The best running shoes for beginners with wide feet
The best first running shoes for wide feet under £150: wide fits and roomy toe boxes for new runners.
Quick answer
For new runners with wide feet, our top pick is the Saucony Ride 19: comes in a wide fit and balanced cushioning. The Karhu Ikoni 3.5 and New Balance Ellipse are close behind. Many popular everyday running shoes come in a wide version, so you don't have to compromise on your first pair.
Our picks
- Top match£140
Ride 19
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
Fit True to size, order the wide (2E) version
255g 8mm drop
- Strong alternative£135
Ikoni 3.5
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
Fit True to size, order the wide version
301g 8mm drop
- Also great£130
Ellipse
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
Fit True to size, order the wide (2E) version
273g 8mm drop
Our picks
- Top match£140
Ride 19
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
Fit True to size, order the wide (2E) version
218g 8mm drop
- Strong alternative£135
Ikoni 3.5
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
Fit True to size, order the wide version
242g 8mm drop
- Also great£130
Ellipse
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
Fit True to size, order the wide (2E) version
218g 8mm drop
How they compare
| Shoe | Price | Weight (men's / women's) | Drop | Plate | Wide fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saucony Ride 19 | £140 | 255g / 218g | 8mm | None | Yes |
| Karhu Ikoni 3.5 | £135 | 301g / 242g | 8mm | None | Yes |
| New Balance Ellipse | £130 | 273g / 218g | 8mm | None | Yes |
How to tell if you need a wide fit
If standard shoes press on the sides of your feet, your little toe rubs, or your toes go numb, try a wide fit. Going up a size makes a shoe longer, not wider.
Men's wide is usually labelled 2E (extra wide 4E); women's wide is usually D (extra wide 2E).
Frequently asked questions
Which running brands are best for wide feet?
Brooks, New Balance, ASICS, HOKA, Saucony and On make the most wide fits. Altra gives every shoe a roomy toe box.
Should beginners with wide feet buy wide shoes?
If standard shoes feel tight across the forefoot, yes. A shoe that's comfortable from the first run is the best start.
How we picked
Every shoe we track is scored on cushioning, stability, responsiveness, weight, drop, plate, width options and price. For this guide we ran that scoring for a typical runner with these needs and show the top three. No brand or retailer can pay to appear. How we rank.
Sources
Header photo by Mathias Reding