7 best wide-fit running shoes that are supportive and comfortable

Best: Overall

Rating: 9.5/10

• Weight: 255.1g
• Drop: 10mm
• Available in wide fit? Yes

There’s a lot to like here. Brooks’ glycerin 19 is a comfortable, supportive and beautifully styled shoe. As well as options when it comes to fit (narrow, medium and wide), the brand’s fabulous proprietary cushioning material is both light and super-soft (without being spongy).

On our first run with these trainers – a casual 5k – we were impressed by how responsive and springy they were. The shoe straddled the line between comfort and stability really well, with a firm and supportive ankle, cushioned sole and a stretchy mesh upper. We also liked how its mesh upper allows for more movement amongst the toes and also aids breathability. There’s a good amount of space in the toe box, without it feeling loose or like your toes are slipping around. All in all, it proved to be a firm and stable ride, transitioning smoothly from road to grass and trail, plus working well both on shorter and longer runs.

We’re also a big fan of the ice flow, navy and pink colourway (although the nightshadow/black and blue looks like a nice option if you prefer darker colours) and the navy, blue and nightlife option in the men’s version (£140, Brooksrunning.com). If you’re still unsure, then Brooks offers a handy 90-day test run, so if they’re not quite right for you, you can return them for free.

Best: For long runs

Rating: 9/10

• Weight: 247g
• Drop: 10mm
• Available in wide fit? Yes

New Balance describes its fresh foam 880v11 as a “workhorse” of a shoe, and after our test runs it’s clear to see why. There’s no compromise when it comes to comfort, with an ultra-cushioned midsole and moulded footbed. In fact, the first time we slipped on the shoe, we were impressed at how they fitted like a glove, with no rubbing, chafing or a rigidness that needed breaking in. A moulded external heel is also designed to help control heel movement – particularly handy if you overpronate.

We also liked how the laces of the shoe had some stretch to them, just making it that little bit easier to tie them up. A mesh upper again was helpful in giving toes room to move and allowing extra airflow, although it’s worth noting that the double jacquard mesh is on the firmer side. We tried them in a wide-fit, UK size 5.5 and although they did fit well, they did seem to come up slightly smaller in size compared with the other running trainers we tried. A real plus point, though, is that these shoes are available in both a wide and extra-wide fit. Both the women’s and men’s version (£120, Newbalance.co.uk) have a more neutral colourway option available, but there are also a couple of more vibrant versions on offer too.

Best: For trail running

Rating: 7/10

• Weight: 248g
• Drop: 8mm
• Available in wide fit? No

This award-winning shoe from specialist trail-running brand Columbia had us both excited and worried. Excited because surely this outdoorsy, adventure loving brand knows what it’s doing when it comes to the technicality of a trail-running shoe, but worried because on opening the box, we were struck by the slim – and, dare we say, narrow – proportions of the shoe. Even though we’d heard that the Columbia montrail FKT was suited to casual runners with wide feet, we were afraid that we wouldn’t get our wide UK size 5.5 feet into them. Well, we were pleasantly surprised that actually they did fit, didn’t rub and left enough wiggle room for our toes.

In line with the design and style of trail shoes, these aren’t the most cushioned running shoes; although saying that, there is some supportive and reactive cushioning in the heel. As earlier mentioned, they’re also narrower than traditional running shoes, but are deemed wider in the world of trail-running shoes, thanks in part to the stretchy upper mesh and elasticated shoe laces. On a run on our local wooded trails, the 4mm-deep outsole lugs meant we had excellent grip and traction. Our feet felt stable and protected, although it’s worth noting that the mesh upper might get a bit soggy running through the woods during more autumnal or winter weather. We tried the shoes in the reef/gulf-stream colourway, which is a vivid turquoise and offers a nice flash of colour in the mud, branches and stones when running on a trail. The men’s version (£66, Columbiasportswear.co.uk) also has nice bright red or bright blue and lemon-yellow colourways.

The seamless textile upper has welded overlays and the power-mesh sock left our feet feeling securely ensconced, which are both nice touches for added comfort.

