Stride Pain-Free With The Best Wide Toe Box Shoes For Walking, Running, and More

Best Women’s Overall

Rykä Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe

View On Amazon $70 View On Zappos $72 View On Walmart $100

Rykä’s Devotion Plus 3 is our top women’s overall pick, thanks to its supreme comfort. Designed for walking on pavement or treadmills, this shoe features plenty of room in the forefoot with a narrower heel—which is ideal if you need more space in the toe box but not necessarily a wide-width shoe. 

The molded foam insole provides solid heel and arch support and good shock absorption for long days spent on your feet. We also like that the lightweight construction features breathable mesh and vents to prevent sweat and odors from building up inside the shoe. The rubber outsole has excellent traction for better grip on the stairs or cardio machines. When we tested the Devotion Plus 3, we loved how responsive the padding was underfoot. The bouncy, plush cushioning made them comfortable to wear for long periods. We also found that the shoe was deep enough to add custom orthotics for more support if needed.

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 10 ounces | Materials: Mesh and faux leather upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Responsive | Drop: 11 millimeters}

Best for Running

Reebok Floatride Energy 4 Adventure

View On Amazon $96 View On Dick's $120 View On Reebok.ca

For a reliable running shoe with a wide toe box, we love Reebok’s Floatride Energy 4 Adventure. This shoe is considered a hybrid since it can provide fantastic traction on trails while still feeling lightweight and responsive on the road. 

We’ve worn these while hiking rocky coastlines and on plenty of trail runs, and we appreciate how responsive and supportive they are. The wide toe box gave our toes plenty of room to breathe without any pressure, friction, or squeezing. However, we found that the deep treads are fairly close together, meaning the outsole fills up with dirt and mud easily. As a result, these aren’t the best choice for very wet or slippery runs. 

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 9.6 ounces | Materials: Recycled plastic ripstop upper, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Lightweight and responsive | Drop: Not listed}

Best for Everyday Wear

lululemon Women's Running Shoe

View On Lululemon $128

After testing lululemon's Blissfeel 2 Running Shoe for ourselves, we fell in love with them as a reliable sneaker for everyday wear. Designed for supporting your feet on roads and sidewalks, the Blissfeel 2 has firm cushioning and all-around support that keeps us feeling comfortable all day long. And we noticed there was plenty of space in the front of the shoe, even as the heel provided a secure fit.

While we enjoyed wearing these on long walks, we found they weren't cushioned enough for running. However, the seamless mesh upper felt breathable, allowing air to circulate so our feet stayed cool and dry. Thus, they were a solid choice for running errands or commuting to the office.

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 9.7 ounces | Materials: Mesh upper, foam midsole | Cushioning: Firm and responsive | Drop: 9.5 millimeters}

Best Men’s Overall

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

View On Amazon $142 View On Brooksrunning.com $90

Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS 22 are road running shoes with a firm midsole and plenty of stability. Our top men’s overall pick for their steadfast reliability in our previous tests, we love these sneakers because they’re stable, supportive, and spacious. They’ve also received the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance, meaning a panel of podiatrists has determined that this sneaker helps promote better foot health. 

While wearing the Adrenaline GTS 22, we didn’t feel any tightness around our toes, and we liked how springy they felt underfoot. Overpronators will appreciate the shoe’s internal support, which reduces excessive movement and helps align your feet. Although these features add some extra weight, we still found the shoes comfortable enough to wear on long-distance runs.  

Also available in women's sizes at Amazon and Brooks

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 10.7 ounces | Materials: Recycled plastic bottle upper, foam midsole, synthetic lining, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Firm | Drop: 12 millimeters}

Best Women’s Budget

Sketchers Go Joy Walking Shoe

View On Amazon View On Dsw.com $60 View On Skechers.com

For a budget-friendly wide toe box shoe, we recommend Sketchers’ GoWalk Joy, a slip-on walking shoe with many features we love. They’re breathable enough for all-day wear, and the laceless design makes it easy to pop them on and off in seconds. 

When we tested the GoWalk Joy, we were impressed by how supportive and cushioned it felt, given that it weighs less than half of some of our other top picks. We liked the combination of a narrower heel and a wider toe box—plus, it’s available in three widths for a more precise fit. 

