Best Shoes for Bunions (Deformity of the Joint)
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Change your current shoe and alleviate joint pain in your big toe using the best shoes for bunions which have comfy and spacious toe boxes
Featured shoe: ASICS GEL-Kayano 25 (a favorite, Triathlete)
Bunions are either caused genetically or by repetitive wearing of tight-fitting shoes. This particular foot condition causes pain and stiffness in the big toe forcing it to push against the next toe creating a painful sensation. To get an immediate relief from bunions, the first line of conservative treatment offered is change of footwear.
The best shoes for bunions are comfortable shoes that have enough room in the toe area where the toes can splay comfortably. To successfully relieve pain caused by bunions, one must wear a wider shoe with just enough room in the toe area. The shoe must fit well and doesn’t irritate the skin whether you use them for running on pavement, trail, treadmill, or improving your form through cross training.
Although, the change of footwear won’t correct the actual deformity, it can significantly minimize the pain in your big toe. But choosing the best shoes for bunions can be a difficult challenge with thousands of shoes available in the market. Since it’s quite hard to find a wide shoe that fits just right, trying the shoe on at your local store before buying can sometimes be the best option.
RELATED: Best Shoes for Hammertoes
If you have a particular brand in mind, which you have tried before and found success in it, you should narrow down your search to that brand to find your new shoes. As a growing trend, newer designs of footwear now have options for width, so you can choose wider than usual if the standard width is narrow.
Having the right shoe can also prevent corns and calluses, shin splints, as well as, relieve pain caused by heel spurs, arthritis or joint disorder, and Morton’s neuroma.
Note: If the pronation of your foot is neutral to underpronation (or supination), your best shoe is a neutral-cushioned shoe but if you have fallen arches or overpronation, your best shoe is a stability or motion control shoe.
JUMP LINK: Men’s Best Shoes for Bunions »
Women’s Best Shoes for Bunions
Here’s a list of the best shoes for bunions (in no particular order):
1. Saucony Peregrine 8 (a favorite, Triathlete)
2. Saucony Guide ISO 2 (top pick, Women’s Running)
3. Saucony Omni 16 Running Shoe
4. ASICS GEL-Cumulus 20 Running Shoe
5. ASICS GEL-Nimbus 21 (top pick, Women’s Running)
6. ASICS GEL-Kayano 25 (a favorite, Triathlete)
7. ASICS GT-2000 7 Running Shoe
8. ASICS GEL-Venture 7 Trail Runner
9. Mizuno Wave Rider 22 Running Shoe
10. Mizuno Wave Creation 20 Running Shoe
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The best Saucony shoes for bunions have EVERUN technology which offers an easy run through a more flexible and durable cushioning, SAUC-FIT technology which allows the heel and forefoot to flex and move comfortably with the foot, and FLEXFILM technology which provides exoskeletal support without compromising comfort.
The best ASICS shoes for bunions have Rearfoot and forefoot GEL cushioning systems which provide superior shock absorption and protection, Dynamic DuoMax technology which creates a stable and responsive ride, Guidance Trusstic System which enhances gait efficiency, and I.G.S technology which enhances natural gait during foot landing until toe-off.
The best Mizuno shoes for bunions have DynaMotionFit technology which adapts to your foot’s gait cycle, SmoothRide engineering which offers the smoothest transition from heel-strike through toe-off, and Mizuno Wave technology which enhances both cushioning and stability.
It has been estimated that more than half of the population of women in America have bunions and nine out of ten people who have bunions are women.
11. Brooks Ghost 11 (editor’s choice, RW)
12. Brooks Glycerin 17 (2019 awardee, SHAPE)
13. Brooks Launch 6 (best buy, RW)
14. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 (recommended, RW)
15. Brooks Ravenna 10 (top pick, Women’s Running)
16. Brooks Addiction 13 Running Shoe
17. Brooks Ariel ’18 Running Shoe
18. New Balance FF Gobi v3 (best road to trail, COACH)
19. New Balance 990v5 Running Shoe
20. New Balance 1540v2 Running Shoe
The best Brooks running shoes for bunions have BioMoGo DNA technology which increases cushioning and support, Omega Flex Grooves which offer more flexibility and natural forefoot movement, and IDEAL Pressure Zones which offer a more comfortable and effortless ride by distributing pressure evenly under your foot.
The best New Balance shoes for bunions have Rollbar technology which reduces rear foot movement and prevents foot from rolling inward unnecessarily, Ortholite technology in insoles which delivers superior performance, comfort, and arch support, and Dual-density ENCAP midsole which provides long-lasting comfort.
A separate discovery indicated that women tend to wear tight-fitting shoes, which some medical professionals believe is the cause of bunions.
