Having wide feet can be challenging, especially if you’re playing a sport like basketball. The process of choosing shoes should be all fun and games for many, but for a wide footer? Uh-uh! So if you’re a wide footer and wondering on the top of your head what are the best extra wide basketball shoes, then you need to pay attention to our list.

The truth is, not every shoe out there– whether it’s top-of-the-line or budget models– are comfortable to wear if you’re a wide-footer. From our experience, we can probably give you three or four right off the bat, but for the sake of clarity, we are going to provide you with seven choices and divide them into sections. 

Now, let’s get right into it.

If you want to get back to playing basketball, get our top pick for extra wide basketball shoes here.

Our Favorites for the Best Extra Wide Basketball Shoes

Nikes are notoriously known to make narrow shoes, but if you know where and what to look, it has one model that is among the most recommended extra wide basketball shoes.

Nike LeBron XVII

What Makes It Unique:

• It offers god-like levels of cushioning, with the Air Max Zoom, Zoom Air, and Phylon midsole working together to absorb impact.
• Nike named the material Knitposite, an evolved form of Battleknit that integrates the lightweight construction of Flyknit with the design-boosting properties of heat-molded yarn.
• Lockdown is nearly perfect, as you can adjust the lacing all the way to the top.

The LeBron XVII is relatively pricey, so that should be a factor if you’re deciding on what the best extra wide basketball shoes for you. Some do not like how the traction setup works, especially the solid white rubber outsole. However, the issue can be solved outright if you would choose a pair with a translucent rubber. 

Before the XVIIs, we feel that one of the best LeBron installments for extra wide footers is the XIIIs. But since the pair was released five years ago, we choose not to recommend the Nike LeBron XIII basketball shoes for wide feet. Still, if you happen to come across a pair, it wouldn’t hurt checking them out.

Why Choose The Nike LeBron XVII:

• As far as wide footers go, the shoe is designed for a massive man, so it’s definitely a go-to basketball sneaker for extra wide footers.
• The rubber compound used for the outsole is very solid and picks up minimal dust.
• It has plastic wraps around the heel area that keep the ankles more stable and locked down.

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Nike Men's Air Jordan XXXI

What Makes It Unique: 

• Awesome Flyweave material that gives you flexibility and support. It does not restrict your feet but is not overly snug either, so you get the best of both worlds.
• It has what many call “ankle pillows’ that provide excellent ankle support
• The Flywire cables secure the midfoot area so you can’t feel any uncomfortable side-to-side or back-and-forth movement.

The Air Jordan XXXI is nowhere like the XX9, whom many, including us, anoint as one of the best basketball shoes of all time. It is also not as bad as the XXX when it comes to traction, but it is still pretty inconsistent. Stay away from dusty courts if you’re playing with the XXXI as much as you can. Either that or bring towels with you.

Why Choose The Nike Men’s Air Jordan XXXI:

• We can say it is designed for extra wide footers since it has a stretchable upper and a wide toe box area.
• If you’re a wide footer, the shoe requires minimal to no break-in time.
• The materials are definitely premium, so if you’re doing it right, the shoe will last long.

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Adidas TMac Millennium

What Makes It Unique:

• It has some of the best traction of any basketball shoe regardless of brand. The pattern does not pick up a lot of dust.
• Full-length boost midsole that looks good and feels great
• It has what they call a full-length shank plate that adds bounciness and spontaneity when combined with Boost.

For us sneakerheads, the return of the Macs is great for some nostalgia, but we did not anticipate that it’s going to be one of the best basketball shoes in a long time. It looks stiff and bulky, but looks can be deceiving. After a little break-in time, everything feels remarkably great! 

It was a little pricey when it was released, but Adidas has since put some colorways on sale, which is incredible news!

Why Choose The Adidas Tmac Millennium: 

• It is undeniably designed for wide-footers, and if you’re not, just go half a size down.
• Traction works great, even on super dirty floors.
• It is very durable and made for big guys that require a lot of support and cushion.

Since durability is not an issue for the Adidas TMac Millennium, intermediate basketball players and others who play in a more competitive environment, can benefit from this shoe. As mentioned, you’re not going to have any problems with its traction, its cushioning setup is one of the finest, and it’s going to last for a little while. What’s not to like?

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Our Runner-Ups for the Best Extra Wide Basketball Shoes

Under Armour often makes underrated shoes, and for wide footers, they designed one that merits your attention. It’s not perfect like any other shoe, but we don’t think you’ll be disappointed, either.

Under Armour Fireshot

What Makes It Unique:

• Just looking at the shoe screams “Original” with aesthetics and design like no other.
• It’s been a while since UA used the Micro G in a basketball shoe, and here it is on the Under Armour Fireshot Basketball wide foot shoe.
• It comes in 18 colorways! For any kind of shoe, that’s a whole freaking lot.

