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?

This is totally incorrect. Brands may change lasts if a particular region picks up in sales but the shoes are not designed in the far east if you’re talking about an American or European brand. Brooks or New Balance or similar will also bring in additional widths for a new market.

Just go to a running specialist shop and expect that the shoes will be £100-£150.

I've had two pair of Hokas and while they were very comfortable both pair gave me bad calluses on the outside of my big toe. I've never experienced that before in many years of wearing running shoes. I stick to Asics now, and yes, go up half a size.

ASICS do wide fit and are super comfy

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

That's helpful to know - I guess it answers the question are my feet really unusual

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

I'm excited to see Altras because in the pictures they look the right shape - small heel, wide toe, and flat. I like being barefoot.

I'm not a "serious" runner - I used to run purely for fitness, and then only about ten or twelve miles a week, no races or events (other than school sports day). I need running shoes mainly for teaching PE lessons on the field. The Runners Need shops look like they are for people rich enough and committed enough to buy several pairs of £££ shoes.

Doesn't everyone need a pair of running shoes? Shouldn't everyone be running a few miles a week? We can't all buy our trainers from tiny specialists.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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)

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