trainers as they tend to be slightly wider

New Balance do wide and extra wide. Plus the men's standard is a female wide. So there's quite a lot of width variation. However it's a absolute nightmare trying to try any on. They carry very few in the stores. I went to the Oxford St flagship store. Lovely staff but so little stock. You can ask them to check stock on the website, but stock moves quite fast. And I spent an hour going back and forth with someone who was checking things I didn't want. So very frustrating, but the shoes exist. And will cost you £150.

Thank you so much for quick responses and new ideas.
I haven't asked in the running shops because I feel so intimidated and the prices freak me out.

This is exactly it: shops don't stock shoes - you have to send off and then return them.

@ThunderFog why don't you get a second hand pair on Vinted?

You can then see if you like the fit of them before buying a new pair.

Fitville do wide and extra wide shoes and trainers - have a look on Amazon as well as their website.

Also vote Hoka

Go to a proper indie running shop. They tend to be friendly!

Got properly fitted in Runners Need and ended up with a pair of Brooks Glycerin. I have wide feet and honestly these are the best runners I’ve ever ever had. Not one issue.

incidentally I went in looking for Hokas and they advised against on the basis that they run narrow, even in the wide fitting.

Size up a half size and use a runners loop in the top holes 👍🥊

Hoka wide fit, from a proper running shop.

My best solution is you go, try on the standard. Use that to choose the general style and then order the width. If you can manage it time your visit to when the online people say there's a model you think you want in stock in wide.

But yes, it's hugely frustrating. And when I am paying those prices I kind of expect a decent stock level in store. It's particularly annoying because the shop is a hugh concrete mausoleum; there should be tons of space for stock.

I have given up even trying women's trainers and sandals and buy men's instead. They are usually boring in appearance but at least they are wide enough for me.

I use Mizuno wave riders.

i think its because most trainers are made in the Far East, and the lasts over there will be modelled on Asian feet, which I suspect are slimmer. My feet are more like dinner plates!