Elastic knit uppers are a ubiquitous sight today, but it wasn’t always so. Before adidas and Nike made their knit upper design the new industry standard, it was usually hard to find a running shoe which fit narrow feet.
In the old days, footwear choices were mostly binary. You either had a snug upper fit or a standard sizing which was too baggy for your narrow foot anatomy. Sometimes you found a running shoe which hit your sweet spot of upper fit, but that was only if you struck gold after many days of browsing.
Those days are far gone.
In 2019, you can enter any store which sells running shoes and walk out with a pair which fits your narrow feet. Also, let’s first establish what ‘narrow’ means here.
A ‘D’ sizing is also known as the medium width, the default setting for most running shoes. A ‘B’ width is one size narrower than the D. It is more common for brands to offer a wide (2E) and extra-wide (4E) than a narrower B size. The exceptions are companies like New Balance and Brooks who offer widths where others do not.
In this guide, there are two categories of running shoes. The first are the ones with a regular D width which are inherently snug-fitting. This includes stretchy knit uppers which can accommodate a variety of foot shapes and also regular mesh uppers with a snug fit.
The second category includes running shoes which do not fit narrow in their standard D guise, but compensates by offering a B (narrow) sizing.
But if you’re located in a region where the full range of widths (including a B) isn’t an option, we recommend sticking to the first category.
Here’s a hack if you happen to have small feet – say, size US 8 or under. It isn’t a bad idea to get a boy’s model or even women’s running shoes in neutral colors. Buying a boy’s model will also save you a 20-30% price cut over the adult version.
Category 1: Neutral and stability running shoes available in a B (narrow) width.
1) Brooks Ghost 12
The Ghost is a popular neutral running shoe which strikes the right balance between upper fit and ride comfort.
This staple features a dual-density DNA foam midsole for multi-use cushioning along with a plush upper which also sells in a narrower B width.
2) Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19
The Adrenaline drops the firmer medial-post, so this is less of a traditional stability shoe it used to be. Regardless, the GTS 19 has a cushioned ride with a supportive undertone – so this is a ‘stable-neutral’ running shoe of sorts.
There’s a B width option for this shoe, so if you want a supportive ride minus the medial post, then the Adrenaline GTS 19 it is.
3) New Balance 880 V9
Much of New Balance’s recent focus has been on the FuelCell platform, so the 880V9 has been pushed – from a marketing perspective – to the sidelines.
That shouldn’t discourage you from trying the 880 which is a capable neutral running shoe available in no less than four widths – including a B, of course.
4) New Balance 860V9
The 860 is the stability version of the 880, and a rather traditional one at that. A multi-density midsole also includes a firmer wedge so you get the layered cushioning along with a more supportive medial side.
While the upper fit isn’t narrow in its D width, you have the option of shrinking the upper with an optional ‘B’ variant.
5) New Balance 1080 V9
Sometimes one needs a running shoe with deep cushioning for long distances. The 1080V9 meets that need very well. The Fresh Foam midsole compound has been refreshed for the new 1080 to make it the most comfortable version ever.
Should you opt for the narrow B width, you’ll have a shoe which makes short work of high mileage runs.
Category 2: Running shoes with a standard snug upper fit.
1) adidas UltraBoost 19
adidas does not offer widths but a lot of their running shoes fit snug in their standard version.
The cushioned UltraBoost 19 is no exception. The partially stretchy upper has a snap-on fit quality which works for most runners with narrow feet.
2) adidas SolarBoost 19
Though the new SolarBoost isn’t as narrow as the 2018 model due to the upper design tweaks, it still has a narrow fit.
Along with the snug upper, you also get the full-length Boost midsole which delivers responsive and durable cushioning. And the Continental rubber outsole which lasts a long time.
3) Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit
There are so many marathon-capable running shoes to choose from, but the Vaporfly 4% Flyknit deserves a special mention.
Under the snug-fitting and elastic Flyknit upper is a cushioned and responsive ride which is a perfect fit for distance and speed-friendly nature of the shoe.
4) Nike Epic React Flyknit V2
Though the Epic React Flyknit 2 isn’t available in any other width than the one it comes boxed with, the upper wraps securely around the foot due to the expandable Flyknit upper.
The synthetic rubber React midsole makes the shoe very lightweight for its category while producing a dense and efficient cushioning character.
5) New Balance Fresh Foam Zante Pursuit
Many lightweight trainers have a narrow upper fit because that helps keeps the foot locked down during faster runs.
And that’s what the Zante Pursuit does; the stretchy upper isn’t ‘narrow’ by your average definition. Rather, the elastic upper is a good fit for many foot shapes, including narrow ones.
6) adidas adizero Boston 8
One of adidas’s more credible performance trainers, this lightweight and speed-friendly running shoe’s narrow upper creates a secure fit quality.
No ‘B’ width required here; the very nature of shoes in this category calls for a snug fit, and that’s what the Boston delivers.
7) Lightweight racer: adidas adizero adios 4
Because the adizero adios 4 is a road-racing shoe, it’s not surprising that the upper has a super narrow fit.
Racing shoes are snug-fitting for a reason; that kind of fit keeps the foot securely pinned down over the low-profile midsole for better efficiency.
8) New Balance 1400 V6
The New Balance 1400V6 is one of our favorite road-racers. The Revlite midsole feels fast while offering a cushioned layer for protection from the road.
As with most racers, the mesh upper has a secure fit which suits runners with narrow feet.
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