A Comprehensive Review of the Top 12 Shoes for Bunions

Jump to a Section

Bunions, those protruding bumps that develop on the side of your big toe, can be so painful that you may contemplate ditching your shoes altogether. The wrong type of footwear can turn into instruments of torture, particularly if you're on your feet all day. Squeezing your toes into tight shoes can only exacerbate the pain, which is why experts like Lisa Egbogah, a well-known osteopath, chiropractor, and bunion patient herself, recommend shoes with a wider fit, plenty of space for your toes, and a flexible construction.

Egbogah emphasises the importance of wearing shoes that don't aggravate bunion inflammation, saying that by doing so, not only does this make walking more comfortable, but it also slows down the bunion's progression and brings about better feet alignment.

We sought the help of 19 individuals suffering from various stages of bunions to trial and judge the top-rated footwear styles for bunion relief. Here are the 12 best shoes for bunions, ranging from supportive trainers to stylish high heels.

In the world of bunions, the one thing sought after is finding shoes that provide immediate relief without having to endure a break-in period. The Hoka Ora Recovery Shoe fits the bill. The shoe's foam footbed and wide toe box allow for effortless movement, making you feel like you're walking on air.

These shoes are so lightweight and flexible that you might forget you're wearing them. Our testers wore them for lengthy walks and throughout their day to day activities and reported no discomfort. Although some people might prefer more adjustable features, we found that the fit was just right. We recommend them as the best shoes for bunions; the only disadvantage is the limited color options.

Sizes: 5-11 in Women’s | Width: Medium | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5mm

Every shoe seems to irritate your bunion making you look at beach walks as a distant dream. Enter Keen's Women's WK400 Leather Walking Shoe, with its high-quality leather and well-designed features that protect against the pain, allowing you to walk further. We appreciate the supportive padding along the bottom of the shoe, which unlike others, did not cause any discomfort to our bunions.

However, the shoe's exceptional padding comes with a short learning curve concerning the arch support and curved sole design. At first, Keen's KEEN.CURVE™ technology, which propels you forward while supporting your foot, may feel unusual. But once we got the hang of it, the comfort and pain relief were worth it.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women’s | Width: Medium

Ultra-tight, narrow shoes can worsen bunions, so opting for a wider fit and a larger toe base becomes necessary for most bunion sufferers. However, gaining extra space sometimes compromises stability, causing potential slippage or imbalance while walking. This isn't a problem with the KURU Quantum, which is designed with a sturdy foam sole that offers both support and structure without causing any discomfort or friction for bunions.

Overall, the snug fit was comfortable. Despite intensive walking, our feet didn't feel fatigued or strained in these bunions-friendly shoes. However, the tightness irritated the external side of the feet where tailor's bunions can develop. Therefore, those suffering from both types of bunions should consider opting for the wider width for optimal comfort.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women's and 6.5-14 in Men’s | Width: Medium, Wide | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

If you're on the lookout for a winter shoe that's stylish yet doesn't torment your bunions, the Toms Fenix Platform Chelsea boot is an excellent choice. Even though it's not specifically designed for bunion relief, the wide toe box and slip-on style make it a favorite among podiatrists. Not to mention, they look nothing like something sourced from a medical supply store. A suede finish and chunky sole make these slip-ons supportive and attractive — a unique combination in the world of shoes for bunions.

Similar to Hoka Oras, these boots provide immediate comfort without needing to be broken in. During our trial, we did not experience any discomfort or blisters around our bunions. The only downsides are that the suede may not hold up well in adverse weather conditions and they're more bunion-friendly than bunion-specific. If you have severe or highly painful bunions, you may want to consider shoes specifically designed to address these issues.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women's | Width: Medium

The Nova Slip-On Sneaker by Dr. Scholl's may appear to be a simple shoe, but it offers significant bunion relief capabilities. The shoe design incorporates a small strip of flexible fabric at the front and back, making them simple to put on and take off. Considering their comfort, it is doubtful you would want to remove them swiftly.

Unlike various slip-ons that usually lack support and are weak, these Nova sneakers aimed at bunions have multiple cushion layers, a somewhat thick sole with sufficient traction, and improved support than regular slip-ons. It is advisable to wear socks when using them initially, as it can help prevent some slight issues like corns on the feet. However, these shoes eliminate common new shoe problems like pain and heel blisters.

Sizes available are 6-11 in Women's. The Width is Medium.

The Sole Bliss Cadence shoes redefine comfort for those dealing with bunions. They incorporate features that make such shoes popular - a spacious toe box, a pronation pillow, padded interior, and memory foam cushioning. These shoes are ideal for formal events due to their aesthetics and comfort. The 2.5-inch heel is perfect for occasions that need more than what flats provide. Though not designed for long walks, these shoes are remarkably stable thanks to their shock-resistant rubber sole.

The sizes range from 5-11 in Women's. The Width is Medium.

People who have struggled to wear tight boots can appreciate the ECCO Women's Soft 7 Low Boot, which incorporates an easy side-zipper. These boots are ideal for people with bunions as they offer a generous fit and a loose ankle opening, providing optimal comfort. Although the boots do not offer an ultra-plush feel, they provide more than enough support to ensure a pain-free experience.

The ECCO Women's Soft 7 Low Boot merges comfort and fashion, with their premium leather material signifying elegance. Although these boots are slightly pricey, they are worth considering for those living in cold regions or have enough money to expand their shoe collection.

They come in sizes ranging from 4-11 in Women's. The Width is Medium.

The Vionic Arlette Mule is a brilliant choice for those uncomfortable with bunion pains. The mule offers an orthotic footbed that enables proper alignment and relieves heel and arch pain. Despite their brilliant arch support, initial usage might come with slight discomfort, which disappears after a while. Vionic suggests that worthy results from these shoes come after two weeks of usage.

