The 8 Top-Rated Shoes for Bunions in 2025: A Comprehensive Review

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Struggling with bunions? You’re not alone, and finding shoes that don’t worsen the pain can feel like trying to find the perfect pair of jeans—practically impossible. These bumps at the base of the big toe happen when the bones of your foot shift, pushing your big toe toward the smaller ones. The result? A painful bulge that not only causes major pain but also makes shoe shopping a serious challenge. 

Luckily, we found the best shoes for bunions that will finally keep you comfortable, whether you’re on your feet all day or working toward a 10k step goal. Podiatrist and foot surgeon Brad Schaeffer, DPM, says the right shoes can make a massive difference and recommends choosing a pair with a proper fit, wide toe box, breathable materials, arch support, and ample cushioning for bunion-friendly comfort. With these key features in mind, we tested dozens of top options to find the best shoes for bunions on the market. 

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

Hoka’s Ora Recovery 2 Shoes earn our top spot for superior comfort, custom-like fit, and bunion-approved wear. This slip-on sneaker features a wide toe box that gives our bunions plenty of wiggle room and a sturdy foam footbed with plenty of support. The material feels flexible and lightweight, so no sweat or stink. We felt completely comfy, with no pressure or pain, as we sported these shoes on long walks, errand runs, and other daily activities. So much so that we often forget we even had shoes on! 

Plus, the sleek, sporty style is versatile for any athleisure outfit. And that’s honestly hard to find in a pair of slip-on shoes. The only downside is the lack of color options—we wish these were available in different color ways at more retailers.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women’s | Width: Medium | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10 millimeters

Believe it or not, comfy walking and bunions can go hand in hand (or foot in foot). Keen Women’s WK400 Walking Shoe is a bunion-bearer’s dream for travel days, busy schedules, or proverbial long walks on the beach. We love the soft yet supportive footbed, which didn’t irritate our bunions like other shoes do—even after hours of wear. And the grippy traction on the outsole kept us confident on all terrains. 

While we loved the comfy cushioning, it took us a few walks to get used to it. We also had to adjust to the shoe’s rocker shape, but after a few walks, we came to appreciate how it effortlessly propelled our strides forward. 

Sizes: 6-11 in Women’s | Width: Medium, wide | Heel-to-Toe Drop: N/A

 What’s harder than finding shoes for bunions? Finding slip-on shoes that work for them. But luckily, Dr. Scholl’s Nova Slip-On Sneakers actually kept our pain at bay. For starters, we didn’t have to fight to get our feet in. There’s a small strip of stretchy fabric at the front and back of the shoe that provides enough give to slip in and out easily without irritating bunions. Plus, the multi-layer cushioning and grippy outsole traction offer more comfort and support than you’d expect from a slip-on.

If you prefer to go sockless, you’ll love how lightweight and breathable these are, keeping odor at bay—we definitely appreciated! However, we did get a blister from wearing these without socks initially, so we recommend breaking them in with socks first. 

Sizes: 4-11 in Women’s | Width: Medium | Heel-to-Toe Drop: N/A

 When testing shoes for bunions, we never expected a boot to top the list for comfort. However, our feet were as happy as they were fashionable in ECCO’s Soft 7 Low Boots. The roomy toe box gave room for our bulging bunions, while the well-cushioned and supportive footbed provided tons of comfort. Even after a full day on our feet, we felt no joint, knee, or bunion pain. 

The side zipper isn’t just for style—it makes slipping these on and off easy, without irritating bunions. And since you can widen the shoe with this zipper, even large bunions can slide out without too much effort. While a bit pricey for a non-athletic shoe, their versatile design pairs well with most everyday outfits.

Sizes: 4-12.5 in Women’s | Width: Regular | Heel-to-Toe Drop: N/A

Regular bunions occur at the base of the big toe, while tailor’s bunions form just below the pinky toe. When you have tailor’s bunions (or both), finding shoes that fit comfortably and look stylish can be challenging. In our experience, few options on the market deliver both—which is a non-negotiable. 

