FitVille Women’s Wide Fit Arch Support Air Cushion Trainer Review

These FitVille Women's 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 I’d usually spend on trainers, but compared to many other brands, they’re still relatively affordable.

I’m in my late twenties and have wide feet, though I suspect FitVille’s main audience may be slightly older. However, I have suffered with plantar fasciitis in the past year after running in trainers that weren’t supportive enough for me. I’ve now gotten more supportive running shoes, but it took some time to recover from this, and having supportive shoes to walk in as well as run in is very important to me, so that this pain doesn’t come back.

Testing the FitVille Women's Wide Fit Arch Support Air Cushion Trainers

I’ve been walking in these FitVille trainers for 2-3 miles several days a week over the past month. I’ve been wearing them to and from my yoga classes, to the shops and round my local parks – so mostly on pavement and sometimes grass. Over the course of this time period, I have not had any pain and my plantar fasciitis has not flared up, which I'm very happy with!

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. However, this could be a real advantage for those with extra-wide feet, swollen feet, or conditions like Edema. The cushioning felt soft yet supportive, striking a good balance between comfort and structure.

From the first wear, they were comfortable and I didn’t experience any rubbing or blisters. Whilst the heel support was great, I did find that the toe box to be a little too wide, which I mentioned earlier. So it did feel strange with my toes having that much space, but it wasn’t uncomfortable or unsupportive in anyway, it would have just been nice for my foot to have felt a little bit more ‘hugged’. However, this suggests to me that this trainer would be a huge benefit for people struggle to find truly wide shoes.

The trainers have a sturdy feel and the design looks quite nice. The black and grey colourway isn’t the most attractive, I think the burgundy colourway looks the best, but it does go out of stock often from what I’ve seen. However, the grey and black is more versatile and pairs well with different outfits.

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.

The soles of my old running shoes were very thin and there was not much support, which caused plantar fasciitis to flare up after I pushed myself too hard on a run. I felt pain on the bottom of my feet when walking and running for several months, and it caused my foot and ankle to feel quite tight and weak. Wearing shoes that had much more arch support and a thicker sole over time led to the pain going away thankfully. 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.

The soles on these trainers are a bit too flat for my liking, I do walk quite fast (especially when I'm running late - which is often!), and so I prefer a sole with a bit more curvature for a smooth, more natural stride. They do feel a little stiff and clunky compared to some of my other trainers, but this may be less noticeable for those who don’t walk as fast.

One minor annoyance was the laces. They need to be fully tied and untied each time, and I prefer trainers I can slip on and off easily. It’s not a deal breaker, but it did make them slightly less convenient for everyday wear.

The breathability was good, my feet didn’t feel noticeable warm or sweaty, even at the end of my walks, which was great. I haven’t walked in heavy rain in these trainers, but I have walked in them in light rain and when the ground has been wet underfoot, and both times my feet have stayed nice and dry. Durability has been solid so far. After a month of regular wear, they still look new apart from a few creases where my foot bends, and there’s no wear and tear.

Final verdict

These FitVille wide fit arch support trainers deliver on their promise of comfort and fit for wide feet. While they didn’t fit me as well as I’d hoped, I was impressed by how comfortable they were, especially with no break-in period. The arch support could have been a bit more pronounced, but the rest of the trainer felt supportive and nicely cushioned. Despite my history with plantar fasciitis, I experienced no pain while wearing them.

They are reasonably priced and seem to hold up well over time. These would be a great option for those with swollen feet, Edema, or anyone who struggles to find trainers that truly accommodate for wide feet. However, if you prefer a more snug fit, don’t have particularly wide feet, or need strong arch support, you might want to consider other options.