Wide feet? Find the best trainers for happy toes!

The Arch Fit Big Appeal trainers (wide fit) from Skechers come with patented podiatrists-certified arch support insole that are backed by 20 years of research. The insole system is designed to offer arch support and improve weight distribution to reduce shock. The shoes have a mesh knit fabric upper and 1.5 inch heels, there are 14 colours to choose from and a
wide fit option to ensure optimal comfort for all customers. They are intended for everyday walking and urban living.

Our tester loves to go on walks but also suffers from Iliotibial Band Syndrome which can lead to knee pain. At £90, they are priced similarly to other big brand trainers but our tester had high hopes for this pair that are specifically advertised as having arch support.

"From the moment I put them on, the first thing I noticed was how lightweight they are," she said. "The flexible mesh fabric makes them super easy to slip on and off, which is great if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to be constantly untying laces. The flat laces were a thoughtful detail - they spread
pressure more evenly across the top of the foot and don’t dig in like some round laces do and also stay securely tied for longer."

The added arch support was immediately noted by the tester, who had been hoping they would reduce pain in her knees. "The Arch Fit insoles definitely deliver on this front. They provided solid support to my arches, and I found that my feet felt properly cushioned throughout the day."

"I took them for a real test run—walking over 12,000 steps in a day, which would normally set off discomfort in my knees. To my surprise, I had no issues at all."

These trainers do have elevated heels (as you can see in the pictures, which our tester said
"took a bit of getting used to as it initially felt like I was leaning forwards slightly due to the height difference between the heels and the front of the shoes."

There's a wide fit option and a standard fit, and our tester found the wide fit to be very wide: "The wide fit model provides ample room for people with broader fit. I have wide feet but relatively thin soles and usually go for wide fit shoes, but I did find this pair to be on the looser side. I will probably go for a normal fit next time as the mesh fabric is very stretchy and forgiving."

These are my trainers, and as I said above, I swear by Nike for my wide feet, but I also have small feet, so I buy children's.

The Nike Star runners are great for road running, or walking, as they offer a cushiony insole and extra padding around the ankle for comfort. There's also extra cushioning in the midsole, so steps feel lighter somehow. I have worn these for many, many miles and my previous pair took me through a half marathon, several 10k runs and a 30 mile walk, so trust me when I say they're comfortable!

They're wide, but not extra wide. I'd say you can buy your normal shoe size- which for me is a 5- without issue. There's plenty of room in the toes but you can still lace them tightly for support over the whole foot.

They're also great value for money, in part because they're children's shoes, but also I think they do offer good value overall anyway - I am happy to buy them for my children as they don't break the bank.

They're not waterproof, but I do chuck mine in the washing machine a lot and they always dry quickly, as they're so lightweight and breathable.

I think the only possible downside to these trainers is they're cut low on the ankle, as you'll see from the images below. That's fine for me but if you have a history of having weak ankles you'll want something with more support there.

They come in a range of colours and the 'big kids' sizes range from a 3 to 5.5.

Dealing with the pain caused by plantar fasciitis can be challenging but wearing the right footwear can make all the difference. The FitVille Women's Cloud Wanderer V8 trainers are designed for heel pain relief, featuring cushioned innersoles and 5cm high EVA soles for shock absorption.

Our tester said the shoes arrive in a clear wallet rather than a box, and the navy and pink pair she tested looked great. She walks 25-30 miles a week plus does gym classes, so she's looking for a shoe that can really take some high impact.

Our tester noted "The FitVille Women's clout trainers are extremely lightweight," And that they "had a cloud like feeling."

She also added: "The insole is removable and has a heel stable to protect your heel and a thickened arch lift." When it comes to the various activities our tester enjoys, she also felt these trainers were well suited her lifestyle: "The sole is thick, measuring 5cm, giving them a good bounce factor, ideal for high impact gym classes, the thick sole also prevents toe bending. The material of the trainer is very flexible and breathable which will reduce odours. I found them very supportive around the ankle, with great cushioning and comfort, so zero break-in time and suitable for various activities."

So far, so good, and there's no doubt these FitVille trainers are an excellent choice, comfort wise and especially for exercise. However, we did notice one flaw: "I would recommend going down a half size however, as they came up quite big. I felt the trainers were a bit too roomy and not as snug as they could be, but this would be dependent on the shape of your foot. I overcame this by tightening
the laces and wearing a thicker sock which certainly helped. Due to the oversizing, I felt they were not very flattering and looked cumbersome. I do feel these are better worn with gym wear or running/walking gear."

Read our full review of the FitVille Cloud trainers

These FitVille wide fit arch support air cushion trainers are designed for those who need extra width, cushioning and arch support. At £59.99, they sit at the at the higher end of what our tester would normally spend on trainers, but she felt they were still relatively affordable.

