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11 Best Shoes For Bunions, Tested Per Podiatrist Criteria
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Bunions can be a painful nuisance, especially when wearing shoes that rub or bump against them. I should know, I’ve dealt with bunions for over a decade and I spent years cramming my feet into shoes that made them even worse.
Now I’ve tested well over 50 pairs of shoes and interviewed dozens of podiatrists to learn what to look for in the best shoes for bunions. Even better, I’ve found that there are actually stylish shoes for bunions that don’t cause pain.
- Best walking shoes: KLAW 528
- Best running shoes: ASICS Gel Nimbus
- Best gym shoes: HOKA Clifton 8
- Best slip-on shoes: Skechers GOwalk Joy
- Best flats: Vivaia Square Toe V-Cut Flats
- Best for knee pain: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22
- Best for wide feet: Saucony Guide 15
- Best clogs: Dansko Professional Clog
- Best recovery shoes: Oofos Oomg Eezee Low Shoe
- Best orthopedic shoes: Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit
- Best loafers: Birdies The Starling
If you’re also struggling with bunions, I recommend consulting with a podiatrist for personalized recommendations—but in the meantime, it’s essential that you have the right footwear.
Each shoe on our list has been vetted against key podiatrist guidelines: a wide toe box, flexible upper, and sufficient arch support. Plus, we’ve provided real feedback on every shoe we tested.
Meet the experts
Robert Kornfeld, DPM
Robert Kornfeld, DPM is a holistic podiatrist and a graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He is a fellow at the American College of Alternative Medicine and board-certified by the American Association of Integrative Medicine.
Anne Sharkey, DPM
Anne Sharkey, DPM, is an Austin-based podiatrist at the North Austin Foot & Ankle Institute. She specializes in ankle sprains, ankle stabilization, Achilles tendon disorders, bunion correction, and heel pain.
Gregory Alvarez, DPM, FACFAS
Gregory Alvarez, DPM, is a podiatrist at the Ankle & Foot Centers of America.
Hillary Brenner
Hillary Brenner is a board certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Dr. Brenner's RX.
Sandra Gail Frayna
Sandra Gail Frayna is a physical therapist and founder of Hudson Premier Physical Therapy & Sports.
The best shoes for bunions
Whether you live in a walking city, you're on your feet all day, or you just need something for running errands, a good walking shoe is essential for anyone with bunions. I personally wear the KLAW 528 walking shoes more than any other pair in my (embarrassingly large) collection—and I can attest that it's a great pick for people with bunions.
These shoes were designed with New York podiatrist Nelya Lobkova, and they have the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of approval. I fell in love with the design as soon as I opened the box and I breathed an actual sigh of relief the first time I put them on (thanks to a wide toe box, cloud-like cushioning, and substantial arch support).
I will say the material is not the most breathable (you might want something lighter in extreme heat), but the upper is flexible and moves well with my foot.
Other places we've featured them
Other places we've featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Cloud-like cushioning
- Wide toe box
- Attractive design
- Not the most breathable design
One of the best running shoes for women, this shoe is so breathable I personally wore it for three world major marathons and thousands of training miles (even in 90-degree heat).
The Gel Nimbus sneaker has a flexible, well-cushioned design and has been recommended by podiatrist Anne Sharkey, DPM for great arch support (one of our key criteria!).
The mesh upper is what keeps this shoe breathable and comfortable, no matter how many miles you're planning on clocking. Walkers, dancers, runners, and anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet will love this pick.
Other places we've featured them
Other places we've featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Great for distance running
- Flexible and breathable
- Great arch support
- May run small
Another recommendation from Sharkey, these shoes have a roomy toe box, neutral arch support, and a flexible upper. In fact, they’re surprisingly lightweight considering the chunkier design.
The compression-molded EVA midsole and early-stage meta rocker make for easy, smooth steps—and the balanced cushioning ensures your feet won’t endure excessive pressure on impact.
Other places we’ve featured them
Other places we’ve featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Extended achilles pull tab makes them easy to slip on and off
- Breathable mesh upper
- Cushioned sole
- Neutral stability
This slip-on design features a toe box spacious enough for people with bunions. Our tester wore these daily prior to (and after!) a bunion surgery and says they kept her feet comfortable and supported.
The breathable, airy material alleviates pressure on your bunions and the slip-on design is incredibly convenient.
What’s more, they’re made from vegan materials and the entire shoe is machine-washable.
