Best Wide Toe Box Hiking Shoes

Multi-directional TrailClaw lug pattern, Balanced Cushioning platform encourages low-impact landings

Pros:

• Extremely roomy wide toe box
• Very flexible; almost minimalist feel

Cons:

• Not Waterfproof
• Tread is adequate, but may not be enough for extremely rugged trails.

The Altra Men's Olympus Trail Running Shoe gets high marks from those looking for a great comfortable trail shoe and wide toe box. Available in several colors, this shoe is a great option for most hikers. While they received high marks for comfort and durability on the trail, through-hikers may find them not adequate past 200 miles and in extremely muddy conditions.

Pros:

• Extremely comfortable and flexible right out of the box
• True to size
• Excellent wide toe box

Cons:

• May not be durable enough for serious through hiking
• Not great in muddy situations

Great waterproof hiking boot from Salomon. Consistently ranked among one of the best hiking boots on the market. One 5 star review reads, "Comfortable right out of the box. No break in period. Very roomy toe box. Seem a little larger than other Salomon’s of same size."

Pros:

• Comfortable right out of the box
• No break in period
• Very roomy toe box

Cons:

• Run a little larger than true size.

Great wide toe box hiking shoe with Gortex for when you know you are going to need that extra layer of waterproof protection.

This hiking shoe again gets high marks for the wide toe box and previously mentioned comfort, flexibility, and customized fit.

The Women’s X Ultra 3 GTX series also brings to the table great breathability for a waterproof trekking shoe.

Whether you are trekking through the streams of the Smoky mountains or exploring slot canyons in the national parks out west, these lightweight waterproof hiking shoes will do the trick.

Pros:

• Moderate pricing
• Great lightweight womens hiking shoe
• Contragrip technology provides excellent traction on the trail
• Gortex technology making these low top trail shoes waterproof
• Same great breathability as other Salomon shoes
• Stylish look makes them great for both trail and every day wear
• Waterproof Gore-TEX (GTX) Technology to keep your feet dry but allow maximum breathability
• SENSIFIT™ technology envelopes foot for a accurate fit
• Protective rubber toe cap.
• Mud guard.

Cons:

• Less ankle support being a low top hiking shoe

Same basic design as the women's version. My husband's pair has served as a daily wear and hiking shoe and is still going strong after 3 years.

Some complaints with tightness in the toes. This was why I relegated the women's version to second place over the Altra, but as I said earlier, if you need a wide toe box AND waterproof shoe, you can't go wrong with Salmon's.

Pros:

• Stylish look making them a great every day and trail shoe.
• Extremely durable and waterproof.

Cons:

• Some tightness in toes
• Expensive compared to other similar brands

If you are in the market for a hight top hiking shoe, then you can't go wrong with the women's or men's Quest GTX W Hiking boots. All the same great benefits of the low-top trail shoe, with added support in the ankles.

Pros:

• Waterproof Backpacking Boot
• Consistently rated high by those with wide feet
• Designed with a wide toe box even in regular sizes.
• You will find if you read the reviews this is a consistent comment.
• The Advanced Chassis system is sculpted to hold your feet in place and prevent slippage on the trail.
• The EVA molded Ortholite® sock liner creates a cushioned and customized fit over time with minimal compression, breathability, moisture management system.
• Waterproof Gore-TEX (GTX) Technology to keep your feet dry but allow maximum breathability
• SENSIFIT™ technology envelopes foot for a very custom and precise fit
• Gusseted tongue helps keep the debris out.
• Protective rubber toe cap.
• Mudguard.
• Very lightweight hiking boot at just over 1 lb.

Cons:

• More expensive than the low top hiking shoe

Both my husband and son own a pair of Salomon Pro boots and love them. In fact, the only complaining review on Amazon about the toe box on this boot is that it "runs big" so if you are in the market for a wide toe box more tactical hiking boot, then this one is for. you! Same great pros as the women's boot.

Pros:

• Wide toe box
• Great ankle support
• Durable

Cons:

• Expensive (You get what you pay for, however, when it comes to great hiking boots)

While the toe box on these shoes is quite roomy, I found them to be a bit on the clunky side. The lugs and tread, however, are quite good and provide excellent grip on the trail.

Pros:

• Keen's all terrain grip excellent
• Keen's offer their own proprietary waterproof membrane system known as KEEN.Dry® which keeps water out, but allows vapors out creating a breathable environment
• Durable Leather mud shield
• Easy lace adjustment due to speed hooks
• Heel stability
• Unique probiotic CLEANSPORT NXT™ technology system creates a natural odor control environment
• Great value hiking shoe for budget conscience looking for a more sturdy day hiker or light load backpacking adventure

Cons:

I can attest the sizing to be accurate. In fact, my pair was too small and caused discomfort so I gave them to my 10 year old daughter and bought the Altra Quantic as a replacement. They are an excellent shoe, but they definitley run a full size small.

