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If you have wide feet, then you likely know the struggles of finding a really good fitting pair of cross-training shoes for your foot anatomy. There tend to be a lot of companies that make cross-training shoes with more narrow or neutral widths to them, which can make finding cross-training shoes for wide feet a serious struggle.
I’ve reviewed countless cross-training shoes and during my reviews, I’m constantly assessing how certain cross-training shoes fit so I can then create sizing buckets to help others find the best-fitting pair of shoes for their feet.
Below, I’m going to provide a few good cross-training picks for wide feet and they’ll be broken into categories based on the context of your training and anatomical asks.
For Those In a Rush: My favorite two cross-training shoes for wide feet are the Reebok Nano X3 and Altra Solstice XT 2. Both of these shoes work really well for different training contexts and they’re the most objectively wide cross-training shoes on the market at the moment.
My Top Picks for the Best Training Shoes for Wide Feet
- Best Men’s Cross-Training Shoe for Wide Feet: Reebok Nano X3
- Best Wide-Feet Cross-Training Shoes for CrossFit: Haze Trainer
- Best Women’s Cross-Training Shoe for Wide Feet: Reebok Nano X3
- Best Wide-Feet Cross-Training for HIIT: Altra Solstice XT 2
- Best Wide-Feet Cross-Training Shoes for High Arches: Adidas Dropset Trainer
Best Training Shoes for Wide Feet TakeawaysAuthor’s Note: This article was updated in March 2023 to reflect changes that I’ve made in different performance categories. I also updated and improved the user experience of this article.
Best Men’s Cross-Training Shoes for Wide Feet
When looking for the best men’s cross-training shoes for wide feet I’m looking for one key detail, is the shoe’s fit in question comfortable for guys, and does the shoe provide adequate width for different anatomies.
Size and fit are my lead indicators when finding really solid men’s cross-training shoes for wide feet, then I tie a shoe’s performance into my overall ranking and consideration.
My Top Pick: Reebok Nano X3
The Reebok Nano X3 is a fairly strong cross-training shoe for wide feet and it delivers a really strong performance in a lot of different training settings. This model’s width will be a good bet for accommodating neutral and slightly wider foot widths.
The Reebok Floatride Energy Foam midsole delivers a nice blend of stability and versatility in this shoe. You can easily use them for things like CrossFit, heavier lifts, HIIT workouts, and shorter runs without them leaving your feet feeling beat up.
Additionally, this shoe has the new Reebok Lift and Run chassis system which helps add to its overall versatility. This chassis system makes this shoe a bit more comfortable for short runs and it’s stable for heavy sessions.
Another thing to note with the Reebok Nano X3 is that Reebok updated this model’s midfoot and has fixed the durability issue with this model for CrossFit workouts. This has been a nice change from the Nano X2 and makes this shoe suitable regarding durability for most training settings.
- Best For: CrossFit-Style Training, Cross-Training, and Lifting
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm
- Weight: 13.85 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Sizing: True to Size.
- Read My Review: Reebok Nano X3 Review
Reebok Nano X3
$140
Best For
- Recreational Weight Training
- Functional Fitness/CrossFit
- Athletic-Style Training
- Short Runs/Sprints
- Casual HIIT
Falls Short
- For Minimalist Lovers
- For Long-Distance Running
Best Wide Feet Cross-Training Shoes for CrossFit
When looking for the best wide feet cross-training shoes for CrossFit I’m looking at three key performance metrics. First, I’m considering the shoe’s fit and feel since I’m most interested in the width of the shoe in question.
Second, I consider the stability and versatility of the shoe and how it aligns with CrossFit and CrossFit-style training. Third and lastly, I’m looking at the shoe’s durability. Can it hold up to tough and casual CrossFit workouts?
My Top Pick: STR/KE MVMNT Haze Trainer
The STR/KE MVMNT Haze Trainer is an awesome cross-training shoe for CrossFit if you have wider feet. This model’s S2 last and width rivals the width of the Altra Escalante which is a shoe known for its width. The Haze Trainer also features an anatomical toe box construction which helps accommodate full toe splay when training.
