Narrow Running Shoes (2023)

FAQs

What happens if running shoes are too narrow? ›

If the shoe is too narrow, you'll feel your pinky toe, or maybe a bunion rubbing against the side of the shoe. If the shoe length is too long, you may have bunched up fabric above the laces or slippage in the heel when you walk or run.

A properly fitting running shoe should feel snug in the heel and midfoot, with wiggle room around the toes. While standing, check for proper length and width by pressing your thumb down next to the ball of your foot and around the toes. A good fit should allow for half to a full thumb's width of space.

Proper toe fit: You want a thumb's width of space between your toe and the end of the shoe. Midfoot and heel fit: You should have a snug (but not tight) fit at the midfoot and heel.

“If the shoe is too narrow, you'll feel the base of your little toe sitting on the edge of the shoe last. Ideally, your foot should be able to move side-to-side in the shoe's forefoot without crossing over the edge of the insole,” Carter says.

If you have wide feet, it is important to wear shoes that fit the width of your feet. Choosing narrow shoes in the hopes of making your feet narrower will only make the problem worse. These tight shoes compress the feet, which swell and appear even wider.

Narrow shoes may be in style, but they can contribute to foot pain. Because the toe box is unnaturally narrow, it squeezes your toes together. If you wear pointy shoes regularly, the constant squeezing can lead to bunions and hammertoes.

Are Nike Shoes True To Size? Nike shoes fit slightly narrow at true to size, generally speaking. Different pairs will have different fits, with some being more accurate than others. Some Nikes, particularly those with mesh uppers or softer materials, will fit fine at true to size.

Christine Luff from verywell.com recommends going up half a shoe size because one's feet swell when they run and it is important to have plenty of room in the toebox. If one's toes are crammed in the front of the running shoe, you could develop blisters or black toenails.

Sliding or shifting: If you can feel your heel slide up and down or the front portion of your foot slide or shift around, your shoes are too big or too wide. Blisters: Blisters happen when your foot moves around within your shoe. Blisters on the ball of the foot are a sign your shoe is too wide.

Narrow/Extra Narrow Widths

For women, 'A' letter sizes will be considered Narrow, with anything greater than a 2A considered Extra Narrow. For men, a 'B' width will be considered a Narrow shoe, with an 'A' width considered Extra Narrow. Narrow/Extra Narrow are sometimes called Slim/Super Slim.

Should your toes touch the end of your shoes? ›

As a rule of thumb (or toe), you should have about 3/8″ to 1/2″ of room from the tip of your longest toe to the end of the shoe. Your big toe is not automatically your longest toe. Pick the shoes that match your foot shape.

Buying a sneaker that is slightly larger than your foot allows for better circulation which minimizes swelling. If one foot is slightly larger than the other go for the bigger size and always consider the kind of socks you plan to wear with your shoes.

Running shoe size is typically a half size larger than your typical shoe size. So, after determining the length and width and your true shoe size, try a running shoe that's about a half size bigger than your standard shoe size.

Your width measurement is really critical to getting the perfect pair of shoes that actually fits you. If you find that you frequently try on shoes that are supposed to be your size, but they feel really tight when you walk around the store, then it's likely that your feet are actually a wide width.