A little something to ensure you are well equipped
Having Bunions can be very painful at times, but ensuring that you wear the correct shoes, can make your life much more comfortable than you would have anticipated. Picking up just any shoe off the shelves is sadly not an option for you.
Personal preference and comfort are the two most significant factors you will need to keep in mind while picking up a pair if Bunion friendly shoes.
I decided to research a range of brands that work tirelessly to ensure we are offered a plethora of options to choose the best shoes for Bunions from. Plus, we want you to look and feel happy and amazing when you wear them.
1) What causes Bunions, and why do we need Special shoes for them?
Bunions can result from a range of factors, including inflammatory joint diseases, including genetics, arthritis, and foot injuries. According to most podiatrists, bunions form when the tissue or bone at the bottom of the big toe moves out of place.
Abnormalities in the movements and pressure applied to these joints force the big toe to bend towards other toes. This causes a lump to form on the joint.
We need to ensure we wear bunion-friendly shoes to prevent the pain they cause and other issues like arthritis, blister formation, and bursitis. According to one podiatrist, “Our feet, by design, are not padded with a lot of extra fat.” In this case, if someone wears a shoe that is creating pressure on the bunion area, it will become red and inflamed due to constant pressure and rubbing. In some cases, it can cause a blister or wound that can get infected later on.
Understanding the above is very important to ensure the comfort and safety of your feet. So, I understand if you are tempted to continue wearing your favourite sneakers or shoes, however, you should ensure that anything that irritates your feet and hurt you, should be removed from your rotation or replaced with a pair that is more supportive, comfortable and takes care of the needs of your feet.
You need to have HAPPY FEET to ensure you have a happy body and mind as well.
2) How to decide the best shoes for you?
It is imperative to ensure you choose your footwear correctly, to ensure minimal pain and inconvenience.
Below are a few points to cover while selecting the best shoes for Bunions.
- They should be soft and well-cushioned to ensure overall foot comfort.
- They should have a wide toe box made from cushioned fabric or soft leather, to ensure freedom of the foot and prevent blisters or pressure on the bunion.
- They should be well fitted and provide freedom for your feet.
- Shoes with high heels like pumps are not normally recommended unless absolutely needed.
- Lastly, flexibility and comfort should be at the top of your list while looking for these shoes.
Sometimes we may feel due to the above parameters; we are limited to only orthopedic-looking shoes, however, that isn’t true. In our article, we will show you options that are classy, stylish, and bunion -friendly. From Everyday boots and colorful flats to sexy heels and wedges, we will share with you a list of your favorite bunion friendly shoes.
The Best Shoes for Bunions Reviews
Let’s now look at our top 10 picks, of the best shoes for Bunions.
Birkenstock sandals Review
These Birkenstock sandals are very well-designed; they are designed to support each part of your foot. These are Birkenstock’s best shoes for Bunions.
The Original Birkenstock Footbed shape enables our body weight to be evenly distributed to ensure excellent support for your feet. These shoes practically mold themselves to the shape of your feet during usage.
The three-best characteristic of these sandals is their excellent arch support, their soft leather upper, and their sturdy, comfortable footbed. They also have flexible suede uppers in comparison to hard leather, which irritates.
Its in-built arch support provides excellent stability to your foot and keeps your bones from moving too much.
The styles with a toe loop and the thong-style are generally very popular with women who have bunions since the toe loop locks in the big toe, preventing too much motion at the bunion joint, and in the thong, there is nothing putting any pressure on it.
Birkenstock Namica- Papillio Wegdes Review
Birkenstocks come in a range of colors and styles for both men and women, which are very fashion-forward. If you are someone who lives in a climate that gets warm, these are a pair of shoes you will never regret buying. They work well as your everyday besties.
Birkenstock shoes are designed to be best friends with your feet. Whether it is the combination of a deep heel cup, shock-absorbing outsoles, or excellent arch support, which helps ensure your feet are treated like royalty. They help ensure relief from plantar fasciitis, pronation, and supination, Achilles tendonitis, and Bunions. Since they are made of a cork/latex base, they can mold to your foot’s personality. They are not forgetting the wide enough and comfortable toe-box.
If you are looking to add a little fun and casual-sexy to your outfit, yet stay as safe and comfortable as possible, then these Birkenstock wedges are exactly what you are looking for.
These wedges are a little more elevated than the regular Birkenstock sandals and shoes. They come with a contoured footbed to ensure proper weight distribution and a deep heel cup to help with foot alignment. This is to ensure your feet aren’t uncomfortable from being at an angle.
They also have very breathable and flexible uppers, which provide contour to your bunion. Thus, making it a comfortable yet stylish pick.
Propét TravelActiv Sneaker Review
Unlike a lot of shoes from Propét, these TravleActiv sneakers are adorable, stylish, and wallet-friendly. These athletic sneakers are created keeping in mind people who are suffering from foot ailments such as bunions.