We were stoked to discover ECCO’s Soft 7 Slip-on Sneakers. They have a soft, stretchy leather upper that prevents irritation on the outsides of your foot. Even after a full day in these shoes, our heels stayed blister-free (no small feat for leather slip-ons). The sturdy base offers solid support, while the ground-hugging grip kept us completely stable. Bonus points: the minimalist design makes them easy to pair with nearly any outfit.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women’s | Width: Medium, wide | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

Stability is key to comfort and confidence in daily activities, from climbing the stairs to holding an airplane pose in yoga. But if you have bunions, the need for a roomier toe box can throw off a shoe’s stability—except in the case of Kuru’s Quantum shoes. These lace-up sneakers are snug enough along the length of your foot to keep you stable, but roomy enough in the toe box to give bunions the room they need.

The firm, sturdy base doesn’t just add stability, but it also feels comfy for hours on end. Case in point: we wore them on wobbly cobblestone streets in Europe without tripping, and barely felt any bunion pain. That said, the snug fit slightly irritated the outside of our feet near the tailor’s bunion. If you have tailor’s bunions, we recommend opting for an even wider toe box fit.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women's | Width: Medium, wide | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

When we think of shoes for bunions, we often focus solely on the toes. But your heels need support, too! Well-made heel cups can help absorb the impact of daily activities and reduce symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Kuru’s Atom Sneakers are designed with heel comfort in mind, using a patented heel-hugging technology that flexes dynamically with each step. Our heels were definitely happy in these.

Besides their heel support, these sneakers were gentle on our bunions. Thanks to a relatively wide fit throughout, we didn’t notice any friction. The looseness of the shoe did make us feel a little unstable, though—a feeling compounded by the inability to tighten the laces. We’d recommend these shoes for daily here-and-there walking, but not for higher-intensity activities like running or hiking.

Sizes: 6-11 in Women’s | Width: Medium | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7 mm

Laceless sneakers a loved for good reason: they offer the versatility of an athletic shoe without the hassle of tightening and tying. Our top pick for bunions is Kuru’s Stride Move Shoe. While it has elastic laces on top, they’re actually built into the shoe, so there’s no actual tying required (though they can be adjusted if needed). Plus, the stretchy mesh fabric gives you the adjustability for easy on-and-off slipping.

Beyond this unique laceless design, we also loved several other features. The wide toe box eliminated friction on our bunions (we could even wiggle our toes!). And the arch support felt subtle yet effective. In fact, just about everything about these slip-ons made it easy to forget we were wearing shoes at all. We’d happily slip these on for everyday casual wear. Just note: the toe box isn’t as wide as other options, so these may not work for tailor’s bunions.

To find the best shoes for bunions, we put several options to the test. But first, we consulted experts to understand what makes a shoe ideal for bunion-prone feet. We then researched popular options based on their recommendations. Finally, we wore the top models during long walks, hours of standing, and daily activities. During testing, we noted whether the shoes aggravated our bunions and assessed other factors like cushioning, arch support, materials, stability, and overall value. We also considered style because let’s face it—life’s too short to wear ugly shoes!

Bunions don’t have one single cause. They can develop due to genetic predisposition, birth deformities, foot injuries, or even frequent wear of tight, narrow shoes.

The best shoes for bunions minimize pressure on the sides of your toes. It’s a good call to choose shoes with a wide toe box and flexible upper to decrease friction and the pain that comes from it.

While we love heels and pointy-toed boots as much as the next fashionista, they are a no-go for bunions, according to Schaeffer. And shoes without arch support (think: flats, wedges, and flip-flops) also won’t help your bunions.

Sometimes, the right-fitting shoes are all it takes to manage bunion pain. But if the pain persist, treatments like warm soaks, massage, gentle stretching, anti-inflammatory pain relievers, elevation, and rest may help, says Schaeffer. In severe cases, surgery may be required for relief.

Sarah Garone, NDTR, CNC, has eight years of experience as a health and wellness writer. She has written numerous articles on running, walking, and other forms of fitness. As a regular runner herself, she understands the importance of a good pair of shoes. For this article, she used her personal experiences and professional expertise to make informed product recommendations based on our thorough testing.