If the sides of your shoes rub against your big toe or pinky toe, then it may be time to consider shoes with a wide toe box. “This type of shoe is created with a more natural foot shape that widens at the top of the shoe (known as the toe box),” says Dr. Alissa Kuizinas, a board-certified podiatrist in Boston. “This allows space for your toes to splay and spread, so they can bend and flex naturally as you walk.”
Beyond being more comfortable, sneakers with a wide toe box have other benefits. “They allow for better balance and stability, reducing the risk of tripping or falling,” says Dr. Isaac Tabari, a board-certified foot and ankle doctor and NYC Podiatry Center of Excellence owner. To help you find the best sneakers with wide toe boxes, I asked experts what to look for while shopping and got their recommendations for shoes worth considering.
How I picked the best wide toe box shoes
To choose the best wide toe box shoes, I asked experts what to consider while shopping. Here are the key things they said to pay attention to:
- Width: A shoe with a wide toe box and a wide-width toe are different. “A wide shoe will be wider in the heel and midfoot in addition to the toe box, whereas a wide toe box shoe is only wider in the forefoot area,” says Kuizinas. You do not need a wide-width shoe if your entire foot isn’t wider. The shoes we focused on all have wide toe boxes, but many are available in a regular width and a wide width.
- Materials: Whether you are looking for walking sneakers, running sneakers or hiking shoes with a wide toe box, you’ll want them to last as long as possible. So we prioritized shoes made with high-quality materials — like sturdy stoles, reinforced stitching and durable mesh.
- Shoe type: Wide toe box shoes aren’t just good for working out, they are comfortable for casual wear, too. With this in mind, we included a variety of wide toe box shoes suitable for all types of activities.
The best wide toe box shoes of 2025
Every wide toe box shoe on this list was either expert-recommended or highly rated and aligned with our podiatrists’ guidance. All of the shoes below come in styles for both men and women and I’ve included links to both in the description.
Tabari and Kuizinas like the men’s and women’s styles of Altra running shoes for their wider toe box. “They are all designed with a foot-shaped, wide toe box, which is great for people with wide feet,” says Kuizinas. According to Altra, the soles have a rocker shape to help propel you forward as you run and the soles are made with compression foam for comfort. The upper is made with breathable mesh to keep feet cool as you exercise.
“These shoes have a wide toe box with soft, flexible upper materials,” says Kuizinas. “They are flexible in the sole, bend well at the toe joint and offer enough cushioning to be comfortable even on hard surfaces.” The shoe, which is available for both men and women and is ideal for casual wear, has an upper made from breathable mesh, which helps keep your foot cool and the shoe is lightweight and weighs just over 8 ounces, according to the brand.
I've loved Ryka for a long time — it's a fantastic shoe brand that specifically makes shoes for women's feet. The natural, wide shape of the toe box keeps my pinky toes from getting smushed and blistered. These shoes are also great for walking and short distance running. I wouldn't recommend them for a half marathon, but they're fantastic nonetheless.
Kuizinas also recommends this wide toe box shoe for men and women, which can be worn for light strength training or casual, everyday wear. It has a wide toe box and flexible sole that wraps around your foot for a comfortable fit. The tongue is attached so that it won’t fall out of place and the sole is made from cork to keep the overall shoe cool and lightweight, according to the brand.
Hoka is a popular shoe brand amongst runners. The brand is known for its shock-absorbing soles and supportive uppers. I have run multiple half marathons in these shoes and my wide feet are never sore after wearing them — no matter how many miles I’ve logged. Along with an overall roomier fit, the shoe has a wide toe box that allows your toes to spread out as your foot hits the ground. The shoe’s bottom has a slight rocker shape for smoother heel-to-toe transitions, and the upper is made from breathable mesh, according to the brand. This shoe is also available in a version for men.
Though these sneakers are made specifically for women, New Balance also makes a version for men. Along with a wide toe box, they have a suede and mesh upper and a thick rubber sole that provides both traction and cushiony comfort, according to the brand. The shoes come in regular, wide and extra wide, making them a good walking shoe for many different feet.
Keen is one of Tabari’s favorite wide toe box shoe brands. The brand makes hiking shoes, sandals and walking shoes for both men and women. This sneaker falls into that last category. The sole is curved from heel to toe to help propel you forward and the upper is reinforced in high-impact places for maximum durability. The removable footbed offers arch support, according to Keen.
Intended for road running, these men’s sneakers have responsive foam in the sole, a breathable upper and a wide toe box that allows our toes to fully splay as we run. They also have an additional 2 millimeters of cushioning in the sole than previous versions of this sneaker for extra support. The sneakers also have targeted support for those who are light pronators. The shoe is also available in women’s sizing.
