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It’s hard enough to find a pair of shoes that fits well, looks good, and feels comfortable, even if you’ve never dealt with any foot health issues. But tracking down the best shoes for bunions can be truly challenging, especially since most shoes aren’t designed with them in mind.
Bunions are bone spurs that grow at the base of the big toe. Whether or not you’ll develop bunions is often genetic; in fact, your genes determine your foot type, foot shape, and how stable your joints are, Alicia Canzanese, DPM, podiatrist and president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, tells SELF. While bunions aren’t created by narrow, tight shoes that smush your toes together, wearing shoes that don’t fit properly can make them worse, Gregory Alvarez, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist at Ankle & Foot Centers of America, tells SELF, so it’s important to choose your footwear wisely.
Using advice from podiatrists and results from dozens of rounds of SELF testing, we found great shoes for bunions from brands like New Balance, Hoka, Brooks, and more. Shop our roomy favorites below.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Altra FWD Experience
- Best for Running: Brooks Ghost 16
- Best for Overpronation: Hoka Gaviota 5
- Best for Plantar Fasciitis: New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5
- Best Lightweight: Xero Shoes HFS II Road-Running Shoes
- Most Stylish: Alegria Averie Boho Shoe
FAQs about shopping for shoes for bunions
What should you look for in shoes for bunions?
The best shoes for bunions have wide, rounded toe boxes, meaning the front of the shoe shouldn’t narrow or taper at the tip. “You want a toe box that doesn’t crowd the toes, allowing them to splay fully within the shoe. This is different from ‘wide’ shoes, which are wide through the whole shoe and often taper at the toes, crowding them,” Susan Eby, PT, MS, owner of Eby Physical Therapy in New York City, tells SELF.
An easy way to tell if a shoe’s toe box will work for you is to take the insole out (if it’s removable) and step on it. “If any part of your forefoot or toes rest off of the insole, then the toe box isn’t the correct shape for your foot,” says Eby.
Shoes with leather or mesh uppers can stretch, which can be helpful if your forefoot is extra-wide, Eby adds. Check to make sure no seams or stitching cross over your bunion—they can cause more irritation. Another shopping tip: “Look for adjustable features like laces, straps, or Velcro for a customized fit,” Dr. Alvarez says.
Our experts are divided on the right level of cushioning for bunion-friendly shoes, but most agree that they shouldn’t be too marshmallow-y. You might feel more comfortable in a pair with added arch support (especially if you have flat feet), or you might find that a totally flat, zero-drop pair is better because they can help strengthen the muscles in your feet, they explain. As long as they’re easy to wear and walk in—that’s the most important factor.
Which shoes should you avoid if you have bunions?
According to all of the experts we spoke with, if you have bunions, you should steer clear of high heels and any shoe with a pointed toe. They don’t have enough room in the toe box and can cause additional pain or discomfort.
Can shoes help correct bunions?
While wearing the right shoes can’t reverse bunions, it can relieve some pain and help with your mobility. “It can also slow or halt the progression of the deformity, preventing complications such as corns, calluses, or hammertoes,” says Dr. Alvarez. “Investing in the right shoes not only improves your comfort, but also supports your overall foot health, allowing for a better quality of life,” he adds.
Shop the best shoes for bunions
It’s time to get into some pairs that’ll help take the pressure off.
Best Overall: Altra FWD Experience
- Wide toe box with room for toes to spread out
- Flexible mesh upper
- Just right amount of cushioning
- Rocker sole
- Low heel drop may not feel comfortable for some
This running and walking shoe was a top pick for Eby, Dr. Canzanese, and SELF’s director of fitness and food. “The entire Altra brand is made with a foot-shaped toe box—the front of these shoes is much wider and more naturally shaped than most shoes,” Dr. Canzanese says, which will make them more comfortable for folks with bunions.
That being said, Altras are also known for having a low heel-to-toe drop (meaning they’re pretty flat from the forefoot to the heel), which some people love and others find hard to tolerate. Both experts like the FWD Experience because it has a slight drop (four millimeters) and midrange cushioning, making it a good shoe for low-drop newbies—something our director also called out in her review. The shoe has a rocker sole too, which Dr. Canzanese appreciates: “A running shoe with more of a front rocker will help propel the foot forward and take some pressure off a painful big toe,” she says.
Product specs
Sizes: US 6 to 11.5 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA foam, rubber, mesh | Weight: 8 oz.
Best for Running: Brooks Ghost 16
- Wide, rounded toe box
- Stretchy upper
- Great cushioning and stability
- Rocker sole
- Multiple width options
- Some Brooks reviewers say they feel clunky and like “too much shoe”
Dr. Alvarez calls the Ghost “a versatile running shoe with a spacious toe box and excellent cushioning,” noting that it’s ideal for people with bunions. With ample arch support and a 12 millimeter drop, this shoe is best for folks who like their heels to be a bit elevated. And with four different width options to choose from, getting that just-right fit is easy.
Product specs
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Narrow, medium, wide, extra wide | Materials: EVA foam, rubber, nylon | Weight: 8.5 oz.
Best for Overpronation: Hoka Gaviota 5
- Supportive and well-cushioned
- Rocker sole
- Rounded toe box
- Mesh upper
- Heavy
- Some Zappos reviewers say they’re too wide
With plush cushioning, soft padding on the tongue and collar, a stabilizing design that helps prevent overpronation (a.k.a. when your ankle rolls in with each step), and a rocker sole that’ll help propel you forward, this is our favorite Hoka for bunions. Dr. Canzanese says that the Gaviota has the roundest toe box in Hoka’s entire lineup—plus, it has a midrange heel drop of six millimeters and won an American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) seal of approval, meaning a panel of podiatrists found that its design helps keep your feet healthy.
