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Wide sneakers?

I am considering using my regular Brooks walking shoes for walking in Italy next spring, but I’d love to find a lighter weight but supportive sneaker as an alternative (and have breaking-in time). Everyone seems to love the Ecco Soft 7 sneakers, and I really like the style, but according to reviews they run narrow, I have a wide-ish foot and will want plenty of room for wearing socks and dealing with end-of-day swelling. Does anyone have favorite travel sneakers that are comfortable and supportive, are available in wide widths, and have even a modest cute factor? Thanks!

Posted by
2300 posts

I love Skechers. Especially the “Go Walk” and “On the Go” soles. If you find a sole that you like, you can find many different styles with that sole. For example, I have a waterproof ankle boot “on the go” as well as two kinds of “on the go” sandals. I wear a 10 wide (sometimes 11) and have found Skechers to be very roomy. Costco has a tennis shoe “go walk” for about $30 right now. Super lightweight and machine washable.
https://www.costco.com/skechers-ladies'-gowalk-joy.product.100733230.html

Posted by
1259 posts

Altra!
Super big toebox, ultra cushioning in some models, zero drop, and zero break-in time. You have a year to find your ideal shoe. Cast a wide net.

Posted by
7453 posts

I like the Sketchers, they are comfortable, look a little sporty/casual without being a big clunky athletic shoe, more like a deck shoe.

However, not sure if karma is catching up to me, I am rough on shoes, or something is up with the Sketchers. This is my second pair and both, on both shoes, have had the soles seperate from the upper, this time while I am traveling. Should have packed a tube of Shoe Goo.

Posted by
10124 posts

I have used different releases of the Brooks Ghost running shoes for walking. You can get them in all black. I ordered the latest pair directly from Brooks. Absolutely no cute factor, but being all black, they don't attract attention.

Posted by
201 posts

I have two pairs of Propet Travellers mary-janes that are wider than my regular Teva sneakers or Ecco shoes. One is grey/black and the other is blue/black. They are light weight and go with pants, shorts, skirts, dresses. The shoes have a removable ortho insert that can be replaced with a custom one. There are several styles.

Posted by
279 posts

I have a wide foot and need a little to moderate arch support in my shoes. I used to wear Altra shoes for walking on the treadmill. Like another reviewer said, they have a wider toe box. I stopped buying them because I wear out the heel on the inside in a disappointingly short amount of time. I do not walk in a way that stresses this part of the shoe. Literally no other part of the shoe is worn, but the material on the back top of the heel is worn out.

I recently purchased a pair of TOPO athletic Terraventure 3, and I love them! There is plenty of room for my wide feet (not specifically a wide width shoe, but still nice and wide). The material at the heel is different from the material on the Altras, so I am hoping they last me longer. One other thing to consider is that Altra are zero drop shoes. If you are not used to that, it may bother you. My husband can't walk 20 feet in Altras. The TOPO have a drop from heel to toe. I believe each model's drop is specified on the website. The TOPO style I ordered are very lightweight and have a great, grippy sole. You may be able to try them on at REI if you live near one.

Posted by
8378 posts

I like Altras as well. Saucony has always been a brand with wider toe boxes, you just may need to get a 1/2 size up from your regular size. I cant speak to the cuteness factor.

Posted by
222 posts

I also use Brooks Ghost as my walking shoes on domestic and European vacations as they are very comfortable. I had the Ghost 7 and currently use the 12. I use them as fitness walking shoes at home. New Balance is noted for wide shoes. I haven't used them but my wife has and has put many miles on hers with no issues.

Posted by
1613 posts

My very favourite are a pair I bought in Vienna years ago. They are hard to find in North America, but they are sold in Italy. The brand is Legero. The ones I bought have Gortex in them, which also makes them waterproof but breathable. They are pricey, but I've had them 7 years. (I may pick up a new pair in Italy.)

Another brand I've recently found that works really well for me (wide feet AND a high instep) is Porto-fino. Again, pricey, but worth it. They do have an online club you can join where you can find their out-of-season, display model, etc. shoes for 50% off. Be aware that you do want to remove these shoes when going through airport security, even if, like me, you have a trusted traveler card and aren't always required to. That's because these shoes have a metal support in them.

Other brands that can sometimes work for me are Merrill, Clarks (the wide ones), and Naturalizer. I recently found a pair of Clarks Wave Walk shoes that I love, and that I plan to bring with me to Italy in November, along with a pair of Porto-fino sneaker booties.

Posted by
10179 posts

I’m another fan of Sketchers. They are great for my feet and most comfort brands aren’t comfortable to me. I have a wide toe box but don’t usually wear a wide shoe. If you have a high arch check out their Arch Fit line. So comfortable.

Posted by
9404 posts

New Balance are my favorite, they come in a vast array of wide sizes and styles. I bought a pair in Paris in 2019 that are the new foam technology, they’re amazingly comfortable.

Posted by
1259 posts

and have even a modest cute factor?

Stick with interesting sox, get practical shoes.

