Best for daily runs

Asics Cumulus 27

Runners with wide feet will love the broad toe-box and accommodating forefoot of the Cumulus.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Cumulus 27 here.

When the Cumulus 27’s upper is loosely laced, there’s ample space for different foot profiles, including wide feet. For even more room, consider the 2E (wide) and 4E (extra-wide) versions. Except for the firmer ride and thicker upper, the Cumulus 27 is similar to the 26 in many aspects.

Except for the firmer ride and thicker upper, the Cumulus 27 is similar to the 26 in many ways. Asics’ proprietary FlyteFoam Blast+ compound has once again been updated, this time to be denser and stiffer than in the Cumulus 26. This makes it more versatile than the previous model, as it’s easier to run faster on a stiff midsole than on a soft one. Two years ago, Asics changed the outsole from rubber to foam to decrease weight and increase softness. On the flip side, the grip quality suffered on slippery surfaces, from slushy roads to smooth floors.

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But don’t worry – there’s still plenty of cushioning, making the Cumulus 27 ideal for everyday runs, even up to a half-marathon. The stack heights of 32 mm (forefoot) and 40 mm (heel) offer generous comfort for both heel and forefoot strikers. The firm midsole, under-heel groove, and wide base make the Cumulus very stable, even for heavy runners.

Best for marathon training

Asics Superblast 2

If you want a spacious shoe for marathon training and long runs, the Superblast 2 makes a strong case for itself.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Superblast 2 here.

If you’re looking for a lightweight running shoe that’s highly cushioned yet versatile, the Superblast 2 delivers – and then some. Sure, this is a $200 shoe, but it offers high value per dollar because of its durable build quality. Things have changed on the SB2. The midsole is softer, and the upper has more room – the forefoot isn’t as snug as the SB1. These updates affect the ride and fit quality. The softer Flytefoam Turbo foam and extra room make the rocker effect less aggressive than before. So the Superblast is more user-friendly than it used to be; more mainstream if you will.

The midsole stability is excellent relative to its stack height and deep cushioning.

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The new upper fit is good news for wide-footed runners who usually steer clear of Asics shoes like Novablast and Superblast. Not only does the forefoot and toe-box breathe better, but it’s also more spacious for wide feet. The rest is standard Superblast fare. The dual-density midsole (Flytefoam Turbo and Blast) delivers lightweight cushioning for long runs, with the rocker midsole helping roll the foot forward.

Best for 10K and marathons

Asics Metaspeed Edge Tokyo

Both the Metaspeed Edge and Sky have greater interior room than before.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Metaspeed Edge Tokyo here.

A spacious upper is an undesirable trait in a race-day shoe. A racer needs a secure lockdown over the midsole for efficient power transfer, and a snug fit is essential to prevent foot movement inside the upper. This roomy fit is why we rated the Asics Metaspeed Edge and Sky Tokyo as average. However, in a product guide focused on wide running shoes, the Metaspeed Edge and Sky fit right in. This year’s Metaspeed models have more interior space than previous versions, largely due to reduced heel padding that shifts the foot slightly rearward. On the bright side, the lightweight mesh upper is ultra-breathable.

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New this year is a softer midsole that pairs Asics’ FF Leap foam over a firmer FF Turbo+ base. The term ‘firm’ is relative here – this version of FF Turbo is softer than the variant used on last year’s Metaspeed Edge Paris.

FF Leap is a brand-new foam and the softest Asics has produced to date. On one hand, the increased softness enhances comfort. On the other, the plush ride is not ideal for heavier runners, heel strikers, supinators, or pronators due to limited midsole stability. While the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo offers slightly more support than the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo because of its FF Turbo+ base, this racer works best for neutral forefoot and midfoot strikers running faster than 5:00 min/km (8:00 min/mile). In half-marathon and marathon terms, that translates to finish times around 1:45:00 and 3:30:00, respectively.

Best for tempo runs

adidas Adizero EVO SL

The EVO SL packages a spacious fit with speed-focused comfort.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Adizero EVO SL here.

Traditionally, racing shoes designed for shorter distances (5K to 10K) have a tight fit. There’s a good reason for that; a narrow fit is better at locking in the foot during quick touch and go’s. Purists appreciate a tight racer fit, but the general population prefers more upper space. The adizero EVO SL makes a strong case for itself here; its accommodating upper isn’t narrow-fitting like the Takumi 11. To be clear, the EVO SL’s ‘accommodating’ fit isn’t in the same league as a regular trainer. But for a speed shoe, the interior space is generous. The lack of an inner sleeve adds to the easygoing character. The upper breathes quite well too.

