I know first-hand that it can be a struggle finding the best hiking boots for wide feet. The trouble is that many of the best brands run narrow, especially European brands. But hikers with wide feet—like me—have some solid options that won't squash your toes or pinch the outsides of your feet. Some brands run wide, others offer their best-sellers in wide sizes, and others feature wide toe boxes (which is where most of us need that extra room). In 2024, the best hiking boots for wide feet include the
As always, my recommendations are based on first-hand experience. I'm a wide-footed hiker who's worn dozens of different boots while hiking more than 15,000 miles since 2011. Plus, as the former footwear manager at a hiking shop, I've also fit thousands of hikers. So I know which boots do—and don't—deliver extra width in the forefoot and toe box. Here's more about the wide hiking boots that have worked best for me and my customers at Backcountry and Appalachian Outdoors.
Best Hiking Boots for Wide Feet
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX — Wide
Best lightweight hiking boot for wide feet
Main Benefits:
The X Ultra 4 Mid stands out as one of the best lightweight hiking boots, but it runs slighly narrow in the toes. Thankfully, Salomon offers this best-seller in wide sizes, too, so hikers with wide feet can often pull them off. The X Ultra 4 Mid only weighs a few ounces more than a trail running shoe but still provides solid support. I also like the aggressive tread with climbing lugs up front and braking lugs in back for great traction on steep ascents and descents with dirt, mud, snow, or scree. The Salomon X Ultra 4 is a versatile hiking boot that can handle harder hikes than other lightweight hiking boots. Just make sure to buy it in the wide size—see links below.
Best Fit
moderately wide feet
Best Match
moderate to hard day hikes
"I've been wearing Salomon X Ultras for more than ten years. Salomon's regular size squeezes my wide feet, but the X Ultra 4 Wide fits me pretty well."
- Jory, editor of hiking feet
Topo Athletic Trailventure 2
Best lightweight hiking boot with wide toe box
Main Benefits:
The Topo Trailventure 2 is a "speed hiking" boot designed for fast and light day hikes. Loved by podiatrists, the "Topo Fit" features low drop (from heel to toe), a secure fit, and a wide toe box for a more natural fit. Weighing less than two pounds, it's the lightest boot on this list. Still, it offers decent support for a lightweight hiking boot, a comfortable fit with light yet responsive cushioning, and quality Vibram outsoles with aggressive traction. The Trailventure 2 is available in non-waterproof ($20 less) or with highly breathable eVent waterproofing (another plus). Topos are not available in wide sizes. However, they're wide where most people need width — in the toe box — and fit my wide feet better than other lightweight hiking boots.
best fit
wide feet
best match
fastpackers, day hikers
"The Trailventure 2 is my personal favorite lightweight hiking boot. I wore them extensively when I won top hiker at Backcountry's Summer Adventure Challenge and just bought another pair of non-waterproof Trailventures for New Mexico.
- Jory, editor of hiking feet
Merrell Moab Mid
Best budget hiking boot for wide feet
Main Benefits:
The budget-friendly Merrell Moab isn't the best hiking boot out there, but it runs wide and is also available in wide. Merrell's best-selling hiking boot is known for it's "out of the box comfort" and its Vibram outsoles, which are a nice feature for the moderate price. Serious hikers probably want more ankle support, more reliable waterproofing, and better durability. However, the uber-popular Moab may be plenty of boot for the average day hiker, and it's one of the widest fits out there. The Moab's regular size is wide enough for my wide feet, but it's also available in wide sizes for even more width.
Best Fit
wide feet
Best Match
hikers on a budget, trail-to-town wear
"I've personally owned the Merrell Moab. Merrell's regular size is wider than many brands' 'wide' size. Obviously, their wide size is even wider."
- Jory, editor of hiking feet
KEEN Targhee Mid
Day-hiking boot with a wide fit
Main Benefits:
With its wide toe boxes, KEEN generally offers the widest fit—and Targhees are their best-selling hiking boots. Updated for 2024, the Targhee IV is soft and cushioned underfoot with moderate support, traction, and durability. Targhees can handle moderate hikes and the occasional backpacking trip, but they're not the best choice for rugged hiking or backpacking. Still, they're super popular with day hikers and feature a roomy regular size with wide sizes available, too. Since I hike 1000+ miles/year, I prefer something more durable. However, the KEEN Targhee is often a great choice for the average day hiker with wide feet.