Other places we’ve featured them
Other places we’ve featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Slip-on design
- Breathable, stretchy material
- Machine-washable
- Can be squeaky when you walk
I discovered these flats after falling in love with the brand's Caitlyn Loafers (a sentence I never thought I'd say with bunions). Flats and loafers are notoriously painful for those of us with bunions—and it's particularly difficult to shop for shoes with bunions and narrow feet. But these flats fit the bill tenfold.
The Margot 2.0 Flat has a wide rounded toe box to prevent rubbing or pressure on the bunion, but the overall design of the shoe is actually quite sleek. Plus, the stretchy material is airy and sweat-wicking.
My favorite part? The soft sole is made from recycled yoga mats (a sustainability win!).
Other places we've featured them
Other places we've featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Breathable, stretchy uppet
- Wide rounded toe box
- Blister-proof heel cushion
- Not the best arch support
This supportive and well-cushioned shoe was a recommendation from holistic podiatrist Hillary Brenner. It offers balance and support whether you're walking, running, or standing all day and hits the mark for arch support, flexible materials, and a spacious toe box.
The design is meant for both over- and under-pronators, and you can remove the insole to insert your own custom orthotics if desired. The brand offers standard, wide, extra-wide, and narrow sizing, making these a great choice for people with bunions, no matter your foot shape.
Brooks uses recycled materials in its designs and has plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Other places we've featured them
Other places we've featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Wide width selection
- Supportive
- Some say the laces come untied easily
Brenner recommends this stability shoe for people who need a moderate amount of arch support—and it meets our other criteria for bunions, too.
The shoe has an appropriate amount of cushion (thanks to a thick stack of the brand's signature EVA-based foams), a flexible material in the upper, and a wide toe box.
Even better, the Saucony Guide is APMA certified, meaning that it meets podiatrist standards for promoting foot health.
Other places we've featured them
Other places we've featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Contours to your foot
- Wide toe box
- Flexible
- Slightly slimmer than previous models
A recommendation from Sandra Gail Frayna, physical therapist and founder of Hudson Premier Physical Therapy & Sports, we love this shoe's cushioning and arch support. The roomy design is especially great for those who suffer from swollen feet, bunions, or hammer toes.
The stretchy mesh upper molds to your foot’s curves and a cushioned sole absorbs impact with every step. These come in four widths: narrow (A), standard/medium (B), wide (D), and extra wide (2E).
There's also an optional plastic arch booster you can slide under the insole for a little extra lift if needed, and the shoes come with two insole spacers to help you find the right fit.
The best part? Even with all these orthopedic extras, the shoe is stylish and is available in nine color options.
Other places we've featured them
Other places we've featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Adjustable arch booster system
- Orthotic insole
- Wide toe box
- May be too wide for narrow feet
These clogs feature a roomy toe box perfect for people with bunions. With a contoured footbed with optimal arch support, they’re surprisingly comfortable and offer great stability.
The leather upper isn’t the most flexible, but these clogs still feel breathable and lightweight on your feet. It’s no surprise they have the APMA seal of acceptance.
Design and comfort aside, we love the fashionable design and the fact that they come in more than 30 colorways.
Other places we've featured them
Other places we've featured them
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Sturdy
- Reinforced toe box
- Inflexible
- Chunky
I've been wearing Ooofos shoes for three years now and I'm still constantly impressed by the brand's comfy designs. If you want a sock-like shoe that won't squeeze or compress your bunions, this slip-on option is a great pick.
Oofos makes recovery shoes that are APMA approved, with a proprietary foam technology meant to absorb 37% more impact than traditional footwear.
Those with bunions, like myself, will appreciate this shoe’s stretchy fabric, wide toe box, and arch support.
Other places we've featured them:
Other places we've featured them:
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Great shock absorption
- High-stretch fabric
- Extremely lightweight
- Run small
Yes, it's possible to find loafers that won't aggravate your bunions. In fact, that's precisely what these were designed for. Thanks to a wide toe box and sufficient cushioning, these loafers won't cause excessive pressure on your feet.
These were a direct recommendation from Gregory Alvarez, DPM, a podiatrist at the Ankle & Foot Centers of America, who previously told mindbodygreen a shock-absorbing sole is important to help reduce fatigue when walking.
With a stylish design, seven layers of cloud-like padding, solid arch support, and a roomy toe box, these shoes are a dream to wear (bunions or not). Plus, they're available in dozens of colorways, such as cheetah print, black leather, and sapphire crushed velvet.
