How Wide Is Hoka Wide Shoes? [2024]

Hoka One One running shoes have become increasingly popular in recent years for their thick, cushioned midsoles that provide a soft and comfortable ride. Many runners have turned to Hokas to help alleviate knee and joint pain.

In addition to comfort, Hoka fans love the lightweight feel and responsive ride the shoes provide. However, some people find that Hokas have a narrow toe box that causes toe crowding and discomfort. This has led Hoka to release wide sizes of some of its more popular shoe models. But exactly how wide are Hoka wide shoes? Do they provide enough room for wider feet?

Sizing and Fit of Standard Hoka Shoes

Before examining the fit of wide Hokas specifically, it’s helpful to understand the general sizing and fit of standard Hoka shoes. Most Hoka shoes fit slightly small and narrow through the toes and forefoot. Many wearers choose to size up a half or full size from their normal shoe size to get the best fit.

The overall shape of Hoka shoes also impacts the fit. The thick midsole and rockered profile create a curved silhouette from heel to toe. This tapered shape cradles the foot well for many runners, but it does slope inward, reducing forefoot space. When sized too small, this tapered shape can cause painful toe squeezing. Sizing up allows a more comfortable fit for lower volume feet.

History of Wide Widths

In 2020, Hoka began offering wide width versions of some of their most popular shoe models like the Clifton, Arahi, and Bondi specifically to provide more forefoot and toe room. This was in direct response to customer complaints about excessively narrow toe boxes combined with the sloping Hoka shape.

Hoka uses a wider lasting board to construct the wide shoes. This creates a roomier forefoot and toe box so toes can splay naturally without crowding each other or pressing against the shoe’s walls. Wide sizes are denoted with a “2E” or “4E” at the end of the shoe name to signify their wider proportions.

Comparison of Standard vs. Wide

So exactly how much wider is the Hoka wide compared to the standard width? Here is a detailed comparison:

Forefoot Width

• Standard: moderate taper from heel to toe as is typical of most Hoka shoes
• Wide: straight shape through forefoot without an inward taper, allowing toes to sit in a normal position

Toe Box Height

• Standard: lower toe box ceiling can cause scraping or pressure on top of toes
• Wide: slightly higher toe box removes pressure from top of toes

Toe Box Width

• Standard: narrow construction crowds toes, especially pinky toe which presses shoe edge
• Wide: ample room for toes to relax and spread out naturally

Sizing

• Standard: often requires sizing up a half or full size for length and width
• Wide: enables wearing true-to-size without compromising fit

Comfort and Space

By essentially removing the inward taping and increasing space all around, Hoka wide shoes provide much more comfort, especially for runner’s with wider feet or swelling. The extra room reduces pressure points and friction that can lead to blisters or black toenails in standard widths.

There is no universal measurement difference between standard and wide Hoka shoes. But most wearers describe the extra space as significant. Wide sizes are ideal for those needing toes to fully splay while running or walking.

Wide Shoe Options

Currently, Hoka offers extra wide sizes in a handful of shoe models focused on maximum cushioning and stability:

Clifton 8 2E/4E
Bondi 7 2E/4E
Arahi 6 2E/4E
Gaviota 3 2E/4E

The Clifton, Bondi, and Arahi are intended for road running while the Gaviota provides maximum stability and support. The wide sizes mirror all the performance features of standard widths, just with enhanced toe box room.

Those seeking a wide Hoka for trail running or faster paced training may still struggle to find an ideal fit. The brand currently only makes wide sizing for cushioned trainers and support shoes. Narrower fitting models like the Speedgoat, Tracer, or Carbon X remain standard width only.

Who Needs Wide Widths?

While Hoka’s wide toe boxes aim to provide comfort for more foot shapes, they are specially designed for:

• Runners with naturally wide feet
• Those with bunions or bone protrusions
• Feet that swell significantly when running
• Anyone needing room for toes to splay wide
• Those who size up in standard widths but still feel cramped

Wearers that don’t normally require wide shoes may choose to size up in standard Hoka widths first before trying wide pairs. But wide sizes eliminate the need for sizing up and provide wiggle room right from the start.

Too Wide?

Some individuals worry that Hoka’s new wide widths may prove too roomy, causing feet to slide around uncontrolled leading to blisters. This may be a valid concern for those with narrower feet.

Wearers report that the original intention behind wide Hoka shoes was to allow natural toe splay while eliminating excess space beyond that. The shoes cater to wide toe boxes but still provide a secure midfoot wrap. If feet are swimming too much, wide sizes may not be suitable. Stick to standard widths or explore other shoe brands instead.

Tips for the Best Wide Width Fit

To get the ideal fit from new Hoka wide shoes, consider the following:

• Wear socks of the thickness you plan to run in for true sizing
• Try true-to-size first before assuming you need to size up
• Lace shoes securely to lock the midfoot in place if lacking control
• Allow 23mm (thumb’s width) space between the toe and shoe edge to allow natural spread
• Choose wide widths even if you normally wear standard sizes in other brands

The Future of Wide Hoka Shoes

The initial launch of Hoka wide width shoes in 2020 focused on the brand’s core neutral cushioned trainers and stability models. Due to strong consumer demand, Hoka plans to continue expanding its wide size range across additional shoe categories each year.

Potential future wide shoe launches may include Hoka trail running, racing, and hiking specific models. The wider volumes better accommodate swelling that occurs from off-road terrain and faster paces. Expect wide sizes across more specialty Hokas through 2025 and beyond.

Conclusion

Hoka’s new wide width running shoes mark a shift in the brand catering to more foot volumes after years of complaints about overly narrow toe box dimensions. The new wide models provide substantial room for natural toe splay and swelling during runs by increasing the shoe volume around the forefoot and toe areas.

While wide Hoka shoes aim to eliminate the painful toe crowding long-distance runners would experience in standard widths, they may not be suitable for those with narrow feet. The ideal wearers are runners that actually need the extra width, especially in the toe box.

As Hoka continues expanding its wide size ranges over coming years, more runners will have access to the soft, cushioned ride the brand has become famous for across an increasing variety of run types and categories. Expect wide widths well beyond neutral trainers in the future.

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