Today’s question is about finding minimalist running shoes (some would say “barefoot style”) that are a good fit for wide feet…
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Minimalist Running Shoes for Wide Feet: What Are My Options?
A reader writes in with a question on buying minimalist running shoes in wider sizes…
I love your views on minimalist running in a realistic manner. Real basic shoes that promote a natural stride on a low budget. I followed your advice on the Saucony bullet and LOVE them except for the fact that they are slightly narrow for my feet. Any suggestions as to another option? I love the feel of that shoe, but it’s squishing my toes. Was hoping you might know of an equivalent that comes in wider sizes.
Thanks in advance,
Wide Willie
Hi Willie,
I know what you mean. Traditional running shoes are going to be the most budget-friendly, but these old school track shoes like the Saucony Bullet and Puma H Street aren’t particularly wide. Neither are newer shoes like the Nike Free.
The Feiyue martial arts shoes I have aren’t as narrow, but I think it would be a bit odd to run in them for any significant distance (as in, more than 10 yards).
Basic running flats are your best bet for staying within a budget. But it’s just plain hard to find these kinds of shoes for wide feet. They are all pretty narrow, especially in the toe box.
So guys with wide feet will need to look for brands that make minimalist shoes (and charge accordingly).
The Best Minimalist Running Shoes for Wide Feet
These minimalist, zero-drop, and/or barefoot style running shoes (and trail running shoes) are made with wide toe boxes that are especially great if you have wide feet.
New Balance Minimus
New Balance has always offered a variety of running shoes available in wide width. Some of these can be considered minimalist, but since model numbers change frequently, I recommend browsing them at a shoe store to see which ones actually look “minimal.”
They even have a new line that debuted in 2011 – the Minimus footwear line. It looks great! (And by great, I don’t mean stylish – I mean wide and a little strange!)
The Minimus line has been very popular and still exists today, more than a decade later! However, as with most larger shoe companies, you just never know what the latest model has in store. Proven editions include the 10v1 and 20v7 models. These are available in medium (D) and wide widths (EE) and they’re often on sale for under $100 at online retailers.
Buy now on Amazon: New Balance Minimus 10v1 Trail Running Shoe
Buy now on Amazon: New Balance Minimus 20v7 Trainers
Merrell Vapor Glove
Merrell is a well-known company making shoes for all sorts of adventures. Their minimalist line is called the Vapor Glove. These are general purpose running shoes. They also make the Trail Glove, which as you may guess, is the trail running version.
These shoes are beloved by many wide-footed runners, me included! This was the first true minimalist shoe I could buy locally, before the smaller barefoot shoe startups were sold in physical retail stores.
Buy now on Amazon: Merrell Vapor Glove 5
Buy now on Amazon: Merrell Trail Glove 5
Altra Escalante
Altra Running offers shoes that might be exactly what you’re looking for – minimalist track running sneakers, but with a wide toe box. They call it the “Footshape Toebox.” Each model is also zero drop, or what they call “Balanced Cushioning.” Prices range from $130 to $170.
For road running, check out the Instinct model if you can still find it, or the newer Escalante.
Buy now on Amazon: Altra Escalante 2.5
For a zero-drop trail running shoe with more cushioning, and even a bit wider fit, check out the Altra Olympus and Altra Lone Peak.
Buy now on Amazon: Altra Olympus 4
Buy now on Amazon: Altra Lone Peak 6
Xero HFS
Xero Shoes is dedicated to lightweight, minimalist footwear. They offer nothing but minimalist shoes – and boots, and sandals!
The Xero Prio shoe is their budget friendly ($90) choice for all-around wear. The Prio offers a 5.5 mm rubber sole, wide toe box, and zero-drop offset.
Buy now on Amazon: Xero Shoes Prio
My recommendation, though, would be the Xero HFS. The HFS stands for “highly flexible sole.” It’s about as close to a barefoot shoe as you can get! They are light, flexible, colorful, and most importantly, wide!
Buy now on Amazon: Xero Shoes HFS
If you want something that will have more traction in the dirt, opt for the Mesa Trail.
Buy now on Amazon: Xero Shoes Mesa Trail
Softstar RunAmoc
Softstar shoes are minimalist shoes handmade in the USA. Most of their products are conventional shoes for casual wear, but they do have an athletic line. Regardless, there is no denying these are “barefoot shoes.”
