recommended by experts
By Leah Muncy
Photo: Courtesy Retailers
When celebrity reflexologist and foot reader Jane Sheehan “reads” a foot with a bunion — that is, interprets its features in order to make a prediction about a person’s character — she takes it as a sign: “Bunions mean you are doing far too much for others and not enough for yourself,” she says, adding that the degree of deformation reveals “the degree that you are out of balance in this area of your life.”
Whether or not your life is out of balance, bunions are a pain. They’re caused by genetic predispositions, foot deformities, and injuries, and occur when the big toe joint moves out of alignment, creating that characteristic bump. “The first metatarsal deviates outward and the big toe deviates inward, and you have this joint malpositioning — it’s a positioning issue,” says Ami Sheth, a podiatrist and member of the American Podiatric Medical Association. This can result in inflammation and discomfort while walking due to the change in the shape of the foot.
Despite popular misconception, bunions are not caused by high heels or improper footwear, but they certainly can worsen a preexisting bunion or make those genetically predisposed more susceptible. “Think of it like a framework in a car: the axle might be shifted a little bit,” says podiatrist and fellow APMA member Grace Torres-Hodges. “Patients can have a front-end car-alignment problem, and it still functions to get you from point A to point B, but depending on how you take care of it, you’ll have to get it fixed.”
Each podiatrist agreed that proper footwear is key for managing pain and keeping joint alignment in check, especially for those who want to slow the progress of bunion formation. “[Treatment] has to do with the shoe,” says APMA podiatrist Priya Parthasarathy. “Obviously, fashion is really important as well, but with fashion unfortunately comes a narrower toe box, and that can directly cause pain in the bunion.”
All three podiatrists, as well as Sheehan, look for the same seven components in a bunion-friendly shoe: wide toe box, low heel, arch support, flexible uppers, cushioned inners, sturdy soles, and, if you have narrow feet, a narrow heel. “You want to keep the full range of motion of that joint — the biggest thing is, you don’t want to overwork it,” says Torres-Hodges. And be prepared to try on multiple styles, warns Parthasarathy. “Even if you feel a little discomfort in the bunion area when trying on the shoe,” she says, “that means the shoe is not right for your foot type.” Read on for a list of actually stylish, non-orthopedic-looking footwear that won’t restrict, rub, or irritate your bunion — and that’ll feel good right out of the box.
Open-toed
All three podiatrists recommend Birkenstocks for their sturdy footbed, arch support, and soft leather upper. “Birkenstocks are wonderful. My favorite style for bunions is the Gizeh,” says Parthasarathy, who has them in three different colors. She likes the thong style, “because the two straps may irritate the bunion if you strap it too tight.” She also notes that the soft, flexible suede option, as opposed to leather, is less likely to cause irritation.
$125
For a shoe that’s a little more secure, the ankle strap on this thong-style sandal from APMA-approved footwear brand Dansko anchors your foot, so you’re not overworking to keep things in place. The soft suede uppers stretch with your foot, and one bunion-suffering reviewer says that her toe was “free of any pressure at all,” and that “all the while [her] feet look downright awesome.”
$130
Torres-Hodges recommends a style with a low heel that “keeps your foot stabilized in both the front and the back, behind the heel, too,” and often finds luck with Cole Haan shoes. This sandal, with a one-inch platform height and elasticized ankle strap to keep your foot secure, checks both of these boxes. Plus, the flexible leather straps are, according to Cole Haan, constructed to “embrace the contours of your body for the most exact fit possible” — including, even, the contour of a bunion.
$120
Parthasarathy highly recommends shoes from APMA-certified brand Vionic for their “really supportive footbed.” These soft leather sandals will easily mold to the shape of your bunion, and the podiatrist-designed footbed keeps your feet stable and your weight balanced, taking the pressure off of your big toe. For those who are afraid of commitment (or online shoe shopping in general), Vionic also has a 30-day wear test, meaning you can take their shoes for a month-long spin before taking the plunge.
$180
Though heels are not recommended for daily wear, the podiatrists we spoke to agree that there’s no real harm in wearing them for special occasions — as long as they’re comfortable. Both Sheth and Grace Torres-Hodges recommend a short wedge heel, like these two-inch Cole Haan wedges, which are also available in a wide width to accommodate a protruding bunion in the toe box.
For something a little more elevated (literally) than the Gizeh, these Birkenstock platform wedges have a contoured footbed to ensure proper weight distribution, and deep heel cup to help with foot alignment. The breathable, flexible uppers will contour to your bunion, and while the width is marked as narrow, they run quite wide, reviewers assure.
Closed-toed
$130
When trying on shoes, Sheth tells her patients that they should be able to “move [their toes] up and down and from side to side.” These Vionic soft suede slip-ons, recommended by Parthasarathy and available in both regular and wide width, will surely provide you with enough toe-wiggling room. The flexible uppers will stretch with wear as well, forming to your bunion rather than restricting it as you walk.
If you’re looking for a heel, Parthasarathy opts for these super-supportive round-toe block heels, which, like their suede slip-on cousins, are available in two different widths. The padded sole also takes some of the pressure off of the bunion while walking, and the closed back keeps your foot in place.
$193
Sheehan recommends the U.K.-based shoe company Calla to her clients with bunions for their “cushioned sole, arch support, and wider box at the toe.” Calla shoes are actually made specifically for those with bunions, designed with a wider toe box and narrower heel to accommodate the extra width, and to disguise bunion appearance. While the narrow toe on this leather Chelsea boot looks like it would be restrictive, it has a specially designed extra-wide toe box that will curve around the bunion, rather than rub and irritate it.
$160
With suede uppers, a wide width option, a low heel, and a round toe, it’s clear that podiatrist-founded Vionic designed this bootie with those with bunions in mind. The low heel helps with foot alignment, and the cushioned footbed takes the pressure off of your big toe, meaning your joint won’t get strained or overly compressed through the day. This tried-and-true style also made the list of our best orthopedic shoes, so they’re good for all types of foot concerns, from bunions to plantar fasciitis.
These flexible-soled leather oxfords are a favorite of Parthasarathy. The inners are made from antimicrobial memory foam that “shapes to your foot,” while the leather uppers are designed to breathe and stretch, which will help keep bunion irritation at bay.
“I’m loving Hoka — they’re lightweight and have a wide toe box,” says Parthasarathy, who opts for the Bondi 6 style. They’re ideal for both running and walking, and the two different widths, cushioned outsole, and soft uppers will accommodate any size bunion. Multiple reviewers describe them as “walking on a cloud.”
Parthasarathy also likes Altra running shoes for their “wide toe box but narrow heel,” particularly for those whose heels tend to slip out of wider shoes. The Provision 4 has a padded sole, a contoured footbed, and knitted, breathable uppers, which will keep your foot cushioned and stable while you walk and run. As for the toe box, this style is no exception — one reviewer found it “terrific” for bunions.
Sensible-footwear company Merrell gets a thumbs-up from Torres-Hodges for its superb arch support and roomy toe-box offerings. This faux-fur lined clog has a thick rubber sole and molded footbed for extra cushioning, which helps lessen any pressure on your toes while walking. Designer Sandy Liang can also attest to their comfort, and found them “strangely flattering on [her] wide, flat feet.” According to Liang, the clogs don’t slip off her heels, meaning that you won’t have to overwork your foot — or your bunion — to keep them secure.
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