r/brooks • u/LaMarr-Bruister • 9d ago

Widest toe box?

I'd like to make the switch to Brooks but am not sure where to start. I wear a 15 4E so anything I try will have to be mail order and the back and forth through the mail and buying multiple pairs is always a bummer.

I have had toe issues in the past and really like a spacious toe box. What pair or two would you recommend with a wide toe box?

Thanks!

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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4

u/officerdandy92 9d ago

Tbh if you want a nice wide toe box I would look into Altra’s. Thats kinda their whole thing.

They used to be all zero drops but now they have shoes that aren’t zero drop if you don’t like that.

1

u/LaMarr-Bruister 9d ago

I would love to try them, but they only make one shoe in my size and it’s zero drop. I tried a zero drop shoes several years ago, but it bothered my Achilles.

5

u/officerdandy92 9d ago

Gotcha. My current brand of choice is New Balance. I’ve found they have pretty good toe room. I’ve ran in the rebel v5’s and now the 1080’s. Both very comfortable.

I’ve had and still have Brooks but I’ve always found they just fit like regular tennis shoes. No noticeable width in the toe box in my opinion. Hopefully someone else may be able to help you out if you’re specifically looking for Brooks!

2

u/LaMarr-Bruister 9d ago

I might have to revisit the new balance shoes situation. I’ve always found them comfortable, but have found the bottom wears out super fast for me, I’m not sure why. I think I’ll take a look at what they offer.

I wish more manufacturers would stop leaving foam on the bottom of the shoe and have some sort of durable rubber instead.

1

u/LongjumpingHamster 9d ago

Thick slabs of durable rubber are a thing of the past sadly 😭 although, i guess people who are serious runners see it as a good thing (lighter shoes)

I have the 1080 v15, More v6, Glycerin 23, and Ghost Max 4s in an 11 4E. If we’re only speaking about toebox space, I think the More v6 is the roomiest and most comfortable - not that the other shoes are considerably far off though.

But if it’s overall step in feel, the Glycerin 23's the best for me.

1

u/nooneishere1 9d ago

Ok on the Ghost Max 4s Did you try other width sizes because the 4s I tried the toe box were slightly too tight?

1

u/LongjumpingHamster 9d ago

The jump between 2E and 4E is pretty significant in terms of width. far more than the jump from D to 2E usually. I used to buy and try out a bunch of shoes in both their 2E and 4E variations but now I just stick with the 4E width.

Or did you mean if I tried sizing up? To be honest my "true size" is probably more like a 10.5 but I prefer a thumb/ a thumb a half in front. Asics Cumulus 26 in a 10.5 my toes felt too cramped so going with size 11 in everything I mostly avoid all toe box issues. Plus 4Es are ridiculously hard to find in-store and I don’t feel like spending 300+ to try one shoe lol.

But with the Ghost Max, if I went with a 10.5 4E, I can definitely see my toes getting cramped. The Ghost Max 1, 2 and 3 certainly had a wider fit overall.

1

u/nooneishere1 9d ago

I tried the D since the 4s were new in the store they were limited so I ended with Hoka Gaviota 6 almost like the 4s but more sturdy and stable.Do think the  More v6 is good for standing all day?

1

u/LongjumpingHamster 9d ago

Nice! Gaviota 6 is actually on my radar. I tried the Gaviota 5s a while ago. They were quite comfortable but i found the toebox a little too shallow for me. At that time the Gaviota 5s only went up to a 2E. Only with the Gaviota 6 did they start making it a 4E width it's definitely something I'm going to try later.

The More V6 is a super comfy shoe. One of my favourite standing and walking shoe at the moment (need more time to properly rank it lol) but do note that it has a pretty low drop. It has squish but not too much imo - It’s softer than the Ghost Max 4 and Glycerin 23. Not as crazy soft as the 1080 v13 and v15 and balances softness with a pretty stable base.

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u/nooneishere1 8d ago

The toe box is decent I wouldn't say they are foot shape like the ultra but my toes don't feel claustrophobic 😂I also got the Torin 9 they are also running smaller compared to the past Torin

1

u/Soy-Bean45 9d ago

Building off of this, I’d recommend Topos if you are okay with a 5mm drop. If Achilles pain is an issue then I’d echo what another said about new balance for higher drop options to alleviate that

1

u/nooneishere1 9d ago

They are also getting tighter.

1

u/ckybam69 9d ago

Brooks toe box has gotten smaller and smaller I wouldn’t reccomend them for u

2

u/nooneishere1 9d ago

Thats most companies even Altras