Best Wide Foot Running Shoes for 2024 (So Far)

Intro

NOTE: This is an evergreen list (last updated 10/21/2024). For the best plated and race day shoes for wide foot runners, check out our Best Plated Shoes for Wide Foot Runners list.

PSA: This is Jarrett’s wide foot running shoe roundup, and this is a safe space. As all wide foot runners know, we’ve been shunned for far too long. There are dozens of us, dammit! So this is a place where my fellow wide fam can view all the good options that work for us folk who can’t squish into those “normal” width shoes.

Now, this is technically not a “Best Of” list (although my favorite shoes are indeed in here). Instead, this is a list of almost every wide shoe that I’ve run in that’s currently available. I’ll give you the good, the bad, and everything in-between. Some shoes will have links to my full review, and others will offer summaries of shoes I have worn but received after others on our team reviewed them (it turns out very few companies care about doing pre-production runs of wide shoes).

As any runner with wide foot problems knows, the list of companies who cater to us is pretty brief. You’ll also notice that the following list is New Balance-heavy, as they consistently offer the most diverse options in the wide segment (for that, we thank you, New Balance).

We’ll keep updating this list throughout the year (organized alphabetically, btw), so check back for new additions from time to time. Should you have any questions or shoe requests, leave a comment below or hit me up on the gram!

Adidas has one of the hottest shoes on the market with the Adizero Adios Pro 3. It has been in a ton of podiums and even swept the top 4 men’s shoes at the 2023 Boston Marathon. Was there any doubt I’d find a way to get these on my feet and see how they work out for the #WideFootFam?

The Adios Pro 3 has a Celermesh upper that is practically see-through. It doesn’t have much stretch, however the Adidas 3 stripes on the midfoot are printed on and aren’t constricting overlays. I think the toe box is accommodating enough to wear. The midfoot feels secure and snug. It’s tight, but doesn’t hurt. I also don’t think there’s much arch support. My foot hangs over both sides in the midfoot. The good news is the platform doesn’t curl up and dig in anywhere (a problem I noticed in the Hoka Rocket X 2). I also find the shoe feels way better when running compared to standing or walking. 

Hands down the most frustrating part of the shoe is the lacing. It takes 2-3 times finagling with it to get a good lockdown without hurting. It’s also not easy to pull the laces tighter. This seems to be an issue others have, so hopefully it gets addressed. Also, I had heel slip and Achilles rubbing on a few of my runs. Some ended fine, while others ended with pretty gnarly blisters. The rubbing probably goes along with the lacing lockdown problem.

Adidas uses a Continental rubber outsole on the Adios Pro 3. The grip is awesome. It’s sticky and helps my confidence while trying to take turns quickly. 

Apparently Adidas widened the shoe platform for additional stability, which explains why it’s a viable race day option for us. The midsole is composed of Lightstrike Pro and Energyrods (instead of a carbon plate, these are rods which almost look like a skeleton foot). 

The Adios Pro 3 is highly cushioned and bouncy, but if you’re used to the Prime X, it’s firmer than that which causes the Pro 3 to feel even faster. I took the Adios Pro 3 out for a handful of different run types. During short 30 second max effort repeats I felt like I was flying as the turnover is so quick and smooth. 

On a 12 mile long run I felt like I was comfortably cruising at a 7:45 minute mile pace, although it ended with the worst Achilles blister. I also decided to use them at the Baltimore 10 miler where I went way too fast out of the gate because of how good they felt. A super hot morning got the best of me and I eventually bonked, but when the day is right, the shoes are amazingly fast.

I’m really digging the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3. They are a top tier super shoe and to be able to wear them on races at half marathon distance or less is a big win for the wide-footers out there. Thin socks are important as the midfoot is snug, but not debilitating, and hopefully the heel rub issue is a personal one. Keep the heat (not literally) coming, Adidas, and please don’t narrow anything!

Fam, it’s a wide Adidas shoe! The Boston 12 is a daily trainer that leans more towards performance with the combination of Lightstrike Pro, Lightstrike 2.0, and glass-fiber infused Energyrods 2.0 (not as premium as a carbon plate). It took a few extra weeks for the wide version to be released, but I can safely say it was worth the wait.

