Category 1: Running shoes with an accommodating D (regular) fit

Everyday trainer with a spacious fit

Asics Gel-Cumulus 26

The redesigned upper and updated stretch-knit tongue frees up room inside the Cumulus.

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If you feel that the Cumulus 26’s interior is more spacious than the 25, you’re not imagining it.

The Cumulus 26 does two things differently than before. The first – and the most consequential change – is getting rid of the rubber outsole and swapping that with a firm EVA base. With that, the new Cumulus becomes a softer and lighter everyday trainer.

The Asics Cumulus's midsole is soft but not mushy.

The wide midsole of the Cumulus 26 produces a neutral and supportive ride .

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Asics has also replaced the padded tongue (from the 25) with a thinner (knitted) kind. This stretchy tongue isn’t quilted and frees up room inside the upper.

When the upper is loosely laced, there’s ample space to accommodate different foot profiles, including wide feet.

For even more room, consider the 2E (wide) and 4E (extra-wide) versions.

Cushioned trainer with a spacious fit

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 rocker effect of the midsole is toned down by the less-than-ideal fit and softer Flytefoam Turbo.

The lightweight and uber-cushioned Superblast 2 is missing two things that contributed to the Superblast 1's success.

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.

Marathon racer with a spacious fit

Nike Vaporfly 3

Nike’s popular carbon-plated marathon racer is updated with a roomier fit.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Nike Vaporfly 3 here.

The spacious upper was one of the reasons why we rated the Vaporfly 3 lower than the Vaporfly 2.

While exceptions apply, a tight upper is ideal on a racing shoe. A snug upper will do a better job of locking the foot down over the midsole when cornering. A conforming fit is also better at transferring the power from the foot to the midsole for quick transitions and improved proprioception.

If you have wide feet, the Nike Vaporfly 3 might just be the plated racer you’re looking for.

You’ll find more room inside the Vaporfly than comparable Carbon-plated racers; the open-pored mesh also makes the upper extremely breathable.

Under the foot is the familiar feel from the previous Vaporflys.

A curved Carbon plate adds the now-recognizable snap, while the soft ZoomX midsole keeps the foot fresh during a race. The midsole stability is poor, and this shoe should also be avoided by overpronating runners.

Tempo trainer with a roomy upper

New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V4

Much has changed on the Rebel V4 from last year. That includes the now-roomier fit.

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1. Read our detailed review of the New Balance Rebel V4 here.

The shoe’s name hasn’t changed, but its character has. The Rebel V4 uses a brand-new Fuelcell foam material that’s unlike what the Rebel V3 had. The upper has also morphed from a narrow fit to a roomier interior.

These updates deliver a new ride and fit experience, so New Balance might as well have changed the name. The Rebel V4 is soft, yet lacks the bouncy feel of the V2 and V3. Though the wider midsole is thicker and more comfortable, it feels flatter.

There aren’t many tempo trainers with a spacious fit. That leaves the Rebel V4 – a lightweight shoe that also happens to have more room than any of the previous versions.

Runners with wide feet will fit into the Rebel just fine. And yes, New Balance also sells an optional wide (2E) size.

While the Rebel V4 isn’t as great at interval training as the Rebel V3, this lightweight cushioned trainer is a decent tempo shoe. We like the Hoka Mach 6 much better, but the upper is super narrow.

Spacious racer for 5K and 10K

Nike ZoomX Streakfly

Unlike most low-profile racers, the Streakfly has a decent amount of interior space.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Nike ZoomX Streakfly here.

Low-profile running shoes have fallen out of favor with the crowd, so there are slim pickings in this category.

But nearly every brand sells at least one racing flat. Good examples would be the adidas Takumi Sen 10, adios 8, Hoka Cielo Road, and the Saucony Sinister. Except for the adidas Adios 8, most of the flats have a narrow fit.

That leaves the Nike Streakfly – a featherlight running shoe with a ZoomX midsole and surprisingly roomy fit. The Streakfly may not be our favorite shoe for 5K and 10K races, but it is most certainly the roomiest. Of course, that’s relative to super-narrow racers like the Takumi.

The cushioning from the ZoomX midsole keeps the foot comforted during a 10K race, and it’s also a decent interval shoe.

Consider the adidas Adios 8 if you want greater durability and versatility.

Category 2: Running shoes with optional 2E (wide) and/or 4E (extra wide) sizes.

Daily trainer in 2E and 4E widths

Brooks Ghost 16

As always, this long-time neutral trainer is also offered in a wide and extra-wide.

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The forefoot room was never an issue with the Brooks Ghost, and that doesn’t change for the 16th edition.

The upper lacks a full inner sleeve or forefoot overlays, so the regular ‘D’ width is comfortable enough for most foot profiles. The standard Ghost 16 has a snug fit, so help is at hand with optional wide (2E) or extra wide (4E) sizes.

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There’s a good reason why the Brooks Ghost is such a successful running shoe. The DNA Loft V3 midsole is very comfortable and smooth – a cushioning blend that’s excellent for everyday runs.