One of the biggest turnoffs in the Under Armour Fireshot is the traction. On clean courts, it will grip and bite like crazy but on courts where dust and dirt and other unidentified objects frequent the floor, don’t even think about it. Not even a bag full of towels will do. Just abandon ship.

The primary cause could be the traction pattern and the rubber material of the Fireshot’s outsole. The pattern is not wide and shallow, so wiping off is not an easy task. The material is also sturdy, so I don’t think it’s going to be useful as an outdoor shoe.

Why Choose The Under Armour Fireshot:

• For wide footers, the Fireshot’s flexible upper is a relief.
• It has a technology called CompFit that gives custom fit and a greater range of motion for the ankles. Many players like CompFit since it offers fantastic support in the area around the ankles.

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Adidas Harden Vol. 3

Generally speaking, Adidas often makes shoes with extra space on the forefoot making the Three Stripes an excellent shoe of choice for extra wide footers. Probably the best extra wide basketball shoes that they made is the Adidas Harden Vol. 3.

What Makes It Unique:

• Ever heard of the slogan “Boost is Life?” You’re going to make it your own mantra if you decide to run with the Vol. 3s. It’s everything a versatile basketball player can ask for– not too stiff, not too bouncy. Just the way you like it.
• Knit materials can be inconsistent, but the Vol. 3s hit the bulls-eye on this one. It was able to imitate the purpose of leather without the inconvenient break-in process.
• It looks really simple but has the performance of a first-rate basketball shoe.

There isn’t much to complain about the Harden Vol. 3 , but if there is, it’s a minute detail that we can overlook: the tightly-spaced grooves of the traction pattern. I know it’s silly, and it still works, but you may have to wipe every now and then on dusty courts. Not that it’s going to be an issue, and it’s definitely not a deal-breaker.

Why Choose The Adidas Harden Vol. 3:

• We always reiterate that there is no perfect shoe, but if there is anything that comes close, this is it.
• One of the best-fitting shoes in the market and is better designed for extra wide footers
• Probably one of the last Adidas hoops shoes with the Boost setup but is unequivocally the best of them all.

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Our Value Picks for the Best Extra Wide Basketball Shoes

If you can save a couple more dollars for a shoe that still works, I’m pretty sure anyone would do it, right? While the Hardens can be a bit expensive (but not at the level of the Brons and Jordans), Adidas has pretty decent offerings. Let’s take a closer look at some.

Adidas Neo Ilation Wide Feet Shoes

What Makes It Unique:

• It has a casual street look so it can double as a lifestyle and everyday sneaker.
• Cloudfoam cushioning is lightweight yet sturdy
• Its durability does not come with a drawback on breathability. It’s both!

While the Adidas Neo Ilation Wide Feetshoes still work, its traction may leave a lot to be desired. It’s squeaky (some basketball players like it that way), but squeaky does not always mean it’s grippy.

Why Choose The Adidas Neo Ilation Wide Feet Shoes:

• Reasonably priced without sacrificing performance and quality
• Specifically designed for wide footers

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Adidas Men's Ownthegame Wide Basketball Shoe

Nike and Jordans are the favorites, but we can’t help but appreciate how Adidas values people with wide feet. As much as we want them to make a “Wide” variety of every shoe, including the signatures, this is the next best thing.

What Makes It Unique:

• Reasonably priced for a performance basketball shoe
• Utilizes the AdiWear outsole, often used by Adidas for their tennis shoes or for other sports that require constant abrasion to lessen the impact in the heel area.
• Sleek design and had a breathable top, allowing you to continue playing without sweaty feet.

The Adidas Ownthegame is the lowest-priced among any of the choices, so it’s just a basic basketball shoe that surprisingly gets the job done. It is not aesthetically pleasing, at least in our opinion, but if you don’t want to shed top dollar for a basketball shoe, this is the way to go. 

With that said, we believe these budget models are fantastic for beginners or for players that play basketball solely for fun and recreation.

Why You Should Invest In Quality Extra Wide Basketball Shoes

Basketball is a game of comfort, and for wide-footers, that is a trickier slope than many realize. Most basketball shoes are designed to be slightly narrow to give athletes a more lockdown and secure fit. If you have extra wide feet, you know how annoying it is since that would undoubtedly mean that you have to deal with all sorts of pressure aches and pains brought upon by an average-sized sneaker.

Sure, you can still for those narrow cuts by opting to go half or even a full size up, but more often than not, the comfort in the toe area is going to be replaced by a shoe that runs long. For us, that’s not an option. You’re just trading one problem for another.

Not only that, trying to fit into uncomfortable shoes can lead to foot injuries in the long run. A study done in 2017 found out that 86% of adults who have a history of foot lesions are wearing ill-fitting shoes. Almost 40% of them show symptoms of neuropathy.