The lightweight mesh upper is pretty standard. It wraps the foot nicely, and isn’t suffocating. I think the wide fit is actually pretty nice! I don’t have any pain in the midfoot, nor do I have any squeezing or blisters from the forefoot. My arches aren’t hanging over with no support. Adidas actually widened the forefoot from the Boston 11 and the heel is wider than the Adios Pro 3 so you don’t feel like you’re running on a tightrope.

I noticed that my 10.5 2E run a touch long, although heel lock lacing takes care of the extra length problem. The lacing system is eh, but I do think it’s better and easier to work with than the Pro 3. As for the heel counter, it’s super thin and just about the same as the Pro 3 and Prime X Strung. I can’t explain what is different, but I never experienced any Achilles rubbing and blisters. If I could have this upper on the Pro 3 and Prime X, oh boy would I be a happy camper.

Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike 2.0 work together to provide a light and stable ride that feels semi-firm. By having Energyrods, you get some propulsion. It’s not as snappy and aggressive as the carbon plate Energyrods in the Pro 3. 

How does all this midsole technology feel? Well, it’s not mushy or as bouncy as the Pro 3. I get more ground feel and a bit firmer of a ride. At a slower pace, it feels like your standard daily trainer, but pick the speed up and it is able to transform into a much faster shoe.

Basically, the Boston 12 reminds me of the Pro 3’s little brother, which is why I couldn’t stop comparing the two this whole time. The Boston 12 a peppy daily trainer, but can even be used as a race day option for a fraction of the price. I truly hope Adidas makes more shoes in wide because their running line is killing it!

There is no denying the Prime X 2 Strung has been on the receiving end of strong opinions. The first version was so loved and there were such high expectations going in. It was almost shocking to hear the 2 oz. weight gain. I guess it’s a good thing I received this after everyone else finished their reviews, so I was able to tame my hype and go in with realistic expectations.

The strung upper is similar to the first Prime X, but this time the tongue is now a stretchy knit. I find the upper to feel snug and a little tight on my midfoot, but it doesn’t hurt or concern me while out running. Even though my heel slips a little, I haven’t had any problems with blisters on my Achilles like I did with the first Prime X. I also think the shoe runs a touch long.

Adidas took v2 one step further by adding a second carbon plate to the mix and a third layer of Lightstrike Pro. The third layer is a smaller puck located in the forefoot between the 2 carbon plates. The point is to provide even more pop in your step and act as a spring.

The outsole is a grippy continental rubber and the base has been widened to help to make the Prime X 2 way more stable and supportive. I don’t feel like I’m running on a tightrope nor do I get nervous if I heel strike. 

I used the Prime X 2 for the entire assortment of runs that Coach gave me. On my easy day and recovery runs I felt like I wasn’t exerting much energy. I bounced along with ease and felt good at slower paces. My Wednesday workouts were another story. It felt hard to pick up the pace and that’s where I didn’t love the heavier shoes. The longest run I did in them was 17 miles and I was back to enjoying the Prime X 2 to cruise in. My legs didn’t feel trashed by the end of the run nor the next day. 

I know the team was disappointed by the Prime X 2, but I legitimately have been having a really good time in them. I may be able to get a bit more out of the midsole because I am bigger and can compress the foam more. Also, as much as I dislike the weight gain, I’m so used to my wide shoes being on the heavier side. The Prime X 2 feel awesome underfoot and are a pleasure to do easy and long runs in. My legs don’t feel beat up, and I’ll take that any day. I think the Prime X 2 is a really good daily trainer, so long as you can get over the $300 price tag.

Last year I was pleasantly surprised by the Ghost Max and the fact that Brooks offered a new shoe in wide. It ended up being my favorite wide Brooks shoe I have ever run in and continued to get miles even after the review was done.

With the Ghost Max 2, I was interested to see where the updates would come. The only change is within the midsole with DNA Loft v3. While some may not love the update, I think the “Max” name now makes more sense.

There isn’t much to discuss with the upper as it hasn’t changed from the previous version. My wide isn’t super generous with fit, but it feels comfortable on foot and I haven’t encountered any pressure points. Brooks doesn’t skimp out on comfort as the tongue and heel collar are super plush.

The new DNA Loft v3 midsole definitely feels softer and more cushioned than the first Ghost Max, although it’s not a drastic change and doesn’t cause the shoe to feel completely different this time around. While running, I noticed the GlideRoll rocker, but it didn’t seem to roll as well as the first version. This is the trade off Brooks chose to make and it makes sense as this is a Max shoe whereas you can get speed in their other options.

