What Are the Best OCR Trail Running Shoes for Wide Feet?

Finding the ideal shoes is already painful, and it even more difficult when you have wide feet. Follow these tips to find the best wide trail running shoes.

Two kinds of running shoes can accommodate wide feet. First, many runners will appreciate the wide toe box from the Altra trail running shoes while others need the entire shoe that has a wide fitting. In this case, the Salomon Speedcross is an excellent option. Before you decide which running shoes to buy, take a look at the following advice.

If you're searching for the best shoes for regular feet and expecting to find a real review from a real runner. Check out this list I created of the top OCR footwear.

Best trail running shoes for wide feet

Salomon Speedcross Wide

From my experience and all the running shoe review I have consulted, the Salomon Speedcross is the ideal trail running shoes for an obstacle race. Moreover, Salomon is also offering a special edition for runners with wide feet.

Therefore, with these Salomon Speedcross Wide you'll get all the essential features of proper trail running shoes, without compromising the comfort of your feet.

Highlights:

• Wide fitting
• Support for your arch and ankle
• Impressive traction
• Heel counters
• Excellent water drainage
• Moisture-wicking material
• Anti-debris upper
• QuickLace system
• Lightweight
• Ventilation
• Stability
• Flexibility
• Durability

Considerations:

Not suitable for flat feet without replacing the insole, such as the Tread Labs Stride insoles.

Ideal for:

• Wide feet
• Foot pain
• Trail running
• Obstacle racing
• Mud run

Features:

Midsole cushioning: The Salomon Speedcross (link to Amazon) comes with a lightweight midsole cushioning, which improves the overall comfort of your feet while you run through the hardest obstacles.

Traction: The outsole of the shoe include loads of arrow-shaped lugs, that increase your stability in muddy condition.

Fit: Nicely wrapping around your feet, the shoes are built to keep your feet comfortable.

Upper feet protection: The Speedcross as a built-in anti-debris mesh top, which prevent the dirt and small rocks from going inside the shoes.

Shoe size: Ranging from 7 to 14, the Salomon Speedcross Wide can accommodate most runners (men and women).

For all the details check the Salomon Speedcross Wide on Amazon here.

Best trail running shoes with a wide toe box

Altra King MT

The Altra footwear is the favorite running shoes among the runners with wide feet. Moreover, they are extremely popular within the trail running and obstacle racing community. Because, they are the ideal footwear to tackle the most challenging trails and obstacles, while also promoting a natural foot positioning.

Golden Harpe, the founder of Altra, is a firm believer that unnecessary heel height is damaging for the runner's feet. Many trail-runners and marathoners feel the same way, and that why the zero-drop and minimalistic heel ramps are becoming the norm with running shoes.

Highlights:

• Wide toe box
• 19mm stack height
• Lightweight (8.5oz. / 241g)
• Midfoot strap
• Free returns and exchanges
• Responsive midsole
• Optimal ground adaptability

Considerations:

No drop from the heel to the toes

Light cushioning

Suitable for:

• Wide feet
• Natural running form (barefoot)
• Obstacle race
• Mud run
• Trail running

Features:

Wide toe box: These Altra King MT (link to Amazon) as a large toe box that gives enough room for your toes to spread on impact, which significantly improves comfort but also stability.

Zero drop heel: With the Altra shoes, your toes and heel are at equal distance from the ground. This features might not be for every runner, but the zero-drop heel promotes proper and low-impact running.

Traction: The aggressive treads are strategically placed underneath the sole to provide optimal traction in slippery trails and obstacles.

Cushioning: These trail running shoes contain just enough cushions to provide the much-needed comfort to your feet.

For all the details check the Altra King MT on Amazon here.

Wide shoes buying guide

Running with comfortable shoes make all the difference, especially when you are competing in a race. Too narrow or wide footwear can be painful and hold you from reaching the finish line.

Here are the most popular questions about wide running shoes.

Do I have wide feet?

When you have wide feet, your shoes feel extra tight, especially on the side of the foot or the toes. The midsole of your shoes might also be smaller than your foot. If it's the case, you definitely have wide feet.

What if I have wide flat feet?

Some runners are also dealing with flat feet, also known as Fallen Arches. This condition can lead to more pain and extended injury if left untreated.