The Propét Women’s TravelActiv Sneaker is light-weight, flexible, and durable, all qualities great for a good bunion shoe. They come with a perforated synthetic light-weight upper that is very breathable and allows sufficient airflow, which ensures it keeps your feet cool and dry throughout the day.
This shoe is very well engineered for excellent support and stability and is made from a high-quality material, which ensures durability. It is a low top women’s athletic casual pair of shoes that comes with arch support, which ensures a perfect fit for your feet. These are your go-to shoes if you are looking for very well-cushioned shoes.
They come with EVA Cushioning and a removable footbed. Hence, you can substitute it with your orthopedic footbed if needed, or you can replace the current one in case it wears out. To ensure least pressure on the bunions, these shoes have been designed to be wide fitting.
To add to the above features, they also have rubber soles, which offer great comfort along with good traction to ensure your feet stay safe and secure at all times.
These are by far one of the best shoes for Bunions on the market. They are the total package, stylish, flexible, durable, comfortable, well-cushioned, and breathable.
To add to all these fantastic features, they also come in five different widths to ensure comfortable fits for all foot sizes and shapes. All-in-all, a pair of shoes that understand the needs of your feet and bunions.
Clarks Emslie Monet Bootie Review
Boot! Boots! Booties! It usually is quite challenging to find a great pair of boots if you have bunions since most boots have narrow toe boxes. This, in turn, makes your bunions scream out for help in pain.
For a person with bunions, it is very important to look for boots with a wider toe box. Say a big NO to all those narrow and pointed toe boxes; this will ensure you keep your feet happy and comfortable.
Great news, these cute booties from Clarks have a rounded and wide toe box, which please even the crankiest and most agitated bunions. As I mentioned earlier, the heel’s height is also critical to ensure the least pressure on your bunions.
These beauties come with a low block heel and a very sturdy rubber outsole, ensuring excellent stability by keeping your feet well planted on the ground. They have an OrthoLite footbed, which provides soft shock absorption and great cushion for every step you take.
These stylish and feminine booties will steal your heart and will perfectly complement our professional and casual outfits.
Clarks have always been known as a brand that understands your feet’ needs better than most brands. Whether you need a large size or a comfortable fit for a specific foot type, they will be your savior.
Nearly all the sandals, shoes, and boots that Clarks designs with their memory foam cushioning and open sides (In case of sandals) are an excellent match for your bunions.
So, if you are looking for a great pair of booties for the winter or just like that, these are a great option for those with bunions, as they provide all the features needed to keep you comfortable.
In the ankle boot category these are the best shoes for Bunions.
Skechers Cleo-Scalloped Knit Ballet Review
If you’re looking to solve your footwear problems when it comes to dresses and sophisticated outfits, then these are the shoes for you. They will not only ensure you look classy and stylish but also ensure your feet are comfortable and well taken care of.
Skechers, rounded toe-front ballerinas, are just the right amount of “classy with a twist.” They make incredibly supportive and chic ballet-inspired shoes, which can be worn on all sorts of outfits.
Their unique knit uppers are constructed from Skech Knit Stretchable, soft woven uppers. They are very light-weight, flexible, and come with a rubber outsole, which provides great traction.
They have a very well-cushioned insole made of memory foam, which is air-cooled foam. Their seamless construction means no more blisters or hard seam or edges that will make your feet uncomfortable.
These are shoes that keep in mind every wimp and fancy of your bunions and ensures it takes care of them. People have been raving about these shoes for a long time now. They are super chic, comfortable, versatile, and stylish. They can be worn on jeans, dresses, pants, maxi skirts, etc.
So, take a leap of faith and give this pair of shoes a try, and I promise you will fall in love with them.
Cole Haan Grand Ambition Wedge Review
As a brand, Cole Haan has been known for its comfortable dress shoes, a style that has adapted to the current athleisure style over the years.
Though I have mentioned earlier that heels are not recommended for daily wear, especially for those of you with troublesome bunions. However, podiatrists agree that there is no real harm in wearing heels for special occasions or to events, as long as they are comfortable and provide the necessary support that a pair of good bunion shoes offer.
The Moulded and cushioned GRANDFOAM footbed ensure excellent comfort. It also has a compression molded EVA outsole and a forefoot cushioning with high-energy return foam.
These shoes come with a comfortable wedge heel and a wide toe box to ensure they accommodate and protect protruding bunions.
Thanks to its comfortable sole, this wedge shoe provides excellent support and puts lesser pressure on a bunion than other shoes in its category. This makes it an excellent option for those who need to wear them to your 9-5 hours at work.
They worked with the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Biomechanics Laboratory to design a revolutionary collection that provides uncompromised fit, feel, flexibility, and cushioning. It’s called Grand Ambition.
So now, are you having second thoughts? Do you want to say bye-bye to heels? These shoes will make you rethink your decision.
