Why do they make shoes so pointed near the toe end?

I need a good pair of running shoes but it seems all the shoes I purchase want to crush all my toes together by not allowing enough room near the upper end of the shoe. I look at my foot and it doesnt look like a pointed triangle to me. I want a shoe that is comfortable to run in. Why do shoe manufacturers make shoes in shapes that dont resemble the true shape of our feet? Are we that vain a society? Can someone recommend a good running shoe that doesnt try and crumple all the toes together in the name of style?

Why do they make shoes so pointed near the toe end?
The reason shoes are made like this is because that's the way it's always been done. I wore top-of-the-line New Balance, Asics, Saucony, and Nikes for years. I suffered knee and ankle problems that would sideline me for months at a time.





But, for the past two years, I've worn nothing but the Nike Free as my running shoes. They mimic running barefoot, and have little cushioning, arch support, etc. The upper is mesh to allow your feet to move more naturally. They are made specifically for shorter runs, but I've comfortably finished 7 marathons, 3 half marathons, and countless 5 %26amp; 10ks in them.





The thinking behind the Nike Free, and it makes sense to me, is this: a regular running shoe, with all of its cushioning and structure, is much like a cast on your foot. It doesn't allow your foot to move like it would naturally. It prevents your foot from rolling to far inward or outward. It doesn't allow you to move the way your body is and has been aligned to move since the day you were born.





If you were wearing a cast on your hand, how would you expect to pick things up, write, or even wave naturally? You couldn't. Besides that, your entire arm would have to compensate for the lack of motion in your hand. In turn, your shoulders, back, and neck would feel the strain. In the end, your whole body would suffer because of the cast covering your hand. Same thing for your foot. Why cast your foot? So that your legs, hips, and back can compensate? No wonder runners have injuries.





I recommend the Nike Free to everyone- it takes time to adjust, but your body will thank you in the end!





Just a note, I'm a running coach, spinning instructor, and a middle school teacher. I'm not sponsored by Nike (although I sure wish I was!) and am only recommending this shoe in response to your question.
Reply:New Balance has widths just like street shoes, try on some and see if they will fit your foot better than the usual running shoe.
Reply:Lester has it right. New Balance sells the ideal shoe for people with wide feet. Nikes tend to be more narrow than the other companies, because many runners have pretty narrow feet.





Unfortanetly New Balance is rediculously overpriced, but it's the price you gotta pay for comfort :(
Reply:I can't tell you exactly what shoe to get but Nike has always worked for me cause I have wide feet. Check into shoes for wider feet too. It is really aggravating, I agree!
Reply:Shoes are designed to taper down at the ends (toe area) to compensate for the natural rolling motion of walking and/or running. Manufacturer have to make decisions and cut the toe boxes that will be the best for the "general population". Unfortunately, there are people such as yourself that do not fit that category. All brands fit different so I suggest trying on several pairs. There are also manufacturers who are starting to make wide widths available. But be sure to get a proper fit. Wide widths may develop a sloppy fit later as the shoe gets "broken in".
Reply:idk! mabey so the impact can pass when running.



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