It can be a struggle finding hiking boots that fit wide feet. Many of the best brands run narrow, especially European brands. Still, hikers with wide feet (like me) have some solid options. KEEN generally has the widest fit, thanks to their wide sizes and wide toe boxes. However, many of the best brands now offer their best-sellers in wide sizes, too. That means that hikers with wide feet may be able to fit in brands with more standard fits (Oboz, Salomon) and even narrow fits (La Sportiva) — if they buy them in wide. Then there's Altra and Topo Athletic, who are known for their wide toe boxes — which is where most people need the extra room. Given these choices, what are the best hiking boots for wide feet?
Here's my shortlist of the best hiking boots for wide feet (from lightest to heaviest) based on my experience as a wide-footed hiker who also fitted hundreds of men and women with wide feet when I worked at a hiking and backpacking shop:
Topo Trailventure 2
Lightweight fast-packing boot with a wide toe box
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX
Lightweight but supportive hiking boot available in wide sizes
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Mid
Lightweight hiking boot with wide options available
Merrell Moab Mid
Budget-oriented hiking boot with roomy fit and wide sizes available
KEEN Targhee Mid
Comfortable day-hiking boot with wide toe box and wide sizes available
La Sportiva Nucleo High II
Lightweight hiking and backpacking boot available in wide sizes
Oboz Bridger Mid
Comfortable, supportive, and durable hiking boot available in wide sizes
KEEN Durand II
Mid-duty hiking boot with roomy toe box and widest fit on this list
Lowa Renegade Mid GTX
Iconic backpacking boot offered in narrow, regular, and wide sizes
best hiking boots for wide feet: lightweight
There's a strong trend towards lighter hiking footwear. Fortunately, three of my favorite lightweight hiking boots work for hikers with wide feet — they either have a wide toe box or recently became available in wide sizes. Here are the best lightweight hiking boots for wide feet:
Topo Athletic Trailventure 2: wide toe box
Women's Trailventure 2
Main Benefits:
The Topo Trailventure 2 is a "speed hiking" boot designed for fast and light day hikes or ultralight backpacking. 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 surprisingly good foot 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, but they're wide where most people need width — in the toe box — and fit my wide feet well.
best fit
wide feet
The Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 runs true to size with a wide toe box that should accommodate most hikers with wide feet.
best match
fast-and-light hikers, low-drop fans
The Topo Trailventure 2 may be a good hiking boot for fast hikers, ultra-light backpackers and fast-packers, and day hikes who want more room in the toe box.
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX — Wide
Men's Ultra Raptor 4 Mid
Main Benefits:
The X Ultra 4 Mid (and its predecessor the X Ultra 3) stands out as one of the best lightweight hiking boots. Salomons actually run slightly narrow in the heel and toe box; however, the wide version of the X Ultra III/IV should fit most hikers with wide feet. The X Ultra 4 Mid only weighs a few ounces more than a trail running shoe but still provides good stability and support. I also like the aggressive traction with climbing lugs up front and braking lugs in back for great traction on steep ascents and descents with dirt, mud, snow, or scree. It's a good thing that Salomon started making X Ultras in wide sizes — it's a versatile hiking boot that can handle harder hikes than other lightweight hiking boots.
Best Fit
moderately wide feet
Salomon's regular fit runs slightly narrow in the toe box, but the wide version of the X Ultra 4 offers more room in the forefoot and toe box for a wider fit.
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes
The X Ultra 4 Mid is a versatile hiking boot that's light enough for fast hikers yet sturdy enough for moderate to difficult trails and backpackers with light packs.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid — Wide
Men's Ultra Raptor II Mid
Main Benefits:
La Sportivas actually run small and narrow — but now offer select styles in wide, including the Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX. The mid-cut version of Sportiva's sturdiest trail running shoe, Ultra Raptors are light but sturdy for a lightweight with plenty of foot support and trail feel (like the X Ultra 4 above). Its GORE-TEX waterproofing is another plus, but it really stands out for its traction. La Sportiva's Frixion rubber is super-grippy on rock, making this boot a great choice for technical trails with plenty of rock traction. Just make sure to buy this in wide (see links below) — the standard size is small and very narrow!
Best Fit
moderately wide feet
The Ultra Raptor II Mid-Wide should fit most hikers with wide feet, especially if you size up a full size from your normal shoe size. (Make sure to order the wide!!!)