Other than the ugly colorway I got, which let’s be real, Brooks is going to come out with a lot of other options throughout the lifespan of this shoe. There aren’t many issues other than I would have preferred it to not gain .7 oz bringing my pair to 11.7 oz.

The Ghost Max 2 is a very solid daily trainer. The first version felt a little faster, but that one also didn’t feel as cushioned. The transition is still smooth and the upper’s comfort is still present. As with any update, people tend to worry about changes. I think the Ghost Max 2 took the trade off as it should have and now it’s even more comfortable on foot.

I’m officially combining 2 shoes into 1 review here in the wide foot roundup. The Brooks Glycerin 20 and Glycerin GTS 20 are just about the same exact shoe, except the GTS (Go-To-Support) has Brooks’ GuideRails for stability.

For the upper, both shoes have the same engineered mesh. It’s soft in the toe box and plush around the heel collar. The wide fit is good. It’s not an overly spacious toe box or midfoot, but gives a nice secure fit.

Both shoes feature a DNA LOFT v3 midsole. Brooks’ website pushes it as “supreme softness” and describes the shoes as super cushioned. I’m not sure who was in charge of describing these shoes, but to me it seems flat out wrong. I don’t really get much cushion or that plush underfoot feeling.

While running, the GTS feels slightly more stable and firm because of the GuideRails, but it’s not like the regular Glycerin is an unstable shoe. Both shoes did start breaking in after a handful of miles, but they never felt soft. I thought both shoes skewed to the firmer side. 

I used them for easy everyday miles. I didn’t opt for faster days because I wasn’t getting much responsiveness, and I didn’t want my legs beat up on the long runs. I appreciated them as daily trainers, even though they didn’t excel in any specific area. I also used both shoes for our neighborhood walks and they are good for that too.

The Brooks Glycerin 20 and Glycerin GTS 20 are solid shoes. Whether you’re looking for a neutral daily trainer, or need some added stability, Brooks has you covered. I don’t strongly dislike anything about them, but I don’t love anything either. It’s rather obvious that Brooks fans will be content, and in the end isn’t that all that really matters?

The Mach 5 was the first indication that Hoka was truly committed to the #widefootfam, so I was super happy to see some extra side space come into the Clifton. In the past, Hoka’s wide models were wide only by volume; the actual platform seemed to be in the same narrow range that Hoka has always been known for.

But that seems to have changed this time around. Which is good, because as Hoka’s most iconic trainer, the Clifton is a great shoe for everything you need on your run, providing comfortable and reliable daily training miles.

With a new formula of Profly EVA, it does indeed seem softer and bouncier, while keeping the shoe relatively lightweight. While I wouldn’t take this out for speedwork (save that for the Mach 5), I would take this out for just about everything else.

Point being– this may be one of the better wide foot shoes out there, and you if you’re reading this list, you can now find a comfortable seat on the Hoka wagon.

Yes, this is a “best of” list. But I feel like I need to include the Arahi 7, just in case you ignore all my other advice and try to buy it on account of Hoka’s current cool factor. I’m going to start off with the best thing about the Arahi 7, and that is the all-white colorway I got. It’s so clean and I really like that brands are flipping the script and putting out wide colorways in white as opposed to the all black, gray, or navy.

The only new changes to the Arahi are in the upper. It’s got a flat-knit upper, a plusher tongue, and a stretchy dual gusseted tongue to keep it from sliding around. I do think the upper feels nice and I appreciate the padded tongue and heel collar, but the shoe feels pretty tight in the midfoot in 2E. Hoka has been a brand that we all know fits slim, and that trend continues with the Arahi 7. 

The midsole of the Arahi 7 remains the same as the 6, and features the J-Frame for midsole stability. The foam feels pretty firm and doesn’t have much life to it. When running, I felt like my feet were slapping the ground because there was no roll or good heel-to-toe transition. Sure, the shoe is very stable, but it doesn’t have to be stiff to have stability. There wasn’t much to look forward to when trying to get out for my morning miles. This is by far the worst version of the Arahi, which we’ve heard from pretty much every reviewer and is evidenced by the many one- and two-star reviews on its shop page.

I enjoyed using the Arahi 7 as a casual shoe, and that’s about it. The Arahi 7 is fine for walking, but I don’t plan on putting it back on for a run in the foreseeable future. Sorry, Hoka. I’m not even to include shop links because you shouldn’t buy it.

