The perfect shoes for bunions | Rio Martina (2024)

FAQs

What shoes are recommended for bunions? ›

Sneakers designed with proper arch support and a wide toe box are excellent choices for individuals with bunions. Look for cushioning that absorbs impact, reducing stress on the bunion area during physical activities. Including walking or running shoes in your everyday wardrobe can provide ongoing comfort.

Buy shoes made from a stretchy material, such as leather or canvas. Look for adjustable shoes with laces or a strap that you can loosen to accommodate changes in the size of your feet or bunion over time. Avoid shoes that are pointed, narrow, or tight. You should also stay away from heels that are higher than 2 inches.

To manage and prevent bunion pain, it's advisable to wear shoes that have sufficient width for bunions, a rounded toe box, and appropriate arch support. Brands like Rothy's, Dr. Scholl's, Hoka, New Balance, Clarks, Sole Bliss, Birkenstock, and FitVille offer shoes specifically designed for individuals with bunions.

There is some evidence that wearing open toe shoes instead of closed-toe ones could help with bunions because there's less rubbing on the feet when you walk, and less friction without socks or tights on your feet.

Rules of thumb for shoe fit and bunion pain

When you're looking for shoes to cushion your feet after the development of a bunion, avoid high heels and narrow-front shoe designs. Make sure there's plenty of room around your toes when you stand.

How I cure my bunions naturally? You can try massaging and exercising your feet, taking paracetamol, soaking your feet in a foot bath, icing your feet, and using castor oil, bunion pads, and bunion splints. These methods can help alleviate bunions naturally.

Although toe separators can help prevent overlapping toes, there is no evidence to suggest that they will cure your bunions or provide any long-term correction for misaligned toes. They may provide some short-term relief but unfortunately the effects will not last and they certainly will not get rid of your bunions.

The Bondi 7 also has a redefined early-stage meta-rocker for a smooth ride and decreased forefoot pressure. The internal heel counter provides a locked-in fit and support while you run. In all, the meta-rocker and ultra-plush cushion make this a great shoe for bunion pain.

While the scientific evidence supporting the use of toe spacers for bunions is limited, many people report experiencing relief from their bunion symptoms when using these devices. While toe spacers may not be a cure for bunions, they can potentially provide some relief for those suffering from this painful condition.

A person with a lower arch, to an outright flat foot will be more likely to have arch pain when wearing a new pair of Birkenstocks than someone with a normal-height arch. Again, Birkenstocks are comfortable, but only after you have broken them in for long enough.

Are Hoka good for bunions? ›

One of our favorite recovery shoes, Hoka's Ora 2 Slides provide the relief our feet need after a distance run, hard workout, or long day of wearing heels. They have a roomy toe box and plush foam midsole that we found relieves pressure, especially in bunion-prone areas.

Crocs in the Clinic

“These shoes are especially light,” says Harold Glickman, DPM, former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). “They have huge room in the toe that affords the front part of the foot lots of room, especially for people with bone deformities like bunions and hammer toe.

It's really quite simple: With the use of bunion splints or toe spacers (such as Correct Toes—McClanahan's own invention) toes can be gradually restored to a more natural position, thereby undoing the motion that pushes the bunion out. In other words, as your toes spread out, the bunion starts to recede.

Some sandals have a toe loop that holds the big toe and the upper is a single sheath over the foot. These are ones that are possible if they are comfortable to wear. This toe loop will hold the big toe in a straighter position and the upper can hide the bunion from people seeing it.

Crocs in the Clinic

“These shoes are especially light,” says Harold Glickman, DPM, former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). “They have huge room in the toe that affords the front part of the foot lots of room, especially for people with bone deformities like bunions and hammer toe.

With their slip-on design and open design, sandals can be good for preventing bunion pain. But avoid cheap flip-flops. While rubber flip-flops are great for protecting your feet in the gym shower, they provide no support or protection.

As many as a third of Americans suffer from bunions, painful, bony deformities that form on the side of the foot just below the big toe. Although some severe bunions may need surgery to correct them, many people find relief through the regular use of custom arch supports.