Also available in men's sizes at Amazon

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 5.3 ounces | Materials: Mesh upper, foam midsole | Cushioning: Soft and responsive | Drop: Not listed}

Best Men’s Budget

New Balance 608 V5 Cross Trainer

View On Amazon $64 View On Zappos $75 View On Walmart $82

If you are looking for a cushy training shoe that won’t break the bank, New Balance’s 608v5 is our top men’s pick. Long-lasting for the price, these sneakers are available in standard, wide, and extra-wide widths for a better fit. Plus, we love that they’re deep enough to fit insoles or orthotics if you need more support.

After testing these shoes, we noticed how roomy and comfortable they are. Although they’re heavy, at almost 12 ounces each, we found that the padding felt springy and responsive under our feet—perfect for jump rope workouts. And the wide toe box provided plenty of space for our feet and toes to spread out. We also like that there’s a pull tab at the heel, which makes them easy to slip on. 

Also available in women's sizes at New Balance

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 11.9 ounces | Materials: Leather and mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Responsive | Drop: Not listed}

Best for Walking

Klaw Footwear 528

View On Klawfootwear.com $148

We recommend Klaw Footwear’s 528 sneaker because it combines some of our favorite features in a stellar cushioned walking shoe. When we walked in these, the shoe’s rocking motion helped propel us forward, as did the removable insoles’ responsive cushioning. Our toes also appreciated all the room in the front of this shoe, which prevented any chafing or blisters from forming.

Arch support and deep heel cups mean your feet are fully supported, and your ankles, knees, and hips stay appropriately aligned while you walk. Combined with great shock absorption, this sneaker is designed for comfort—ideal for those on their feet all day. Wearers love how the design helps relieve foot pain and discomfort, including plantar fasciitis and pregnancy-related foot fatigue. 

Also available in men's sizes at klawfootwear.com

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 11 ounces | Materials: Leather upper, foam midsole | Cushioning: Ultra light | Drop: 7 millimeters}

Best Cushioned

New Balance Running Shoe

View On Amazon View On Joesnewbalanceoutlet.com

New Balance’s Fresh Foam 1080v11 is a well-built running shoe that hugs your feet with layers of thick, plush padding. They also have a wide toe box and come in four widths for a better fit. 

During testing, we loved how comfortable these sneakers were when we tried them on, with lots of cushioning that didn’t feel bulky or weigh us down. Weighing just over 8 ounces, they’re some of the lightest shoes on our list. We also noted that the shoes are well-ventilated and breathable, making them ideal for warm-weather workouts but too airy for cold temperatures. 

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 8.1 ounces | Materials: Synthetic and mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Plush and lightweight | Drop: Not listed}

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Hoka Clifton 8

View On Zappos $112 View On Dick's $140 View On Fleetfeet.com

If you have plantar fasciitis, the right orthotic will relieve pressure from sensitive areas, provide thick cushioning, and offer good foot control and support. Hoka’s Clifton 8 is our pick for a shoe that has many of the same benefits—plus a spacious toe box. 

We love that these sneakers have earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance, meaning they’re podiatrist-approved for better foot health. And despite all of their foam cushioning, these shoes are lightweight, making them a solid option for daily running shoes. An internal rocker allows for smooth, fast transitions as you run, while the midsole and upper offer plenty of stability. That being said, they are designed for slower runs or walking rather than speedwork.

Also available in men's sizes at Amazon and DICK's Sporting Goods

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 7.2 ounces | Materials: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Protective and responsive | Drop: 5 millimeters}

Best for Overpronators

Brooks Addiction Walker 2 Shoe

View On Amazon $130 View On Zappos $130 View On Brooksrunning.com $130

Overpronation occurs when your feet and ankles roll inward and downward while you walk. Brooks’ Addiction Walker 2 is our top pick for overpronators with a wide toe box because it features a diagonal bar in the midfoot to support your arches and prevent excessive rolling. Although they’re heavier, they’re made with stellar support that lighter shoes don’t always have.

When we tested the Addiction Walker 2, we immediately noticed how comfortable and stable it felt. We noticed we could easily wear them for long periods of time—ideal if you spend a lot of time on your feet while running errands or at work. We also found that the slip-resistant outsole had great grip for walking easily on wet, slick, or muddy terrain. The design and solid coloring make these sneakers suitable for formal workwear and casual wear.

Also available in women's sizes at Amazon and Brooks

^{Key Specs: 
Weight: 14.5 ounces | Materials: Leather upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole | Cushioning: Soft | Drop: 12 millimeters}