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?

First comment nailed it. I wear Hoka’s. If you’re a serious runner you don’t piss about with cheap tat. Sketchers are awful.

Brooks do wide fitting. You can keep and use them for up to 90 days before returning but obviously return once you know they don’t fit etc. Order from their website not a shop. I buy D width but think men’s go up to E width.

This is what I don't get: it's like when DocMarten's went to China. Why didn't they take the lasts? And do other people just pay up for shoes that don't actually fit?

Another vote for Altra ( think mine are experience flow) they have a wide toe box

I have a pair of Altras. They allow the big toe to push off when running.
Sauconys also seem fairly wide.

Sketchers are not at all suitable for running. You really need to spend time going to running shops and try on all the styles I'm afraid. Don't get anything too spongy if it's for inside gym though.

Another vote for looking in the men's section. Especially if you have "square" shaped feet at the toe, rather than "pointy" shaped feet. Most women's shoes seem to be made for pointy feet.

I don't wear secondhand shoes. And I fear Vinted has heaps of stolen stuff.

Did you read my OP?
I haven't bought women's shoes since I was about 11 and was a size 6.

Sorry for sounding grumpy.
Had a look at Altras and they look like my feet, hooray!

Vivos are barefoot shoes for narrow feet. There are a lot of barefoot brands for wider feet (I have narrow feet so don’t have any specific recommendations), but it might be worth researching what barefoot shoes will work for wider feet.

Go to a proper sports shop where they measure your feet and ideally check your gait. DH wears Saucony, expensive but he swears by them.

Currently sat in my car in a pair of Roclite V2' about to go for a long hill session. I know full well that they will destroy my feet like most of the rest of their range which I also own. Their recent standard Trailfly's are good though, just wish they'd do that exact trainer with Roclite tread. They come in wide fit too.

Really must get out my car but really can't be arsed. The car park meter is already ticking FFS.

Ds and I have wide feet. He has had Topo before and currently has NB in their widest fit. Topo fit me well. I've found vivo went downhill, used to fit me well but then I replaced a pair and they seemed narrower.

We go to a very good indie running shop for ds who has dodgy feet. They have a track you can run on properly to test them out. Well worth it.

I have narrow feet and go up a size. Only Hoka are still too small and narrow. Everything else I can wear on standard width

I believe brooks do wide fit

Hoka. Insanely comfortable and come in wide fittings.

Nike Air Pegasus 40.
I normally have to have special bunion shoes and boots but these trainers are very comfy.

Try Topo or Altra - I've got wide feet abd use Topo, half a size bigger than my normal size. Absolutely brilliant running shoes, and I use my older pairs for general use once they're too worn for running.

Look at On and Brooks shoes in a real running shop, not a fashion shop that sells tracksuits and dresses along with pop up tents and oversized mugs.

Try Brooks or Topo. Both really good for wide feet and so very comfortable.

Go to a proper running shop and get fitted properly.

they are not scary at all - the 1 that I use gives you an hour and a half fitting slot which is free if you go on to make a purchase, and will use that time to understand you as a runner and the fit you need as well as your running style etc.

you’ll save money in the end by not buying shoes that don’t fit and cause issues then replacing again and again.

As I have this foot problem, I shall follow your advice!

Agree that if you’re into running you should use a proper independent running shop. They tell you everything you need to know, will analyse your gait & foot shape, and will suggest appropriate running shoes.

I didn’t realise that going to Sports Direct for actual running shoes was a thing… I thought it was mainly for fashion shoes / street wear / gym bunnies.

Saucony are great for my hugely wide fat feet. I had many a pair of Salomon for years (fell / trail / rode varieties) but once I tried Saucony I’d never go back. Blissful!

My foot is 105mm across OP and I find Karhu Mestari 2.0 HIVO v comfortable. They are pricey though.

I too have hobbit like feet and live in crocs and birkies. I have hyper mobile ankles which has exacerbated the width after decades of my feet rolling around as I walk. I have Brooks trainers in a wide fitting and went up half a size and they are good. The podiatrist recommended brooks and saucony to try and also suggested trying mens trainers as they come up wider.

didn’t realise that going to Sports Direct for actual running shoes was a thing

I realise now that my old running shoes came from specialist shops that no longer exist, and that I paid over £100 for each pair years ago. The Reebok shop and a shop inside Cotswold Outdoor in Oxford town centre. Now I would have to pay to make an appointment and drive to a random rural location. I did walk into the glamorous-looking Hoka stocked shop in Headington but they looked at me snootily like what's that old lady in scruffy shoes doing in here, and when I asked if they had anything in my size "if it's not out we don't have it" - the teenagers in my local Sports Direct try to find something and make helpful suggestions. I can get Salomon GTX Trail there, Nike Pegasus, etc. I can click and collect from there too.