Wide feet and tennis shoes in 2023

PatrickT

Rookie
I went to a well-regarded shoe store recently and was told I have somewhat wide feet (roughly 2E), which I did not know. I also have a high instep and my arch is relatively high.

My feet are pretty much always sore at the end of the day, and oftentimes during. I walk about 5 miles per day on average and play tennis about 2 times per week, for about 1.5 - 2 hours per session.

I have been wearing some form of Nike Vapor for the past several years and I generally really like them, but I think I need to find a tennis shoe with a wider forefoot as I'm guessing my foot soreness would be lessened by wearing an appropriate tennis shoe.

For someone who likes the Vapor line (currently the Vapor Pro), what do you suggest, considering the wide foot, high instep, and high arch?
 

rembonjaski

New User
I went to a well-regarded shoe store recently and was told I have somewhat wide feet (roughly 2E), which I did not know. I also have a high instep and my arch is relatively high.

My feet are pretty much always sore at the end of the day, and oftentimes during. I walk about 5 miles per day on average and play tennis about 2 times per week, for about 1.5 - 2 hours per session.

I have been wearing some form of Nike Vapor for the past several years and I generally really like them, but I think I need to find a tennis shoe with a wider forefoot as I'm guessing my foot soreness would be lessened by wearing an appropriate tennis shoe.

For someone who likes the Vapor line (currently the Vapor Pro), what do you suggest, considering the wide foot, high instep, and high arch?

Sounds like I have a similar foot. I don't have a super wide foot, but I have a high instep and higher arch and most shoes tend to pinch around the top/middle for me. I usually wear foot-shaped, barefoot style casual shoes like Lems or Splay. I also used to use Vapor Pro 9.5s but they just were not comfortable at all.

I've yet to find a perfect pair but have settled on the Babalot SFX3 for now. They are comfortable and and don't pinch anywhere, but that also means they fit a tad sloppy. I'm pretty heavy, and I wouldn't feel comfortable making hard cuts in these so if I was playing higher level games, I might look elsewhere. But for casual play and ball machine time, they are great. They run at least a half-size large.

I also tried:

New Balance 696 2E and 4E: just generally uncomfortable)
Wilson Rush Pro Ace: nice fit mostly, but the top dug into my foot a bit
Asics Gel Res: even 2E are way too tight
Adidas Barricades and Ubersonic: too tight
KSwiss Hypercourt Express: fit is decent, but midsole is pretty uncomfortable
Fila Auxilus and Speedserve: Both had decent fit, but the shoes just felt pretty poorly made (multiple pairs at the store of both models were ripped or had sections failing already

I haven't tried, but would love to hear feedback from similarly-footed folks about the Yonex Sonicage Wides and Diadora Blueshields.
 

jimmy8

G.O.A.T.
New Balance 996v5 2E - comfortable, light, low to the ground

If you have the means, I highly recommend you get custom orthotics.
 

PatrickT

Rookie
Thanks all.

I forgot to mention that I tried on a set of 990v6 2Es at the store and they seemed to fit really nicely. After reading some reviews, I ordered a set of 996 2Es and hope they will work out.
 

jimmy8

G.O.A.T.
Sounds like I have a similar foot. I don't have a super wide foot, but I have a high instep and higher arch and most shoes tend to pinch around the top/middle for me. I usually wear foot-shaped, barefoot style casual shoes like Lems or Splay. I also used to use Vapor Pro 9.5s but they just were not comfortable at all.

I've yet to find a perfect pair but have settled on the Babalot SFX3 for now. They are comfortable and and don't pinch anywhere, but that also means they fit a tad sloppy. I'm pretty heavy, and I wouldn't feel comfortable making hard cuts in these so if I was playing higher level games, I might look elsewhere. But for casual play and ball machine time, they are great. They run at least a half-size large.

I also tried:

New Balance 696 2E and 4E: just generally uncomfortable)
Wilson Rush Pro Ace: nice fit mostly, but the top dug into my foot a bit
Asics Gel Res: even 2E are way too tight
Adidas Barricades and Ubersonic: too tight
KSwiss Hypercourt Express: fit is decent, but midsole is pretty uncomfortable
Fila Auxilus and Speedserve: Both had decent fit, but the shoes just felt pretty poorly made (multiple pairs at the store of both models were ripped or had sections failing already

I haven't tried, but would love to hear feedback from similarly-footed folks about the Yonex Sonicage Wides and Diadora Blueshields.
Sonicage are available in 2e or 4e. They aren't the highest quality shoes, but are decent. And they are not super expensive like other shoes.

The diadora speed blushield torneo 2 come in 2e. They are very nice shoes, very comfortable. But expensive.
 

ghostblue

Rookie
Thanks all.

I forgot to mention that I tried on a set of 990v6 2Es at the store and they seemed to fit really nicely. After reading some reviews, I ordered a set of 996 2Es and hope they will work out.

I was going to suggest 996 as well. Don't worry about the discomfort you experienced with the 696, the uppers on each of these models are very different in terms of comfort and flexibility.
I would also second jimmy's Blushield Torneo suggestion if you want something a little more maximal that could potentially give you more support on your high arch without a new insole.
 
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