18 Best Shoes for Bunions, Recommended by Experts and Reviewers

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If you're dealing with bunions, you know that the right footwear is essential. Bunions can be painful, particularly if your shoes are rubbing up against them with every step you take. Thankfully, there are plenty of bunion-friendly shoes available from reputable brands such as Brooks, Allbirds, and Adidas, and retailers like Amazon and DSW. We tapped experts and read tons of product reviews from customers with bunions to find the best shoes for bunions for every outfit and occasion. Whether you're searching for the best walking shoes for bunions, the best running shoes for women with bunions, or comfortable and stylish sandals, they're all right here.

"In general, feet come in many different varieties just like foot bunions come in many different varieties as well," Dr. Yolanda Ragland tells Woman's Day. Ragland is a podiatrist, forefoot reconstructive surgeon, and founder of Fix Your Feet. Ragland shared information with us about different types of bunions as well as the shoes she personally recommends for women with bunions.

And just to make one thing clear: Having bunions doesn't mean you have to forego fashionable footwear! We've found the best women's work shoes for bunions, fashion-forward sneakers, and even chic, comfortable heels you can wear.

Here are the best women's shoes for bunions to shop now, according to expert recommendations and enthusiastic reviewers.

Womens NMD_R1 Sneaker

"For sneakers, I prefer Adidas NMDs because they have a wide and high toe box, a raised heel, and they are woven and flexible," says Dr. Ragland. These shoes also come in a wide range of sizes and colors.

Sizing: 4.5 to 15 | Widths: Standard | Colors: 71

Women's Go Walk Joy Walking Shoe Sneaker

This best-selling shoe has more than 58,000 5-star ratings on Amazon and plenty of enthusiastic reviews. One customer shared, "I have a severe bunion on one foot and a Morton's neuroma on the other. Finding shoes that are comfortable and that don't cost an arm and a leg is *extremely* difficult. Well, I'm here to tell you, I've found my unicorn in these shoes. They are absolutely PERFECT!"

Sizing: 5 to 13 | Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide | Colors: 29

Coral Women’s Sneakers

These sleek athletic sneakers provide plenty of arch support and heel cushioning. The orthopedic shoes are designed with a wide toe box and flexible mesh upper area, meaning they're comfortable for people with bunions.

Sizing: 5 to 12 | Widths: Standard, Wide, Extra-Wide, XX-Wide | Colors: 8

Women's Tree Breezers

In search of supportive footwear that's still fashionable? Look no further than these chic flats from Allbirds. They come in a variety of colors and according to reviewers, the flexible mesh material makes these shoes ideal for bunions.

One reviewer writes, "These shoes are amazingly comfortable for people with bunion issues. Fashionable and comfortable at a great price. So nice they don’t look like old lady orthopedic shoes."

Sizing: 5 to 11 | Widths: Standard | Colors: 19

Women's Adrenaline GTS 22 Supportive Running Shoe

Running with a bunion can be painful, but the right shoes can make things much easier. These ones get high praise from reviewers with bunions, many of whom appreciate the wide toe box and arch support that's built into these shoes.

Sizing: 5 to 13 | Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide, Extra-Wide | Colors: 19

Women's 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer

"New Balance is always a great selection because you can find them in alternative widths, which means you can get them wider to accommodate a larger bunion," says Dr. Ragland. These ones have more than 21,000 5-star ratings on Amazon and plenty of positive reviews from people with bunions.

Sizing: 5 to 12 | Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide | Colors: 3

Melody Pro Square-Toe Chunky Heels

In general, high heels aren't great for bunions, but there are options less likely to cause irritation. If you need a pair that can be dressed up or down, consider this fashionably bunion-friendly option. "I love the flexibility of the fabric, which provides plenty of give for my bunions," shares one customer.

Sizing: 5 to 11 | Widths: Standard | Colors: 15

Women's Terran Post II Sandal

These supportive outdoor sandals are ready to take on anything, from a walk around the city with friends to a weekend at the campsite. Plenty of reviewers with bunions rave about how comfortable these are, and a few noted that these shoes even manage to cover their bunions up without pain.

Sizing: 7 to 15 | Widths: Standard, Wide | Colors: 3

Island Life Sandal

It's easy to dress these fashionable (and bunion-friendly) shoes up or down. One reviewer shared a helpful bit of information about the straps, writing, "I have a bunion on my left foot and the strap doesn't cut into it since the strap fabric is somewhat flexible."

Sizing: 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium/Standard | Colors: 3

No. 11 Sport Trainer

Dealing with bunions alone can be painful enough, but if you also have other foot ailments, you need a shoe that accommodates those issues as well. This ultra-supportive one from Anodyne just might do the trick, according to one glowing review which reads, "I have bunions, high arches, and feet that ache all the time no matter what I try. These are the first pair of shoes in years that I can wear for hours with little to no discomfort."

Sizing: 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium, Wide, Extra-Wide | Colors: 3

Women's Tree Runners

These machine-washable sneakers are lightweight and breathable, making them great for everyday wear and walking, especially in warmer weather. They're also good for people with bunions, according to a number of customers. Note that they only come in whole sizes — it's recommended to size up if you're between sizes, especially if you have bunions.

One satisfied reviewer writes, "I cannot believe that my feet can feel this good in a shoe that isn’t a wide. My bunions have really made finding footwear I like a challenge. You’re told to wear wide shoes, but most wide shoes aren’t cute and feel clunky. The material they use for these shoes is amazingly stretchy and never puts too much pressure on the bunion joint causing pain. I can’t wait to buy more of these shoes!"

