I spend most of my days talking about strings and frames, but one of the most common side conversations is about shoes, usually from a fed-up person with wide feet. Tennis shoes are narrow and stiff through the forefoot for lateral support, which is great until your pinky toe is rubbing on the upper by the second set. A lot of players go up half a size, which gives you width, but leaves extra length at the toe, and that’s how you end up sliding around inside the shoe and losing toenails.
A better remedy is a shoe that is made wider. So I have ranked the choices that I would point a wide-footed player toward first, from the models that come in true wide widths and on down to the regular-width models that are just generous. I’ve been pretty clear on what you give up with each, because a wider shoe can cost you a little bit of lockdown or weight.
| Rank | Shoe | Wide widths | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Balance FuelCell 996v6 (2E) | Men’s 2E, women’s D | Light, quick and wide |
| 2 | K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 3 Wide | Men’s 2E, women’s wide | All-day comfort |
| 3 | New Balance CT-Rally 2 (2E) | Men’s 2E, women’s D | Stability and cushioning |
| 4 | Yonex Power Cushion Sonicage Wide | Men’s wide only | Lightweight Yonex comfort |
| 5 | Babolat SFX 4 | Standard (roomy last) | Moderately wide feet |
1. New Balance FuelCell 996v6 (2E)
Tech & Specs:
Specs:
- Widths: Men’s standard and 2E, women’s standard and D
- Feel: Fast, low-ish and supportive, FuelCell midsole
When I talk to anyone with wide feet the first brand that comes to mind is New Balance, and that’s just because they’ve been making proper 2E tennis shoes for years whereas most brands still treat wide as an afterthought. The 996v6 is their speed shoe, so you get a lighter, lower, faster feel than the big stability models but with a wide last that doesn’t squeeze the forefoot. RunRepeat also measured the toe box wide in the standard version, so the 2E really gives you room, not just a looser upper.
You get real width without going up a size, good lockdown through the heel and a quick, connected feel on court–rare in a wide shoe. The tradeoff is durability, as the outsole wears down faster than the heavier models here. So, if you’re a baseliner who drags their back foot, the CT-Rally 2 or the Babolat are worth considering.
Best for: Quick, light-footed players with wide feet who don’t want a heavy shoe.
2. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 3 Wide
Specs:
- Widths: Men’s standard and 2E, women’s standard and wide
- Feel: Cushioned, flexible and comfortable out of the box
The Hypercourt Express is a longtime comfort favorite, and the Express 3 follows that formula with a dedicated wide version. Tennis Warehouse testers found the wide to be more generous in the toe box and midfoot. The upper is soft and pliable enough to move with a wider foot rather than against it. This is the one I would suggest for club players who just want to be comfortable for a couple of hours on the court.
It’s easy to wear straight out of the box with plenty of cushioning and a wide version for both men and women, which is not a given. What you lose is some of the lateral lockdown of a stiffer shoe, so very aggressive movers might find it a bit soft when changing direction hard.
Best for: Club and league players seeking all-day comfort in a wide fit.
Check availability of all these models at our partners below:
- Tennis Warehouse (US, Canada)
- Tennis Warehouse Europe (code TNERD10 for a 10% discount)
- Tennis Only (AU)
3. New Balance CT-Rally 2 (2E)
Specs:
- Widths: Men’s standard and 2E, women’s standard and D
- Feel: Solid, stable and well cushioned, Fresh Foam X midsole
The CT-Rally 2 (the shoe New Balance used to sell as the Lav) is the heavier, more stable alternative to the 996. Fresh Foam X gives you a comfortable, responsive ride, and the substantial build makes it feel planted when you’re covering wide or loading up on a big forehand. 2E men’s, D women’s version covers most wide feet I see.
It’s more stable and cushioned than anything else here, and the solid build suggests it’ll stand the test of time. The downside is that it needs a little bit of breaking in and is noticeably chunkier than the 996v6, so players who like to feel nippy might find it a little heavy.
Who it’s best for: Baseliners and heftier players looking for stability and cushioning in a wide fit.
4. Yonex Power Cushion Sonicage Wide
Specs:
- Widths: Men’s wide only (women’s Sonicage is standard width)
- Feel: Light, cushioned and comfortable
Yonex shoes tend to run narrow, so the wide Sonicage is a welcome addition. It’s a lightweight cushioned shoe that has Yonex’s Power Cushion foam and the wide last gives you a bit more room for the forefoot without feeling sloppy. If you loved the feel of Yonex shoes but couldn’t get your foot into them, this is the one to try.
It’s light and comfortable, with a good amount of cushioning for its weight. The obvious limitation is that the wide version is men’s only, and being a lighter shoe it won’t be as hardwearing as the CT-Rally 2.
Best for: Men with wide feet looking for a lightweight, cushioned Yonex shoe.
5. Babolat SFX 4
Specs:
- Widths: Standard only, but built on a naturally wide last
- Feel: Plush, roomy and very comfortable
The SFX is Babolat’s comfort shoe and it’s got a wide, deep toe box built in so it fits a lot of wide feet without having to be a special width. SFX 4 retains the roomy fit of the SFX 3, with plenty of room in the forefoot and soft cushioning underneath. It’s a good choice if you have a wide foot, but not an extreme one, or your local shop doesn’t stock 2E sizes.
You get a roomy fit and plush cushioning without having to search for a wide size. The downside is there’s no real wide version, so if you need a 4E, it won’t work, and the soft, comfort-first build isn’t as snappy or locked-in as a speed shoe.
Best for: Slightly wide-footed players who want comfort and don’t want to hunt for a wide size.
Other notables
• Wilson Intrigue Pro (women’s): Wilson revamped the Intrigue line in 2025 and the Intrigue Pro is the best fit for wider feet in the line, according to Tennis Warehouse. It’s light and cushioned, but it runs long so most people go down a half size.
• ASICS Gel-Resolution (2E): ASICS does make a 2E version of the Gel-Resolution, so if you want a durable, stable all-court shoe but in a wider fit, this is your huckleberry. Before ordering, check that the current model is available in 2E in your size.
• Sizing tip: If you fall between a regular and wide width, try the wide width in your regular length before sizing up half a size. The extra length gives the foot room to slide forward when you stop, and that’s how you get black toenails and blisters.
Final thoughts
If you have wide feet, don’t go up a half size; get a shoe that’s made wide. A good 2E is the correct fit for most players, and a roomy shoe like the SFX 4 will fit feet that are just slightly wide.
- New Balance FuelCell 996v6 (2E): The best all-rounder, with real width in a light, fast shoe.
- K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 3 Wide: The comfort option, offering a roomy wide fit for both men and women.
- New Balance CT-Rally 2 (2E): The most stable and cushioned wide shoe for the heavier baseliner and player.
- Yonex Power Cushion Sonicage Wide: Finally a light, cushioned Yonex, but just for men.
- Babolat SFX 4: The roomy toe box means you don’t need the wide version if you have moderately wide feet.