21. New Balance 1080v9 (2019 awardee, SHAPE)
22. New Balance FF Vongo v3 Running Shoe
23. New Balance WX857 Cross-Training Shoe
24. Nike LunarGlide 9 Running Shoe
25. Nike Air Pegasus 35 (best for cruising, OUTSIDE)
26. Altra One V3 Running Shoe
27. Altra Torin 3.5 Running Shoe
28. Altra Provision 3.5 Running Shoe
29. adidas UltraBOOST (best in test, Men’s Running)
30. Hoka One One Clifton 5 (fitness award, SELF)
The best Altra shoes for bunions have InnerFlex technology which offers flexibility, stability, and propulsion, FootShape toe box which provides enhanced comfort and allows the toes to relax and move freely, and Zero Drop technology which places the heel and forefoot at the same distance from the ground.
Women’s Best Insoles for Bunions
Here’s a list of the best insoles for bunions (in no particular order):
1. Powerstep Original Insole
2. Powerstep Pinnacle Insole
3. Spenco Medics Diabetic Insole
4. Superfeet Premium Green
5. Superfeet Premium Blue
6. Superfeet Premium Black
7. Superfeet Copper
8. Superfeet Premium Orange
9. Superfeet Premium Yellow
10. Superfeet Merino Grey
The best Powerstep insoles for bunions have contoured heel cup which provides stability and effective relief for heel and arch pain.
The best Superfeet insoles for bunions have maximum support, stability and shock absorption, as well as, extra deep cup which cradles your heel and provides comfortable support by aligning the bones of your foot to prevent heel pain and plantar fasciitis.
Women’s Best Sandals for Bunions
These sandals make a great post-run or post-workout footwear because they give your feet a chance to breathe. Here are 10 best sandals that can relieve pain caused by bunions (you can also use them for hiking or for any walking activity):
1. Birkenstock Mayari Sandal
2. Birkenstock Gizeh (best overall, OutdoorGearLab)
3. Birkenstock Arizona (most classic, OUTSIDE)
4. Birkenstock Boston Clog
5. KEEN Whisper Sandal
6. KEEN Newport H2 (top pick, OutdoorGearLab)
7. KEEN Bali Sandal
8. KEEN Uneek (best yoga gear, OUTSIDE)
9. VIONIC Tide II (very stable, OutdoorGearLab)
10. VIONIC Wave Sandal
Other sandals for bunions are:
- Teva Tirra (best value, OutdoorGearLab)
- Teva Omnium
- Teva Neota
- Teva Verra (good traction, OutdoorGearLab)
- Teva Hurricane XLT2 (best buy, OutdoorGearLab)
- ECCO Yucatan (comfy, OutdoorGearLab)
If you have neutral pronation or normal, healthy amount of pronation, you should choose a neutral cushioned shoe. Those who have high arch and those who tend to supinate (also called underpronation), meaning your foot rolls outward on an impact, must also choose a neutral shoe.
If you overpronate or have fallen arch, meaning your foot rolls inward more than fifteen percent of what is considered normal, healthy inward roll of the foot, you should choose a stability or motion control shoe. Both overpronation and underpronation can be potentially harmful especially if you run on concrete or pavement where your foot receives greater impact of at least three times your body weight. On the other hand, neutral pronation has the least tendency of getting foot pain (or injury) during any running activity.
Some of these brands don’t state that their shoes are orthopedic (or they stay away from any orthopedic claim) so including their shoes in the above list are based on actual consumer and expert reviews.
Men’s Best Shoes for Bunions
Here’s a list of the best shoes for bunions (in no particular order):
1. Saucony Guide ISO 2 Running Shoe
2. Saucony Peregrine 8 (a favorite, Triathlete)
3. Mizuno Wave Rider 22 Running Shoe
4. Mizuno Wave Creation 20 Running Shoe
5. Brooks Ghost 11 (editor’s choice, RW)
6. Brooks Glycerin 17 Running Shoe
7. Brooks Launch 6 (best buy, RW)
8. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19 (recommended, RW)
9. Brooks Ravenna 10 Running Shoe
10. Brooks Beast ’18 Running Shoe
The best Saucony shoes for bunions have EVERUN technology which offers an easy run through a more flexible and durable cushioning, SAUC-FIT technology which allows the heel and forefoot to flex and move comfortably with the foot, and FLEXFILM technology which provides exoskeletal support without compromising comfort.
The best Mizuno shoes for bunions have DynaMotionFit technology which adapts to your foot’s gait cycle, SmoothRide engineering which offers the smoothest transition from heel-strike through toe-off, and Mizuno Wave technology which enhances both cushioning and stability.