Sizing: 5 to 11 | Widths: Standard | Colors: 15

Chelsea Black Women's Dress Shoe

These women's dress shoes come in black leather and feature premium orthotic insoles, a wide toe box, heel cushion, and arch support to help relieve foot pain. The shoe comes in four widths and sizes 5 to 12, including half sizes, so you can find your perfect fit.

One reviewer says, "Have been searching 2 years for hard-to-fit wide feet with bunions. This shoe works! Well-made, ortho inserts included. Like this shoe so much I got another pair right away."

Sizing: 5 to 12 | Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide, Extra Wide | Colors: 1

Women's Felicia Stretch Wedge Flat

These simple, elevated flats are comfortable without sacrificing on style. Plus, the stretchy material makes them accommodating of bunions. We suspect these will be your new go-to shoes for the office, travel, and everywhere else.

Sizing: 4 to 11.5 | Widths: Standard | Colors: 2

Women's Mayari Sandals

You might think that sandals made with 100% leather would be difficult to wear with bunions, but that's not the case, according to reviewers. One customer shares, "This is the most comfortable shoe I own. I have regularly inflamed bunions on both feet, and these shoes take away all the pain."

Sizing: 4 to 11.5 | Widths: Narrow, Standard, Wide | Colors: 8

Women's Puremotion Adapt Running Shoe

This simple shoe is made with sustainable materials and is easy to slip on, making it ideal for people with mobility impairments — or really, anyone who wants to head out the door quickly. The stretchy material means that wearing these over bunions is a pain-free experience.

Sizing: 5 to 12 | Widths: Standard | Colors: 42

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Emma Women's Boots

These leather booties, which come in black and brown, feature a short heel with interior cushioning for comfort without sacrificing style. Customers rave that these are great for line dancing, ballroom dancing, walking, and being on your feet all day.

One happy customer writes, "I love these boots!! They are so comfortable, even for my old battered feet. I have bunions and plantar fasciitis, and I still was able to wear them for several hours. The first heels I have been able to walk in for many years! They look pretty too!"

Sizing: 6 to 11 | Widths: Standard, Wide | Colors: 2

Tide II Women's Leather Orthotic Sandals

These orthotic sandals from Vionic feature the brand's signature podiatrist-designed footbed, which helps relieve pain from bunions as well as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, high arches, heel spurs, and lower back issues. Many customers rave about the great arch support as well as the quality of these sandals.

One reviewer and self-proclaimed "avid Vionic fan" says, "My feet are bad (bunions, hammertoes, and wide). I normally wear a 8 1/2 and 8 was perfect. They were perfect since the moment I put them on. My arch is high and it hits it just right. You cannot go wrong with these."

Sizing: 5 to 12 | Widths: Standard | Colors: 26

Solar 65

If you're ready to invest in a pair of luxe shoes that will last a long time and feel comfortable every time you wear them, consider a pair from designer Tamara Mellon. "She has hit the nail on the head when it comes to shoe fashion and comfort," says Dr. Ragland. "She has styles that range from cute, not-too-flat sandals, to gorgeous evening and stilettos shoes that are pillow topped — plush enough for you to enjoy your entire evening in style."

Sizing: 5 to 12 | Widths: Standard | Colors: 1

What to look for when shopping for shoes for bunions

✔️ Comfort: This might seem like a no-brainer, but many of us have been convinced ourselves to buy a cute but uncomfortable pair of shoes and hoped they'd be wearable once they were broken in. As Dr. Ragland says, "It has to be comfortable! If it’s not comfortable in the store, it’s not going to be comfortable when you wear it all day long."

✔️ Type of bunion: Not all bunions are created equal. Dr. Ragland notes that they can be mild, moderate, and severe. She also explains that there are different types of bunions. "Frequently, they can involve a very painful medial prominence, which is the bump at the bottom of the big toe associated with bunions. Some people don’t have a bump at all, but the big toe leans towards the second toe like a bully." She notes that some people have "dorsal bunions" where the bump is on the top of the foot rather than the side, while others might have "hallux limitus," which is a bunion that limits the range of motion in your big toe. "The type of bunion you have will dictate the type of shoe your foot will feel comfortable sporting," Dr. Ragland explains.

✔️ Arch support: Dr. Ragland notes that choosing a shoe with arch support is important, since bunions are often associated with flat feet.

✔️ Soft materials: "Find a shoe that is soft and flexible," says Dr. Ragland. "Rigid, natural, or synthetic materials can cause friction leading to secondary issues like blisters, inflammation, and even subluxation of the big toe joint."

FAQ

• What type of shoe is better for a person with bunions?
  As noted above, it depends on the type of bunion you're dealing with. If you have a "traditional" bunion with a protrusion on the side of your foot, you'll want "a shoe with a wide toe box, allowing room for the foot to fit around the bunion more comfortably," Dr. Ragland says. If you have a dorsal bunion (that's a bump on the top of your foot) you'll want a shoe with a high toe box. She also notes that thong-type shoes can be beneficial for bunion sufferers because "it helps to separate the migrating big toe from drifting towards the lesser digits."
  

• Do they make special shoes for bunions?
  Several of the shoes we've highlighted here are actually designed for people with bunions. However, if none of the consumer-ready options meet your needs, you may want to ask your podiatrist about a prescription for custom-made orthopedic shoes.

• Are there certain types of shoes people with bunions should avoid?
  "Avoiding completely flat shoes is always recommended," says Dr. Ragland. "Very narrow and pointy shoes are also a no-no for those who feel victimized by bunions."

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