Merrell’s Moab (supposedly stands for Mother Of All Boots) Mid Hiking Boots rank among some of the best hiking shoes for wide feet.

Probably our most well-known and popular wide toe box hiking boot on the list and for good reason. Merrell's has an excellent reputation with hikers of all levels.

The Merrell Moab is an excellent choice if you need a roomy toe box.

The Moab Mid Waterproof hiker comes in both wide and regular sizes, but the toe box is considered adequate for those needing more room in both types.

Pros:

• Merrell Moab gets high marks as being a great lightweight boot with comfortable fit right out of the box

• The regular and wide versions both provide wide toe boxes.
• Some reviewers found they needed to size up 1/2 a size, but most felt comfortable ordering their normal shoe size
• Moab utilized their M-Select Technology in their Waterproof hiking boot.
• Moab hiking shoes are comprised of a solid construction with an upper suede leather mesh for comfort and breathability
• The tongues are gusseted to help keep moisture and debris
• Solid outer rubber toe cap
• The Vibram sole is great for grip on those technical trails with a 5 mm lug depth
• Merrell air cushion in the heel absorbs shock and adds stability

Cons:

• Merrell Moab receive overwhelmingly positive reviews on every review site we read.
• The only consistent complaints were that they may not be entirely waterproof in all situations.
• As with so many of our other reviewed hiking shoes, Merrell’s run a tad small and it may be advisable to size up 1/2 a size. Keep in mind they do come in regular and wide versions.

Same great reputation as the Mother Of All Boots as the women's MOAB's with all the same great pros and very few cons. There are a few complaints about durability, but with over 10,000 reviews on Amazon and still a 4.5 star rating, we're pretty sure you'll love your MOABs.

You can not go wrong with a minimalist hiking shoe and Xero shoes are some of the best on the market. We love this new Mesa Trail hiking shoe from Xero shoes. The colors and shoe designs continue to improve each and every year.

Pros:

• Very comfortable and great natural foot to your foot, the flexibility is great for allowing the toes to naturally splay providing superior comfort for those in need of a wide toe box.

• Superior ability to "feel" the trail
• Extremely lightweight shoe weighing a mere 9 OUNCES EACH
• Backed by a 5000 mile warranty
• Removable insole for an the choice between an even more "barefoot" feel or more support

Cons:

• Not fully water proof, but VERY WATER RESISTANT according to the manufacturer

• Consistent comment (and consistent with the manufacturer) is that the Xero Daylite Hiker runs a FULL SIZE SMALLER than your normal shoe size.

The original DayLite Hiker from Xero shoes is still a great option as well. Keep in mind, Xero does recommend you get 1/2 size larger than your normal shoe size. If you've never worn them, you are going to love minimalist hiking shoes.

Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low BDry Hiking Shoe

If you find yourself searching for “womens shoes wide toe box narrow heel” and coming up short, then we think you should take a look at the Oboz Women’s Sawtooth Low Bdry Hiking shoe.

The reviews consistently ranked these as an excellent shoe with a wide toe box and narrow heel.

Ironically, the men’s shoe in this style did not fare so well by those in need of a wider toe box so we did not include it in this buying guide.

Pros:

• Over and over again the reviewers said these shoes were "Very comfortable right out of the box"
• Perfect for those needing a wide toe box but a narrow heel
• Billed as a very versatile hiker that crosses over well into a daily shoe due to it's stable and cushioned midsole and excellent traction
• Waterproof and breathable upper
• Lightweight weighing only 13.8 oz.
• The "sawtooth" classic Oboz sole helps in great grip and mud shedding
• The "O"-Fit insole with EVA cushioning provides underfoot support as well as a sculpted arch to place the foot in a neutral position

Cons:

• Very few negative reviews, but the consistent review is that they seem to run small so, again, may need to consider a 1/2 size above your normal shoe size
• A few complained that they are clunky

Our final selection in the men’s category is the Lowa Men’s Renegade GTX Mid Hiking boot.

This boot ranks well again for those looking for a wide toe box and narrow heel.

Lowa provides sizes in narrow, regular, and wide making it the most versatile in terms of size of all the shoes we reviewed.

Pros:

• Lightweight boot for such a sturdy more rugged mid hiking boot
• Wide range of sizes from narrow, to regular, to wide making it one of the most versatile hiking boots on the market for those in need of a wider toe box
• Receives high marks for out of the box straight to the trail comfort
• Employs the VIBRAM® sole technology for excellent grip and traction
• Utilizes a MONOWRAP® Support Frame to create a secure fit
• Excellent waterproofing due to the GORE-TEX® lining technology

Cons:

• As with any boot of this caliber, breathability isn’t great though manageable

• Probably the biggest draw back is the price point on these European hiking boots being on the upper spectrum of all the boots we’ve reviewed
• Durability has been questionable based upon some reviews