Posted by
20 posts

Since you like Brooks, you might want to try the Launch model. They're lighter weight and come in widths. They are more bare bones as far as tech specs, but that actually works better for me. They're not cute but they're maybe a little more streamlined than the Ghost.

Posted by
2669 posts

I’m a fan of Ryka. They have a wider toe box but narrower heel and claim to be made for a woman’s foot. The arch support is adequate but I changed the insole to one that has more support on advise of my podiatrist for walking as I did in Italy. I’ve tried Brooks, Nike and ASICS but these are the most comfortable I’ve worn. I have foot problems from age, 3 neuroma surgeries and a broken foot.

Posted by
3428 posts

Another vote for Sketchers. I can't wear all of their shoes, but many fit great! I have VERY wide feet with a thick arch. Another brand that is really good (but more costly) is SAS. They have really top notch shoes in a wide variety of styles and you can get they almost any width (very, very, very wide to very narrow). They are also very durable.

Posted by
930 posts

HOKA Bondi 7 or Keen Targhee III are my favorite wide width shoes. I am NOT a fan of sketchers. I do like Saucony, Brooks, Ecco, SAS. Everyone's foot is SO different - this is a tough topic - def try on & walk for a bit - what I love, others may hate & vice versa.

Posted by
2699 posts

A strong second for HOKA. My wife and I have different foot problems and I need a wide as well. HOKA recommended by our podiatrist a number of years ago and we’ve worn them since. Fashionable they ain’t but comfort trumps that by a mile.

Posted by
9404 posts

You can have both comfort and style in one shoe nowadays… : )

Posted by
1625 posts

Another vote for VIONIC, I also like Aetrex, they have great design and are supportive. I am prone to planters factitious so I have to have a good quality shoe when walking long distanced. For the spring have you considered a bootie? Thinking you may still be getting some rain. My Vionic Booties/boots have been on two major trips with me (21 days each) and they are my most comfortable shoe. The grip on the bottom is amazing, I feel sure footed on cobblestones and sleek museum floors.
https://www.zappos.com/p/vionic-lois-black/product/9443603/color/3

In the past I have used Sketchers for tennis shoes but have since switched to Adidas for the comfort and style, cause yes style is important to me. I do not have wide feet per se, but they are not narrow, more squaty feet. These are the exact ones I use:

https://www.zappos.com/p/adidas-puremotion-white-white-black-1/product/9594365/color/753457

I have read so much about Brooks Ghost tennis shoe, really leaning on buying a pair and testing them out. I have been professionally measured for tennis shoes (you walk and they look at your gait etc) and I am always put into Brooks.

Posted by
490 posts

Allbirds - they are merino sneakers (or there is a plant based alternative for a warm weather shoe) - I will never wear another sneaker. I have wide feet too - so order the men's sizes as they are wider generally. These are the summer version https://www.allbirds.co.nz/products/mens-tree-skippers (the site will redirect you to the USA site if that is where you are)

Posted by
185 posts

Another vote for Altra - I have wide feet and some of the regular sized brands just aren't wide enough if I'm doing lots of walking. Lately I've been wearing the Altra Escalantes for city walking, and my bright blue pair is pretty cute. I've worn them with dresses, as well as pants and jeans. My husband, who usually rolls his eyes at my Altra hiking shoes, even likes them. But honestly, I think the most important thing is to buy shoes that feel good on your feet.

Posted by
1335 posts

I love my Mizuno running shoes. Their wide shoes accommodate my wide feet pretty well. The outsole absorbs shock very well.

Posted by
4025 posts

I just ordered these because my daughter swears by them and they do seems to have a wider toe cap. Waterproof as well.
https://ca.vessi.com/
I can't personally vouch for them yet but they're scheduled to arrive tomorrow and I'll update.

Posted by
32523 posts

more reported spam - same as before sajjad

Posted by
1825 posts

If you have wide feet, New Balance. Look for "walking shoes" as opposed to running shoes when you do a Google search. Ordering directly from NB will offer newer styles but aftermarket like Amazon or Zappos will be cheaper.

Posted by
6266 posts

I have feet that are not only wide, but big, and finding shoes is always a problem. I usually wear SAS, which are well made (in the US!) and come in a generous range of sizes. In the past, I have also worn New Balance and Saucony.

Lissie, I bought a pair of Allbirds, and they're too narrow. I got the men's, and went up a full size, as recommended on the website. I can wear them, but they're not comfortable enough for walking very far. I also think they don't have enough support. My travel group buddy Kim got a pair about the same time I did, and she loves hers. A good example of YMMV.

Posted by
296 posts

I will log 20,000 steps on average per day when going to Europe. Hoka Gaviotta is my go to. If I need or want to be more stylish Dr Martens. Super cool. Oxford or Mary Jane style. I bring both Hoka and Doc Martens. Adidas Superstar black and white for those days where there isn’t as much walking but want to be comfy and have the Euro vibe. Everyone was wearing Adidas when I was in Europe right before Covid.