Fit Feet, Fit Body: The Best Wide Width Shoes for Your Workout
Alex McRae- 9 Min To Read
- 22 Jul, 2023
Finding the right shoes and sneakers for wide feet can be difficult. There are shoes that I can wear every day, but they’re not always as wide. There are also wide cycling shoes, which I review in my blog post about Peloton’s bike shoes . For working out, you can also find wide-waisted sneakers and shoes.
Since my feet have grown from one width (before having children), to an extra-wide width now, this category has been a challenge. Are you aware of how difficult it can be to find sneakers for women in an extra-wide width?
Why not write about the best wide-waisted shoes and sneakers?
You can read my previous article about the widest width shoes for women. However, I realized that there was a need for information on wide-waisted shoes and sneakers for women and men.
Since I bought my Peloton bike in 2016, it has made me more active. Peloton strength training was something I added to my routine in 2021. I am following the Hardcore on the Floor calendar . It’s a Facebook Group, which you can check out.
It’s no surprise that a common topic in the Facebook group is how to find the best wide-width athletic, weightlifting or gym shoes. I was unaware that there was a separate category for weightlifting shoes. I don’t even need shoes for weightlifting. I wear my sneakers or no shoes when I do strength and bootcamp classes on the bike.
What are weightlifting footwear?
After doing some research, I discovered that weightlifting footwear is a separate category. These shoes look very similar to volleyball shoes. They are flatter shoes with a less substantial sole. You could also say that these shoes are basketball shoes.
Weightlifting shoes are often called cross-training shoes or gym shoes. Given the way that their bottoms look, I think tennis shoes or tennis sneakers might also work.
It doesn’t matter what the name is, strength training should not be done barefoot. I am quickly learning. This is especially true for those with high arches, like me.
Shoes for high arches
Why? Why? Because if you don’t have shoes on when you walk or exercise, your high arches aren’t being supported. High arched people tend to “supinate,” or incline their feet when they step. To relieve pressure from their arches, they will roll their feet inward.
Supination can cause problems with your Achilles tendon and plantar fasciitis, as well as ankle problems. It’s important to have shoes that you can use for every occasion in your workout routine.
Wide-waisted sneakers have more room in the toe box
Aside from having wide feet and high arches, I also have a large toe box. This means my foot is wider in the toe area. Shoes with a large toe box are essential for me.
Additionally, my ankle and heel are narrow. It is difficult to find wide-waisted sneakers because of this. Why? Many manufacturers don’t realize this.
Three things are essential when shopping for wide-waisted sneakers. One, more space in the toe box. I try to “cross my toes” inside the shoes. If I can do this, the shoe is large enough for me.
Two, I don’t need to put pressure on my bottom. It’s a sign that the shoe is not wide enough.
Three, the lacing goes almost to my ankle. This means that the hole for shoe laces extends almost to the top lip of my tongue.
This allows me to pull my sneakers closer around my ankle by threading the shoelace through the top hole. If I have a wider heel in a shoe or sneaker, this is extremely helpful.
Wide-waisted shoes and sneakers for men and women
My family is familiar with the struggle to find wide-waisted sneakers for exercise. My husband has quadruple-wide feet. My feet are twice as wide. Our daughters are also blessed with wide feet. They are at most one width.
I’ve had a lot of experience in finding shoes and sneakers that are wide or extra wide. This is why I wrote this blog post.
Below are my recommendations for shoes and boots that can be used for any type of activity. This covers running, weightlifting and cycling. Let me know if I have missed any category.
Running shoes with wide width
Our family joke is that we only run when being chased. Ha ha. But that doesn’t mean we don’t love running shoes. We do.
Running sneakers are often wider than shoes for other sports. They are sure to be found in your closet.
My husband swears by the New Balance sneakers. These are the only sneakers he can find in quadruple widths. You can also buy New Balance wide-waisted sneakers for men from Amazon.
Amazingly, you can also find quadruple wide-waisted running shoes by New Balance for women on Zappos. It was amazing to discover that Zappos stocks running shoes in such a large width.
However, these wider widths mean that you will have fewer color options. Comfort is the most important thing when shopping for wide-waisted sneakers. It’s great if you can also be fashionable.
Men’s wide-waisted New Balance shoes
New Balance Wide Width Sneakers For Men
All New Balance sneakers for men are available in a four- or quadruple wide width.
All New Balance sneakers for men are available in a four- or quadruple wide width.
New Balance MW877
New Balance Fresh Foam 1350
New Balance 928v3
New Balance Fresh Foam 1350
Women’s New Balance Shoes in Wide Width
Women’s New Balance Wide Width Sneakers
All the New Balance wide-waisted sneakers for women are available in quadruple widths. This is also called extra-extra wide width. These 4E wide-waisted sneakers are available at Zappos.
All the New Balance wide-waisted sneakers for women are available in quadruple widths. This is also called extra-extra wide width. These 4E wide-waisted sneakers are available at Zappos.