The medium-density Cush50 midsole in this model provides a nice level of stability while also keeping this shoe’s responsiveness pretty high. I’ve deadlifted over 500 lbs in this shoe and have squatted well over 365 lbs in this model and have little issues with compression.
On the topic of responsiveness, for HIIT training and plyometrics, the midsole in this model doesn’t beat you up or feel “too stable” which is nice giving this model an edge for versatility in CrossFit workouts, too.
The only caveat to the Haze Trainer is that the volume of this shoe is a bit limited, so if you use custom orthotics or need more volume in your shoes for CrossFit, then I’d suggest looking into the Reebok Nano X3 above.
- Best For: CrossFit-Style Training
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
- Weight: 11.2 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Sizing: True to Size
- Read My Review: STR/KE MVMNT Haze Trainer Review
STRIKE MVMNT Haze Trainer
$150
Best For
- Heavy Lifting
- Cross-Training Workouts
- Athletic-Focused Sessions
- Shorter Runs (<3 miles)
Falls Short
- For Cost-Efficiency
- For Custom Orthotics
When assessing the best women’s cross-training shoes for wide feet, I lean on my YouTube and That Fit Friend community for feedback. I’ll then take the shoe feedback received from women in the community to cross-reference the best models for women.
This helps me gauge what the community is saying and it helps to bridge the gap between my personal thoughts on a shoe with what other demographics think.
My Top Pick: Reebok Nano X3
The Reebok Nano X3 is earning my top pick as the best wide-feet cross-training shoe for women. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Really, the Reebok Nano X3 in back-to-back top picks?” Yes, really, and that’s for two key reasons.
Compared to the Reebok Nano X1 and Reebok Nano X2, the Reebok Nano X3 is a step in a really strong direction for the Reebok Nano cross-training shoe line and it’s one of the few true “wide feet friendly” cross-trainers on the market.
This shoe excels for versatile training and works well for heavy lifting, and the durability issues that plagued this model during CrossFit WODs have since been fixed.
The Flexweave upper in this shoe does a good job with abrasion resistance and the Lift and Run Chassis System gives this model a nice edge when it comes to its overall range of performance for different workouts.
- Best For: CrossFit, Cross-Training, HIIT, and Lifting
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm
- Weight: 13.85 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Sizing: True to Size
- Read My Review: Reebok Nano X3 Review
Reebok Nano X3
$140
Best For
- Recreational Weight Training
- Functional Fitness/CrossFit
- Athletic-Style Training
- Short Runs/Sprints
- Casual HIIT
Falls Short
- For Minimalist Lovers
- For Long-Distance Running
Best Wide Feet Cross-Training Shoes for HIIT
When looking into wide feet cross-training shoes that perform for HIIT I’m considering two key performance aspects. The first is how comfortable the shoes are for HIIT sessions in regard to their fit and width. Do they tend to limit the feet or accommodate wide feet?
Second, I’m considering the shoe’s midsole and outsole and how these two construction aspects fit into HIIT-style training. I want to know if the shoe is responsive enough for jumping, classes, etc., and if the outsole grips surfaces and moves well.
My Top Pick: Altra Solstice XT 2
My top cross-training shoe for wide feet that excels for HIIT training is the Altra Solstice XT 2. This model is purposely built to be a bit wider in nature, especially through the toe box. In fact, compared to other cross-training shoes, the Solstice XT 2 is one of the widest cross-training shoes I’ve ever worn for my training.
I really enjoy this shoe for HIIT training for three key reasons. First, the high-abrasion midsole in this model walks a good line between being highly responsive, but also somewhat stable.
These shoes don’t feel like they have so much cushion that you can’t stabilize and get feedback from the ground. Second, I like the Innergrooves that Altra uses in this model and the Balance Cushioning feature that gives this shoe a 0mm heel-to-toe drop.
The blend of these two helps provide this shoe with a ton of maneuverability which is great for different forms of HIIT training. Lastly, I like the width of this shoe. The toe box has ample width and they’re comfortable for training and daily wear.
