What Are the Best Pickleball Shoe Brands With Extra Wide Toe Boxes?

Quick Answer: The top pickleball shoe brands for individuals with wider feet include ASICS, Adidas, HEAD, Babolat, K-Swiss, and Wilson. These brands offer shoes with spacious toe boxes, adjustable lacing systems, and wide width options to accommodate wider feet. Babolat and K-Swiss in particular are recommended for their extra wide sizes and roomy toe boxes that provide plenty of space for toes to spread out. Overall, it is important to prioritize comfort, support, and a proper fit by visiting a specialty retailer for custom fitting or selecting brands designed specifically with wide feet in mind.

As a long-time pickleball player and enthusiast, I’ve experimented with many different shoe brands and models over the years. One of the most important factors I’ve learned is finding shoes with a wide toe box. Having ample room for your toes to spread out comfortably is crucial for safety and performance on the pickleball court.

In this article, I’ll share my top picks for the best pickleball shoe brands that offer extra wide toe box options. I’ll go over what makes a good pickleball shoe, why the toe box width matters, and provide detailed reviews of my favorite shoe models from brands like New Balance, ASICS, Prince, and more. Whether you have wide feet or just prefer a roomier toe box, I’ll help you find the right pickleball shoes to meet your needs.

Why the Toe Box Matters in Pickleball Shoes

Unlike general athletic shoes, footwear designed specifically for pickleball offers features that support the quick starts, stops, and side-to-side movements of the sport. The toe box – the front interior part of the shoe that covers your toes – is one of the most important areas.

During play, your toes spread out and splay as you push off while running and change direction. A toe box with adequate width and depth gives your toes room to move naturally without getting squeezed together. Narrow toe boxes that cram your toes can cause several issues:

• Discomfort and pain: Jamming your toes together all match long can cause painful irritation, blisters, black toenails, and more.
• Stability problems: When toes are restricted, your balance can suffer. You need your toes to grip the surface and propel off the court.
• Injury risk: Lack of toe splay room increases the chances of turf toe, arthritis, and even stress fractures over time.

For proper foot health and safety on the courts, choose pickleball shoes with a roomy toe box. But what width is considered wide?

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What Qualifies as an Extra Wide Toe Box?

There is no universal standard for classifying the width of a pickleball shoe’s toe box. However, most brands construct their wide width models to provide around 1/4 to 1/2 inch more space than their regular or medium width shoes.

Some key factors in determining if a shoe has an extra wide toe box include:

• Shape: The toe box should have a rounder, more squared-off shape rather than coming to a tapered point.
• Depth: There should be adequate vertical space from the top of your toes to the top interior ceiling of the shoe.
• Fabric: Softer, more flexible materials allow more expansion room.
• Size: Going up 1/2 to a full size larger can also effectively widen the toe box.

I suggest trying on shoes in-person and concentrating on how your toes feel rather than relying solely on width labels. If your toes have natural wiggle room, you’ve likely found an extra wide option.

Now let’s look at some top pickleball shoe brands and models that offer quality construction combined with spacious toe boxes for comfort.

New Balance Men’s MC806 Shoe

My favorite pickleball shoe with a wide square toe box is the New Balance Men’s MC806. Here’s an overview of its key features:

• Weight: Lightweight at just 12 oz to avoid fatigue.
• Toe Box: Squared shape with wide width options up to 4E.
• Midsole: REVlite foam absorbs shock.
• Outsole: Non-marking rubber with Herringbone tread pattern for traction.
• Support: TPU heel counter for stability and N-ergy foam for cushioning.

I’ve worn the MC806 for years and recommend it to other players with wide feet seeking plenty of toe splay room. The generous fit combined with responsive cushioning and multi-directional grip makes these my go-to pickleball game day shoes.

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ASICS Women’s Upcourt 3 Volleyball Shoe

For women needing extra toe box space, the ASICS Upcourt 3 volleyball shoe is a top pick. Details include:

• Upper: Breathable mesh with synthetic leather overlays.
• Toe Box: Square shape with wide options up to 4E.
• Outsole: AHAR rubber compound specially formulated for indoor courts.
• Midsole: Full length foam.
• Support: Trusstic technology for light stability and arch reinforcement.