The fit of my 2E width is pretty much perfect for me. The forefoot has plenty of room and I have no pressure where a bunion would be. The midfoot has space while still providing a nice lockdown. There have been some previous New Balance uppers where they seemed to be on the sloppier side and I needed to cinch down the laces crazy tight. That is not the case here. I think New Balance has the upper down pretty perfect. The engineered mesh is simple and works well. I also like the nicely padded and gusseted tongue, which should be easy to cut out if you find it’s causing any tightness.

Even though the 880v14 is a neutral shoe, the outsole is wide enough that it feels stable while running. The Fresh Foam X midsole isn’t overly soft or squishy like the 1080. It is firmer, while still maintaining enough cushion. While running, the shoes kind of disappeared out of my mind. I really had to focus on how I felt.

During a run around the city with Thomas, he asked how I was liking them. I thought about it for half a second and told him they were really nice! The heel strike is smooth and the Fresh Foam X provides enough response to not feel like a harsh brick. While they look heavy, my 10.5 2E weighs 10.1 oz and actually feels pretty light. Lastly, the all white with red N overlay looks clean and crisp. Another win for a wide foot colorway!!

Yet again, New Balance has figured out the secret sauce to a workhorse daily trainer with the 880v14. There’s no need to do anything crazy to a shoe meant for gobbling up miles. The 880v14 is an all around comfortable shoe from the upper to the midsole. Plus, the wide fit is money. Those who thought the 1080 was a bit too unstable or soft will want to check out the newest 880. You want reliable? You got it.

When I think of daily trainers, the New Balance 1080 is one that always comes to mind. Version 13 has seen some large updates with a new engineered mesh upper and a much softer Fresh Foam X midsole.

The engineered mesh upper is a nice welcome from v12’s Hypoknit which didn’t hold the foot as well. This new upper feels really nice on my foot and has no pressure points. Both the tongue and heel collar have enough padding for my liking.

The sizing has been fixed from the 1080v12, seeming to be very long. I went half a size down to a 10 2E in last year’s shoe, whereas my size 10.5 2E fits perfectly. I think a lot of people needing 2E wide will like the fit. The toe box is generous, but not massive and sloppy. I also think the midfoot has a good amount of space and my feet are rather happy with these shoes.

The Fresh Foam X midsole feels like it has a crazy amount of cushioning without being one of the max stack height shoes. It’s definitely softer than the v12. I loved how nice it felt when going out on easy day runs and I think my knees were thanking me for the cush. I didn’t think it had a big amount of rebound, so any time I tried picking up the pace it felt like it took a little more effort. 

New Balance knocked it out of the park with the 1080v13. It’s an extremely comfortable and cushioned daily trainer. The traditional upper is also much nicer than the previous version’s Hypoknit. You want a shoe that can gobble up miles? The New Balance 1080v13 can easily fill the role.

New Balance is touting their energy arc midsole technology, which contains a cambered carbon plate that’s sandwiched between two layers of FuelCell foam. The bottom layer contains a void going down the center of the entire length of the shoe. This allows the shoe to maximize energy return. 

I was pretty concerned about how stable the shoe would be with the huge void. However, I’m pleasantly surprised to say it’s even more stable than the FuelCell TC and RC2. The width of the heel is a good amount wider than both those shoes and it helps with the pronating. Just keep in mind that this isn’t a stability shoe and if you pronate bad, you may have some issues. I was extremely hesitant when taking corners fast. I found it nearly impossible to avoid slowing down as I didn’t want to roll my ankles.

The midsole foam is absurd with how soft it is. It may just be the softest shoe I own. While people talk about the compression, I’m fairly confident the technical term would be “the squish.” In the SC Trainer, the squish factor is next level. Paired with the carbon plate, I get a soft landing that has excellent energy return to keep me moving. 

My miles have been excellent. I had mile pickups with Thomas during a long run and other days I took it slow and easy. The shoe can perform at higher paces if needed, but shines on easier everyday running. 

The more I run in the SC Trainer, the more I like it. Sure, the weight is up there, but this is a high performance trainer and is going to keep you feeling fresh on those long runs where you’re just going for distance. Oh, and did I mention it freaking comes in wide?! I’ve got a feeling the SC Trainer is going to get pulled off the shoe rack a lot. It’s a winner. Simple as that. 

