Would sizing running shoes by WIDTH rather than length be theoretically better?

Triathlon Forum
1

Just a fun theoretical question/exercise.

Currently, running shoes are sized by length. There are width standards (roughly), but are not widely used - most shoes don’t have any other widths, and most often at best have one standard ‘wide’.

I actually measured my foot because I was getting annoyed that my last 2 Hoka Bondi6s split completely down the side (literally completely), and I’ve noticed that many of my other shoes I develop holes in the sides, probably because my feet are too wide for the shoes. My ‘true’ measurement shoe size works out to an 8, but according to the STANDARD widths, my proper shoe width size is an 11! I’ve been buying 9s wide lately, but I’m pretty sure I need to size up to at least 9.5 despite the excess length so it will fit. I might even need to go 10!

In thinking about it, I and probably most people could wear running shoes that are way too long and be totally fine, because running is linear, but the width issue can be game-ending for a shoe that’s just too narrow. I’m definitely buying shoes from now on with width prioritized over length for running (probably won’t work for field sports where you need lateral motion etc).

Just throwing it out there, see what folks think.

PS - As a related note, I sprained my ankle pretty. badly 2+ yrs ago with Hoka Rincons which in retrospect were too narrow - I still have them, and compared to my new bigger sized shoe, my feet were pushing out so far laterally in the Rincons so that it was super easy to roll my ankles. Just keep that in mind if anyone else has problems with ankle sprains - my larger shoes feel sooo much more stable since the landing pad is as wide as my foot!

2

I think the main reason is you can compress width and it does not make it impossible to wear narrow shoe. We cannot do that with length.

So even if you had measurements by width with say 4 lengths available per width we would likely default back to the same system and even then measuring widths needs more precision.

3

I think the availability of non standard widths is probably a clue. Foot length varies more than width. Those of us with wide feet are in the minority. I’m an 11 4e. So, I have only limited options available. Going to a store that usually means like one shoe per brand that is in stock. But, even online it’s a challenge, as brands only make a few lines of shoes in that width… And very limited inventory.

4

I guess I’m arguing that running (only running!) shoe width is more important than length.

I’ll bet anyone can run in shoes that are wayyyy too long. In fact, I’d argue that it won’t even affect your speed or gait at all.

But shoes that are too narrow can cause all sorts of havoc. As I’ve directly experienced.

In reality though, sneaker shoe makers will still likely only make one main design so it might be moot, but as I said, for me width >> length!

5

Laces go along the width, not the length. In your standard length, multiple widths shoe system, would laces do the other way?

6

Laces go along the width, not the length. In your standard length, multiple widths shoe system, would laces do the other way?

The laces don’t matter. You can always lace them tighter, but you can’t make the shoe wider if your foot is too wide.

7

Even if I lace a normal shoe tighter, my foot still slides side to side because just bout every shoe is too wide for me unless it’s a racing shoe.

It’s not that I have a narrow foot it’s just low volume and not as tall as most peoples’ feet. So to get a narrower width I just wear ladies shoes in the same length which means I size up 1.5 sizes.

Also, if I wear a shoe that’s too long, when I run downhill my foot will jam in the front and hurts my toes.

8

Even if I lace a normal shoe tighter, my foot still slides side to side because just bout every shoe is too wide for me unless it’s a racing shoe.

It’s not that I have a narrow foot it’s just low volume and not as tall as most peoples’ feet. So to get a narrower width I just wear ladies shoes in the same length which means I size up 1.5 sizes.

Also, if I wear a shoe that’s too long, when I run downhill my foot will jam in the front and hurts my toes.

You must wear Nike’s now - those things are NARROW!

I only get that downhill toe-jamming thing on trails that are 15+% decline. Like so steep you absolutely cannot use a normal stride.

On more normal declines, I think my feet are so fat that they barely slide forward. Or if they do, it’s mild and doesn’t affect me whatsoever.

9

In reality though, sneaker shoe makers will still likely only make one main design so it might be moot, but as I said, for me width >> length!

that’s what she said!

10

When I went to longer shoes to accommodate my wider feet I found the arch to be too far forward.
Wide sizes didn’t work for me as I only need them wider in the forefoot.
I ended up switching to brands/models with roomier toe boxes.

11

I have had the same with Bondi 6s. Twice. Both times it started developing within 400kms.
Bondi 5 held up well over 1000km. The connection of the upper and the sole in the Bondi 5 is kind of a rubber mesh.
The 6s also have some rubber, but here it is only applied to the upper (they run horizontally).

Bondi 7s now have those rubber strip placed vertically, hopefully helping with this issue.

12

I wear ladies Mizuno shoes, I can’t bring myself to wear Nike.

Road race shoes I Normally wear Asics. Their performance shoes seem to have less volume.