Just know that the Ghost 16’s DNA Loft midsole lacks the softness of the Brooks Glycerin 21 – while it’s softer than the Ghost 15, the cushioning has a firm undertone.

Stability trainer in 2E and 4E widths

Asics GT-2000 13

Updated with a new midsole, the GT-2000 13 continues to be available in multiple widths.

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The GT-2000 has always been a reliable, do-everything stability shoe. The ‘safe’ character also applies to the upper fit.

In its stock D (regular) width, the engineered mesh forefoot offers a just-right interior volume. For runners with wide feet, Asics sells a 2E (wide) and 4E (extra wide) in the GT-2000 13.

While we’re at it, it’s worth highlighting the changes on the GT-2000 13.

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Overall, the GT-2000 13’s design is pretty similar to the GT-2000 12. The midsole uses a sloped transition channel under the heel and a structured inner midsole to prevent the foot from rolling inwards too much.

The pronation management is much milder than the Kayano 31’s, and it makes perfect sense. After all, the Asics GT-2000 13 is the toned-down version of the Kayano 31.

Just like the Kayano 31, the GT-2000 13 uses a new Flytefoam Blast+ midsole.

The GT-2000 13 continues to be a supportive everyday trainer, except that it’s a marginally bouncier version of the GT-2000 12.

Cushioned trainer in 2E and 4E widths

New Balance 1080V14

The 1080V14’s standard fit is narrow, but more upper room is available with 2E and 4E widths.

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1. Read our detailed review of the New Balance 1080v14 here.

In its stock form – meaning the standard ‘D’ width, the 1080V14 fits narrow. The thicker mesh upper has a tighter lock-in than the 1080V13.

However, New Balance sells this model from a B (narrow) to 4E (extra wide) width for narrow and wide-footed runners alike.

The v14's 'heel spring' or bevel is higher than the norm, so there's not enough real estate available during heel landings.

The 1080v14 has a stronger 'rocker' effect.

The larger and stiffer outsole lugs alter the 1080's ride dynamics.

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Offering multiple widths isn’t the only trick up the 1080’s sleeve. The deeply cushioned Fresh Foam midsole is more responsive and supportive than the 1080V13; it makes long runs less punishing by minimizing foot fatigue.

The rocker shape of the midsole promotes smooth transitions; the ultra-secure forefoot upper excels at transferring power from the foot to the midsole.

The 1080V14’s high level of ride and upper comfort makes it a versatile trainer for everyday mileage and long runs. That said, it’s not a great shoe for intervals and aggressive speedwork of a similar nature.

Stability trainer in 2E and 4E widths

Asics Kayano 31

The clever gait-managing midsole isn’t the only trick up Kayano’s sleeve; the optional widths broaden its appeal.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Kayano 31 here.

In its standard ‘D’ width, the Kayano 31 doesn’t have a roomy forefoot. It’s quite snug, but with an accommodating toe-box. The upper uses soft-touch materials and padding for a smooth and plush fit.

Wide-footed runners may want to consider the optional wide (2E) and extra-wide (4E) sizes for more interior space.

So what exactly does the Kayano 31 offer? It’s a running shoe with a gait prescriptive midsole. The unique design reduces the amount of inward foot roll through three different means.

The Asics Kayano 31 is also available in a wide and extra-wide.

The Asics Flytefoam last - cushioned, yet firm and supportive.

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The first is the supportive inner midsole that’s better at maintaining its structure when loaded.

The second feature is the exposed channel (under the heel) that’s slanted towards the outer side. Finally, the outer midsole sidewall is designed to compress more readily than the inner side.

The Kayano’s user-friendly ride quality will work for most runners, but overpronators will benefit the most from the motion-control midsole. It’s an excellent daily trainer that also has the cushioning range for up to a half-marathon.

How we selected: What to look for

A breathable and accommodating upper is a prerequisite for long-distance runs.

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 does the same for a few of their popular models, the two shoe giants are nowhere close to New Balance or Brooks.

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.’

There’s a similar guide on how to find running shoes for narrow feet, and we’ll stick to the same format. In other words, we’ll split our list of recommended products into two groups.

The Asics Kayano 31 is also available in a wide and extra-wide.

The first category has 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.

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.

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.

There is one difference between this and the narrow shoe guide. It is usually easier to find standard (D) width running shoes with a snug fit than it is to discover regular width shoes with a roomy forefoot.

It makes sense, though. After all, a running shoe with a sloppy interior isn’t a good one. Having too much space inside a standard D fit may cause the foot to move inside the shoe and potentially cause blisters.

We say this to manage expectations when we refer to an ‘accommodating’ fit elsewhere on this guide.

Also, we refer to the forefoot width here and not the stick length. Some shoes fit a half size larger (in the front) than they should, but that does not necessarily make the shoe wider.

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.

Though the ‘D’ width shoes featured here have a relatively easygoing fit, you should explore 2E and 4E sizing options to ensure adequate space.