Comparing Men's & Women's Toe Box Widths For Pickleball

Quick Answer: The toe box width does tend to differ between men’s and women’s pickleball shoes. Women’s shoes usually have a more narrow or average-width toe box to fit most female feet. Men’s shoes tend to have a wider toe box and more overall volume to accommodate wider male feet. However, some women with wider feet find a better fit in men’s shoes. And certain styles come in wider widths for both genders. Overall, checking the toe box dimensions can help players select the right width, regardless of gender. The key is finding a spacious, comfortable toe box design optimized for pickleball footwork and agility.

Contents

Why the Toe Box Width Differs
Women's Pickleball Shoes Often Have a Narrower Toe Box
Men's Shoes Accommodate Wider Feet
Key Features for a Spacious Toe Box
Tips for Finding the Right Width
Top Pickleball Shoe Picks for Wide Feet
The Takeaway

Why the Toe Box Width Differs

Anatomically speaking, men’s feet are often wider than women’s. According to research, the average woman’s foot is 10.5 inches long and 3.5 inches wide. Comparatively, the average man’s foot measures 10.75 inches long and 4 inches wide.

This quarter-inch difference may seem minor, but it can significantly impact shoe fit and comfort. Narrow toe boxes compress the toes together, which can cause pain and bunions over time. Having a spacious toe box enables natural toe splay, enhancing stability for those quick side-to-side movements in pickleball.

For this reason, most athletic shoe brands design their women’s shoes with a narrower toe box and men’s shoes with a wider toe box. However, keep in mind that brands vary in their width sizing methods.

Women’s Pickleball Shoes Often Have a Narrower Toe Box

Women’s pickleball shoes typically fit narrow or average width feet best right out of the box. Many women prefer a snugger fit for enhanced control and responsiveness on the court.

Popular brands like ASICS and New Balance use a “B” width for standard women’s sizes. Going up or down in size won’t affect the proportions—just the overall length and volume.

Some exceptions are available, like ASICS’ “2E” extra wide option designed specifically for wide female feet. But most women’s shoes max out at a “D” width, equivalent to men’s standard width.

I’ve found that many women’s pickleball shoes stretch slightly after break-in. So even if they feel a bit snug at first, they mold to your feet within a few weeks of play.

Men’s Shoes Accommodate Wider Feet

Men’s pickleball shoes typically have more volume and toe box width to fit wider male feet. Popular athletic brands use a “D” width for standard men’s shoe sizes.

Going up or down in size affects the length/volume but not the width proportions. Many men’s styles go up to 4E extra wide to provide ample toe splay room.

I’ve tested shoes like the New Balance 623v3 and found the men’s version has significantly more toe box width than the women’s. Even if you size up in women’s, the shape and volume can still feel restrictive.

Key Features for a Spacious Toe Box

Here are a few design elements I look for when seeking a roomy, comfortable toe box in pickleball shoes:

Mesh or knit uppers: Woven fabrics like mesh or knit expand more than leather or vinyl. They conform to your feet and provide wiggle room.
Removable insoles: Being able to remove the insole enables you to insert your own orthotic or sizing adjustment insole.
Stretchy collar: A forgiving, elastic collar prevents the upper from digging into your foot as you move side-to-side.
Wide width options: Brands that offer 2E, 4E or 6E widths can better accommodate wide feet.
Low-profile design: A low-cut profile with minimal overlays gives your toes breathing room.

Tips for Finding the Right Width

Here are my top tips for finding a pickleball shoe with an ideal toe box width:

Know your measurements: Get your feet sized at a shoe store to know your length and width in millimeters.
Try before you buy: Visit a specialty store with pickleball shoes in various sizes/widths.
Compare brands/models: Certain brands or models suit wide feet better than others.
Consider sizing up: Size up a half or full size if your toes feel cramped, especially in women’s shoes.
Read reviews: Look for first-hand reviews reporting on toe box width before purchasing.
Allow a break-in period: Give your shoes 2-4 weeks of play to fully stretch and mold to your feet.

Top Pickleball Shoe Picks for Wide Feet

Based on my experience and expert recommendations, here are some top-rated pickleball shoes providing a nice wide toe box:

Women’s

ASICS Women's Gel Resolution 8: Roomy toe box, available in 2E width
Babolat Women's Propulse Fury: Wide fit, rated for average to wide feet
New Balance Women's 696v3: Leather stretches, removable insole

Men’s

New Balance Men's 623v3: Exceptional comfort, extra toe room
ASICS Men's Gel Rocket 9: Spacious forefoot, available in 4E
Prince Men's T22: Wide toe box, excellent for wide feet

The Takeaway

Finding the right toe box width makes all the difference in comfort and performance on the pickleball courts. While men’s shoes tend to run wider and women’s more narrow, focus more on fit than gender when selecting your ideal pair.

Prioritize brands and models offering a spacious, flexible toe box with plenty of wiggle room. With the right pickleball shoes, you can enhance your footwork and take your game to the next level.

Resources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/shoe-size-for-women#average-womens-shoe-size
https://www.healthline.com/health/average-shoe-size-for-men#average-shoe-size
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4555620/
https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/shoe-width-guide.html

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Is the Toe Box Width the Same for Men’s and Women’s Pickleball Shoes?