The New Balance Rebel is back for a 4th time, and has received a large overhaul. The upper is a new Fantomfit mesh and the FuelCell midsole is a blend of Peba and EVA. Visually, the Rebel seems to have regained its roots and looks stunning. While v3 was a bland trainer, v4 has a large in your face N and strong angular molding in the midsole. It looks so slick.

New Balance calls the new mesh upper Fantomfit. It’s very soft and pliable without being overly stretchy. The thin gusseted tongue is just about the same as was in v3. I would like it to be slightly longer or more substantial as I can feel the laces on the top of my feet when I lace up my shoes tight. The heel collar has just enough padding to keep it comfortable on my Achilles. 

The wide fit is very generous. I have to pull the laces pretty tight to get a secure lockdown and the toe box has a ton of room. However, with all the room, I don’t find the shoe to feel sloppy. I haven’t gotten any blisters nor do my feet slide around.

The Peba/EVA blended midsole allows it to be soft, bouncy, and light. Honestly, it doesn’t give as much bounce or give back as I’d like, but it feels really nice under foot. I was surprised at how smooth my stride felt while running. The midsole is very flexible and doesn’t feel stiff at all. I think the midsole is a very nice upgrade compared to the tamed Rebel v3.

The New Balance Rebel v4 is a great option for a wide uptempo trainer that is on the lighter side. It feels smooth and flexible, while providing a very nice amount of width in the 2E option. The design is also way better than v3 as it no longer looks like a cheap shoe. For those who liked the Rebel v3, I think you’re going to be very happy with v4. If you want a faster shoe without going to the carbon plate realm, check out the New Balance Rebel v4.

As much as I was a fan of the SC Elite v3, New Balance’s update with the SC Elite v4 has made it so much better. The entire shoe has been revamped with a FantomFit upper and a 100% PEBA FuelCell midsole. 

New Balance ditched the sock-like upper for their FantomFit and it makes life easier as previous versions of the shoe were so damn hard to get on. With the SC Elite v4, I feel like I can slide my foot into the shoe with ease. The upper is see-through enough to show what sock you have on, but seems to be very strong. The only dislike I have with the SC Elite v4 is the tongue because it is so thin and short. When the laces are tied, the tongue sits at the same height and it makes it really tough to grab and adjust if needed.

The wide fits me very well and I think it’s the best fitting plated shoe I have ever worn. I get a great lockdown throughout the entire shoe. Using the heel lock lacing technique, I didn’t encounter any heel slipping. The midfoot has enough space for my chonky midfoot and the toe box is roomy, while not being as massive as the Rebel v4. The shoe gained about an ounce and my size 10.5 2E weighs 9.3 oz. I would like it to be lighter, but I don’t find it to feel heavy at all.

New Balance redesigned the midsole and the foam is now fully Peba. The geometry has changed and there is a lot more toe spring compared to the previous SC Elite v3. Also, the midsole isn’t as curved so I no longer have that feeling of my arch hanging over the shoe.

The Peba midsole has made the SC Elite v4 more bouncy and responsive than v3. I have always said that v3 was extremely comfortable for the marathon distance, but lacked speed. The new Peba midsole has solved the previous problem and it now feels faster. I didn’t have any problems locking in to a faster pace and settling in. I also thought it felt just as good while running at an easier pace. 

For anyone with a wide foot and wanting a race day shoe, I would 100% recommend the New Balance SC Elite v4. 

I can’t believe it has been over 2 years since the release of the New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5. I adored that shoe and went through 3 pairs. The wait is finally over and New Balance has pulled out a pretty big update with the Vongo v6 that is worthy of your attention.

New Balance ditched the Hypoknit upper for an engineered mesh. It’s no longer the overly stretchy mesh that can be a little sloppy. I would go so far as to say the new upper is luxurious. It’s padded nicely around the heel and the tongue, it fits great, and is soft to the touch. 

As for the 2E wide fit, I have no problems. The midfoot feels secure and snug, but not tight. The forefoot lacks any overlays so I don’t get pressure points. New Balance tends to get the wide fit right, and the Vongo v6 is no exception.

The midsole is made up of Fresh Foam X. I think it feels softer than the previous iteration, while also providing a more comfortable and smoother ride. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the midsole is soft, but it has some nice cushion to it that a lot of stability shoes don’t have. On my easy and no-pace runs, I really enjoyed running in the Vongo v6. That being said, I never felt like I could pick up the pace well, but I have other shoes for tempo work and race day.

