Wide shoes for a wide midfoot as well as toebox?

[brentzki]

Currently looking for some tennis shoes that offer high support (chronic ankle sprainer in the past) and have a pretty wide fit (4e preferred, but looking to try anything here).

I'm generally a 4e shoe in Brooks for running, if that gives you any indication. I currently wear Barricades with ankle braces 1 size up for tennis, but definitely could do with a slightly wider shoe as they definitely stretched out more than they should have.

I find that most wide tennis shoes (i.e. New Balance) have wide toe boxes only, and the actual midsole isn't wide which causes me to overpronate as my feet push out on the mid foot.

The new Bab Fury 3 looks to have potential, but no where in Australia has in-store stock yet for me to try on.

Any helpers? Seems impossible.

 

[innoVAShaun]

Babolat SFX3s are roomy all around. They’re not classified as 4E, but might be worth a shot, especially when price is under $100 USD.

 

[pete101]

Same issue here only wide in the midfoot dont have many options more specifically under the mid foot

My issue isnt the sides tightness it is underneath i am standing on plastic shell not cushion.

I need the base of the shoes to have wider cushion around the midfoot

 

[TheSlicer]

Wilson rush pro ace, best wide shoe, and lightest

 

[pete101]

Wilson rush pro ace, best wide shoe, and lightest

Even in the mid foot?

 

[TheSlicer]

Even in the mid foot?

Im not sure, my mid foot is quite average in terms of width, theyre definetly the most roomy ive tried overall, just check them out if you can, dont buy them without trying them

 

[Tao69]

I had 3 pairs of SFX3s before I got the Bab Fury 3s, they're not as wide as the SFX3s, they're also much stiffer in the upper and around the collar, gave me a blister on the inside of my ankle. I picked up a pair of the Yonex Sonicage Plus, they are wider than the SFX3s, and not as stiff as the BF3s, haven't played in them yet. Check Tennis Only since you're here in Aus, they may have your size. There's 3 versions for width, Plus is the widest and listed as 4.5E on a couple of other sites in Aus.

 

[pete101]

Im not sure, my mid foot is quite average in terms of width, theyre definetly the most roomy ive tried overall, just check them out if you can, dont buy them without trying them

I have a wide midfoot this is a problem for me

 

[d-quik]

I have a wide midfoot this is a problem for me

2022 colorways of the FILA SpeedServe Energized is wide in the midfoot

 

[ichaseballs]

the SFX is not a 4e width
i would suggest the yonex sonicage extra wide in 4e

 

[Power Player]

Babolat SFX work for me but the issue is that they are not that cushioned or stable. So for now I am using the Nike Cages that just were on sale. They are a tighter squeeze for sure but don't blister the sides of my feet enough for me to mind. I wear them for matchplay and the SFX when I am drilling on the ball machine.

Not sure what else has the cushion of the Nikes and would be a little wider. Maybe Barricades?

 

[KaiserW]

Try Kswiss Hypercourt Express 2. They run wide and have good cushioning.

 

[pete101]

I got a friend to get me the wide gel res 9's but they are too narrow in the midfoot on my left foot f sake

The dynawall digs into the sides

I need the base to be wider underneath so im not standing on plastic shell instead of cushion

What other options do i have now?

Wilson rush pro ace has widest mid foot area underneath right?

 

[pete101]

Try Kswiss Hypercourt Express 2. They run wide and have good cushioning.

But are they wide in the midfoot mainly rather than toebox?

 

[pete101]

Babolat SFX work for me but the issue is that they are not that cushioned or stable. So for now I am using the Nike Cages that just were on sale. They are a tighter squeeze for sure but don't blister the sides of my feet enough for me to mind. I wear them for matchplay and the SFX when I am drilling on the ball machine.

Not sure what else has the cushion of the Nikes and would be a little wider. Maybe Barricades?

The vapor cage 4's are way too narrow in the midfoot

 

[pete101]

2022 colorways of the FILA SpeedServe Energized is wide in is it wide underneath where tl

Is it wide underneath where the midfoot is?

