If regular tennis shoes pinch at the forefoot, cause numbness, or force you to size up, you probably need a wide-width shoe — not a bigger one. Here is what the width letters mean and the best wide options we stock.
What do D, 2E, and 4E mean?
- D — standard/medium width for men (roughly a medium-wide fit in women's sizing).
- 2E (EE / Wide) — about 1/4" wider across the forefoot than D. The most common wide fit.
- 4E (EEEE / Extra Wide) — about 1/2" wider than D. For very wide feet, high insteps, or orthotics.
Signs you need a wide width
- Your pinky toe or forefoot goes numb during play
- You always size up half a size but get heel slip
- The upper bulges over the outsole edge
- You wear custom orthotics or thick stability insoles
Best wide tennis shoes we carry
New Balance 696v7 (2E and 4E)
A durable all-court workhorse available in both 2E and 4E — one of the few performance tennis shoes made in extra wide. 696v7 2E · 696v7 4E
New Balance Fresh Foam X CT-Rally v2 (2E men / D women)
Plush Fresh Foam cushioning for long matches, in wide men's and medium-wide women's fits. Men's 2E · Women's D
Junior wide options
Kids with wide feet do better in New Balance juniors as well — see the 996v7 Junior and 696v7 Junior.
Quick answers
Should I size up instead of going wide? No — sizing up adds length you don't need and causes heel slip. Keep your length, change the width.
Do wide tennis shoes work for padel and pickleball? Yes — all-court tennis outsoles perform well on padel and pickleball courts.
Not sure about your width? Ask us — we'll help you match the right fit.