Best Match
rocky, technical trails
The Sportiva Ultra Raptor II-Mid is a good choice for serious hikers who prefer a firmer feel and mostly hike technical trails with plenty of rock scrambling.
best hiking boots for wide feet: budget
The average hiker may not have to buy the most expensive hiking boots. Budget-oriented hiking boots may have enough support and durability if you don't hike a ton of miles, stick to easy to moderate trails, don't carry a heavy pack, or prefer to wear your hiking boots as everyday boots. That includes the best-selling hiking boot in the world, which runs wide and is also available in wide sizes:
Merrell Moab Mid — Wide
Women's Moab Mid
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, making it a good option for hikers with wide feet. 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 best options for budget-oriented hikers.
Best Fit
wide feet
The Merrell Moab fits true-to-size length-wise with a wider, roomier fit than most hiking boots. It's also available in wide, which adds even more width.
Best Match
hikers on a budget, trail-to-town
What Merrell calls "the world's best-selling hiker" is most popular with budget-oriented hikers, casual hikers, and people who wear hiking boots everyday.
best hiking boots for wide feet: mid-weights
Mid-weight hiking boots are most hikers' bread and butter. The best mid-weights are sturdy enough for backpacking and flexible enough for day hiking. Luckily, some of the best mid-duty hiking boots are available in wide fits:
KEEN Targhee Mid
Women's Targhee III Mid
Main Benefits:
KEEN generally offers the widest fit, and Targhees are their best-selling hiking boots. The Targhee II (slightly wider & $10 cheaper) and Targhee III (less mesh, more leather) both feature Keen's wide toe boxes and also are available in wide sizes. Targhees are 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 one of the widest fits available.
Best Fit
wide feet
The KEEN Targhee has a roomy fit and a wide toe box and also comes in a wide size for even more width. This popular boot has one of the widest fits on this list.
Best Match
day hiking
KEEN Targhees are comfortable hiking boots for the average day hiker. (Backpackers probably want better durability and support.)
La Sportiva Nucleo II High GTX — Wide
Men's Nucleo High GTX
Main Benefits:
The Nucleo II High GTX features the highest ankle support among lightweight hiking and backpacking boots. That makes it a prime pick for hikers and backpackers who want a lighter hiking and backpacking boot with over-the-ankle protection. It's also loaded with the most breathable GORE-TEX on the market (GTX Surround) and grippy outsoles with Vibram Megagrip rubber. Luckily, it's now offered in a wide (since Sportivas otherwise run narrow). With its flexible yet moderately supportive soles, the Nucleo GTX may be a good choice for longer and harder day hikes, fast-packing, and light-weight backpacking.
Best Fit
moderately wide feet
The wide version of the Nucleo High GTX isn't super wide, but it should be wide enough for most hikers, especially if you size up a full size from your normal size.
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes, backpacking
Nucleos balance weight savings with support, making them strong enough for harder day hiking and backpacking with a light to moderate pack weight.
Oboz Bridger Mid — Wide
Women's Oboz Bridger BDry Mid
Main Benefits:
The Oboz Bridger is a solid leather hiking boot that's available in a true wide. My wide feet love their above-average cushioning 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 deep heel brake really dig in to dirt, mud, snow, and scree. The Bridger is also the most durable hiking boot I've owned, beating other top brands by hundreds of miles of wear.
Best Fit
wide feet
The Oboz Bridger Wide fits fairly snug in the heel and wide in the forefoot and toe box — a true wide that's wider than Oboz's older wide last.
Best Match
moderate to difficult day hikes, backpacking
Bridgers have moderate flex and the foot's natural flex-point with enough support and protection for backpacking and difficult day hikes.
KEEN Durand II Mid
Men's KEEN Durand II
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
The KEEN Durand II is the hiking boot I recommend most often to my customers with the widest feet, thanks to the wide size + wide toe box combination.
Best Match
day hiking, backpacking
The KEEN Durand II is a mid-duty hiking and backpacking boot with enough cushioning and support for the average hiker and backpacker.
best backpacking boots for wide feet
It's really difficult to find backpacking boots with a wide fit. Most of the best-selling backpacking boots are European brands that run narrow. In come cases, you can size them up a full size to get enough width. However, there is one classic backpacking boot that's available in narrow, regular, and wide sizes — the Lowa Renegade.
Lowa Renegade Mid GTX — Wide
Men's Lowa Renegade GTX
Main Benefits:
The Lowa Renegade is an iconic 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 since the regular size also runs a little narrow by U.S. standards.
Best Fit
wide feet
The rare backpacking boot available in wide, the Lowa Renegade Wide has a moderately wide fit. (Hikers with really wide feet might want to size up a full size.)
Best Match
backpacking, off trail hiking
Renegades are best for backpacking and difficult, off trail day hiking. (They're heavier and stiffer than the average hikers wants for day hiking.)
How to buy hiking boots that fit your wide feet
Your first concern as a hiker should be finding hiking boots or hiking shoes 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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