Best Fit
wide feet
Best Match
day hiking
"My doctor recommended KEEN in 2005, and I've been wearing their sandals and shoes ever since. I hike in their regular size, even though I have wide feet."
- Jory, editor of hiking feet
Oboz Bridger
best midweight hiking boot for wide feet
Main Benefits:
The Oboz Bridger is a solid leather hiking boot that's available in a true wide. My wide feet love their sturdy soles and upmarket insoles, which add cushion and support where other brands skimp. For me, Bridgers hit the sweet spot for support — they're sturdy enough for backpacking yet flexible enough for day hiking, too. The traction also stands out on steep descents, where deep lugs and a heel brake help me dig in to dirt, mud, snow, and scree. The Bridger is also the most durable hiking boot I've owned—I've gotten a whopping 2400 miles out of only two pairs! Oboz' regular size is too tight for me, but its wide last is just wide enough for my moderately wide feet.
Best Fit
wide feet
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes, backpacking
"My Oboz Bridger recommendation is based on first-hand experience. I've hiked more than 2,000 miles in this boot, and Oboz's wide is wide enough for me."
- Jory, editor of hiking feet
KEEN Durand II Mid
KEEN's most supportive hiking boot
Main Benefits:
The KEEN Durand II is an upgrade in support and durability compared to the popular KEEN Targhee above. It's a well cushioned, waterproof, and supportive leather boot with KEEN's signature toe boxes providing good toe protection and wiggle room. If you need a wide fit and a wide toe box, this would be the best KEEN hiking boot for men and women who prefer harder day hikes and moderate backpacking trips. If other options on this list still aren't wide enough for you, this may be your best option — the wide fit + wide toe box probably makes this boot the widest option on this list.
Best Fit
wide feet
Best Match
day hiking, backpacking
"At Backcountry and Appalachian Outdoors, the KEEN Durand was my go-to pick for hikers with really wide feet who wanted a more supportive hiking boot."
- Jory, editor of hiking feet
Lowa Renegade Mid GTX — Wide
Best backpacking boot available in wide
Main Benefits:
It's especially hard to find backpacking boots for wide feet. The LOWA Renegade is your best bet to buy a brute that fits your wide feet. The Renegade is an iconic hiking and backpacking boot that boasts old-school quality and performance. That includes leather uppers, waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX, and premium Vibram outsoles. For better or worse, this boot hasn't changed much over the years. It's a traditional leather hiking boot with excellent foot and ankle support. No frills. No apologies. A best-seller for 25 years, the Lowa Renegade is available in narrow, regular, and wide sizes — make sure to order the wide (and perhaps size up a full size) since the regular size fits a little snug by U.S. standards.
Best Fit
wide sizes available
Best Match
backpacking, off trail hiking
"I've personally owned two pairs of Renegades. LOWA's wide isn't as big as many brands' wide sizes, so try sizing up one full size for additional width."
- Jory, editor of hiking feet
How to buy hiking boots that fit your wide feet
I've hiked in roughly twenty different hiking boots and sold dozens of others as an outdoor industry professional. The boots above are the best fits for hikers with wide feet.
Your first concern as a hiker should be finding hiking boots that fit. If you've got wider feet (like me), you need to be extra careful. You don't want to buy boots that cramp your toes or pinch your feet after a few hours of hiking or backpacking! (Been there, done that.) Here's my guide to finding your best size and fit.
For the best fit, make sure to try on hiking boots/shoes late in the day (as your feet swell as the day goes on). You can sometimes get width right by sizing up a full size, but you're better off targeting brands that run wide (e.g. Merrell), have wide toe boxes (KEEN, Altra), or are available in wide sizes (e.g. Oboz, Salomon, etc.). The list above should be a great place to start your search for wide hiking boots or shoes.
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