Well, I went to the running store! And it was… kind of frustrating. I asked for a neutral shoe with a wide toe box, and they showed me a bunch of shoes I’ve tried before. Brooks Ghost, New Balance 1080 and New balance 880. None of those shoes has a truly wide toe box- they might be a little widER than other models though.
I did have an illuminating conversation with the person who worked there. She confirmed that yes, these companies are making their shoes more and more narrow. She said the Hoka Clifton 9s are more narrow than the 8s (so that settles that- I definitely won’t be wearing Cliftons anymore!). I was glad she said that, and it’s not that I’m losing my mind or that my foot is getting fatter. The shoes are getting narrower!
WHY??? Why are these major shoe companies making shoes that AREN”T GOOD FOR YOUR FEET?
Kyria sent me this article about the Altra Lone Peak shoes. Altras have a nice wide toe box, but they’re a zero-drop shoe (that means the forefoot and heel are on the same level, whereas in most traditional running shoes the heel is higher than the forefoot- Hokas have a 5mm drop and the New Balance have a 10mm.)
Now, I had specified that I didn’t want a zero-drop shoe, but the review made a very convincing case for it, and was even written by someone who had suffered from plantar fasciitis in the past. In the future, I think this is the direction I’m going to go. But for right now, with only about month before my race, I don’t want to make such a big change.
I got the New Balance 880s, and I went one half size up and ordered a wide width. They’re okay.
I’m not convinced they’re any wider than my Hokas, but I’m hoping they won’t irritate the top of my foot. I’ll find out on my next long run!
One of the things I love doing at a running store is browsing through their gels. I got these two:
I’m hoping these New Balance shoes will at least get me through my race. And who knows, maybe I’ll end up loving them! I hope that’s the case- it’s very stressful not having a go-to shoe.
I’m joining My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida for Fit Five Friday. Thanks, ladies!
Does anyone run in New Balance shoes? I used to, but stopped when I started running in Hokas.
20 Responses
I have been there with the shoe dilemma… Only Topos and Altras are really wide toe boxes… Altra have a weird shape. I did try zero drop but I prefer 5mm… all the pretty shoes (Brooks, Asics, Saucony) have 10-12mm.
Good luck. Shoes are so important and so individual.
I have a pair of Topos that I’ve been using for just walking around, and they’re really comfortable. They have a nice wide toe box, they have a 5mm drop… I don’t know why they didn’t work for me for running. I want to try them again- I think I ran in them when my foot was really bod and I thought they made it worse. Now that my foot is better maybe they’ll feel good.
And my narrow bony feet have the exact opposite problem, LOL My Brooks Adrenalines feel like they’re getting wider & they’re not feeling as good as they used to 🙁 I’m wearing thick socks…..
Really??? I have a hard time believing any shoes are getting wider. You must be losing weight in your feet, ha ha.
Running shoe shopping STRESSES me out. Years ago I found the perfect Asics pair and then the subsequent models in the same line were terrible for me feet.
Admittedly, I don’t actually run in them that much these days, but years ago I put on serious miles over the summer and never found a pair that really worked. Sigh. I have very wide feet and so narrow shoes is a constant issue for me.
I hate it so, so much when a company “improves” their shoe and it ruins it for you! Well, I’ll keep you updated with my shoe journey- since my issue is also wide feet, maybe I’ll find something that would work for both of us.
Ugh how frustrating!!! The Brooks Launch worked well for me, but once I tried to get another “go to” shoe and just couldn’t make anything work. I returned SO MANY SHOES. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the NB’s work out for you. That’s my husband’s go-to shoe.
Didn’t you say your husband had issues with plantar fasciitis? Maybe New Balance will work for both of us.
I honestly think Altras with inserts would be great for you, based on what you say. NB makes some great shoes, but I find them mushy and the collar/heel doesn’t come up high enough on my foot.
I’m definitely going to try the Altras after my race. So far these NB shoes seem to be working, but I haven’t worn them for a long run yet.
I have only ever worn Asics for running, the gel nimbus or some such thing. My feet are long and narrow, and they work great for me, plus they are like walking on clouds, they are so cushiony. The only strange thing is that Asics run really small size-wise; my regular shoe size is 9 but I have to get a 10 in Asics.
I wish I had long and narrow feet! I usually need to go up a size in running shoes- i have no idea why they don’t just size them like regular shoes. I’ll add it to the list of complaints!
I have a pretty wide foot so I feel your pain on this. I did try the Altras at one point but the zero drop just didn’t agree with me, especially on longer distances. I am currently running in Brooks Ghost and Adrenaline and they are working for me. I hope the New Balances work for you!
Yes, I’m scared of the zero drop! But the shape of the Altras are so comfortable for my feet. I think you really have to gradually get used to the zero drop. I’m going to try it (after my race) and see if I can do it.
I currently have a pair of Brooks running shoes (that I actively despise) and a pair of New Balance cross trainers (that I love). I have run in both and found the New Balance to be just an all-around winner to accommodate my PF, my rebuilt leg, and my own wide toe box. I did replace the insoles that came with the shoe with some blue Superfeet insoles. I need to get new running shoes for the new season, so I’ll probably have to make my way to a running store and lay out my own litany of shoe-related issues and I am not anxious to do so.
Well, I would say stick with New Balance! You could just have them bring you a bunch of different models and try them all one, and get the ones that are most comfortable. And you can totally bring in your insoles and try the shoes on with them. I’ll be interested to hear what you end up getting.
Kyria is a great resource for all things running! And especially trail running! She has done so many races! I hope the new shoes work. I need to look up what kind of Hokas I run in. They’ve been awesome though. But I have incredibly narrow feet, so the narrowing of shoes is actually good for me!
Will be curious to see what you thought of the Huma chia gel!
Oh, I’m envious- there are so many options for narrow feet!
I’ll let you know about the gel- this will be my first time trying it!
Ok, so my trail shoes -Brooks Cascadias) are nice and roomy, but I have a bruise at the base of my left big toe nail. Ruh roh. I think it might be from running down those steep hills in California and my toe hitting the front of the shoe. It’s always something, isn’t it? I hope you find your dream shoes!
Yes, it sounds like it’s from those downhills. Is there even any way to prevent that if you’re running a lot of steep hills? I don’t know. We don’t have hills here.