New Balance WW928v3
New Balance WW813
New Balance 847v4
New Balance 1540v3
Brooks shoes in wide width
Annie, my daughter with a wide foot, and me visited a local running shop a few years back. Both of us needed large-footed shoes for running. Brooks sneakers were our first attempt at fitting us.
Let me tell you, Brooks wide-waisted shoes for women are great for running, exercising, and just plain walking. Brooks widths are available in women’s sizes for Annie.
Me? Because they were slightly wider than the Brooks women’s shoes, I chose to go with mens Brooks wide-waisted shoes.
Brooks has stopped making the style I love the most since then. It features a large toe box and great arch support. It’s the Levitate style. They are only available on Amazon.
Brooks offers a wide selection of athletic and running shoes in wide widths.
Brooks wide-waisted Shoes for Men and Women
Brooks Wide Width Sneakers For Men and Women
Brooks Wide Width Sneakers For Men and Women
Amazon
Dicks Sporting Goods
REI
REI
Walking shoes with wide width
Brooks sneakers are what I use for everyday walking. I have never been one to buy so-called walking shoes. That’s me.
You might be looking for wide-waisted walking shoes because of upcoming walking vacations. You need shoes for this, I get that. Maybe you are a big walker, and running shoes don’t work for you.
No worries. These wide-waisted sneakers are perfect for wide feet.
Women’s wide-legged walking shoes
Wide Width Walking Sneakers For Women
Ryka
Easy Spirit
Vionic
Brooks
Sneakers with Wide Width for Hotter Shoes
Sneakers with Wide Width for Hotter Shoes
Leanne II Shoes | HotterUSA
Leona Shoes | HotterUSA
HotterUSA
Daisy Shoes | HotterUSA
Wide-waisted walking shoes for men
Wide Width Sneakers for Men
Skechers
Reebok
Photo Credit:zappos.com
Altra Footwear
Shoes for weightlifting of wide width
Before this topic was brought up in a Peloton-related group on Facebook, I had never thought of buying wide-width weightlifting shoes. These people are those who follow a lot of Peloton strength training classes via the Hardcore on the Floor schedule. ( This blog post is about Peloton strength class.
During the discussion, I learned about new brands of shoes and styles of common shoes that ran wider than expected.
Wide weightlifting shoes from top brands
The group also mentioned the Altra Footwear shoe brand, which can be purchased on Zappos. I also found No Bull shoes on Amazon. These wide-waisted sneakers are something I have never seen before.
They also recommended certain styles from well-known brands that are not widely known for their wide shoes. Many people thought that the Nike Metcon shoes were worth checking out. The same goes for Reebok Nano sneakers.
Crosstraining shoes are another option when you’re looking for wide-waisted sneakers for weightlifting. You are looking for flatter shoes with thinner soles.
I have ordered almost all the weightlifting shoes that I listed. They will arrive soon and I will be trying them on to see how they fit.
In fact, once the shoes have arrived and I’m able to review them, I will probably do an Instagram Live. You can follow me on Instagram if you don’t already.
Here are some links to recommended brands that you might want to look into.
Shoes for weightlifting of wide width
Wide Width Sneakers For Weightlifting
Wide Width Sneakers For Weightlifting
Amazon
Amazon
Reebok Nano X
Wide-waisted cycling shoes
In my post about Peloton’s bike shoes that I linked above, I discuss the difficulty of finding shoes for cyclists with wide feet. Peloton users, like myself, find this a difficult problem. Few bike shoe manufacturers offer shoes with a wide width that fit the Delta Look cleat.
Bontrager is the only brand that I have found for my wide feet. Bontrager Cycling Shoestake Delta Look cleats that fit the original Peloton bicycle pedals.
If your bike has SPD bike cleats, you can have many more options. Many Peloton riders swap their pedals to make them SPD compatible. This allows them to use the same cycling shoes that they wear on their outdoor bikes with their Peloton.
Notice: If you remove the original Peloton pedals from your bike, it could invalidate your warranty. Keep that in mind.
Wide range of cycling shoes
Peloton Shoes For Wide Feet: The Best
A few websites sell wide-footed cycling shoes that you can use with your Peloton. These websites are REI.com.
These are the wide-waisted shoes that can be used for the Peloton bicycle. I’m wearing Bontrager, Sidi, Lake, and Shimano. Here are links to some of these websites and brands.
FYI: Since REI stores have physical locations across the country, you can always buy online and use curbside pickup if your shoe is in stock at your local shop.
FYI: Since REI stores have physical locations across the country, you can always buy online and use curbside pickup if your shoe is in stock at your local shop.
Shimano Men’s Wide Cycling Shoes
Shimano Men’s Wide Cycling Shoes
Lake Wide Cycling Shoe - Men’s
Lake Wide Cycling Shoe - Men’s
Lake Wide Cycling Shoe for Men - This shoe is even available in half sizes.
Last thoughts on wide-width sneakers and shoes
I hope this blog post helped you find the right shoes for you. Please leave a comment if you have any suggestions or if I have missed something.