- Best For: Wide Feet, HIIT Workouts, Recreational Training
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 0mm
- Weight: 9.5 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Sizing: True to Size
- Read My Review: Altra Solstice XT 2 Review
Altra Solstice XT 2
$130
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- HIIT Workouts
- Classes
- Wide Weet
- Shorter Runs
Falls Short
- For Heavy Lifting
- For CrossFit
Best Wide Feet Cross-Training Shoes for High Arches
When looking into cross-training for wide feet that also work well for high arches there are key performance areas that I’m looking at. First, is obviously the fit of the shoe. Does it have arch support for those with high arches and is it wide?
Second, with this specific fit of wide feet and high arches, does the shoe perform well in different contexts? Is it a good model for general cross-training for athletes and lifters that have specific anatomy asks?
My Top Pick: Adidas Dropset Trainer
The Adidas Dropset Trainer is taking my top pick as the best cross-training shoe for wide feet and high arches. This model has a neutral to slightly wider width through the forefoot so it can work for a fairly wide range of foot anatomies.
On top of this, the Adidas Dropset Trainer has a bit more arch support than other cross-training shoes on the market. So, if you’re after a shoe that has a fair amount of width and a little more medial support through the midfoot, then the Dropset Trainer can be a good model to try.
When it comes to performance, the Adidas Dropset Trainer is a strong shoe across the board. This model’s midsole is dense so you can lift heavy in them but it’s responsive enough for athletic-style training, HIIT workouts, and versatile sessions.
The outsole is also good for providing a nice level of traction with different types of workouts on different surfaces. Whether you’re doing multi-directional work, taking classes, or doing advanced plyometrics, you shouldn’t have slip issues in the Dropset Trainer.
- Best For: Recreational Lifting and Casual Versatile Training
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: N/A
- Weight: 10.6 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- Sizing: True to Size
- Read My Review: Adidas Dropset Trainers Review
Adidas Dropset Trainer
$130
Best For
- Recreational Lifting
- Casual CrossFit
- HIIT Workouts
- Classes and Very Light Runs
Falls Short
- For Serious CrossFit Workouts
- For Longer Runs
Are Cross-Training Shoes Good for Wide Feet?
Cross-training shoes can absolutely be great shoes for wide feet assuming you get a pair that accommodates your foot’s anatomy. There are a ton of different cross-training shoes on the market and they all fit slightly differently based on how a company has decided to build their shoes.
Every cross-training shoe’s last construction will vary slightly which means that some cross-training shoes will work really well for narrow or neutral foot widths, while others will be better suited for wide feet. If you have wide feet, then finding the right pair of cross-training shoes for your foot width will be a make or break for how they feel, fit, and perform.
Must Read: 5 Best Cross-Training Shoes for Flat Feet | Picks for CrossFit, Running, and More
If you want and need a bit more stability for additional support, then exploring more stable cross-training shoes that have wider widths would be a really good call. Conversely, if you’re tackling classes, HIIT workouts, or more versatile, then you’ll want to find a pair of wide cross-training shoes that are more responsive in nature.
By assessing your workout needs and wants, you can find a really good pair of cross-training shoes for wide feet that match your individual needs, wants, and preferences the best.
How Should Cross-Training Shoes Fit for Wide Feet?
When discussing a cross-training shoe’s fit for wide feet, we have to be hyper-conscious about how the shoe fits and feels for the mid-foot and forefoot since these are areas that we don’t want to feel restricted when cross-training. This is why we have articles like this to discuss wide feet-friendly cross-training shoes because finding the right fit is super important.
For general cross-training shoes and narrow and neutral foot widths, I often recommend leaving anywhere from .2″-.6″ of space at the end of your shoe’s toe box.
However, that’s not the case for athletes and lifters with wide feet. For wide feet, I recommend actually working with a slightly larger range and that is to aim to have .4″-.7″ of clearance at the end of your shoe’s toe box.
Wider feet will generally require a bit more room in the toe box to accommodate different foot widths and toe splay. By leaving a bit more length in the toe box we can hedge our bets to ensure we’re also going to get a bit more width in our shoes.
This is also why some lifters and athletes will go up a half size in notoriously more narrow-fitting cross-training shoes like Nike Metcons.
While I’m not the biggest fan of sizing up just to fit into a certain shoe that can be a viable strategy for some athletes and lifters looking for cross-training shoes for wide feet. This way you’re not also limited to a smaller lineup of shoes.
