The Top Wide Trail Running Shoes

Many runners run on trails, but they need wide trail running shoes. In our buying guide, we take a look at the best ones on the market.

Did you know that the construction of wide trail running shoes is different from that of other types of running shoes? Unfortunately, not every shoe brand makes a wide version of their trail shoes. We take a look at several that make fantastic wide trail shoes.

If you’re pursuing running through places like the untamed wilderness or a mountain path, make sure you have a wide trail running shoe. Since it has more arch support, sturdy uppers, and deeper lugs on its sole, it works well in any terrain.

A wide trail running shoe is an essential item for long-distance runners and serious fitness enthusiasts alike. It allows the athlete to have a soft landing when stepping onto hard surfaces. Since it has a high-performance sole with deep treaded rubber lugs, it remains flexible and stable no matter what the terrain.

Our top pick for a wide trail running shoe is the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V6.

Our budget pick for a wide trail running shoe under $100 is Asics Gel Venture 8.

Read on for why we picked each or check our Hiking Boots vs. Trail Running Shoes analysis.

New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v6

Our Top Pick

There are shoes, and then there are SHOES. The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V6 is the latter. It's a revolutionary trail running shoe that will leave you wondering how you ever managed to get on the trails without it—and it might just be one of the best trail running shoes for wide feet we've ever tried.

For those of us with wide feet, it can be even more difficult to find a suitable pair of running shoes. We are often forced to settle for products that don’t fit us well and aren’t comfortable.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v6

The men’s running shoe features a lightweight Fresh Foam midsole that helps to provide a soft landing on rough terrain. A proven Vibram® outsole provides traction and durability. $140.

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I’m a huge fan of running on trails, but the sharp rocks make it pretty tough sometimes. As a trail runner, you need to have a shoe that’s soft enough to absorb impact without feeling the rocks in an uncomfortable way. The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V6 does just that. It’s plush, comfortable, and it gives you full protection from everything carving up your feet.

The New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V6 could just be what you are looking for. It’s our top pick in this category and our number one recommendation.

As a trail runner, you will need a shoe that protects your underfoot from sharp objects. The New Balance Hierro V6 is plush and soft enough to absorb impact, so you don’t feel the rocks in a way that will injure your foot or make you uncomfortable.

If there’s one thing I love about New Balance, it’s the brand’s wide range of running shoes that accommodate all kinds of runners. However, it’s their trail running shoes that really make me happy. And when I first laid eyes on the New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro V6, I knew this was a trail shoe I had to get my hands on—and my feet in.

Hardly will any serious runner purchase a shoe that does not offer them value for their money. New Balance seems to have realized this truth and made sure the Hierro v6 delivers in all aspects. Let’s see how well it fares!

While it's packed with all kinds of incredible features for wide-footed adventurers, we were most impressed by its breathability, its lockdown capabilities, and its durability.

At first glance, it might not seem like a very breathable shoe—what with the closed mesh upper and all. But the vented perforations in the toe area allow tons of heat and moisture to escape while you're in motion (while also keeping your toes cozy in cooler weather).

The lockdown is also top-notch: thanks to a snug heel collar and soft gusseted tongue, your feet feel secure without being constricted or cramped.

And finally, there's durability: an outsole made of tested and proven Vibram material means that this shoe can go for miles without showing signs of wear.

The New Balance Hierro v6 is among the best trail running shoes for wide feet in terms of durability. The shoe features a tested and proven Vibram outsole that can go for miles without wear.

However, if you want a slightly cheaper shoe but with almost similar features, you can go for our second recommendation, Asics Gel Venture 8 as explained below.

Asics Gel-Venture 8

Best for the money

Anyone who has spent time running on trails knows how important it is to wear a shoe that won't slow you down. That's why I was excited to try out the Asics Gel-Venture 8.

For anyone who is looking for wide trail running shoes, this pair is worth a shot. Here are some of its features:

The upper sidewalls have an adequate cushion that will wrap the top of your foot snugly.
Asics Gel-Venture 8 Wide Trail Running Shoes also have a lace cage that locks down your feet snugly, as well as enough cushion to secure your feet from the occasional rock or root along the trail.
What I also love about these shoes is that they have ample cushioning to keep your feet comfortable and safe from the occasional rock or root along the trail. They really do feel good! I wore them on gravel pedestrian trails and even mountain terrains, and they held up well in terms of flexibility and comfort.
They have excellent grip! I used them on pea gravel pedestrian trails and mountain terrains, and they handled the terrain satisfactorily.
I found these shoes quite impressive! You barely need to break them in because they are ready to go right out of the box.

Asics Gel-Venture 8

Excellent for trail runs, light hiking, or exploring a new city, this style is complemented with an extra-wide fit for runners who require more width in their footwear. $65.

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Their grip is also excellent on wet surfaces. If you're looking for extra wide trail running shoes at a low price, these will make the best option.

The bottom sole gives your feet enough cushion to secure you from small rocks or roots on the trail. That's one of the reasons why I love these shoes so much. It has a lot of cushion to protect my feet from potential injuries while I'm enjoying myself on trails near home or out in nature. I know some other runners who feel this way too!

I love these wide trail running shoes because they are ready to go right out of the box! You hardly need to break them in before hitting the mountains.

The footwear is also great in durability, although not as good as the New Balance Hierro V6. However, their durability is far beyond their pocket-friendly price.

As runners, we also look for shoes that are lightweight to avoid extra weight. The Asics Gel-Venture 8 weighs 355g, which is the average weight of most trail running shoes.

I love having shoes that I can at times use just to take leisurely walks. Venture 8 offered me just what I was looking for because it’s not bulky. The wide toe box is enough to allow my toes to splay freely.

The upper mesh is comfortable and supportive despite being thin. The laces are easy to tie and don’t come loose during a run. It has a very generous heel cup that offers support but prevents irritation on your Achilles tendon as you run down steep slopes.

Whether trail running is a hobby or your passion, shoes can make a huge difference in how you experience the trails. I think for the price (around $65) the Asics Gel-Venture 8 is worth buying.