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Bunions are uncomfortable bumps that occur on the side of the foot near the big toe. According to Dr. Timothy Oldani, DPM, FACFAS, and Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, bunions cause the big toe’s tip to be pulled toward the other toes while the bone at the base points away from them. They are quite common, affecting about half of adults, and they create discomfort when walking and wearing shoes. Bunions can be inherited genetically or caused by certain foot types. Those with flat, flexible feet that pronate are more susceptible, as well as those with systemic diseases like arthritis. Improper footwear can also speed up the formation of bunions. The best shoes for bunions include various features, such as arch support, flexible materials, and spacious toe boxes, to help eliminate pressure on the afflicted area and promote comfort. To find the best shoes for bunions, we tested 16 pairs of shoes with expert supervision, wearing them twice weekly for eight hours at a time for six weeks and focusing on comfort, fit, support, quality, design, and overall value. We also received additional expert insight to understand what makes a pair of shoes ideal for someone with bunions. We evaluated the shoes based on fit, stability, responsiveness, cushioning, and comfort. Then, our Medical Expert Board podiatrist reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy. Dr. Oldani recommends shoes with flexible and forgiving uppers to avoid putting pressure on the bunion. Dr. Daughtry adds that most bunion-specific shoes feature more arch support to alleviate pronation and foot flattening. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Best For Walking: Keen WK400 Leather Walking Shoe at Keenfootwear.com (See Price) Best For Wide Feet: Best Cushioning: Best Cooling: Best Arch Support: Best Loafer: Exceptional comfort made Hoka’s Ora Recovery Shoe our clear-cut winner for the best overall choice for feet with bunions. A stretchy and flexible material helped keep pressure off the bunion-affected areas, and a memory foam heel and cushioning in the midsole further promoted comfort. They also had no break-in period and felt like walking on air. With a true-to-size fit, they had plenty of toe room, enabling us to spread our toes and wiggle them, but not at the expense of foot security. Our feet never felt confined, our gaits were unaffected, and we experienced no balance issues. The Oras proved to be durable, experiencing minimal wear during testing. Their slip-on design makes them easy and comfortable to keep by the door so they are perfect travel, walking, or errand shoes. For a bunion-friendly shoe that doesn’t break the bank, Dr. Scholl’s Nova Slip-on Sneaker is our pick. Despite the lower price, they had some of the highest marks in testing. The width in the toe area offered us bunion support, and they broke in well. They ran true to size, and we experienced no pain in our toes, heels, or arches. They were well cushioned, had ample support, and prevented us from feeling concrete underneath us when walking. A stretchy fabric strip connecting the front to the back of the shoe helped provide give. As an added bonus, when we wore them without socks, there was no odor because of an antimicrobial anti-odor insole technology. Despite a simple and unassuming canvas style, the Novas look good enough to wear out for casual meetups or errands. Keen's WK400 Leather Walking Shoes offer exceptional comfort during walks. The shoes provided ample padding and support without causing any discomfort or rubbing against bunions. Their support allowed us to stand for lengthy periods, and we found them to be breathable and retain no odor. A leather construction and rubber outsole for traction make these shoes durable, but not at the expense of comfort; they were comfortable the first time we wore them. These walking shoes are also designed with a curved structure from heel to toe that promotes forward propulsion. The Ecco Soft 7 Low Bootie gave our feet a spacious experience. The toe box went above just preventing crowding; it actually encouraged our toes to space out. A wider ankle doesn't make it inaccessible to thinner legs, but it is still comfortable. Additionally, the option includes a removable inlay sole for extra width. A cushy and supportive base promotes natural foot movement and alignment, but not at the expense of accommodating bunions. They also proved to be well made, and a PU/TPU outsole helps to create a durable yet flexible sole. Kuru’s Atom is designed with heel cushioning and a thicker cushioned midsole for comfort throughout the shoe, and Dr. Oldani recommends them for their wide toe box and knit upper. Additionally, they include a heel-cupping design intended to