My issue isnt the actual width of the midfoot as in the sides

It is underneath where i stand cos im not standing on cushion im standing on the dynawall plastic shell

 

[pete101]

But is t

the SFX is not a 4e width
i would suggest the yonex sonicage extra wide in 4e

Is that wide in the midfoot though?

 

[pete101]

Im not sure, my mid foot is quite average in terms of width, theyre definetly the most roomy ive tried overall, just check them out if you can, dont buy them without trying them

Is the base of the midfoot wide because i feel i am standing on plastic outter shell in the gel res 9 wides

 

[Power Player]

The vapor cage 4's are way too narrow in the midfoot

Not for me. They are narrow, but I can deal with them and I have a wide foot. Ideally, I'd like something a bit wider but I don't know what that would be with the same level of stability.

 

[pete101]

2022 colorways of the FILA SpeedServe Energized is wide in the midfoot

Is the 2023 version different?

 

[pete101]

Not for me. They are narrow, but I can deal with them and I have a wide foot. Ideally, I'd like something a bit wider but I don't know what that would be with the same level of stability.

My issue was they were way way too long like i even tried a size 8 and they were too long and narrow around the mid foot

 

[pete101]

Not for me. They are narrow, but I can deal with them and I have a wide foot. Ideally, I'd like something a bit wider but I don't know what that would be with the same level of stability.

They had vapor pro wides in the uk last year

 

[Power Player]

My issue was they were way way too long like i even tried a size 8 and they were too long and narrow around the mid foot

Yeah length is perfect for me luckily and width is bearable so I just deal with it since I really enjoy playing in the shoe. So easy on the joints with all that cushion.

Maybe the barricades will be a bit wider, I guess I will just have to go try stuff on and see. It sucks that wide options I have are either moderately cushioned or just plain unstable.

 

[pete101]

Yeah length is perfect for me luckily and width is bearable so I just deal with it since I really enjoy playing in the shoe. So easy on the joints with all that cushion.

Maybe the barricades will be a bit wider, I guess I will just have to go try stuff on and see. It sucks that wide options I have are either moderately cushioned or just plain unstable.

I just found the vapor cages just to be way too long like a size 9 is literally like a 10.5 in length

It was suffocating my foot

I need something with a wide base midfoot

 

[d-quik]

Is it wide underneath where the midfoot is?

My issue isnt the actual width of the midfoot as in the sides

It is underneath where i stand cos im not standing on cushion im standing on the dynawall plastic shell

It was wide for me. I can't speak for you though but I had space on the lateral side of the midfoot.

According to a TW competitor, the 2023 colorways have the exact same footbed (as in they use the exactly the same insoles) as the 2022 colorways, but the upper is more restrictive.

Do you not live in the states? Because if you do, you can order it from a retailer with a friend return policy and feel it for yourself.

 

[pete101]

It was wide for me. I can't speak for you though but I had space on the lateral side of the midfoot.

According to a TW competitor, the 2023 colorways have the exact same footbed (as in they use the exactly the same insoles) as the 2022 colorways, but the upper is more restrictive.

Do you not live in the states? Because if you do, you can order it from a retailer with a friend return policy and feel it for yourself.

No from the uk

Limited options

Couldnt even get gel res 9 wides here had to get a friend to buy it and bring it over £100 down the drain (palm face)

 

[pete101]

From what it seems here the options for a wide midfoot shoes are:

Babolat sfx 3

Fila speed serve energized

And possibly wilson pro rush ace

Any other recommendations?

Were the asics gel res 8 wides wider than the gel 9 wides in the midfoot?

 

[d-quik]

No from the uk

Limited options

damn! that sucks

From what it seems here the options for a wide midfoot shoes are:

Babolat sfx 3

Fila speed serve energized

And possibly wilson pro rush ace

Any other recommendations?

I don't think they sell SpeedServe energized in Europe. IIRC, FILA in Europe carry the Vincente and Premio instead.