The Softstar RunAmoc is essentially a running moccasin. There are various options depending on how much – or how little – support and grip you would like.
I would recommend the PRIMAL RunAmoc for most people who will be running. This model features an extra wide toe box for the ultimate in free movement and natural toe splay. And for the overall fit, you can choose regular or wide widths. The lace up design allows you to set the ideal tightness.
Priced at $150 and up.
Lems Primal 2
Lems makes a wide variety of shoes, all with a natural shape and zero drop. For running, you’ll want to check out the Lems Primal 2 shoe.
Built on a zero-drop platform and weighing in at an ultra-lightweight 6.9oz, the Primal 2 is perfect for minimalist lovers. With the Lems natural-shape fit and vegan-friendly materials your feet are sure to be healthy and happy.
Available in a variety of solid colors. Priced at $110.
Buy online from Lems: Lems Primal 2
Topo Athletic ST-4
Topo Athletic was founded in 2013, because the founder knew there was still something missing from the market — a shoe that allowed runners to access the important benefits of natural running while maintaining some of their favorite features found in traditional running shoes.
If you’re looking for a minimal shoe for wide feet, try the ST-4 running shoe. It offers light cushioning, flexibility, and zero drop. This is the most natural, minimal shoe in their road running lineup. Competitively priced at $110.
Buy now on Amazon: Topo Athletic ST-4
Inov-8 F-Lite
The inov-8 F-Lite shoes are good all-purpose minimalist shoes. While not super wide, they are wider than typical running shoes. And much thinner and flatter, with just a 3 mm drop.
The latest model is the Inov-8 F-Lite 245. Priced at $135.
Buy now on Amazon: Inov-8 F-Lite 245
Vivobarefoot Primus
The Vivobarefoot Primus is a sort of weird looking, but very lightweight zero-drop shoe designed to let your feet move in the most natural way possible.
The latest model is the Primus Lite III, priced at $160. It’s not super wide, but wider than typical running shoes.
Buy now on Amazon: Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III
There is also a trail running version available.
Buy now on Amazon: Vivobarefoot Primus Trail
LUNA Sandals
None of the other options suit your fancy? Then consider this high-tech version of the original barefoot running shoes (i.e. the Tarahumara huaraches).
LUNA Sandals offer the traditional design of a barefoot running sandal, but with adjustable fit and a Vibram sole.
Buy now on Amazon: LUNA Sandals MONO Winged Edition
Hopefully one of these minimalist shoe choices allows your toes to move comfortably. None of those minimalist footwear options are normal or cheap, unfortunately. If you desire the best barefoot running shoes, you have to pay up.
Does anyone else have any ideas on wider track shoes? Or at least ones that have a wide toe box?
This article was originally published on December 12, 2010 before minimalist running shoes became so popular. It was updated and republished on August 14, 2022.
Levi Bloom is an experienced endurance athlete who has been training and competing for over 17 years. A former Cat 1 road and mountain bike racer (professional class on the regional circuit), he is now a cycling coach (USA Cycling Level 3 Certified) and sports nutrition coach (Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified).
After a bad bout of posterior tibial tendonitis, I tried running barefoot on my usual forest trail. Worked wonders for the foot, but, after 6 wks, the tissue on the bottom of my feet stayed sore between runs. I’m 60 yo and have run 40 yrs, so I figured I might need to try a shoe. W/ very wide feet, I found no minimal shoes (this was 1 yr ago). Until I discovered Lady’s Keds Champions. The mens’ version doesn’t come in width. So I tried on a few, found a perfect fit, and have been running in them for a yr. I run in N FL so they are wet a lot. The canvas separates from the bottom after about 6 mos. But who cares? They run $30 a pair!
Bob,
Are you suuurrreee that’s the reason you wear lady’s shoes?
Reeeaaalllyyy???
@Bob
Great find! It’s funny the kind of shoes that turn out to be good minimalist running shoes.
I just looked up these shoes on Amazon.com and had a chuckle at one of the reviews – the shoes only got one star because there was no support and no padding! Oh the irony 😉
Willie – if you try a store like City Sports (usually a better selection of interesting shoes than other stores) they might have something. Even if you do pay more it can’t be worse than collecting shoes that are too narrow.
Excellent advice, Buck!