The best wide fit running shoes in the UK
The best running shoes for wide feet available in the UK: true wide fits and shoes with a roomy toe box, for men and women.
Quick answer
For wide feet, our top pick is the Karhu Ikoni 3.5: comes in a wide fit and balanced cushioning. The Topo Athletic Specter 2 and Saucony Ride 19 are close behind. Brooks, New Balance, ASICS, HOKA, Saucony and On make the most wide fits in the UK; Altra and Topo give every shoe a roomy toe box.
Our picks
- Top match£135
Ikoni 3.5
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size, order the wide version
301g 8mm drop
- Strong alternative£160
Specter 2
- Roomy, foot-shaped toe box
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size, roomy toe box as standard
232g 5mm drop
- Also great£140
Ride 19
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size, order the wide (2E) version
255g 8mm drop
Our picks
- Top match£135
Ikoni 3.5
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size, order the wide version
242g 8mm drop
- Strong alternative£160
Specter 2
- Roomy, foot-shaped toe box
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
Fit True to size, roomy toe box as standard
195g 5mm drop
- Also great£140
Ride 19
- Comes in a wide fit
- Balanced cushioning
- Built for road miles
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karhu Ikoni 3.5 | £135 | 301g / 242g | 8mm | None | Yes |
| Topo Athletic Specter 2 | £160 | 232g / 195g | 5mm | None | Roomy toe box |
| Saucony Ride 19 | £140 | 255g / 218g | 8mm | None | Yes |
Wide fit or roomy toe box?
A wide fit is a separate version of the shoe, cut wider through the whole foot. Men's wide is usually labelled 2E (extra wide 4E); women's wide is usually D (extra wide 2E).
A roomy toe box means the standard shoe is shaped to give your toes space. Altra and Topo build every shoe this way. It helps if your forefoot is wide but your heel is normal.
Signs your running shoes are too narrow
Numb or tingling toes, blisters on the sides of your feet, and your little toe pushing against the upper are all signs. Going up a size makes the shoe longer, not wider, so try a wide fit instead.
Frequently asked questions
Which running brands do wide fits in the UK?
Brooks, New Balance, ASICS, HOKA, Saucony and On offer the most wide fits on their UK sites. Altra and Topo make shoes with a roomy toe box as standard.
Should I size up if running shoes feel tight?
Only if they're short. Sizing up adds length, not width, and a shoe that's too long can cause blisters and trips. If the width is the problem, try a wide fit.
What does 2E mean in running shoes?
2E is a wide fit. In men's shoes it's the usual wide size and 4E is extra wide. In women's shoes, D is wide and 2E is extra wide.
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.