The best Brooks running shoes for bunions have BioMoGo DNA technology which increases cushioning and support, Omega Flex Grooves which offer more flexibility and natural forefoot movement, and IDEAL Pressure Zones which offer a more comfortable and effortless ride by distributing pressure evenly under your foot.
It has been estimated that more than half of the population of women in America have bunions and nine out of ten people who have bunions are women.
11. Brooks Addiction 13 Running Shoe
12. Hoka One One Clifton 5 (fitness award, SELF)
13. Altra Provision 3.5 Running Shoe
14. Altra Instinct 4.5 Running Shoe
15. Altra One V3 Running Shoe
16. Altra Torin 3.5 Running Shoe
17. ASICS GEL-Nimbus 21 Running Shoe
18. ASICS GEL-Kayano 25 (a favorite, Triathlete)
19. ASICS GT-2000 7 Running Shoe
20. ASICS GEL-Cumulus 20 Running Shoe
The best Altra shoes for bunions have InnerFlex technology which offers flexibility, stability, and propulsion, FootShape toe box which provides enhanced comfort and allows the toes to relax and move freely, and Zero Drop technology which places the heel and forefoot at the same distance from the ground.
The best ASICS shoes for bunions have Rearfoot and forefoot GEL cushioning systems which provide superior shock absorption and protection, Dynamic DuoMax technology which creates a stable and responsive ride, Guidance Trusstic System which enhances gait efficiency, and I.G.S technology which enhances natural gait during foot landing until toe-off.
A separate discovery indicated that women tend to wear tight-fitting shoes, which some medical professionals believe is the cause of bunions.
21. ASICS GEL-Venture 7 Trail Runner
22. adidas UltraBOOST (best in test, Men’s Running)
23. Nike Air Pegasus 35 (best for cruising, OUTSIDE)
24. Nike Lunarglide 9 Running Shoe
25. New Balance FF Vongo v3 Running Shoe
26. New Balance M1540v2 Running Shoe
27. New Balance 990v5 Running Shoe
28. New Balance 840v3 Running Shoe
29. New Balance 1080v9 Running Shoe
30. New Balance FF Gobi v3 (best road to trail, COACH)
The best New Balance shoes for bunions have Rollbar technology which reduces rear foot movement and prevents foot from rolling inward unnecessarily, Ortholite technology in insoles which delivers superior performance, comfort, and arch support, and Dual-density ENCAP midsole which provides long-lasting comfort.
Men’s Best Insoles for Bunions
Here’s a list of the best insoles for bunions (in no particular order):
1. Powerstep Original Insole
2. Powerstep Pinnacle Insole
3. Spenco Medics Diabetic Insole
4. Superfeet Premium Green
5. Superfeet Premium Blue
6. Superfeet Premium Black
7. Superfeet Copper
8. Superfeet Premium Orange
9. Superfeet Premium Yellow
10. Superfeet Merino Grey
The best Powerstep insoles for bunions have contoured heel cup which provides stability and effective relief for heel and arch pain.
The best Superfeet insoles for bunions have maximum support, stability and shock absorption, as well as, extra deep cup which cradles your heel and provides comfortable support by aligning the bones of your foot to prevent heel pain and plantar fasciitis.
Men’s Best Sandals for Bunions
These sandals make a great post-run or post-workout footwear because they give your feet a chance to breathe. Here are 10 best sandals that can relieve pain caused by bunions (you can also use them for hiking or for any walking activity):
1. Birkenstock Arizona (most classic, OUTSIDE)
2. Birkenstock Rio Sandal
3. Birkenstock Boston Clog
4. KEEN Newport H2 (top pick, OutdoorGearLab)
5. KEEN Uneek (best yoga gear, OUTSIDE)
6. VIONIC Wave Sandal
7. Teva Omnium Sandal
8. Teva Hurricane XLT2 (best buy, OutdoorGearLab)
9. Teva Toachi 2 Sandal
10. ECCO Yucatan (comfy, OutdoorGearLab)
If you have neutral pronation or normal, healthy amount of pronation, you should choose a neutral cushioned shoe. Those who have high arch and those who tend to supinate (also called underpronation), meaning your foot rolls outward on an impact, must also choose a neutral shoe.
If you overpronate or have fallen arch, meaning your foot rolls inward more than fifteen percent of what is considered normal, healthy inward roll of the foot, you should choose a stability or motion control shoe. Both overpronation and underpronation can be potentially harmful especially if you run on concrete or pavement where your foot receives greater impact of at least three times your body weight. On the other hand, neutral pronation has the least tendency of getting foot pain (or injury) during any running activity.
Some of these brands don’t state that their shoes are orthopedic (or they stay away from any orthopedic claim) so including their shoes in the above list are based on actual consumer and expert reviews.