Vionic Waverly loafer Review
Comfort, support, and style are three of the most common features people look for in a great pair of shoes. What if you can have all of the above, along with a supportive arch support technology to ensure relief to aching feet and bunions? Wouldn’t you want to rush and pick them?
Vionic as a brand vouches for its Vio-Motion™ Support which includes Three-Zone Comfort with Ultimate Arch Support for an experience worth allowing your feet to have.
These shoes come with uppers that are made from soft leather or nubuck. This soft, flexible leather can easily mold to support your bunion’s size and shape and doesn’t restrict your walk.
Vionic is an APMA-certified brand known for its supportive footbed, which is designed to keep your feet stable and your weight balanced, taking the pressure off the big toe. It also comes with a roomy toe bed. The soft and breathable well-cushioned shoes take excellent care to ensure your bunions are kept happy.
One can choose from a variety of options; their super -supportive round-toe block heels come with a very well-padded sole, which takes the pressure off the bunion while walking.
Vionic shoes are designed for both great form and function; they provide a 30-day wear test for online buyers who are afraid of commitments. This means you can take them for a 30-day test ride before tying yourself down to a commitment.
These are some of the best shoes for Bunions, which come with a test and trial.
Sofft Tamira/ Madina/ Lindon Review
If you are looking for that pair of shoes which can make sure you look uber-chic at work, yet super comfortable, then these are the shoes for you. These sexy and sleek Sofft block heels are the perfect addition to your wardrobe.
Whether it’s a board meeting or a big night out, these shoes will ensure you can look chic and classy at work yet allow you to show off your crazy curves during the night. They are very versatile and will go with most of your fabulous outfits.
The molded contoured foam footbed with soft microfiber sock lining ensures that extra padding to make sure comfort is never the issue, without having to stress about making your bunion worse. They also have a flexible outsole with a wrapped heel.
The experience you will have with these Sofft’s will be like no other heels on the market. This is achieved with the extra comfort and cushioning, along with the wide toe room. These heels don’t force your toes into any uncomfortable angles, unlike most heels in the market, which means you can look and feel great throughout the day.
Suppose you are looking for a pair of shoes that can allow you to look sexy and classy during a night out, without having to compromise on comfort. Then, these are the shoes for you.
Dansko Reece Sandal Review
Dansko is known for its “All-day comfort” they provide with their shoes, sandals, and clogs. These shoes have high-quality leather uppers that allow them to take the natural contours of the feet.
They also have breathable leather Socklinings to ensure more comfort to the foot, especially to ensure your bunions are not put under any pressure. They come with excellent arch support and anatomically correct footbeds.
If you are looking for a shoe that is more secure and well fitted, then go with the thong ankle strap options. This APMA-approved footwear helps ensure excellent stability and support for your feet.
Dansko is known for helping people with bunions free their feet from pressure, yet look uber stylish and fun. This particular style comes with soft leather nubuck uppers that are treated with 3M Scotchgard protector to ensure they are protected from stains and also help prevent any trouble for your bunions, with its adaptable nature.
Their leather linings and molded memory foam footbed, along with a super light-weight EVA and cock midsole, ensure throughout the day premium comfort. Lastly, they have a rubber outsole, which provides durability.
Conclusion
According to my research and understanding, my ranking for the best shoes for Bunions is as follows,
- Premium Pick: Birkenstock Namica Papillio Wedges/ Skechers Cleo-Scalloped Knit Ballet
- Most fashion-forward: Clarks Emslie Monet Bootie
- Best Overall: Propét TravelActiv Sneaker
- Best Functionality: Birkenstock sandals
- Best style and functions: Cole Haan Grand Ambition Wedge
- Best workwear/Long hours: Sofft Tamira
Bunions are a common condition, especially among women. Never the less this shouldn’t be a reason why you should not be able to wear stylish and classy shoes that go with your favorite outfits.
No need to stress in order to wear shoes which are both stylish and comfortable. Just ensure you follow the simple guidelines we have shared to ensure you don’t cause yourself pain.
- Ensure you buy yourself comfortable shoes that do not create any pressure points on your feet.
- Ensure you buy the right size to fit your feet, even if you like a pair of shoes. If it doesn’t fit well, it’s going to cause you pain in the long run.
- Ensure you rotate your footwear regularly.
You don’t have to worry; there are a lot of shoes in the market, as shown above, which is bunion-friendly. You need to find your fit. If your bunion continues to make you suffer, consult a podiatrist immediately.
Bunions can be quite troublesome, so is Metatarsal Pain. Metatarsal Pain is something that effects millions of people, around the world. Check out our article on The Best Shoes for Metatarsal Pain.
So, all the very best, go out there and pick up your stylish and comfortable pair!
Please note that I have not been able to try and test all of these products. The information is purely research-based and feedback based.
Happy Feet, Happy styling, Happy Us…