 

[KaiserW]

But are they wide in the midfoot mainly rather than toebox?

I would say wide in both

 

[pete101]

damn! that sucks

I don't think they sell SpeedServe energized in Europe. IIRC, FILA in Europe carry the Vincente and Premio instead.

We dont get gel res wides in europe either hence why i had to take the risk of getting wides from a friend abroad to bring it over but evidently it did not work.

My issue is not so much the mid foot width it is more the base underneath the midfoot needs to be wider as i am not standing on cushion.

Like some shoes have stretchier wider uppers so it accommodates the width on the sides but not underneath

 

[pete101]

Babolat SFX3s are roomy all around. They’re not classified as 4E, but might be worth a shot, especially when price is under $100 USD.

Do you know if these shoes have wide midfoot bases rather than just wider stretchier uppers to accommodate wider midfoots? Correction i assumed midfoot was just behind the forefoot

I have a wide mid foot but also the forefoot behind the knuckles in the toes is wide too f sake

You would think they would but some shoes like these asics gel res 9's are wide stretch in the upper but the actual midfoot base outline is not that wide hence why im standing on the plastic outshell of the dynawall

I need to find some sfx 3 to try on and hope it has a wide midfoot base of cushion

 

[pete101]

Currently looking for some tennis shoes that offer high support (chronic ankle sprainer in the past) and have a pretty wide fit (4e preferred, but looking to try anything here).

I'm generally a 4e shoe in Brooks for running, if that gives you any indication. I currently wear Barricades with ankle braces 1 size up for tennis, but definitely could do with a slightly wider shoe as they definitely stretched out more than they should have.

I find that most wide tennis shoes (i.e. New Balance) have wide toe boxes only, and the actual midsole isn't wide which causes me to overpronate as my feet push out on the mid foot.

The new Bab Fury 3 looks to have potential, but no where in Australia has in-store stock yet for me to try on.

Any helpers? Seems impossible.

Do you find shoes in the mid foot underneath are not wide enough ie you are standing on the plastic outshell of shoes as there is not enough cushion width underneath?

I find the width in the uppers are fine just i have an abnormal wide base midfoot so need that area to be wider not just the upper being looser and thus stretching

 

[ghostblue]

If you're consistently standing on the rigid structure of the shoe in the midfoot and arch of many different models from different brands, your best bet is to get an insole (perhaps a custom orthotic) that fits your particular width and find a shoe that is flexible enough on the medial side of the upper to wrap around the insert and your foot. It sounds very frustrating trying to find a shoe that fits your specific case. I think you may just be a big outlier, in which case a fitted insole will help. Even if you don't go custom, getting a large size and cutting it down to your length could help you.

 

[pete101]

If you're consistently standing on the rigid structure of the shoe in the midfoot and arch of many different models from different brands, your best bet is to get an insole (perhaps a custom orthotic) that fits your particular width and find a shoe that is flexible enough on the medial side of the upper to wrap around the insert and your foot. It sounds very frustrating trying to find a shoe that fits your specific case. I think you may just be a big outlier, in which case a fitted insole will help. Even if you don't go custom, getting a large size and cutting it down to your length could help you.

Yeah i have one of those made custom but it is so big i dont know how to get it into a shoe.

It just doesn't seem like it would fit

Edit: it does fit we might be onto a winner

The insert needs to be wide

My gel res 9 wides are pinching the side of my under foot behind the toe knuckles in front of the midfoot but behind the forefoot if that makes sense

 

[pete101]

If you're consistently standing on the rigid structure of the shoe in the midfoot and arch of many different models from different brands, your best bet is to get an insole (perhaps a custom orthotic) that fits your particular width and find a shoe that is flexible enough on the medial side of the upper to wrap around the insert and your foot. It sounds very frustrating trying to find a shoe that fits your specific case. I think you may just be a big outlier, in which case a fitted insole will help. Even if you don't go custom, getting a large size and cutting it down to your length could help you.