Other places we've featured them:
Other places we've featured them:
Pros & cons
Pros & cons
- Seven layers of cushioning
- Shock-absorbing sole
- Wide toe box
- Some say they run large
Comparing the best shoes for bunions
Product | Price | Sizes available | Colorways | Drop | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
KLAW 528 | $148 | 6-11 | 5 | 7mm | 11 oz |
ASICS Gel Nimbus | $160 | 5-13 | 19 | 11mm | 10.2 oz |
HOKA Clifton 8 | $145 | 5-12 | 20 | 8mm | 7.2 oz |
Skechers GOwalk Joy | $65 | 5-13 | 6 | 9.5mm | 6.8 oz |
Vivaia Square Toe V-Cut Flats | $65 | 5-11 | 33 | n/a | n/a |
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 | $140 | 5-13 | 23 | 12mm | 10.2 oz |
Saucony Guide 15 | $120 | 5-12 | 16 | 6mm | 9.5 oz |
Dansko Professional Clog | $130 | 5-11 | 30+ | 40mm | 15 oz |
Oofos Oomg Eezee | $130 | 5-12 | 4 | 6mm | 6 oz |
Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit | $120 | 5-12 | 9 | n/a | 9.5 oz |
Birdies The Starling | $98 | 5-13 | 16 | 8mm | 16 oz |
How we tested & selected:
When selecting the best shoes to recommend to our readers, we spend hours researching the options. We also make a point to actually wear the shoes, so we can give the most accurate review possible.
To determine what shoes are best for people with bunions, we spoke with podiatrists who provided expert insight on key factors to consider.
See below for the three major criteria we prioritized when selecting and testing the best shoes for bunions:
- Spacious toe box: It’s essential to choose shoes that offer space for your feet (and bunion) to breathe. This provides maximum comfort and ensures you're not making things worse by causing undue pressure.
Podiatrist tip
- Soft material in the upper: Per Kornfeld, the shoe should have a soft upper and flexible sole that moves with the foot. This is another way to prevent pressure on your bunion as you move.
- Arch support: It’s important to find shoes with proper arch support. Without adequate support, you can cause excessive strain on your feet and joints, which could worsen your bunions.
Having had bunions for over a decade, I fully relate to the struggle of finding a shoe that meets podiatrist criteria and actually looks good. Fortunately, we were able to find a number of fashionable options—so rest assured you can maintain your desired style while still prioritizing the health of your feet and your body.
What causes bunions?
Bunions are caused by years of consistent pressure on the big toe which causes some of the bones in the front part of your foot to move out of place. Wearing a shoe that is too small or narrow when you're already dealing with this issue may make the state of your feet even worse.
"A more rigid sneaker will usually cause the forefoot to jam forward into the toe box and can cause more pressure on the bunion," Kornfeld adds. "Snug-fitting shoes won't cause a bunion, but they will certainly exacerbate symptoms."
Why it’s important to take care of your feet
Research shows that the health of our feet is intrinsically linked to the overall health of our body1. In fact, persistent foot problems can negatively impact quality of life2 and put the rest of your body at risk of injury.
Learn more about how the health of your feet impacts the health of the rest of your body.
FAQ:
What causes bunions?
Bunions are caused by pressure on the big toe for an extended period of time. This pressure can cause the joint of the big toe to become dislocated, creating that uncomfortable bump.
"Most bunions are caused by a first metatarsal bone that is hypermobile, which means under the stresses of body weight and impact, the first metatarsal elevates upward, thereby locking the first metatarsal joint," explains Kornfeld.
How can you stretch shoes for bunions?
If you already have a pair of shoes you like that aren't quite suited for bunions, Kornfeld says you can actually stretch the shoe to make more room. "Stretching the forefoot of the shoe can create more room for the bunion and decrease the pressure on it. Making a slit under the area where the bunion protrudes can also relieve some of the pressure."
The takeaway
Bunions can be painful and disruptive to everyday life, but these days there are an overwhelming number of shoes for bunions that are actually stylish, comfortable, and supportive. Per podiatrists, focus on finding shoes with a wide toe box and a more flexible design that will give your toes the room they need to breathe and alleviate pressure.
Personally, I recommend the KLAW 528 for walking, the Vivaia Square Toe V-Cut Flats for dressier occasions, and the Hoka Clifton 8 or ASICS Gel Nimbus for workouts.
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