These come in sizes 5-12 in Women's. The Width is Medium.

Bunions are not limited to the big toe; they can also happen at the base of the pinky toe, also known as tailor's bunions. ECCO Women's 7 Soft Slip-On shoes can help with such cases. The flexible leather material provides ample support to this specific bunion area. Despite initial discomfort, the shoes adjust well after a few wears.

These shoes are available in sizes 4-12.5 in Women's. The Width is Regular.

In the context of bunions, toe space is of utmost importance. However, even shoes that boast a broad toe box can sometimes be too tight. This issue is where the KURU ATOM comes into play with its spacious design and pliable mesh fabric, perfect for the heel. This design not only enables comfortable movement (and ample toe-spreading) but also stops bunions from scraping the shoe sides.

The drawback, though, is the possible excess space, leading to feet sliding. We found the shoe too slack for extensive walks, running, or whole-day use. While the additional backing and cushioning undoubtedly maintain feet in proper positioning, the lack of lace tightening does not secure the foot. So, assuming you're going to be mostly stationary, they are an excellent option for releasing any bunion pressure. However, for more active times, opt for a firmer pair like the KURU Quantum.

Sizes: 5-12 for Women and 6.5-14 for Men | Widths: Medium, broad | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

When dealing with bunions, a bare minimum method sometimes triumphs. This approach is what brings forth KURU's Stride Move with its simplistic (and lace-free) design that doesn't compromise on support or shielding. We classified the arch support as unobtrusive yet comfortable, and like the shoe's every aspect, you won't notice it. Although it's indeed a step-up from heavier shoes where you sense each movement, the light sensation and the limited grip made us tread lightly at first. However, once we got accustomed to the traction level, these bunion shoes quickly became a favored pick for casual wear.

People with minor bunions should find the Stride Move spacious enough to avoid rubbing in the toe box. But, those with more prominent bunions may still feel discomfort due to the tighter fit. Also, keep in mind that there's not as much cushioning compared to other choices. If this fit worries you, consider the Hoka Ora Recovery Shoe, which provides ample cushioning and fits just right according to various reviews. The leaner design won't necessarily affect your bunions, but some individuals might prefer a more plush, well-cushioned shoe.

Sizes: 6-11 for Women | Width: Medium | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm

Loafers typically don't resonate well with bunions. However, Vionic's Cheryl II Loafer, designed with a broader toe box than the classic loafer, is a good choice for those with minor bunions who appreciate extra arch support. We felt the fit was too tight for significant bunions, although that snugness prevented our feet from moving inside the shoe. With limited stylish choices for bunion-friendly shoes beyond sneakers and slippers, we're willing to overlook minor discomfort for a more refined appearance.

However, like most chic shoes, donning them for extended periods can cause some discomfort. Aside from the tight toe box, a stiff heel was our primary concern. Still, wearing socks and using the shoes more frequently should lessen the discomfort. Overall, they make a good choice for those with minor bunions who want to maintain style and elegance.

Sizes: 5-12 for Women | Width: Medium, wide

Bunions can make shoe shopping an ordeal in several aspects. Hence, we sought expertise from professionals like Dr. Egbogah and podiatrist and foot surgeon Dr. Bruce Pinker to understand what to look for, what to avoid, and how to find the best fit. Based on their excellent advice, we filtered hundreds of options considering bunion-friendly comfort, fit, arch support, material quality, design, and worth to the top 16.

Next, we asked a group of 19 testers — all having various degrees of bunions — to wear the shoes for a minimum of 30 minutes while performing a variety of activities like walking, household tasks, running errands, and working out. We utilized their firsthand insights on fit, comfort, cushioning, stability, and overall support to determine the top 12 bunion shoes.

Regrettably, stiletto enthusiasts, the absolute non-recommendation for bunion-affected feet is narrow, pointed shoes, according to Dr. Pinker. He advises instead to opt for designs with a wide-toe box, such as rounded or square-toed shoes for bunion patients.

'This design will provide adequate space for the bunion and help alleviate foot pain,' Dr. Pinker states. 'Less bunion stress and decreased foot pain make walking more enjoyable.'

Dr. Egbogah concurs that toe box breadth is the key feature in selecting a bunion-friendly shoe. While trying shoes on, she advises ensuring that you can wiggle your toes adequately with your feet still aligning in their innate anatomical position — not being squashed.

It's easy to jump to the conclusion that if you need a wider toe box, shouldn't you just wear wider shoes? Both Dr. Pinker and Dr. Egbogah say no.

'It’s important to buy shoes that are the right size to ensure that your feet are well supported,' Dr. Egbogah advises. 'So you shouldn’t be buying bigger shoes if you have bunions. You just need shoes that have a roomy or big toe box. If the shoe is too big, you’ll end up overpronating more, which, over time, will make bunions worse.'

Many shoes designed with bunions in mind will have removable or built-in orthotics for extra arch support. While they can provide relief, Dr. Pinker notes that the benefit is usually minor.

'[Orthotics and insoles] can help regulate the biomechanics of the feet to help slow the progression of the bunion,' he says. 'However, insoles or orthotics alone usually offer a small benefit, especially if the bunion is moderate or severe.'

So while orthotics and insoles might be a nice bonus, don't rely on them to solve all your bunion problems.

Shannon Ullman is a former editor for Healthline and Medical News Today. She now focuses on writing about health, wellness, and fitness topics. She frequently covers stories related to footwear and fitness. Shannon can be found trail running or walking on the treadmill to some of her favorite podcasts.