Most runners don’t realize that, in addition to length, shoes also have a width. The letters “D” and “B,” which designate the width of men’s and women’s shoes, respectively, are not random symbols, but rather, they can change your running experience. In addition to looking for shoe models that offer more space for wide feet, you can also choose shoes with a wider than standard width.
Running Shoe Widths and What the Letters Mean
In an ideal world, feet have two key dimensions. The first is length, which is the standard shoe size. For most brands, women’s sizes range from 37EU to 42EU, and men’s sizes range from 42EU to 48EU.
The second parameter, which is often overlooked, is width. It is indicated by a letter. Women’s and men’s shoes have completely different width standards. For women, the widths are as follows:
- 2A – narrow
- B – standard
- D – wide
- 2E – extra wide.
For men, we have the following widths:
- B – narrow
- D – standard
- 2E – wide
- 4E – extra wide
The width is the key difference between women’s and men’s shoes, and it’s important to know! Women’s shoes are typically width B, while men’s shoes are width D. Although the difference is only a few millimeters, it can significantly impact comfort.
For example, if we take the same shoe model in the same size, but in the women’s and men’s versions, the men’s version will always be slightly wider. This is an important tip for women buying men’s shoes (e.g., if they have wide feet or wear a size larger than 42 EU) and for men buying women’s shoes.
Not all brands specify the width, but some do. Brooks is a good example; their labels show both the length and width of the shoe in black and white.
What Can a Wide-Footed Runner Do?
The most common solution, albeit unconscious, is to try on several pairs and choose the ones that seem wider. Indeed, there are models with a more spacious design available on the market. The problem is that their availability fluctuates. Today, a given model may be ideal for wide feet, but next year, its new version may have a narrower upper or different construction.
This means there is no single, universal list of shoes for people with wide feet. Manufacturers introduce changes every season, so what fits now may not be as comfortable next year. Unfortunately, no technical description or review can replace the good old method of trying shoes on.
2E and Beyond: Understanding Wide Shoe Labels
If standard models are still too narrow, there is one remaining solution: shoes with a non-standard width. For men, models are available in widths up to 2E and, in exceptional cases, 4E. For women, an alternative is shoes in width D; unfortunately, these are less common. Such models are not available in every store, so you often have to search online or order from specialty retailers.
How can you tell if shoes have an above-average width? Look for key markings on boxes and in online store product descriptions. For men’s shoes, look for markings such as “2E,” or “wide”.
Here are a few examples:
- Brooks Glycerine 2E
- Brooks Ghost 2E
- New Balanace 1080 2E
- Nike Pegasus Wide (W)
- Hoka Clifton Wide
- Hoka Challenger ATR Wide
For wide women’s shoes, look for the markings “D” or simply “wide”:
- New Balance 1080 Wide
As you can see, although there is a universal system for marking shoe widths, manufacturers often add their own markings, causing a lot of confusion. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the same model in the same colors can be available in standard and wide versions, a detail that is easy to overlook.
Keep in mind that wider variants usually include the most popular, flagship models and not the entire collection of a given brand. These are typically well-cushioned training shoes designed for hard surfaces like asphalt. The more specialized and “niche” the model, the less likely it is to be available in a wide version.
It’s not the easiest task, but with patience and awareness of what to look for, you can find the perfect shoes!