Are the custom orthotic insoles supposed to have a hard heel like structure behind the ball of the foot underneath?

I am unsure whether this is suitable or safe to play tennis in as the hard structure underneath the insole raises my heel up as i have flat feet so seems to slope down as i stand in them.

Are the custom insoles supposed to be pure cushion?

Because it seems like a bad idea if the hard structure raising my back foot up and i am pounding the ground when running

Maybe these custom orthotics are only suitable for walking not sport?

 

[pete101]

If you're consistently standing on the rigid structure of the shoe in the midfoot and arch of many different models from different brands, your best bet is to get an insole (perhaps a custom orthotic) that fits your particular width and find a shoe that is flexible enough on the medial side of the upper to wrap around the insert and your foot. It sounds very frustrating trying to find a shoe that fits your specific case. I think you may just be a big outlier, in which case a fitted insole will help. Even if you don't go custom, getting a large size and cutting it down to your length could help you.

My gel res 9 wides seem to be wide enough to take a wide insert

The medial side is flexible enough but ghe issue is where it pinches the side of my forefoot behind the toes towards the midfoot

Is the idea to have an insert so cushion essentially wraps around my suspect areas so i would be more snug fitting but wrapped around by cushion insole?

 

[pete101]

Currently looking for some tennis shoes that offer high support (chronic ankle sprainer in the past) and have a pretty wide fit (4e preferred, but looking to try anything here).

I'm generally a 4e shoe in Brooks for running, if that gives you any indication. I currently wear Barricades with ankle braces 1 size up for tennis, but definitely could do with a slightly wider shoe as they definitely stretched out more than they should have.

I find that most wide tennis shoes (i.e. New Balance) have wide toe boxes only, and the actual midsole isn't wide which causes me to overpronate as my feet push out on the mid foot.

The new Bab Fury 3 looks to have potential, but no where in Australia has in-store stock yet for me to try on.

Any helpers? Seems impossible.

Does going a size up cause problems

I found if the length is too long the toe box is all over the place when you run forward and the shoe can slip forward

I didnt realise it was possible to do that

Otherwise i could have gone up a half size in gel res 9 wides so the width would be better

 

[legcramp]

Adidas Solematch Control

 

[ghostblue]

Are the custom orthotic insoles supposed to have a hard heel like structure behind the ball of the foot underneath?

I am unsure whether this is suitable or safe to play tennis in as the hard structure underneath the insole raises my heel up as i have flat feet so seems to slope down as i stand in them.

Are the custom insoles supposed to be pure cushion?

Because it seems like a bad idea if the hard structure raising my back foot up and i am pounding the ground when running

Maybe these custom orthotics are only suitable for walking not sport?

It just depends on the model, you may need to contact your doctor, or whoever commissioned the orthotic. They can definitely create one that is for sport and/or slimmer if this one isn't suitable.

My gel res 9 wides seem to be wide enough to take a wide insert

The medial side is flexible enough but ghe issue is where it pinches the side of my forefoot behind the toes towards the midfoot

Is the idea to have an insert so cushion essentially wraps around my suspect areas so i would be more snug fitting but wrapped around by cushion insole?

It will definitely be more snug on top in almost all cases. But the upper should break in over time if it's not too tight. Did you take out the insole that comes with the gel res first?

 

[pete101]

It just depends on the model, you may need to contact your doctor, or whoever commissioned the orthotic. They can definitely create one that is for sport and/or slimmer if this one isn't suitable.


It will definitely be more snug on top in almost all cases. But the upper should break in over time if it's not too tight. Did you take out the insole that comes with the gel res first?

I only tried it last night at home it seems it might do the trick

The issue i need is the left medial side i dont know what it is called it is behind the toe box behind the philanges right at the back behind the little toe but on the side it pinches it seems when i step, the area where the asics insole stops and meets the upper that pinches the side of my foot underneath slightly

Because the custom insole has a wider base the idea is the cushion is wider so im standing on cushion even though the upper medial side needs to stretch?

