If you have wide feet, you are likely no stranger to the feeling of tightness and pinching that comes from a new pair of shoes.. But having wide feet shouldn’t stop you from having your Cinderella moment. You may just need to focus on sneakers that have a wide width to find the perfect running or walking shoe.

“The right shoe will feel comfortable, provide adequate space for your toes to move freely, and support your foot’s natural shape and alignment,” says Dr. Isaac Tabari, a board-certified foot and ankle doctor and owner of the NYC Podiatry Center of Excellence. Thankfully, there are plenty of sneaker brands — like New Balance, Hoka and Brooks — that make shoes specifically for people with wide feet. I interviewed podiatrists and included their picks along with highly-rated options and NBC Select staff recommendations that come in wide widths.

How I picked the best sneakers for women with wide feet

“A wide width shoe offers more room throughout the entire shoe — including the toe box, midsole and heel,” says Tabari. But with so many wide width sneakers on the market, it can be tough to know what to focus on when shopping. Here are the things podiatrists suggest paying close attention to:

• Support: The whole point of getting shoes wide enough for your feet is to make sure they’re comfortable. So along with width look for shoes with arch support and a cushioned sole, says Tabari. You can also keep an eye out on whether or not the shoes are wide enough to accommodate orthotic inserts or insoles should you need them. “These features can help prevent injuries such as plantar fasciitis or stress fractures,” says Tabari.
• Materials: Since the material of the shoes can impact your comfort, look for options with a flexible upper like knit or mesh. This will provide more room for wide feet to move and will prevent you from feeling restricted in your sneakers.
• Toe box: Some sneakers have more of a pointed toe. Podiatrists recommend avoiding these if you have wide feet, as they may pinch around your toes. Instead, look for shoes with a round, square or wide toe box. This will allow you the space you need for your toes to splay and spread without rubbing against the side of your sneakers and potentially causing blisters, says Dr. Alissa Kuizinas, a board-certified podiatrist in Boston.

The best women’s sneakers for wide feet

To recommend the best women’s wide sneakers for running and/or walking, I asked podiatrists to share their favorites and included NBC Select staff favorites that come in wide width, along with a few highly rated options.

Best overall

Hoka Clifton 9

I have wide feet and these are my go-to sneakers — I’ve run multiple half marathons and they have never felt tight or constrictive. Hoka is known for its shock-absorbing soles and supportive uppers. The toe box is nearly as wide as the rest of the shoe, so your toes have plenty of room to splay out. The shoe’s bottom has a rocker shape for smoother heel-to-toe transitions and the upper is made from breathable mesh, according to the brand. This shoe is also available in a version for men.

Best overall walking sneakers

Ryka Devotion X Walking Shoe

Featured in our roundup of the best walking shoes, this style from Ryka comes in a wide width and is an NBC Select staff favorite. “I’ve never had dedicated walking shoes before, and this pair from Ryka showed me just how much of a difference they can make,” says Sadhana Daruvuri, former NBC Select social editor. She wears them while walking her dog, in the park or around New York City to run errands. “Even when I’m in them for hours, my feet still feel cushioned and comfortable.” The lace-up sneakers are specifically designed around the shape of women’s feet, so the brand gave them a narrower heel, a roomy toe box and soft cushioning in the midsole. They also have a grippy rubber outsole, arch support built into the insole and extra cushioning in the forefoot and heel.

Best overall running sneakers

ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 10 Running Shoes

At under $100, these sneakers are an affordable wide width option. They have a breathable mesh upper and gel technology in the heel to provide extra cushioning and comfort, according to the brand. The shoe, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 400 reviews on Amazon, also has deep treads, making it a good running shoe for various environments — like parks, streets and trails.

Best slip-on sneakers

Skechers Go Walk Joy

Skechers’ slip-on walking sneakers are one of the more affordable options on my list and have a 4.5-star average rating from nearly 100,000 reviews on Amazon. They have a mesh upper so your feet don’t get sweaty, lightweight cushioning and come in narrow, medium and wide widths. The sneakers also have flexible, grippy outsoles and memory foam insoles.

Most stylish

Nike Women’s Free Metcon 6 Training Shoes

Though these sneakers don’t technically come in a wide width, NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown vouches for the fact that they work on wider feet. “My feet are very flat and wide and these shoes leave lots of room for my toes,” she says. “I love how sturdy they feel for workouts and casual walks and the fact that they’re also stylish is a major plus.” The molded heel offers support and the breathable upper is lightweight, according to Nike.