If the arch of your foot is too close or in contact with the ground, you must see an expert and look for running shoes with enough arch support.

These particular insoles can also be part of the solution.

Do I need wide shoes for swollen feet?

You might not need a wide shoe in general, but your feet could be suffering from swelling. This situation happens to many runners for various reasons, and it's pretty common to buy a pair of wide running shoes for swollen feet. A wider shoe can help ease the pain from swollen feet.

What is the best lacing technique for wide feet?

Your shoes might feel too tight because of how you are lacing them. Try loosening the front or skipping a few holes to provide more room for your feet to expand.

What brand of trail running shoes is best for wide feet?

Not too long ago, runners were buying a bigger size of shoes to compensate for their large feet. Today, most serious brands are creating special shoes for wide feet.

All famous running shoe brands, such as Nike, Adidas, Brooks, and New Balance, have wider options.

However, companies specialize in trail running shoes are taking these issues seriously. For example, Altra and Inov-8 have a wider toe box that can accommodate most wide feet runners.

Are Altra shoes good for wide feet?

Altra is among the best brands, that create a quality trail running shoes for wide feet. The King MT is their most popular models for runners who need wide fitting shoes.

Is Inov-8 good for wide feet?

Inov-8 is the top recommended brand when it comes to wide feet, especially in the obstacle racing community. The X-Claw and X-Talon are the most loved shoes by those with wide feet.

Which Salomon shoes are best for wide feet?

The Speedcross is available in wide, and you should certainly consider it when looking for the best trail running shoes. I've been running almost exclusively with the Speedcross for the past 10 years, and I absolutely love them. In my opinion, they are the best trail running shoes to wear at an obstacle race. However, the Speedcross is the only wide shoe from Salomon.

How do I know if I need wide shoes or shoes with a wider toe box?

First, you must look at your feet and see if they are entirely wide or solely in the front.

If only your toes feel compressed, or if your heel is loose inside the wide shoe, it's plausibly a sign that you only need a wide toe box shoes.

On the other hand, if your whole feet is tight and you feel squeezed in a simple wide toe box shoes, you'll necessitate wide shoes.

Both types of shoes allow your toes to spread comfortably, but the wide toe box have a regular width at the back.

What does the letter sizing mean?

When it comes to wide footwear, you'll have more than just one option to choose from. The width of the shoes can vary from narrow to extra wide. Brands are using a letter sizing chart to identify the width of their shoes. Just like the numbers indicate the length (7, 8, 9, 9.5, 10, etc.), the letter designates the width of the shoes.

• AA: Narrow for women
• B: Narrow for men and medium for women
• D: Medium for men and wide for women
• EE: Wide for men and extra wide for women
• EEEE: Extra wide for men

Typically, the typical wide shoes are label as EE.

Why my heels are slipping in wide shoes?

When your heel is slipping its usually a sign that your shoes are excessively wide, therefore, you apparently need a wide toe box shoes with enough room for your toes but tight enough for your heels.

Also, you might need a narrower size. For example, you could try a D instead of a EE.

What to look for in a wide trail running shoes?

Besides the most needed traction system, cushioning, ventilation, and water drainage features, here are the critical functions of a wide trail running shoes.

The fit is definitely the most vital feature to look for when choosing wide running footwear. The shoes should hug your entire feet without squeezing. Your toes must lay inside the toe box without been crush together.

Takeaway

Make sure to understand which type of wide shoes your feet need.

If you simply need a wide toe box that allows your toes to spread while running, go with these Altra trail running shoes.

However, if your feet still feel too tight with the Altra, you probably need wider shoes. I would suggest this wide edition of the Salamon Speedcross because this running shoes as proven to be among the best trail running shoes to wear for an obstacle race.

Hopefully, you'll be running pain-free with those new shoes.

Cheers!

P.S. If you're searching for the regular running shoes for OCR and hoping to get genuine advice from a real runner. You should check out this list I created of the top footwear for obstacle racing.

I have picked these shoes because I'd used them in different obstacle races and mud runs. Plus, I'd confirmed my selection with my fellow OCR runners. With all their insights and my own experience, I've built this list of the top shoes for a Spartan race.

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