It seems every time i would step even with the menory foam on top it would push the asics insole down and the edge of the rigid structure would rub.

Is an alternative a much wider insole which literally wraps around the sides of my foot so the medial sides do not pinch? Even though it means the shoe will be snugger.

Im not sure which off the shelf insoles i should try which will be wide enough and also hope when it stretches it doesn't stretch so much it causes the sides of the insole to become flat down exposing the rigid side

 

[pete101]

It just depends on the model, you may need to contact your doctor, or whoever commissioned the orthotic. They can definitely create one that is for sport and/or slimmer if this one isn't suitable.


It will definitely be more snug on top in almost all cases. But the upper should break in over time if it's not too tight. Did you take out the insole that comes with the gel res first?

Is going up a half size in gel res 9 wides ill advised?

I have about 1 inch space at the front of my toes but i know going too long has it's issues too maybe half size up will give me just enough width

I cant get gel res wides in uk ir Europe so essentially need to chance it as cant try them on before i buy so essentially throwing money down the drain

 

[dave t]

I feel like I spill over the sides of a lot of shoes, even when sizing up. Some of the shoes mentioned here felt super tight - like the vapor cage 4. Solematch Control was still too narrow for me/pinched sides. Most comfortable shoe I've found is the lotto raptor 100. Unfortunately, with weird feet you just need to try a bunch (even if it costs $).

 

[WYK]

No one's mentioned it so I will throw Mizuno into the ring. They all are very roomy everywhere.
I usually wear a wide shoe, and never had to up my size in Mizuno or Diadora.

 

[pete101]

I feel like I spill over the sides of a lot of shoes, even when sizing up. Some of the shoes mentioned here felt super tight - like the vapor cage 4. Solematch Control was still too narrow for me/pinched sides. Most comfortable shoe I've found is the lotto raptor 100. Unfortunately, with weird feet you just need to try a bunch (even if it costs $).

New Balance seem to do 4E shoes but only in the toebox

 

[ghostblue]

No one's mentioned it so I will throw Mizuno into the ring. They all are very roomy everywhere.
I usually wear a wide shoe, and never had to up my size in Mizuno or Diadora.

Mizuno is a good shout, I haven't tried the recent Tennis shoes, but their soccer cleats always ran wide in my experience. At least in the past it was wide in the midfoot too, not just the toebox.

 

[ghostblue]

I only tried it last night at home it seems it might do the trick

The issue i need is the left medial side i dont know what it is called it is behind the toe box behind the philanges right at the back behind the little toe but on the side it pinches it seems when i step, the area where the asics insole stops and meets the upper that pinches the side of my foot underneath slightly

Because the custom insole has a wider base the idea is the cushion is wider so im standing on cushion even though the upper medial side needs to stretch?

It seems every time i would step even with the menory foam on top it would push the asics insole down and the edge of the rigid structure would rub.

Is an alternative a much wider insole which literally wraps around the sides of my foot so the medial sides do not pinch? Even though it means the shoe will be snugger.

Im not sure which off the shelf insoles i should try which will be wide enough and also hope when it stretches it doesn't stretch so much it causes the sides of the insole to become flat down exposing the rigid side

Because you said "slightly" I would give the shoe time to break in and your foot time to get used to the snug hot spot you described. If it is truly uncomfortable don't push it, but if you can break it in a few hours you might be fine.

Off the shelf I would try PowerStep, SuperFeet (Green was my go-to for a long time - they offer it in a wide fit as well), or Move Insoles, you will just need to find a store that carries them or get a few sizes and return the ones that don't fit, since your foot is so wide that the sizing guide will likely put you in too small of a model.

I would let the upper do the wrapping, not the insole. The insole should just provide the base for your foot so that it's not hanging over the edge of the midsole with no support and some rigidity to keep the shoe from digging into the sole of your foot.

 

[pete101]

It just depends on the model, you may need to contact your doctor, or whoever commissioned the orthotic. They can definitely create one that is for sport and/or slimmer if this one isn't suitable.