Product specs
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Regular, wide | Materials: EVA foam, rubber, mesh | Weight: 9.6 oz.
Best for Plantar Fasciitis: New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5
- Wide toe box
- Plush cushioning
- Good arch support
- Upper accommodates bunions
- Multiple width options
- Heavy
Dr. Canzanese also likes New Balance’s Fresh Foam line for its rounder toe boxes and soft, lightweight mesh uppers, which can stretch away from bunions. The Fresh Foam X More v5 are loved by reviewers for their marshmallowy cushioning and support, which is particularly great for anyone who also has plantar fasciitis.
“These are so comfortable! I’ve had plantar fasciitis surgery on both feet, and now wear custom orthotics. These fit perfectly with my orthotics, the toe box is wide, the foam makes it feel like walking on clouds!” wrote one New Balance customer.
Product specs
Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Standard, wide, extra wide | Materials: EVA foam, rubber, mesh, cotton | Weight: 10 oz.
Best Leather Sneaker: Keen KNX Lace
- Stylish
- Flexible upper
- Rounded toe
- No-tie laces
- Rocker sole
- Heavy
- Minimal cushioning and heel drop, which may be uncomfortable for some
“I’m a big fan of the Keen KNX line,” says Eby. These leather sneakers have a wide, rounded toe box and will easily stretch around bunions. Eby notes that these shoes are good transitional shoes if you’re looking to move from something more padded into flatter, more minimal footwear. But “you may need to add a cushioned insole initially, until you get used to the low cushion of the shoe,” she says.
Product specs
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Leather, rubber | Weight: 10.2 oz.
Best Hiking Boot: Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 WP
- Roomy toe box
- Not as stiff as most hiking boots
- Well-cushioned
- Waterproof
- Some Zappos reviewers say the heel doesn’t offer enough Achilles support
Dr. Canzanese and Eby both called out Topo Athletic for making walking, running, and hiking shoes with wide, round toe boxes. The Trailventures are our top pick because they also feature great cushioning and a flexible, moves-with-you fit. Reviewers say they work really well for bunions in particular: “They fit perfectly, with PLENTY of room for my ridiculous bunion on my right foot,” wrote one Zappos reviewer.
“They felt odd when first putting them on, almost too wide or roomy,” they added. “But I quickly realized how much the roomy feeling is a blessing for me and my feet.” These boots have a 5 millimeter heel drop; an internal rock plate to protect against rogue stones and roots; and a removable, antimicrobial footbed. Steep trails don’t stand a chance.
Product specs
Sizes: US 6 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA foam, rubber, mesh | Weight: 15 oz.
Best Lightweight: Xero Shoes HFS II Road-Running Shoes
- Airy, minimalist feel
- Breathable
- Stretchy and flexible
- Good traction
- Zero heel drop and cushioning won’t be comfortable for everyone
These “barefoot” shoes are so light, you might forget you’re wearing them. Eby says they’re a great option for anyone who’s used to wearing zero-drop, minimally cushioned sneakers. The grippy outsole means they’ll be just as capable on gravel or groomed trails as they are on pavement.
They’re also a great weightlifting shoe, since they’ll keep your feet in a more neutral position as you work out. And the rounded, roomy toe box should feel comfy for folks with bunions.
Product specs
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: Foam, rubber, mesh | Weight: 6.7 oz.
Most Stylish: Alegria Averie Boho Shoe
- Slip-resistent outsole
- Built-in arch support
- Easy to put on and take off
- Heavy
Dr. Canzanese recommends Alegria shoes for anyone looking for a dressier sneaker with rounded toes and some arch support. One reviewer said the Averie Boho shoes are “so squishy-comfy, it feels like I'm bouncing like Tigger!” The side zipper on this cute pair makes them easy to get on and off too.
Product specs
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA foam, cork, rubber, suede, vegan leather | Weight: 12 oz.
Best Loafer: Vionic Cheryl II Loafer
- Rounded toe
- Good arch support and cushioning
- Some Vionic reviewers say they’re too narrow and stiff
If you’re looking for a comfy shoe that you can also dress up, these leather and suede slip-ons from Vionic are a great option. “They have a wide toe box and arch support, making it ideal for work settings while being gentle on bunions,” says Dr. Alvarez.
Vionic is known for making sleek, well-cushioned shoes, and these are no different. They’re easy to bend and have a deep heel cup that cradles your foot for more stability, lots of arch support, and comfy padding throughout. Plus, they have an APMA seal of acceptance.
Product specs
Sizes: US 5 to 13 | Widths: Medium, wide | Materials: EVA foam, leather, suede | Weight: N/A
Best Sandal: Teva Original Universal Sandal
- Lightweight
- Grippy sole
- Customizable fit
- Some Nordstrom reviewers say they run large
Teva’s Original Universal Sandal has an adjustable fit, with Velcro straps around the ankles and over the toes, so folks with bunions can find a super comfortable fit. Eby calls these a good transition shoe (meaning they offer midrange cushioning and a low-ish drop, for folks who are working up to wearing flatter shoes). They dry quickly and have a durable outsole, making them a solid sandal for any outdoor adventures you have planned.
Product specs
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Widths: Medium | Materials: EVA foam, rubber, polyester | Weight: 6 oz.
Related:
- 20 Incredibly Comfortable Shoes for Traveling
- Our Favorite Shoes for Standing All Day, Whatever Your Plans Are
- The Best Walking Shoes, Approved by Podiatrists and Editors
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