For these very reasons and more, you really need to invest time and money for the best extra wide basketball shoes for you. Hopefully, our efforts in bringing you a list of what we think are the best extra wide basketball shoes make your life a little less easy.

FAQ on Extra Wide Basketball Shoes

What Does a Wide Shoe Mean?

Simply put, a wide shoe means a shoe designed with more area for the foot. More often than not, a wide shoe has a bigger toe room and a generous instep for a wide-footer to be as comfortable as he can be.

Additionally, some normal-sized sneakers such as the Adidas Neo Ilation and Ownthegame make wide shoe variations to accommodate a wide footer’s needs.

How Much Wider is a Wide Width Shoe? 

The difference between a wide width shoe and a medium width shoe is usually one-quarter of an inch (0.635 cm) at the ball of the foot. An extra-wide shoe has a half-an-inch (1.27 cm) difference compared to a medium width shoe.

What is Considered a Wide Foot for a Man? 

Shoe sizes can be confusing, but as a rule of thumb, if you cannot fit in a D-width shoe (the normal-sized width for men’s shoes), you probably have a wide foot. Technically, if you feel comfortable on a 2E (think of an XXL for clothes), you have a wide foot. Now, if you go beyond that, such as a 4E, you can be considered an extra wide footer.

How Do You Know If You Need Wide Width Shoes?

The importance of wearing proper-fitting shoes could not be reiterated enough. If you feel that your feet start to get numb or are developing issues such as bunions, calluses, and corns, then switching to a wider width shoe will help.

Calluses are caused by friction to the skin of your feet, a sure sign that you’re wearing shoes that are too narrow. Corns may also develop if the shoes are too tight or are not deep enough, issues that can go away if you decide to go for a wide width shoe.

Do Extra Wide Shoes Comfortable Enough for Long Use?

If you have wide feet, it definitely is! Since extra wide shoes are designed to have more room for the foot, it allows the toes to spread in a more natural position. That helps avoid the pinching and squeezing issues that are common in narrow shoes.

Why Are Basketball Shoes for Flat Wide Feet Expensive?

Well, it doesn’t need to be. Sure, there are shoes for flat, wide feet out there that are a bit steep, but more economical options such as the Adidas Neo Ilation and Adidas Ownthegame are also available. Adidas made it a point to make a wide foot variation for these models, so you will have a lot to choose from depending on your budget.

How to Choose the Best Extra Wide Basketball Shoes for You

Since you are reading this, then you are probably experiencing foot issues that come with having wide or extra wide feet. So what are you going to look for in choosing the best extra wide basketball shoes?

Let’s keep it simple: Comfort should be the first in your list and then followed by durability. A comfortable shoe won’t do much good if you have to buy a pair every three months. That’s not going to cut it.

To assess how comfortable a shoe is, take note of the material. Some materials are flexible, allowing more wiggle room for wide footers; some require break-in time and may provide a 1-on-1 fit after that period. 

Another simple trick to determine if a shoe can hold up for wide feet is the outsole. If the traction pattern is broader and larger, then it probably caters more to people with wider feet.

Wrapping Things Up: The Best Extra Wide Basketball Shoes

We’ve gone over a lot today. Here’s a helpful table to consolidate every extra wide basketball shoes we went over:

We completely understand the struggles of a wide footer, that’s why we put this list up in hopes of helping you choose the best extra wide basketball shoes for you. This includes seven models across different brands and price tags for you to make a wise and informed decision.

Nikes are commonly the favorites since under their massive roster of signature and budget models, you are bound to find one that suits best for your specific needs. In the case of wide footers, the Nike LeBron XVII and the Nike Air Jordan XXXI tops the list. We don’t recommend it for beginners, but for an intermediate player that wants comfort plus aesthetics to stand out, there are worse choices out there.

The Adidas TMac Millennium is the unsung hero for wide footers. It does not receive much recognition from the masses (maybe because Tracy McGrady is seven years removed from retirement), but it’s truly a complete package you won’t regret.

The Three Stripes is on a roll after making Wide variations of the Ilation and Ownthegame models. There is nothing flashy about the two, but they are reasonably priced sneakers that get the job done.

There are still several models that are on the outside looking in but did not make our list for the best extra wide basketball shoes. The Curry 3 wide feet and the New Balance extra wide basketball shoes are among those, to name a few, but we have everything covered in our list.

Was this article helpful? Check out more of our basketball gear reviews here.

> The Best Basketball Shoes for Ankle Support

> The Best Basketball Shoes for Flat Feet

> The Best Basketball Shoes Under $100

> The Best Basketball Socks

> Best Basketball Insoles

Need help on how to clean your white basketball shoes? Check out our guide on that here.