It will definitely be more snug on top in almost all cases. But the upper should break in over time if it's not too tight. Did you take out the insole that comes with the gel res first?

So i tried it with the orthotic insole it definitely helps and as you said everything is raised and it appears had i gone half a size up + the insole it may have been workable.

The issue i have is even if the upper stretches it doesnt seem to offset this issue on the side underneath

Something is pinching the outside underneath medial side of my foot in my other shoes i have had this issues it is the plastic outshell inside where it meets the insole so when you step and cushion sinks the line in between pinches my foot.

Is there anyway to somewhat rectify this?

Im thinking you suggestion of a wide custom insole and get it to wrap around the side of my foot allbeit will be very snug at least the sides wont be pinching i think?

 

[pete101]

Because you said "slightly" I would give the shoe time to break in and your foot time to get used to the snug hot spot you described. If it is truly uncomfortable don't push it, but if you can break it in a few hours you might be fine.

Off the shelf I would try PowerStep, SuperFeet (Green was my go-to for a long time - they offer it in a wide fit as well), or Move Insoles, you will just need to find a store that carries them or get a few sizes and return the ones that don't fit, since your foot is so wide that the sizing guide will likely put you in too small of a model.

I would let the upper do the wrapping, not the insole. The insole should just provide the base for your foot so that it's not hanging over the edge of the midsole with no support and some rigidity to keep the shoe from digging into the sole of your foot.

You have to remember though where it is hurting which is underneath where the insole meets the inner shell of the dynawall

No amount of stretching will fix this as the upper is fine width wise it is that evety time i step the insole moves down and that area between the insole outline and the inside upper + inner dynawall pinches on the underside of my foot that is why breaking it in most likely wont work

I have attempted to wrap a memory foam insole around the medial side of my entire left foot to offset this in hope it might work does this seem a bad idea?

Yeah the shoe is snugger fit now but at least it is cushioned + all in combination with the orthotics insole

 

[pete101]

Because you said "slightly" I would give the shoe time to break in and your foot time to get used to the snug hot spot you described. If it is truly uncomfortable don't push it, but if you can break it in a few hours you might be fine.

Off the shelf I would try PowerStep, SuperFeet (Green was my go-to for a long time - they offer it in a wide fit as well), or Move Insoles, you will just need to find a store that carries them or get a few sizes and return the ones that don't fit, since your foot is so wide that the sizing guide will likely put you in too small of a model.

I would let the upper do the wrapping, not the insole. The insole should just provide the base for your foot so that it's not hanging over the edge of the midsole with no support and some rigidity to keep the shoe from digging into the sole of your foot.

The problem is with no letting the insole do the wrapping is remember it hurts on the edge underneath my foot the area which meets the insole edge when stepping down the dynawall plastic shell pinches on the sides underneath i need to stop this somehow

 

[pete101]

Because you said "slightly" I would give the shoe time to break in and your foot time to get used to the snug hot spot you described. If it is truly uncomfortable don't push it, but if you can break it in a few hours you might be fine.

Off the shelf I would try PowerStep, SuperFeet (Green was my go-to for a long time - they offer it in a wide fit as well), or Move Insoles, you will just need to find a store that carries them or get a few sizes and return the ones that don't fit, since your foot is so wide that the sizing guide will likely put you in too small of a model.

I would let the upper do the wrapping, not the insole. The insole should just provide the base for your foot so that it's not hanging over the edge of the midsole with no support and some rigidity to keep the shoe from digging into the sole of your foot.

I should just get half a size up next time and chance it and try find a workable solution for these in the interim + try on babolat sfx 3 as can get those in europe + also try gel res 8 normal for comparison cos maybe the 8 wides will be better

The memory foam inside my sock wrapped around the side of my entire foot obviously leaves less space inside the shoe + also i imagine the orthotics insole wont be in the correct position as my foot will have shifted right even with a flattened memory foam insole

It seems all it does is add cushion so the rigid structure of the dynawall is just covered by 2 insoles on top essentially which still isnt ideal