No longer is a medial post used to create stability within the shoe. This time, New Balance has added a EVA plate within the midsole that is lower on the lateral side and higher on the medial side. It isn’t noticeable and doesn’t make it anywhere as stiff as a carbon plated shoe. I thought the plate worked well and I didn’t feel like my ankles were rolling in.

I’ve always thought of the 860 as New Balance’s heavy stability shoe, but this time the Vongo is the chunkier option. My 10.5 2E weighs 12.1 oz. Even though I find the 860v13 to feel slower, it’s still quite a move in the wrong direction from my wide v5s weighing 11 oz. 

New Balance took their time bringing the Vongo v6 to market, and provided the stability runners with some nice new technology. The wait was worth it as this is a great daily trainer and extremely comfortable on foot. The biggest gripe I have is the weight gain, but no one is looking at a stability shoe and expecting it to be in the featherweight class.

I feel like there needs to be a preface with this shoe being on the wide foot roundup. For the past few years, I’ve had so many people asking if I have tried the Alphafly, and the answer was always no. I pulled a rabbit out of a hat and managed to get my grubby fingers on a pair of the Alphafly 3.

I can’t say that the Alphafly 3 will work for a lot of you in the #widefootfam as there are some other race day standard width shoes that are more accommodating. I imagine the Alphafly 3 is for the wide foot runners who don’t care about money and are willing to spend whatever to wear some of the best shoes out there. It’s for those who want the swoosh on their feet and are willing to do anything and everything possible, even if dumb and potentially injury inducing, for the opportunity. 

The Atomknit upper is somehow see-through and also incredibly strong without being stiff. I can confirm how strong it is because I didn’t break the material with all the muffin-topping going on. It feels like I’m wearing very tight socks. I didn’t need to pull the laces tight to get a good lockdown, and I never experienced them coming untied nor any pressure on the top of my feet. Even without heel lock lacing, which I do on nearly every shoe I have, I didn’t experience any heel slip. 

I wouldn’t say the toe box is as narrow as older Nikes, but it’s by no means wide. I had just enough space to not have any toe or bunion problems. The midfoot is where it feels tight to me. My arch was hanging over, although I didn’t get that stabbing feeling when I tried on a very old pair of Thomas’ original Alphafly years ago for 2 minutes. The lateral side of my midfoot obviously is bulging over, but the outsole doesn’t curve up and stab into my foot. The upper just feels very tight.

The midsole is made up of ZoomX that continues through the whole shoe without any weird decoupled gaps. The forefoot contains the two magical Air Zoom pods and there is a full length carbon plate. I am not exaggerating when I say my legs felt like they were kicking back while running at a faster pace. There was a beautiful feeling of bouncy pop and smooth transitions.

My longest run was 10 miles, and it reached a point towards the end where I was getting pretty uncomfortable, bordering on pain territory. My brain was having so much fun, but my feet were wondering why they were dressed in a corset.

It’s rather shocking to see Nike here, but I’m doing this in the name of science! I won’t be wearing the Alphafly 3 for a marathon, and if you’re here too, you most likely won’t either. It’s by no means a wide comfortable shoe. However, it’s the real freakin’ deal, and so long as I’m not getting injured, it’s pure enjoyment. I feel so fast and I can fly with the Air Zoom units, carbon plate, and ZoomX all working perfectly in tandem. I’d be willing to lace up the Alphafly 3 for a race 10 miles or less, while making a decision tree trying to see if the benefits outweigh my potential demise for a half marathon.

There’s no denying that On has some of the best looking running shoes out there. They have a clean and rich look to them and On continues the trend in the race day Cloudboom Echo 3. It has an unfinished prototype color proofing look to it that is unique and I actually love.

The Cloudboom Echo 3 has all the looks of a narrow shoe and I had no faith in the fit for my chonky feet. The upper is a breathable microfiber material that feels very thin, but is surprisingly strong. On foot, the shoe feels on the tighter side in the midfoot and forefoot. I wore thin socks, which seemed to help, but on longer runs my foot was swelling and it felt even tighter. The upper lacks overlays on the lateral side of the shoe so my midfoot was able to push out and the platform doesn’t curve up so I didn’t feel like anything was digging into my feet.

