Bigfoot Running Shoes!?

[hannah141]

Here is lady with rather large clown feet. Quite narrow and slim, but long - UK size 9. All the ladies trainers I can find stop at 7.5 :(. I have worn mens as long as I can remember but thought it might be worth asking if anyone can recommend anywhere with extended sizes or slightly less macho designs?!

[JaySeeSkinny Graduate]

Know the feeling, I need size 8 (sometimes 8.5). Always have to wear men's trainers, although I read somewhere once they're not so good for us because we have a different gait (wider hips or something). But larger women's shoes cost a fortune - if you can find them.

[Hidden]

I have Ascis running shoes size 8. They appear to go up to size 9 on Amazon website, and do say that they are specifically women's running shoes (there are pink versions !)

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yay pink!

[Eatcakeandrun]

Hi, I always wear size 8 running shoes. My 'normal' size is 7, but I need a bigger shoe for running so my toenails don't drop off! I have worn different makes in the past - Brooks, New Balance- but my favourite right now are Adidas. They are designed for women and seem to go up to size 9. My feet are quite narrow too, and they fit well. Good luck!

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to Eatcakeandrun]

Sounds good, I'll check them out. With normal shoes, I can usually get away with 41 but a lot of the time I'm in denial. 42 all the way now. It doesn't help when no-one can decide if a 42 is an 8 or a 9. Gah, they don't make it easy!

[mfamilias Graduate]

I'm so glad to read that I'm not alone with the shoe dilemma. I wear a size 44 men's running shoe - and my big toe has just blown through the upper so I'm off to try to find some new ones tomorrow. In France I get looked at like I'm some kind of circus freak - I'm hoping that in the UK it'll be different. I'll report back tomorrow.

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

Hopefully! I know that feeling though - then I kind of got over it and thought, well these are what I've got and I can't change them! Enjoy your hunt!

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to hannah141]

NO luck for me, ended up with mens' Asics. I tell people that we big-footed girls are tall and if our feet were smaller, we'd fall over.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to mfamilias]

Are you coming to Blighty Mfam?

[mfamilias Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

I'm in Cornwall until Saturday Just a quick stop-off to refuel on cheddar and Eccles cakes. And buy new running shoes. Found a shop in Plymouth that has some ladies' shoes in size 9s, but I needed a 44.5 so ended up with boys bovvers instead. Ah well, they're dead flashy and very comfy - Asics Gel Pulse 7, to be tested tomorrow on the Tamar bridge

[fatbarry]

Following this with interest 😊. I'm normally between a 9 and 10 but at least 10.5 in trainers and no women's styles in those sizes that I've found. Interesting about the hip width / gait comment - might mention it when I have my knee mri today 😞. Son takes a 14 - 15 - he has no problems getting shoes and loves his gel kayanos. Don't understand why men are allowed to have big feet but not women! 😠

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to fatbarry]

I know - why do they seem to cut it off at 7? I know so many people with size 8/9 feet - my mum and my sister for a start! There were a couple of girls I went to school and uni with that I could share shoes with - we are out there!

[davelinks Graduate]

There are women's size9 running shoes on Amazon, mainly Asics, & the odd Brooks make.. They have a panel that's women's larger size.

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Thanks, that's a great idea!

[hannah141 Graduate]

Thanks so much for your help everyone! It's nice to know there are other clodhoppers out there

For the moment, I have found a much reduced pair of Pumas in TK Maxx (mens and bright sky blue). This will do for the moment. If c25k works for me then I'd definitely be up for doing some gait stats and doing it properly. I don't want to commit too much cash now, I have a habit of going hell for leather with something new and then getting bored quickly!

[Rignold]

The difference between 'men's' and 'women's' trainers being that the latter come in pink?

I am tempted to forward this Jenni Murray, who, although I am pretty sure she is not a runner, would have apoplexy to read this.

It is true that women generally have slightly narrower feet than men and standard fit shoes will reflect this but most proper running shoes come in a variety of widths to suit different foot shapes.

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Ha! Not just the pink, but for once in my life, I would like some pink dammit! Having tried my fair few of men's and women's, I find the mens quite a lot wider around the toe. When running, this means too much movement and a lack of stability. Tying laces extra tight does nothing. I personally don't notice extra width around the heel. Because I've never tried women's (always to short lengthwise) I just wonder if I don't know what I'm missing.

[Rignold in reply to hannah141]

Try Inov-8 "Precision Fit" - they are designed for runner's with a narrower forefoot. I have the opposite problem and have to actively seek models with a roomier toebox.

As for pink - if you can still see the colour of your shoes, you are not running muddy enough trails.

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Oh great, thanks I'll check them out. As for muddy, I'm just starting out, my last run was so muddy I couldn't keep any pace and it looked more akin to ice skating. I plan to mix it up, but leave out the swimming side of things. Maybe I'll have to get my pink fix from something else...

[Rignold in reply to hannah141]

I have this. Because I am in touch with my feminine side.

physioroom.com/product/Phys...

[Lcsurfer]

I'm exactly the same! I just had to get a mens pair in the end, trainers are definitely more about comfort than style, trust me.

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to Lcsurfer]

Oh I agree. I'm being greedy just wanting both!

[fatbarry in reply to hannah141]

not greedy at all! would just be nice to sometimes not be considered a freak :-(. Like CG2 I have all the problems 6ft+, big feet, curly hair - no hope for us ever finding anything mainstream that works for us

[Curlygurly2 Graduate in reply to fatbarry]

Are you talking about me? I am 5'9, wear a dainty size 7 and love my curls!

[fatbarry]

Aarrgghh - sorry! For some reason thought you were tall & big footed! I love my curls too but they do have a mind of their own!

[ShannieP Graduate]

Hannah

Sweatshop do up to size 9 in women's trainers

Prices range from £20-£150

They also do gait analysis

[hannah141 Graduate in reply to ShannieP]

Sounds great ShannieP, thanks!

[hannah141 Graduate]

Just an update for this one. Found several ladies shoes that would have done, bought directly through the Brooks website. I plumped for the Ravenna 6s in the sale in a size 10. I was impressed at the number of shoes on offer in a 10 and the Adrenaline GTS went up to 11.

[secan Graduate]

It's funny to finally meet "the other face of the medal"; I always have to buy trainers and hiking boots in the women department 'cause I can't find size 7 for men... 

[hannah141 Graduate]

Do they look like this??! Haha couldn't resist. 

google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j...