The 8 Best Women's Walking Shoes With a Wide Toe Box

Walking shoes come in all shapes and sizes, which can make it tough to determine which one is best for you. If you're looking to maximize comfort, it might be worth looking into shoes with a wide toe box.

"Walking shoes with wide toe boxes are basically wide-fitting shoes with space around and above the toes in the shoe," says Nelya Lobkova, DPM, a podiatrist and the founder of Step Up Footcare in New York City. The widest part of the shoe matches the widest part of the foot (the forefoot), and the tip of the shoe is rounded instead of pointed, she says.

Some people benefit from wearing walking shoes with a roomy toe box, including people with wider feet or issues in the forefoot, including bunions (bony bumps at the base of the big toe), hammertoes (when joints on the toe point up instead of lying flat) and neuromas (tissue growths between the toes).

For these folks, wearing a walking shoe with a wide toe box can prevent crowding and pain in the toes, Dr. Lobkova says.

Round or square toe boxes will give you more room. That said, beyond the size of the toe box, also consider the materials the shoe is made with.

"Softer materials like mesh and soft leather are more accommodating to deformities like bunions," says Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, a podiatrist at Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. "You should never have to 'break in' shoes, they should feel comfortable right in the shoe store."

When you try on a shoe, you should be able to wiggle your toes comfortably. If your toes need extra space, check out these women's walking shoes with a wide toe box.

To find the best wide-toe shoes on the market, we spoke with certified personal trainers and podiatrists about what to look for and their favorite picks. Our selections are based on the following criteria:

• Toe box size
• Flexibility
• Cushion level
• Comfort
• Price

Learn more about how we cover products.

With the most Fresh Foam used in any New Balance shoe to date, this pick gives you plenty of cushioning without squishing your toes. The engineered mesh upper allows for breathable comfort and support.

"It has excellent cushioning and is available in extra wide," Dr. Parthasarathy says.

Machine washable and quick to dry, these slip-on shoes come in a wide size and have a Stretch-Fit breathable knit upper for space and comfort.

"These shoes have a foam insole with responsive cushioning that makes them super supportive for all-day wear," O'Reilly says. "They are great for keeping your feet cool and comfortable, while also being budget friendly."

Keep these factors in mind when you're shopping for a women's walking shoes with a wide toe box.

Even if a shoe is marketed as having a wide toe box, you won't be able to gauge width unless you try it on and check how it fits your foot.

When trying on a walking shoe with a wide toe box, pinch the shoe at the tip to ensure you have room above your toes. "You should be able to create a dent in the shoe above the toes," Dr. Lobkova says.

Also, try to flex your toes inside the shoe, as if you're picking up a pen with your toes. All 10 toes should be able to flex without resistance or pressure from the shoe upper.

There are certain descriptors you should look for while shopping for wide toe box shoes that will fit right. Terms like "foot shape" and "balanced cushioning" generally mean "the shoe was designed to keep your toes aligned in their natural position for better balance, stability and comfort, while still having the proper cushioning and a secure feeling," Kendter says.

Check that your walking shoes have a soft, flexible upper material, such as soft leather, mesh or neoprene.

"This will accommodate any forefoot deformity without causing friction or irritation around the skin," Dr. Lobkova says.

Tougher, less-flexible materials won't conform to your feet well and may be more likely to rub against your toes and the tops of your feet.

Dr. Lobkova usually recommends walking shoes that have a heel-to-toe drop between 4 and 8 millimeters. "This places less stress on the Achilles tendon and allows for more efficient transfer of energy during the walking cycle," Dr. Lobkova says.

Meanwhile, flat shoes (also called zero-drop shoes) provide less support to the Achilles tendon, but create a more fluid walking gait. Unless you have a specific restriction at your ankle or Achilles, you may want to try lower-drop shoes around 0 to 3 millimeters.