Best Shoes for Bunions: How to Find Relief from Pain
OUCH! Bunion pain. You have bunions and you have a job that keeps you on your feet all day. You have spent a fortune on shoes, shipping, and returns just trying to find shoes that will let you do your job yet keep you from screaming at the end of the day because your bunions hurt so bad. Bunion pain is far worse than a headache, sometimes as bad as dental pain, and can even be worse than your pain in the butt brother-in-law. Before you spend another day in pain, earning the pay you need to pay off that big bill for shoes, do some research on the best shoes for bunions.
A Bunion by Any Other Name
Why not call it BUMP-ion? Bunion may rhyme with onion, but it's easier to remember than its medical name: Hallux Valgus.
What Is a Bunion?
For those of you who are lucky enough to not suffer from these toe bumps, a bunion is when the end of the largest bone of the group in the middle of the foot points outward in the direction of your other foot. This bone is called the metatarsal bone, and it lies between the rear section of the foot and the toes. It deforms your foot and causes the big toe to turn inward towards the other toes. The result is severe pain that gets worse as time goes on and depends on many factors. One thing that helps relieve pain are the best shoes for bunions.
What Causes Bunions?
How Can Shoes Make Bunions Better?
1. Wear Comfy Shoes
We know that this is a no-brainer, but in the world of fashion, style and social media, the need to be sensible frequently gets forgotten. Here's another sensible thing to think about: if the shoes you are wearing are causing pain at the point of your bunion, then those are not the shoes you should wear.
2. Why Do the Wrong Shoes Cause Pain?
The pain in your bunion is caused by the pressure that the incorrect shoe puts on the bump. Prolonged pressure on the prominence makes the bunion bigger. No wonder you want to scream at the end of the day.
3. Wide Toe Box
We're not referring to a big box full of mummified toes. We are referring to the way the best shoes for bunions are manufactured. In this world of skinny-obsession, wide is the way to go. The toe box is the part of the shoe that covers the toes. Toe boxes come in a variety of sizes, but if you have bunions you need shoes with a wide enough toe box to prevent pressure over the bony prominence.
4. Stop Getting High on High Heels
Surely, shoe fetishist Imelda Marcos had bunions. Baby boomers and the mothers of baby boomers spent hours, days and years on end with the back end of their feet elevated and all the pressure put on the ball of their feet. The toes were scrunched into narrow, pointy toed toe boxes. Pity.
5. If the Shoe Fits
Wear it. There is more to a shoe than the toe box. If the heel is too tight or the arch too high, you are going to subconsciously be shifting things around in order to get through your day. Chances are you're going to be shifting weight onto those bumps known as your bunions.
6. The End of the Day Enlargement
As the day wears on, your feet wear out. Add to that a busy workday, too much salt ,and not enough water and your feet are going to be larger at the end of the day than they are when you first wake up. The end of the day is the best time to try on the best shoes for bunions.
How We Reviewed
First of all, we also have bunions. About 10 to 25% of people have bunions. Bunions are hereditary and aggravated by the wrong shoes. We reviewed the following products based on features, pros & cons, price, where to buy and warranty.
We went into our closets and looked at our old shoes. We interviewed people just like you who suffer from bunions. We talked to clinicians at a podiatrist's office, then we surfed the Internet, and did some research into the best shoes for bunions.
Overall Price Range
The best shoes for bunions will cost between $20 and $200, depending on size. The lower range shoe may have less material; those in the upper range may have more material. Brand name and style may also be a factor; but don't let price fool you. Good workmanship is valuable. Good quality, no matter the price, is a must.
What We Reviewed
• Propet Women's Travelactiv Mary Jane Fashion Sneaker
• Teva Women's Tirra Sandal
• Vive Post Op Shoe - Lightweight Medical Walking Boot
• Crocs Men's and Women's Classic Clog
• Taos Footwear Women's Class Mary Jane
• KEEN Women's Whisper Sandal
• Orthofeet Proven Pain Relief Plantar Fasciitis
• Saucony Integrity ST 2 's
• Softwalk Women's Jupiter Mary Jane
• Birkenstock Women's Florida Sandal
Features
This shoe is 100% fabric; the perforated fabric allows for stretching to reduce pressure over the bunion. The asymmetrical Mary Jane strap is adjustable, so you can loosen it as your busy day wears on. The warranty allows for a replacement if the shoes are defective and can be returned either to the store where purchased or from the Propet website.