How I Rank Cross-Training Shoes for Wide Feet
At That Fit Friend, I’m (Jake) the only person reviewing cross-training shoes and I keep it this way and do this on purpose. When building round-ups like this article, I don’t think writers or athletes who have never tested every shoe should be writing on certain models pretending that they have.
As a strength coach, I’m not a fan of that because you’re missing out on layers of context that you’d only learn by physically testing every shoe yourself.
That being said, every cross-training shoe goes through a standard review process where I’m looking for a variety of key details. While in this standard process, I’m jotting down construction and performance for where certain shoes perform the best. This could be in different training settings or even pertain to performing the best for certain foot anatomies.
Some of the details that I look for in this review process are as follows.
- Midsole Construction: Is the shoe stable? Is it versatile and responsive? How much ground feedback do you get with the midsole? What workouts do the shoe’s midsole excel in and what workouts does it drop off?
- Outsole Construction: Does the outsole provide good traction? Are there surfaces in which it falls short? Is the outsole durable and does it protect the midsole from friction, outdoor elements, and other sources of breakdown?
- Upper Construction: How well does the shoe breathe? Does the upper beak in well? Is the upper durable for things like abrasion? Are there workouts where the upper may fall short or perform really well?
- Sizing and Fit: How does the shoe fit different foot widths? Does it run long, short, or have a true-to-size length? What is the shoe’s volume? Will it work well for custom orthotics or does it have a more shallow volume?
These are some of the questions and areas that I’m considering when testing cross-training shoes. In the context of wide feet, I’m noting a shoe’s sizing and fit most and this helps me then pull models for certain training settings that work well for wider feet.
When I notice that a cross-training shoe is wider or built purposely to be wider, then I’ll make notes accordingly and then bias some of my tests for this characteristic of the shoe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:I have a wide foot, should I size up in my training shoes?
Q:How do I know if I have a wide foot?
Takeaway Thoughts
If you have wide feet, then finding a great-fitting pair of cross-training shoes can be pretty frustrating at times. In my opinion, the cross-training shoe world is desperately lacking when it comes to wide-feet-friendly options.
Since not every company designs their cross-training shoes to be wider, it can take a little bit of research to find the best cross-training shoes for wide feet in the context of your training needs.
Hopefully, this article helped provide some insights into a few solid cross-training shoes that work for wide feet in a variety of settings.
If you have additional questions on any of the shoes featured in this article, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally on Instagram (@jake_boly). Cross-training shoe sizing can be a serious pain, so I’ll try to help accordingly for you!
Hey hey! Thanks for reaching out. 1. Updated the Echo and shifted it with the HYLETE Circuit II, I had messed up my notes there and totally forgot that HYLETE doesn’t make the Echo in women’s, so apologies there! Meant to have the Echo for high arches and normal Circuit II for women.
2. In re: colorways: I believe you’re referencing the Haze Trainer? The Haze Trainer colorway featured in the images is the EZ colorway and the colorway in the card is their general Gray colorway. The shoe featured in the images is the same as the normal “gray” Haze Trainer colorway featured, so I use the gray colorway to represent the shoe across the site as it’s more universal than the more “limited” EZ colorway featured in the review. I also have an all-white colorway, but it doesn’t show up the best in the product cards, so I opted for EZ. I’m always on the fence when pulling colorways that I have multiple of due to imagery conflicts or that are limited drops, so I try to use universal colorways in these cases!
Thank you for the notes 🙂
Can I ask, of the currently available cross trainers that you’ve tried, what is the absolute widest in the toe box? I usually wear my Prios for heavy lifts, but I wanted a more general purpose trainer. I was looking at the Inov8 G-Lite 300s, but maybe there’s a better option? I have to import them, I think. So, I can’t try them first. Usually, I need at least a 2E.
Appreciate any feedback. Thx!
Check out the Altra Solstice XT 2 – they’re super wide in the toe box. The F-Lite G 300 is pretty wide, too, but they don’t have as much width as the Altra. I think if you want them primarily as a general trainer as stated and plan to keep the Prio for heavy training, then you should enjoy them!