The heel collar has a tiny bit of padding and thåe gusseted tongue is paper thin. My size 10.5 came in at 8.6 oz., which is slightly on the higher end for race day shoes.

On presents the Cloudmonster as their max cushioned… monster. The midsole is a softer Helion foam with larger CloudTec pods compared to other On models. Above the midsole is the familiar On Speedboard (a TPU plate). I have to say, the Cloudmonster does have a nice soft landing with a very smooth transition through the toe-off. My stride felt great and instead of stomping, I was rolling right through my stride. Underneath each pod is a dab of rubber for the outsole and the traction is solid.

The Cloudmonster may be a max cushioned shoe per On standards, but to be completely honest I find it to fit better into the daily trainer category. The landing is soft, but there’s not a super cushioned underfoot feel when landing because of the Speedboard. Don’t worry though, it doesn’t feel at all like you’re running on a piece of wood strapped to your foot like with some of On’s other options. Hopefully this makes sense and I’m not completely contradicting myself.

I took the Cloudmonster on a variety of runs and enjoyed all of them. Since I know the #WideFootFam is reading this, my 10 mile run in wet conditions saw no pain nor blisters. I was able to pick up the pace if I really tried, but it feels way better at a more relaxed pace. On has something here with the Cloudmonster. It’s unlike any of their other shoes and is definitely a winner. If I was using it solely as a max cushion recovery shoe, I may be a tad disappointed, but thinking of it as a daily trainer has me very pleased and impressed.

Note: wide sizes seem to be scarce right now, so you may have to dig a little deep to find a pair.

I was a fan of the first Cloudmonster and was ecstatic about how accommodating it was. I had hoped On wouldn’t make it tighter, and my wish was granted … kind of.

The upper is pretty much the same, except On updated how the laces are held by adding a fourth loop. The 100% recycled polyester upper feels very soft and I love the heel collar and how comfortable it is. 

However, the sizing of the Cloudmonster 2 is a little off. My pair runs a bit longer than my previous pair of the original Cloudmonster in the same size. As shocking as it sounds, the upper is a bit baggier too. This is easily the most accommodating On shoe, which means standard width people may have some lockdown issues (indeed, our standard width reviewers did). I thought it would be a good idea to do a 16-mile run out of the box and I got a blister where a bunion would be because my foot was sliding some.

On states the Speedboard has been updated with a nylon blend sandwiched between a dual-density Helion superfoam midsole. This supposedly makes the landings softer and increases the energy return. I thought the first Cloudmonster was relatively firm for being a max cushioned shoe, and I feel this way again with the Cloudmonster 2. It may be a touch bouncier, but there isn’t a drastic difference in my opinion. 

The outsole hasn’t changed and provides a nice grip. My size 10.5 standard width weighs 10.9 oz., up from my old pair weighing 10.3 oz. The additional midsole foam and extra length is pushing the weight in the wrong direction.

The On fans with wider feet are going to be happy that the Cloudmonster line continues to have lots of space. For me, it’s tough to want to continue running in the Cloudmonster 2 because of the length and lockdown issues I have. I think if you could get a good fit, the shoe would be a nice daily trainer with a responsive ride compared to On’s Cloudeclipse. I love how it looks, so at least I can rock it out on the town in style.

As much as On has been stepping up their game, the wide offerings have been pretty subpar in the past. I wasn’t aware of the Cloudrunner 2’s arrival, and once I saw the box say “wide,” I’ll admit my brain lacked excitement. Fortunately for me, my brain was wrong. 

On dialed in the upper for the wide version. While they are using fancy talk saying it is 100% recycled Swiss engineered mesh, I’ll just say it feels luxurious and soft on foot. Cheers to Swiss engineering! The tongue is plush and so is the heel collar. I think the wide fit is fantastic. I have space in both the midfoot and forefoot and I don’t feel any overlays causing constriction and pressure on my foot. 

The midsole is made of On’s Helion super foam to provide for energy return and softer cushioning. It still has On’s trademark CloudTec, but it looks to be toned down and not as visually striking. I found the shoe to have a nice amount of cushioning under the forefoot while running. It’s not as soft as the CloudEclipse, but isn’t nearly anywhere close to being firm and harsh like previous On shoes. It straddles the line between a neutral and stability shoe with it having a wider base. Honestly, the more I ran in the Cloudrunner 2, the more I enjoyed it. The shoe felt really nice while running and could handle easy runs like a champ.

