Thankfully, the best shoes for bunions are designed specifically to provide more space and cushioning, instead of adding more pressure. “Making sure there is enough room is best accomplished by shopping for sneakers at the end of the day when the foot is naturally larger since, over the course of the day, blood flow into the foot increases girth and can cause some swelling,” he advises. Selecting a wider shoe will go a long way in giving your foot the space it needs. “The shoe should [also] have a soft upper that moves with the foot and a flexible sole,” Kornfeld adds. The Gel Nimbus gets plenty of rave reviews for comfort, quality, and breathability, but a few people say they run very narrow. Because of this, we recommend going up a half-size Brooks uses recycled materials in its designed and has plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Most praise comes from runners, with one reviewer writing, “They are great for my wide feet and I love that I can put my orthotics in with no trouble.” Reviewers back this shoe’s design, confirming that they are “soft on the landing.” Many even comment that their previous pain is either gone or has lessened significantly since wearing these shoes. One writes, “I don’t ever expect to be completely pain free but after walking 3 miles yesterday I had a significantly less amount of discomfort in my heel and could walk the next day which usually I cannot do.” Another adds, “My heel pain is GONE!” Over 10,000 five-star ratings tell you just how much people love these shoes. When it comes to bunion relief, reviewers confirm these get the job done. One says, “I have bunions so I was looking for wide shoes and these are perfect and very comfortable!” That said, these shoes do get great feedback from people with bunions. One reviewer writes, “These shoes do no dissappoint. I am a walker, and these give me very good support. I have a bunion and am 63. These shoes are very comfortable and supportive.” Another adds, “The sneaker has a slim look but the toe area is wider than my HOKAs, which I really like as I have a bunion and this shoe is does not irritate the bunion. It is a joy to take a walk.” These shoes get a lot of praise, particularly from people with plantar fasciitis. The overwhelming consensus is that they are comfortable and supportive, and one reviewer with wide feet calls these their “new favorite.” Another confirms that there is “great toe space for bunions.” Just note, the brand recommends going up a half-size (and shoppers tend to agree). Although bunions are certainly a burden, buying the right pair of shoes is actually one of the best ways to help your feet feel their best in the day-to-day. When in doubt, check with your podiatrist!