They are specifically designed as wide fit, and out tester realized how wide that actually meant, saying: "My first impressions are that they are very roomy. I’ve always considered my feet to be wide, but these trainers made me realise they might not be quite as wide as I thought."

"I had to tighten the laces significantly to get a secure fit, which made the rest of the shoe feel better, but my toes still had more space than I’m used to, which felt a bit strange."

As she also pointed out though, this extra width around the toes could benefit those with extra-wide feet, swollen feet, or conditions like Edema.

The tester felt "the cushioning is soft yet supportive, striking a good balance between comfort and structure.

She also has plantar fasciitis, and has taken a long time to find appropriate footwear that doesn't cause it to flare up. The extra arch support offered in these Fitville trainers also did the job: "Trying these FitVille shoes now, they felt supportive enough that my plantar fasciitis did not flare up and I never had any pain while wearing them."

As well as no pain, our tester found them comfy if a little strange with the extra wide toe box. She added: "From the first wear, they were comfortable and I didn’t experience any
rubbing or blisters."

"The arch support of the trainer was noticeable, however the arch could have been slightly higher in my opinion. I regularly wear New Balance trainers, which feel like they perfectly mould to my feet, and these FitVille ones just didn’t quite match up to that unfortunately."

Our tester commented that the trainers were shower proof, and breathable - her feet didn't overheat. She also noted that they wore well, and didn't show many signs of wear and tear.

If you're quite heavy-footed, a pair of platform trainers are ideal for putting more cushioning between your foot and the floor to prevent pain from your foot "hitting" the ground. Our tester said: "I find the Converse Run Star Hike Hi trainers to be extremely comfortable and have walked for miles in them (one day I did up to 40,000 steps) without much discomfort."

Advice here would be to try before you buy, or at least measure your foot well, because I find Converse narrow (I have very wide feet) but our tester said: "Although they don't specify that they're for wide feet, I'm a regular Converse wearer and can tell you that their shoes are very spacious - as some other customers have mentioned in the reviews (e.g.: "It’s quite comfy but runs big, you might want to size down") - so I have no trouble getting them onto my feet."

Some Converse shoes can be quite slippery on certain surfaces, but these Run Star Hike Hi trainers have a vulcanised rubber toe cap and outsole which provide more grip. Our tester also likes "they are black and white, so they go with any style outfit, and that they're high-tops so they go above my ankles, meaning I can wear long socks underneath."

Whether you wear these New Balance M411LB3 Walking and Running Trainers casually or for a workout, one thing's for sure - your feet will be cushioned and supported. They have a stylish monochrome design - with a white rubber sole and black tips - that is built for durability so you can keep moving comfortably in style.

They are available in two width options (2E and 4E). Customers have commented on the overall feel of the shoes, with one saying "These trainers fit my wide feet, they are very comfy and I wear them to go jogging. True to size I’d say."

Another great option from New Balance are the New Balance Women's 624v5, which are available in Wide, X-Wide and XX-Wide width options. The foam midsoles offer firm yet flexible cushioning and shock absorption, so they're ideal for keeping your feet comfy on long walks over uneven ground.

They have been praised by customers for their comfortability, with one in particular saying, "Wow after having stitches under my foot I was looking for a supportive and comfortable trainer. Well I found them!".

We love that these Pavers Wide Fit Trainers are available in a choice of colours and prints. As well as being a stylish addition to your shoe rack, they're super comfortable too - thanks to the full leather lining, cushioned insoles, and added arch supports. Plus, the slip-on style makes it easy to put them on in no time.

Several customers were pleased with the price and have called the trainers "A very comfortable, wide-fit summery-style shoe." They also praised them for being easy to slip onto the feet.

Looking for a pair of trainers that offer effortless style and can be put on in a hurry? These Silver Slip-On Trainers from Yours Clothing come in a Wide E-fit and have no laces, zips or Velcro to contend with; you just pop your feet in and away you go!

They have a rounded and elasticated panels on the side for your comfort and will look lovely with a denim jacket and a dress, or a pair of jeans or leggings for a more casual look.

Part of Hotter's Cushion+ range, the Chase II Shoes are made with everyday comfort in mind and come in Standard, Wide and Extra-Wide Fit options. The ultra-light sole makes even the hardest terrain feel soft as they're packed with clever cushioning.

The white colour is perfect for casual styling and the decorative zip adds fashionable detailing. Some customers have highlighted that they are "excellent for fit and comfort", with one saying that they "recently had foot surgery and these shoes were perfect for (their) somewhat sensitive feet".