One of the best parts is updating the outsole to get rid of the huge void and acknowledging on the website saying goodbye to trapped stones. I like that they can poke fun at their past shoes.

Maybe I have lower expectations, but I don’t have much to complain about with the Cloudrunner 2. My biggest frustration is that the beautiful white colorway that everyone is raving about didn’t show up at my door. I got the all black and although it isn’t ugly, it’s not pretty. 

I must say, I have been pleasantly surprised with the Cloudrunner 2. The wide fit is comfortable and it feels pretty solid under foot. The shoe is easy to run in and provides a ride that isn’t overly soft nor is it firm and harsh. The On Cloudrunner 2 would also make a great travel shoe or one to wear out casually. I’m definitely keeping these by the front door and I have no doubt that the new Cloudrunner 2 is the best wide offering from On so far.

The Ride 16 is the flagship daily trainer for Saucony. I was a fan of last year’s version, and this year is no different. Part of that reason is because the shoe is almost no different. The Ride 16 has the same PWRRUN midsole, while the upper has been tweaked ever so slightly. 

The fit of the wide is solid, without being overly tight or excessively baggy. I don’t have any problems with the midfoot or forefoot. The updated upper has a new tilley system (whatever that means) to help with the lockdown, although I didn’t really notice any difference from the 15 while running. I will say, I love my burnt orange wide colorway and I think it looks miles better than my previous pair. 

I’ve noticed that the PWRRUN midsole tends to skew towards the firmer side. It doesn’t provide much cushion or bounce, but is relatively smooth through stride. With great firmness comes great stability, and although the Ride 16 is a neutral shoe, I don’t think pronators would have much problem.

As much as I’d like the Ride 16 to be a little softer, Saucony offers so many other options for that preference. The Ride 16 is a pretty standard daily trainer that doesn’t take any chances to mess up the legacy. 

For those who want to move on and get the newest model, don’t expect any surprises. Otherwise, save a few bucks and snatch up the remaining Ride 15 as they are extremely similar.

The diehard Topo fans will be more than pleased to know that the Cyclone 2 has changed my mind about Topo and I may be the newest convert.

The Cyclone 2 features a 100% Pebax midsole. This allows the shoe to provide a bouncy and responsive ride, while keeping it super light. My 10.5 weighs just 7.4 oz. (209 grams). With a 5mm drop (28mm heel and 23mm toe), I never had to wean my way in like people suggest with 0mm drops. 

This shoe is meant to be an uptempo trainer, and I completely agree. Sure, my slower easy miles were nice and I felt the softness of the Pebax, but the shoes felt great when picking up the paces. I felt like the shoes came alive and I was moving with relative ease. 

The tightly woven upper is light and thin. The midfoot had a nice snug fit and the toe box was exceptionally spacious. I didn’t feel like my toes were cramped, nor were they sliding around. This is for sure an approved #WideFootFam fit.

The tongue is padded and has 2 lace pass throughs to keep it from sliding around. The heel is also nicely padded and feels great around the ankle. People who had issues with the Cyclone 1 heel collar will be happy with the update.

Underneath is a thin rubber covering the forefoot and heel, with exposed Pebax midsole in the midfoot. I thought the traction was good on the road in dry conditions. On the 2 wet runs, I was a little more hesitant when taking corners. Obviously the exposed midsole was to save weight, although it has me wondering about the life expectancy. It’s not a concern right now, but I do have some (hopefully just) cosmetic wear after 40 miles.

Lastly, I like how these look. Topo does a good job making the roomy toe box design look sleek and fast. However, there’s no denying these look pretty pretty similar to the New Balance Rebel v2…

It’s a bummer the Cyclone has jumped from $120 to $150, but that’s obviously because of the full Pebax midsole. I guess I’m so used to seeing prices bump about $10 (i.e. the 2022 inflation tax), so the $30 was a bit jarring. With great Pebax comes great costs. In this case, it’s worth it.

I may not have tried all the offerings from Topo, or even the recent ones, but I would still bet that the Cyclone 2 is the best shoe that Topo has released. The Cyclone 2’s fit is nice and locked down in the midfoot and the toebox is roomy and very accommodating. The star of the shoe is the Pebax midsole which gives a fun and fast ride. Plus, at 7.4 oz. for my size 10.5, this is one of the lightest wide fitting shoes I own.