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With the upper-related minutiae out of the way, here’s a quick midsole summary. The EVO SL’s highlight is its 100% Lightstrike Pro midsole. There’s a lot of it too; the heel and forefoot are 39 mm and 32 mm tall. The high toe spring creates a strong rocker for quick turnovers. The midsole design offers a unique value proposition. The EVO SL is capable of quick miles without sacrificing comfort. The LS Pro midsole is excellent at impact absorption; the rocker and Continental rubber outsole work together to deliver faster miles.

Best for overpronators

New Balance Fresh Foam 860V14

The optional 2E width in the 860V14 offers additional space for wide feet.

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Like most well-designed shoes, the standard 860V14 fits securely with insufficient room for wide feet. It’s only when you buy the 2E (wide) version that more space becomes available. The soft and breathable mesh upper provides a comfortable and true-to-size fit. The gusset secures the tongue over the instep, with plenty of foam quilting in the heel and tongue.

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From the outside, nothing seems out of the ordinary on the Fresh Foam midsole. But it’s what’s inside the midsole that the 860V14 sets itself apart from a neutral trainer such as the New Balance 880V15 and Brooks Ghost 17.

A full-length Nylon plate is sandwiched between two layers of soft foam. This plate isn’t solid all the way through; it has holes on the outer/lateral side but is solid on the arch side. This geometry makes the plate more flexible on the outer side to redirect compression. By making the inner midsole more supportive, the 860V14 resists excessive compression under the arch side. Except for this overpronation-targeting feature, the 860v14 rides like a typical trainer, providing high levels of comfort for daily mileage.

Best for trails

Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX

The Gore-Tex version of this road-trail hybrid running shoe is surprisingly roomy.

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In the good old days, a Gore-Tex upper meant decreased space. That’s no longer true. Ever since the Gore-Tex ‘Invisible fit’ debuted a few years ago, it’s common for the waterproof version of a shoe to have more space than the standard model. Fusing a Gore-Tex lining to the outer mesh makes it thinner. A roomier upper is often the unintended consequence of applying a GTX lining. The Pegasus Trail 5 GTX offers additional space for wide feet than the standard Pegasus Trail.

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The Pegasus Trail 5 GTX is a versatile trail-to-pavement shoe that works equally well on the road and off it. The dual-purpose nature comes with compromises. It’s not a hardcore trail running shoe, as it’s missing features such as a protective rock plate, deep outsole lugs, and midsole stability that are necessary for technical trail. In return for that trade-off, the Pegasus Trail offers a cushioned ride when running on concrete. When on the trail, the layered upper and rubber toe-bumper protect the feet from the bumps, debris, and moisture.

How we selected

On one hand, running shoes with a snug fit have their place in a rotation. For example, when running track intervals or racing a 5K, a secure upper fit becomes necessary. However, an accommodating fit works better for high-mileage training or daily runs. The feet increase in volume during long runs, so having a spacious upper makes the ride experience enjoyable.

So how does one go about finding a running shoe with a spacious fit? Some brands do a great job of offering optional widths. New Balance and Brooks, in particular, offer at least a wide (2E) for most of their running shoes. Asics and Saucony are catching up fast. Though adidas now sells widths in some of their lower-priced products, and Nike now increasingly offering widths, the two shoe giants have some way to go before reaching New Balance or Brooks levels of available widths.

The problem with only a single width is that it’s based on the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. That’s one of the reasons why it is so frustrating to find a shoe that fits and feels right; footwear purchase is a highly personal choice. And even if you found a pair that locked the foot in comfort, that might change with the next year’s ‘redesign.’

The 860V14 is offered in an optional wide (2E) for more room.

Running shoes with a standard width that should fit most foot profiles. The shoes in the second group have a spacious regular fit and are sold with an optional 2E (wide) and/or 4E (extra wide) sizing. Some retailers also mention 2E and 4E as EE and EEEE. They might also use the terms ‘standard’, ‘wide’, and ‘extra wide’ instead of alphanumeric sizes. Don’t be confused; they all mean the same thing.

At times, even 2E or 4E widths aren’t what they seem. For example, if a D width shoe is based on a very narrow last, then a 2E (wide) width will be snug instead of being roomy. There’s a trick that we often utilize to create more forefoot room. First, remove the laces, and then re-lace the shoe by skipping the first row of eyelets. Most of the time, this works as an easy fix to free up interior space.