protect the heel pad, which Kuru describes as the body’s natural cushioning system. In addition to the cushioning, we found these to have a lot of room for our bunions, with us experiencing no rubbing irritation at all. A spacious toe box prevents constriction, and the support/cushioning built into these works to keep our feet in alignment and promote stability. Lastly, the Atom is durable and feels like a long-lasting product. Kuru’s Quantum shoes feature a breathable mesh upper and a moisture-wicking lining to help keep you dry and cool when wearing them. In testing, we also found them to provide excellent cushioning and spaciousness for our bunion-affected foot, with a toe box that kept our toes from feeling crowded. These shoes also provided good arch support and they were supportive, promoting stability for us on less than forgiving terrains like cobblestones and stairs. While the foam on the bottom offers good support with a wide base, these didn’t have an overly clunky look, which earns some style points. If you’re looking for arch support in a bunion-friendly shoe, Ecco’s Soft 7 Slip-On is our pick. Although they don't offer strong arch support, our flat-footed tester found it sufficient without causing discomfort. These shoes provide good cushioning and support for the entire foot, including bunions. The Ecco Soft 7 Slip-Ons are a good all-day option. They prevented bunion irritation and didn’t blister our heels, which seems to plague other slip-ons. They had a high-quality feel and a durable base that didn't hinder our movement. TOMS Fenix Platform Suede Boot is a great option for a full-coverage shoe with no break-in period. A spacious toe box was suited toward bunions and longer toes alike, but not at the expense of support; they kept our feet feeling perfectly secure during testing. They are designed to be easy to take on and off, which is good because they are perfectly suited for everyday wear shoes. Beyond the comfort, these are also a pleasant option to look at, and the suede upper combined with vulcanized rubber sidewall and outsoles make it feel durable. As far as heels go, the Sole Bliss Cadence is our most bunion-friendly pick. We experienced no rubbing or discomfort on our bunions, and they are shockingly comfortable for two-inch heels. They fit true to size, and an anti-pronation memory foam pillow kept us stable and supported. The inside of these heels creates a comfortable and cushiony experience, with a spacious toe box and even a small supportive fabric to cushion the bunion. A “bunion bed” relieves pressure from bunions, while a shock-resistant rubber heel and three layers of cushioning memory foam under the foot further elevate the wearer’s experience. The Vionic Cheryll II Loafers offer good support, with a naturally high arch built into them. Importantly, they didn’t affect our natural gait. Inside, the sole proved to be sturdy, and the stiffer nature of this option felt secure for us. The support helped alleviate pressure on our bunions, and they also held up well during testing in terms of durability. We found that these shoes are more suitable for individuals with smaller bunions but are available in both medium and wide widths. We found the Hoka Ora Recovery Shoe to be the best overall option. They featured flexible and stretchy material to keep our bunions from experiencing pressure, had plenty of toe box room, and were durable but had no break-in period. We tested 19 different styles of shoes to identify the best options suitable for people with bunions. Our team of 14 testers spent 2280 hours testing these shoes in The Health lab and at home, with Podiatric Surgeon Dr. Diana Valencia guiding our process. Our aim was to identify the 10 best products overall. We will continue to test the above-listed products and others, so we will continue to update this article with new results. We rated each shoe based on the following criteria: We consulted the following doctors for their expert opinions to ensure we were making the right recommendations for the best shoes for people with bunions. Jack Byram has been writing for Health since 2023, covering everything related to fitness and well-being. As an avid exerciser, Jack constantly seeks to improve his comfort, performance, and recovery. Features to Look for in Shoes for Bunions
Best Overall
Hoka Ora Recovery 2
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Best Budget
Dr. Scholl’s Nova Slip On Sneaker
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Best For Walking
Keen WK400 Leather Walking Shoe
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Best For Wide Feet
ECCO Soft 7 Low Boot
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Best Arch Support
ECCO Soft 7 Slip-On Sneakers
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