Features
This sandal is light, airy and extraordinarily comfortable. It has a 1 inch heel and a nylon shank that stabilizes the foot on uneven terrain. The warranty applies to shoes that are less than one-year-old from the date of purchase and applies to defective materials and workmanship.
Features
This is actually a lightweight medical walking shoe, and is used post operatively. If your bunions have gotten so bad that you are either pre or post operative, then this is by far one of the best shoes for bunions. It has a wide toe box in a rocking sole to distribute weight. The warranty if you purchase them at Amazon is guaranteed if registered within 30 days of purchase.
Features
Don't let the fact that the shoes are made out of a rubber-like material fool you. These come in EE width, which means a wide toe box. They have ventilation ports and a heel strap that can be worn across the heel or pivoted forward to create a slip-on shoe. The warranty applies to defective material and workmanship for 90 days from the date of purchase.
Features
This classic Mary Jane shoe is made of full leather and has a 1-inch heel. It is stylish, yet the toe box is wide enough to accommodate bunions. Taos shoes have a 6 month warranty from the date of purchase, which applies to defective workmanship and/or materials. Purchasers must fill out a Warranty Submission Form.
Features
Although this sandal might make you feel like an Earth Mother or hippie, it is astonishingly comfortable. This shoe is rugged and waterproof and has the wide toe box that bunion sufferers are searching for. Keen shoes have a one-year guarantee against manufacturing and/or defective material, but the warranty has limitations. Read the warranty before purchase, and be aware that sizes run small. The material is also pretty rigid and might not be appropriate for climbing.
Features
These shoes are designed especially for orthopedic problems. They are leather and have expandable, stretch material. They come with an Ortho-Cushion System that is engineered to facilitate support and reduce pain. The company offers a one-year warranty on material and workmanship; defective products will be replaced free of charge. They are very nicely padded yet don't weight much, but be aware that you might need a separate insert in certain cases. You'll also need to give these shoes time to break in.
Features
This sensible shoe comes in leather with mesh tongue and gusset. The tongue and collar are padded and the soles are rubber. There are 4 colors to choose from. Returns must be made within 60 days from purchase, and 90 days if during the holiday season.
Features
Bunions will cool down with this all leather Mary Jane. The sole is made from polyurethane and the heel measures 1 inch. The strap is adjustable. Unworn shoes can be returned for up to 60 days, and the warranty covers defects for up to one year. These are very comfortable and known for beig eminentel wearable right out of the box. Just be aware that some users find them a bit on the narrow side, and sizes tend to run small.
Features
This shoe is made out of 100% synthetic materials and has a ½ inch heel. The foot bed is suede, and the outsole is cork. Shoes that are defective will be returned, free of charge. If shoes are defective, you will have to get assistance from the store where you bought the shoes, however. Loyal customers swear by these shoes, and they have a nice wide toe box.
The Best Shoes For Bunions
The winner in the best shoes for bunions category is the Saucony Integrity ST 2's. We could only pick one winner, so we decided to take the shoe that can work for everyone. These shoes are leather and durable. They can be worn almost anywhere; even the office.
The all-black is conservative, dressier than a sandal and fit for after-5 wear. The tongue and collar are padded. The tongue and gusset are made of a mesh-like material. Mesh means that it can stretch; padded means comfort, and both qualities mean less pain at the end of the day.
The 2nd prize in the best shoes for bunions category is the Keen Women's Whisper Sandal. They also make sandals for men. The toe-cap is a must for outdoor activities from gardening to kayaking. The polyester webbing upper and the elastic laces expand as the day goes on; needless to say the whole shoe is breathable.
The best shoes for bunions are shoes that have a wide enough toe box for your foot but also fit through the heel, the arch, and the instep as well. Bunions are painful, debilitating and definitely aggravated by shoes that don't fit correctly. Spending the money on shoes that don't fit can be just as painful, debilitating to the wallet and aggravating at the end of a long hard day. Before you spend another day in pain, earning the pay you need to pay off that big bill for shoes, do some research on the best shoes for bunions.
