hiking shoe with wide toe box: my short list

Are you looking for a hiking shoe with a wide toe box? Unfortunately, many of the best brands run narrow in the toes, especially European brands. That's not only bad news for hikers (like me) with wide feet. Podiatrists argue that most hikers—even those with narrower feet—benefit from more room in the toes. Wide toe boxes let hikers' toes splay out for a healthier, more natural base. They also accommodate swelling on big-mile days and may prevent injured toes and busted toenails. That's why I've dedicated a full-length post to helping men and women find a good hiking shoe with a wide toe box.  

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best hiking shoe with wide toe box

Altra, KEEN, and Topo Athletic specialize in trail running shoes and hiking shoes with wide toe boxes. Based on thousands of miles of first-hand hiking experience, I recommend these shoes for hikers who want or need a wiggle room for their toes:

I've personally hiked in each of these shoes and vetted them as an outdoor industry professional with wide feet. My 2024 recommendations have dropped three of my 2023 picks and added two new options based on this year's updated styles and brand new shoes. Here's more about how each shoe fits and how to match it to your personal hiking style. 

KEEN Targhee IV

Traditional Hiking Shoe with Wide Toe Box

Updated for 2024, the KEEN Targhee IV is the best traditional hiking shoe with a wide toe box. KEEN is known for its wide toe boxes, and the Targhee is the brand's best-selling hiking shoe. It's a comfortable day hiking shoe with well-cushioned soles, decent support, and moderate traction that can handle most trails. KEEN's regular sizes have enough room in the toe box for my wide feet, and they're also available in wide sizes (for even wider toe boxes). I've been wearing KEEN shoes and sandals since 2005 and personally sold a ton of Targhees when I managed footwear at Appalachian Outdoors in State College, PA. 

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KEEN Zionic

Lightweight Hiking Shoe with Wide Toe Box

For fast-and-light hikers, the KEEN Zionic is a new lightweight hiking shoe with a wide toe box. Brand new in July, 2023, the Zionic weighs less than two pounds to save energy and delivers lightweight comfort to men and women who don't want a traditional hiking shoe. This isn't the best choice for hardcore hikers or tough trails. However, the KEEN Zionic is a lightweight option for fast hikers with light packs and casual hikers who prefer a more sneaker-like feel to a sturdier, more protective hiking shoe. The Zionic doesn't have the boxy toe cap of most KEENs, but it still features the brand's contoured fit for extra toe room. I personally tested the Zionic in 2023—here's my first-hand review.

Topo Athletic Trailventure 2

Best Mid-cut Hiking Shoe with Wide Toe Box

The Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 is a mid-cut hiking shoe with a wide toe box for a more natural fit. This cross between a hiking shoe and lightweight "fastpacking" boot is lighter and more agile than the Targhee above with comfortable yet responsive cushioning and a little over-the-ankle protection. The Trailventure also features premium Vibram outsoles for wet and dry traction and eVent membranes, the most breathable waterproofing on the market (non-WP also available for $20 less). The Topo Trailventure 2 may be a good hiking shoe for fast-and-light hikers, casual hikers, and day hikers who want a comfortable, lightweight hiking shoe with extra room in the toe box. I've personally hiked more than 1000 miles in the Trailventure, which is the best fit for my moderately wide feet. 

Altra Olympus 5 Hike GTX

The Olympus 5 Hike GTX is Altra's first true hiking shoe. Like all Altras, it features zero heel to toe drop, a gender-specific fit, and a wide, Footshape toe box. Unlike other Altras, it's actually made for hiking—with sturdier outsoles, more durable leather uppers, waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX weatherproofing, and premium Vibram outsoles with good trail tread. On top of those premium features, the Olympus 5 Hike has much more cushioning than other Altras, which reduces the load that Altra's zero drop/balanced cushioning puts on people's feet and lower bodies. I've had lower body injuries in the Altra Lone Peak (below), but I didn't have issues when I personally tested the Olympus over 100 miles of day hikes.

best trail running shoe with wide toe box

Altra Lone Peak

Trail Running Shoe with Wide Toe Box

The Altra Lone Peak is the most popular trail running shoe among hikers—especially thru-hikers—due in large part to its wide toe box. Lone Peaks are moderately cushioned trail runners with zero drop from heel to toe, gender-specific fits, and "Footshape" toe boxes that allow natural toe splay. Zero drop isn't for everybody, but those toe boxes may be money for wide and swollen feet. And some men and women are convinced that Altra's unique construction restores the body's natural cushioning, stability, and support. The Lone Peak may be a great choice if you need extra room in the forefoot and prefer a more "natural" hiking style in which your lower body provides stability and support—not your shoes.

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3

Ultralight Trail Running Shoe with Wide Toe Box

For a lightweight trail running shoe with a wide toe box, hikers should try the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3—Topo's best-selling trail runner. Topos feature a wide toe box, low heel-to-toe drop, and a more secure fit in the midfoot than the popular Altra Lone Peak (above). Made for ultramarathoners, it's an ultralight shoe with super-plush cushioning, ventilating mesh uppers that keep feet cooler, low (5 mm) drop from heel to toe, and Vibram Megagrip outsoles for clutch traction on the trail. The lightest trail runner in my closet, it's an ultralight option for fast-moving hikers who mostly stick to mild to moderate trails.

Topo Athletic Traverse

Best Thru-Hiking Shoe with Wide Toe Box

The Topo Athletic Traverse is the first trail running shoe specifically made for thru-hikers. Built with the Topo Fit, the Traverse features a wide toe box, secure fit in the midfoot, and 5mm drop to encourage natural mid-foot landings. This shoe's lightweight mesh keeps feet ventilated, and it's also designed to drain and dry quickly when it gets wet. The Traverse keeps things light, but it's made for more difficult trails than the Ultraventure above with light stability, firmer foam, and more durable uppers. This new trail running shoe for 2024 won me over in my first-hand review—Topo's toe box isn't as wide as Altra's, but the Topo Fit is easier on my feet and has enough wiggle room for my toes. 

What's your best hiking shoe with a wide toe box?

These are the first shoes that I recommend to hikers and backpackers who want a hiking shoe or trail running shoe with a wide toe box. That's based on my outdoor industry experience and my hiking experience (as a wide-footed hiker who's logged 15,000 trail miles since 2011.) For more options, you can also check out my recommendations for the best hiking shoes for wide feet and best hiking boots for wide feet or my brand reviews of KEEN, Altra, Hoka, and Topo Athletic.

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