While designed for volleyball, these shoes work very well for pickleball too. The roomy, flexible toe box and smooth lateral movements suit the stop-and-go footwork of pickleball. The shoe runs true to size.

Prince Men’s Pickleball Shoe T22

Prince makes both tennis and pickleball specific shoes, including the Prince Men’s T22 Pickleball model. Highlights:

• Toe Box: Wide square shape with additional depth.
• Upper: Mesh layers are soft and expandable.
• Midsole: ShockEraser provides cushioning.
• Outsole: Durable rubber in herringbone tread pattern.
• Lateral Support: TPU shank adds stability.
• Comfort: Ortholite insole wicks moisture.

I appreciate the T22’s very spacious toe box design that lets my toes relax and spread out naturally. Prince’s signature ShockEraser technology also helps reduce impact shock through the soft landing. It’s become my go-to for all-day pickleball tournaments.

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ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 9 Shoes

Originally designed as a volleyball shoe, the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 works excellently on pickleball courts too. Key features:

• Toe Box: Ample round space, available in wide widths.
• Upper: Flexible and breathable with synthetic overlays.
• Sole: Full rubber outsole with pivot points.
• Cushioning: Rear and forefoot gel technology.
• Support: Trusstic system enhances gait efficiency.

The generously sized toe box combined with lightweight responsiveness makes these some of the best shoes I’ve found for my wide feet. The Gel-Rocket 9 runs true to size and provides great grip and comfort for all my pickleball training and matches.

New Balance Women’s 696v3 Hard Court Shoe

Another great New Balance option for women with extra wide feet is the 696v3 Hard Court shoe. Details include:

• Toe Box: Square shape with wide sizing up to 4E width.
• Cushioning: Full length REVlite midsole provides soft landings.
• Upper: Leather and mesh layers are durable yet flexible.
• Outsole: Non-marking herringbone rubber pattern.
• Support: Abzorb cushioning in the heel.

I love the roomy toe box paired with responsive cushioning in these shoes. They offer excellent grip for quick changes in direction and multi-plane movements during pickleball play. The 696v3 runs true to size and has become my most trusted companion on the courts.

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ASICS Men’s Gel-Dedicate 7 Pickleball Shoes

Finally, if you want a shoe created specifically with our sport in mind, look at the ASICS Gel-Dedicate 7. These pickleball-focused shoes include:

• Toe Box: Wide squared shape with 4E width available.
• Upper: Flexible mesh and synthetic materials.
• Midsole: Full length bouncy SpEVA foam.
• Outsole: Durable rubber optimized for indoor/outdoor pickleball traction.
• Support: Trusstic system enhances stability and transitions.
• Comfort: Rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning system.

With their extra depth and width through the toe box, these shoes allow me to move freely while maintaining excellent court feel and control. The Gel-Dedicate 7 has become my top recommendation for pickleball players needing extra toe box space.

Find Your Best Pickleball Shoe Fit

Having a wide toe box that fits your foot shape and size preferences is crucial for foot health and keeping your game at its best. Be sure to try on shoes in-person and pay attention to room in the toe area when walking, running, and moving laterally. Prioritize comfort over anything else.

The shoe models above from brands like New Balance, ASICS, and Prince are great options that I and many other pickleball players have found success with thanks to their extra wide toe boxes. With the right footwear, you can focus on perfecting your skills rather than uncomfortable shoes. Enjoy the freedom of motion and stellar court coverage your roomy new pickleball shoes will provide!

Resources:

• https://www.si.com/showcase/fitness/best-pickleball-shoes
• https://www.pickleballgalaxy.com/wide-pickleball-shoes.html
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Pickleball/comments/12v3f2k/acacia_pickleball_shoe_review/
• https://www.theskilledpickle.com/blog/popular-pickleball-shoe-features-a-comprehensive-guide
• https://www.paddlepal.co/best-pickleball-shoe-brands-for-wide-feet-expert-picks