Best: For running on track/racing

Rating: 7.5/10

• Weight: 198g
• Drop: 6mm
• Available in wide fit? Yes

Opening the On box, we were immediately impressed with the style and design of these. In the rock and rose-pink colourway, they’re stylish and modern, while the structure of the shoe is both lightweight and supportive. They’re not as generous in the wide fit as the others we tried, so on the first go our tester felt they were quite rigid and unyielding, especially around their bunion. As we settled into the run, though, the initial discomfort eased and we could focus on the performance of the shoe and how lightweight they are: at under 200g, they’re the lightest shoe we tested.

This is one of the latest launches from the Swiss running apparel brand and we’re very happy to see a wide-fit option added to their offerings. The polyester used in the trainer is around 70 per cent recycled, with 20 per cent of total materials in the shoe being of recycled content. Given their lightness, speed and harder sole, we found the shoes to be a better bet when it came to shorter intervals, either on road or on track, while those who race may want to opt for them on 5k or 10k race days. A men’s wide-fit version is also available (£140, On-running.com).

Best: Heel support

Rating: 8.5/10

• Weight: 263g
• Drop: 8mm
• Available in wide fit? Yes

These 860v11 running shoes from New Balance are nicely cushioned, well-constructed and felt plush, according to our male tester. He was impressed with the luxurious feel of the shoe, likening it to sliding on a slipper, thanks to the shoe’s ortholite sockliner and bootie upper construction that hugs the foot. Again, New Balance has delivered a lightweight and cushioned shoe, thanks to its fresh foam technology.

The real standout for our tester, though, was the heel design, which hugs the back of the foot and lower part of the ankle. It felt supportive and contributed to a nice, snug fit overall. Our tester tried the shoes on a number of runs and felt they were a go-to shoe for longer training runs or long-distance racing. A men’s extra-wide fit is also available in this model (£120, Newbalance.co.uk), as is a women’s wide-fit version (£120, Newbalance.co.uk).

Best: For orthotics

Rating: 8.5/10

• Weight: 309g
• Drop: 8mm
• Available in wide fit? No

Although technically not a wide-fit shoe, this is still a great option for those of us with wider feet. It’s orthotic-friendly and has supreme cushioning, which leaves you feeling super-springy. The shoes are on the chunkier side, with a higher platform, and although they’re not as eye-catching as some of the other designs we tried, they still make for a smart running shoe that’ll complement the rest of your kit. It’s this wide base design, though, that makes them so well suited to those with wider feet, plus it provides extra support and stability.

This trainer was the heaviest of the shoes we tried, which didn’t bother us too much for training runs and interval sessions, but means it probably wouldn’t be the one we reached for on race day. We also like the mesh toe-box, which again is great for breathability and gave us enough room to move our toes in comfort. Overall, we were very impressed with how well this shoe delivered for a wider foot with flat arches and a bunion, despite not coming in a specific wide-fit. It would definitely be a shoe we’d reach for on days when we fancied superior stability and comfort over smashing any PBs. The echelon 8 is also available in a men’s version (£125, Saucony.com)

Best: For road running

Rating: 7.5/10

• Weight: 246g
• Drop: 9mm
• Available in wide fit? Yes

Crafted by a team of industry experts, this footwear and running apparel brand pride themselves on trying to support all runners, making the activity and sport inclusive, not exclusive. We tried the brand’s nemesis road-running shoes, which came in an understated blue-grey colour, with splashes of a graphic print on the side. Although these came in a wide fit, we did find they came up slightly narrower than some of the other wide-fit running trainers we tried, and they needed a bit of wearing in, particularly across the toe box where the material is quite rigid. They did feel supportive though and are one of the brand’s most stability-focused shoes. The brand also states that the shoes are a top choice for runners who overpronate, thanks to a longer medial post, which is a device within the midsole that is firmer than the rest of the sole.

We found that these were a pair we’d reach for when running to meet friends or running home after a social meeting, as the unobtrusive design meant they blended in well in a way some flashier running shoes don’t. A men’s version is also available (£114.99, Northernrunner.com)