Zero Drop Running Shoes

It was not uncommon to see women and men with wider feet that needs better fitting shoes. However, you will never see stores grouping their zero drop running shoes by wide, normal or narrow feet. This is something I always find puzzling, especially for online stores. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean I can’t do anything about it. In this article, only the best zero drop running shoes for extra wide feet will be featured.

Updated for 2020: These are best zero drop shoes for wide feet, with 0 toe to heel drop and wide toe box

1. New Balance 20v5 (men)
2. Altra Instinct 1.5 (men)
3. Vivabarefoot Primus (men)
4. Invo-8 182 (women)
5. New Balance WX20v5 (women)
6. Altra Intuition 2 (women)

Editor’s note: I will revise the original content as well as adding in new models that weren’t available when I first wrote this buying guide in 2015. Unsurprising, there is still very little information for folks want to buy 0mm shoes with wide toe box. The shoe industry just doesn’t cater for this group of customers so it is up to sites like mine to do all the research work. Hope you find this guide useful.

Men Minimalist shoes for wide feet

Minimalist men shoes are common but finding those suitable for wide feet is challenging. Most brands I know of don’t have a wide feet category to specifically choose from so it is difficult to know what is really suitable.

New Balance Men’s 20v5 Vibram Minimus Shoe review

The New Balance 20v5 has replaced the Altra Mens as my favorite men’s zero drop running shoe for wide feet. The latter has seen a lot of bad production flaws recently so I can’t recommend it as strongly as this one. This is a great shoe that can be used for gym activities including crossfit. In terms of running, it doesn’t offer much cushioning support so it is only ideal for those who are used to running barefoot.

The tongue is one of the widely praised design and it is easy to see why. The design is asymmetrical which allows your foot to be locked firmly without having to lace your shoe up tightly. It is a great feature and all New Balance shoes should have it.

One thing to note is that the shoe toe box design is really wide. If you don’t have a wide feet, wearing these will be less than ideal as your toes wouldn’t be able to make contact with the front of the shoe. This means the fit isn’t as tight which might cause accidents during your cross fit workouts. However, for those who have wide feet, these will be very ideal.

Men Altra zero drop shoes for wide feet review

Altra shoes is one of the better brands known for its zero drop platform. This Altra Instinct 1.5 model not only has that but features a wide feet design that makes it comfortable to wear, especially at the forefoot area.

When I say wide design, I am referring to both the toe box and the mid section are.  For the former, you can see that the shoe has a wide toe box and is perfect for those with bunion pain. Within the shoe, your toenails will no longer be squashed and have room to grow!

The other plus point is the wide midsole section. Very often, shoes are too narrow in this part for wide feet folks and that will hurt during running as the shoe rubs against the side of the feet. For this shoe, you can see it is really wide in the middle so you wouldn’t experience the pain that a narrower shoe might bring.

For the shoe interior, it has the usual Altra cushioning, support and low zero to heel margin. It also pretty light weight as it not as heavily cushioned as most of the other shoes.

On the downside, the arch support is very minimal as you can see from the image above. Runners who are flat feet or needs high arch support will want to give this a miss. Another flaw is with the mess material. From earlier reviews on Amazon, it seems that the mesh material is not as durable and can break after a couple of months. Later models seem to have remedied this problem though.

Overall, it is still a strong buy recommendation if you are looking for a wide zero drop running shoes.

Vivobarefoot Primus running shoe review

The Vivabarefoot Primus model has a 0mm heel drop and is the next best thing besides going completely barefooted. Due to the mesh material and very little use of cushioning, this running shoe is as light as they come. When you put these on, it is almost as if they weigh next to nothing.

For wide feet runners, the best thing about the Vivabarefoot running shoe is its generous wide toe box, which can be easily seen from the picture on the right. If they feel loose, wearing a pair of shoes will probably make it the right feet.

The only thing that concerns me is the minimal use of treads on the sole. As such, it is unclear just how long they will last, given that they are meant for trail running. The lower tread count also means the shoe can be slippery on surfaces when it is raining so be aware of it when running in the rain.

Women Minimalist shoes for wide feet

Here is where we recommend what are the best options when you want a wide feet shoe that has zero or close to zero drop heel.

Inov-8 Women’s F-Lite 182 Cross-Training Shoe Review

The Invo-8 182 is a new addition to the original guide. It is a true 0mm drop running shoe for women that has a generous wide toe box design. Even when the fit might be as wide during your first wear, the material is flexible to stretch itself and accommodate your wide foot.

In terms of comfort, the Invo-8 182 is as good as it gets for any zero drop shoe. It is light weight so that wouldn’t any extra pressure on the feet. There is also sufficient cushioning to make the shoe easy to wear. In fact, you can even use it for cross fit purposes.

Unfortunately, the 182 model is being replaced by the 192 model. I read some reviews saying the there is some problems with the 192 sizing. If you order the same size as the 182, the shoe will feel shorter in length, resulting in cramp toes. If you order half a size bigger, it might too loose. If you have not purchase the 182 yet, I strongly encourage to do so before all the retailers run out of this model.

Women New Balance WX20v5 review

New Balance produced some of the best minimalist shoe in the market and the WX20v5 happens to be for wide feet female athletics.

After wearing it, you will notice that your toes has more room to wriggle in and that your side do not feel as squashed compared to other shoes. The opening for the shoe has also been enlarged to make wearing the shoe a breeze. However, this big opening does create the problem of loose angles, which brings me to the next point.

Of special note is the tongue. Rather the usual design which covers the top of your feet, this one will wrap itself around the side. This is the correct way to wear it because it will prevent your ankles from sliding out due to the generous space the shoes has created in that area. I saw a reviewer complaining about how her ankle feels insecure. The reason is probably due to the way she is wearing the shoes.

Sizing for the WX20v5 is true sizing. Don’t try to order any size bigger or the opening will be too loose as discussed above. The weight of the shoe is also negligible as it is really light and airy.

Women Altra zero drop running shoes for wide feet review

For women with wide feet, the Altra Intuition 2 model is a god send for you. Compared to Altra Newton and other brands, it has a much wider toe box as well as midsole section.

It is also a pretty light weight shoe with good overall heel cushioning for a zero drop running shoe. Most shoes that belong to this category doesn’t offer much cushioning at the heel design. This particular model does and it makes a whole world of difference, especially when you are doing long distance running.

For folks with bunions or other problems like plantar fasciiti, this mode is really comfortable to wear. Even if you are not a runner, you can wear it as a walking shoe as it looks great. Color wise, thereis the option of blue, green and pink as pictured above.

 The Altra Intuition 2 is really a great running shoe for forefoot runners who requires a wider toe box. If you are a heel striker, this might not be the best option as the heel cushioning does not offer the best support when compared to non zero drop running shoe.

Conclusion

The Altra shoes used to be really good for people with wide feet. However, they have been surpassed by the New Balance 20v5 for men and the Invo-8 182 for women. These new models offer the necessary width while maintaining their light weight, solid cushioning and good solid.