Known for their comfortable sandals, all shoes from Birkenstock tend to have a wider overall fit, including a roomy toe box. Along with a wide toe box, these unisex casual sneakers have a contoured footbed made from cork and latex for a cushiony yet supportive feel, according to the brand. The upper is made from leather and the rubber sole has treads for traction on slippery surfaces.
This unisex running shoe has a roomy toe box and is considered a step above a barefoot shoe. Not familiar with barefoot shoes? They have minimal cushioning and restrictions to allow the foot to move freely. While these aren’t quite barefoot running sneakers, Flux says they are good for those who like the idea of that type of shoe but still want a little support and cushioning. They have a knit upper for breathability and a textured insole to reduce impact on your joints, according to Flux. These shoes have a 4.8-star average rating from over 9,000 reviews on Flux’s website.
A true barefoot shoe, this style is available for men and women. The brand is one of the more affordable barefoot shoe brands, and this style has a 4.3-star average rating from over 9,500 reviews on Amazon. The shoe has a zero-drop sole, meaning there is nearly no cushioning, and an adjustable hook-and-loop closure at the instep for a secure fit. The wide toe box is also flexible, allowing your toes to flex and move as your foot hits the ground.
Hey Dude shoes are lightweight and have wide toe boxes. Along with a round, wide toe box these sneakers have a flexible sole to give more freedom of movement, according to the brand. Each shoe weighs less than six ounces and has elastic laces to provide flexibility as you step. This sneaker has a 4.6-star average rating from over 4,750 reviews on Amazon. Though this style is for women, the brand has a similar sneaker for men.
These sneakers are buzzy on social media thanks to the fact that no hands are needed to put them on. The heel is specially designed to bend down as you slip them on and then spring back into place, according to the brand. These unisex sneakers also have a roomy toe box and extra cushioned soles for comfort. They come in seven different colors and go up to a women’s size 16.5 and a men’s size 15.
Dansko is best known for making comfortable clogs ideal for wider feet, but the brand also makes sneakers with more room up front. Along with a wider toe box, this style also has significant arch support and a molded heel cup to keep your foot in place as you walk. The mesh upper is breathable and the sole is lightweight for all-day comfort, according to the brand. These sneakers are available in women’s sizes 5.5 through 12 and have a 4.3-star average from over 2,100 reviews on Amazon
This sneaker from Sketchers has a roomy toe box and comes in regular and wide widths. The insole is made from memory foam and the mesh upper is breathable, according to the brand. The style has decorative laces, but is actually a slip-on. They have a 4.6-star average rating from over 63,500 reviews on Amazon.
At $50, these running shoes are one of the more affordable options on our list. At just over 9 ounces, they are lightweight and the upper is made from breathable mesh to keep your feet cool as you run, according to the brand. They also have a wide toe box and a durable rubber sole. These sneakers have a 4.2-star average rating from over 5,800 reviews on Amazon.
Related
Do you need wide toe box shoes?
“They really are for anyone who is looking for a more comfortable fit,” says Kuizinas. If your toes are constantly pinched, you may notice some not-so-pleasant effects. Compressing your bones together regularly can lead to blisters, corns, calluses, bunions and hammertoes, says Kuizinas.
That said, some people may benefit from this shoe style more than others. “Shoes with a wide toe box allow for better balance and stability, reducing the risk of tripping or falling,” says Tabari. Because of this, they can be a good fit for those who tend to be more clumsy. “They also accommodate orthotic inserts or padding for additional support, which can help prevent injuries such as plantar fasciitis or stress fractures,” adds Tabari.
How do you know if your toe box is wide enough?
A wide toe box shoe should allow you to wiggle your toes without feeling the sides of the shoe, says Kuizinas. In terms of shape, both experts we spoke to recommend looking for a toe box that mimics the natural shape of your toes. In other words, rather than a shoe that comes to a rounded point, you want to look for a rounded square-shaped toe bed.
Are there any activities for which wide toe box shoes are particularly good?
Kuizinas says that those on their feet frequently or for long periods will benefit from a roomier toe box, like medical professionals, people in hospitality and more. They can also be great for travel if you are taking a trip where you know you’ll be walking around more than you usually do.
Wide toe box shoes are also great for working out. When your foot hits the ground with a higher impact — like if you are running or jumping — your toes naturally splay out as they hit the ground. A wide toe box will prevent them from getting cramped when that happens. “Lifters also find wide toe box shoes beneficial so they can power their strength moves from the ground up,” says Kuizinas.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Alissa Kuizinas is a board-certified podiatrist in Boston
- Dr. Isaac Tabari is a board-certified foot and ankle doctor and owner of the NYC Podiatry Center of Excellence
Why trust NBC Select?
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed two podiatrists about wide toe box shoes.
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