Thanks for the helpful feedback Jake. Much appreciated!
Welcome! Keep me posted on what you end up going with and if you like them. Would love your feedback!
Had to return the XT 2s. There wasn’t enough volume in the shoe to accommodate my instep. Left gaps between the shoe and the tongue. I have a higher arch, but I don’t usually run into this issue.
It’s a pity because I really loved them and they seemed wide enough in the toe box, which is rare. You were definitely on the right track. I’ll have to keep looking.
What would you suggest. Just measured 11 wide. Need for the gym. Some floor stuff and planks and little lifting. Have hammer toe on both feet. Really need support and stability. Was measured for inserts and will have them soon. Thanks
I think the Nano X2 could be a good option! Plus, the upper in this model will have enough volume to accommodate a variety of inserts with different levels of thickness.
Hi Jake! Thank you for all the in depth and nuanced content, I’ve been devouring it over the past few days of research.
Do you think the adidas Dropset has a place on this list? I just got them for daily hiit workouts, and while the initial fit feels like I have something pushing up on my midfoot in-step, I wonder if that’s just normal for a wide foot and what “stability” or “arch support” is supposed to feel like?
Just to clarify, I have a pretty wide and flat foot and wear 2E in the Asics Nimbus line. So I guess I’m trying to understand what my expectations should be from a training shoe that fits well enough, given that 2E width options don’t seem prevalent (especially here in India).
IMO, the Dropset Trainers lack for width through the midfoot, which is why you’re likely feeling that “arch support” in this model if you have a wider/flatter foot. If it’s not unbearable, then these will likely work for you long-term, butttttt if they’re uncomfortable, then it may be worth finding a model that aligns better with your needs. Your trainers shouldn’t feel uncomfortable or like you have to work around their fit!
Unfortunately many of these sneakers don’t allow for a meatier instep. I tried the Reebok Nano x2 in men’s 7.5D and they were just too tight on the instep. I am a woman and wear a 9E in New Balance Fusion 880v11 and finding sneakers appropriate for my CrossFit training is basically impossible. Thanks for the suggestion here though but did you actually have people with wide feet test these out.
Hey Thea! I’m sorry the Nano X2s didn’t work out for you — honestly, you hit the nail on the head when referencing that it’s nearly impossible. IMO, a lot of these big brands lack inclusivity with their shoes when it comes to specifics like your sizing needs. It’s pretty tough pulling models for this list so I try to do my best to pick options that are “wider” for the product cat due to lacking options.
In reference to this article, I pull choices based on two criteria, 1) I have a spreadsheet where I have measurements of different models, so I try to pull shoes that air on the “wider” end, granted, “wider” for most CrossFit shoes isn’t really that wide, unfortunately, 2) I have folks in the community share feedback on how a shoe fits and if it aligns with their wider feet. The most common size that folks tends to have when receiving feedback is 2E, which isn’t really hitting the extremes for width. Honestly, I should have you as a correspondent to report on shoes that work for 9E widths because that’s a pretty specific size that is underserved in the CrossFit/Cross-training shoe industry atm.
None of these shoes are especially wide.
That’s an issue with cross-training shoes in general. The shoes in this round-up are “wide”, but that’s relatively speaking, but no trainer on the market compares to the midfoot/toe box width of something like a minimalist shoe, sadly, and it’s a huge gap in the market that someone needs to fill. Sizing inclusivity for trainers are pretty whack. Just shared a YouTube video for sizing with 20 different trainers and none of them are inherently wide as the maximal width trainers go up to atm is D, so E/EE+ kind of get left out to dry.
I have read many reviews, and bought several shoes without success.
I wear size 15, sizing up half a size is not an option.
Reebok nano does not come in 15.
Nike Metcon and Nobull are too narrow toe box.
I want to lift and do boot camp, not running.
Any suggestions
Hey, I just recently started my football workouts and my coach recommended to get workout shoes for squatting and CrossFit. Problem is I have very wide, flat feet. You mentioned to ask more specifically if our feet were too wide, so what would you recommend? Thanks.
Heyo! What are you currently wearing and how do those shoes fit? Can give you better options with a little more sizing context for ya!