Having bunions can sometimes be very painful especially if you don’t know how to address this. However, having a complete understanding of what shoes are good for bunions, and what really a bunion is, what are the benefits of choosing the right shoes will help you in looking for the best ways to be more comfortable and alleviate the pain.
This powerful guide will provide you with everything you need to know about bunions and 9 key factors to look for when choosing the best shoes for bunions and wide feet.
23 Best Shoes for Bunions in 2024
What Are Bunions?
A bunion is a bony prominence or enlargement at the base of the big toes from the realignment of the joint. This enlargement, in some cases, represents an additional bone formation in the area. Most commonly, it affects the inner part of the foot at the base of the big toe. A much less common bunion that can also happen and affect the outside part of the foot at the base of the little toe is referred to as a tailor’s bunion or bunionette.
The enlarged joint can become inflamed with tenderness, redness, and even pain. Also, the small fluid-filled sac or bursa that is adjacent to the joint can become inflamed. This will cause more redness and additional swelling and pain.
Bunions most commonly affect women, and the symptoms reportedly occur about 10 times more frequently for women. This deformity and misalignment are progressive and will increase through time although the symptoms may or may not.
How to Choose Comfortable Shoes for Bunion Sufferers?
The use of an inappropriate footwear can likely increase the risk of developing bunions. This can also increase pain, irritability, and discomfort in the area if you already have one. So, choosing the best shoes for feet with bunions is very important. These include looking for the factors and characteristics on what comprise a bunion friendly shoes.
Wide Toe Box
Using the type of shoes that is narrow at the front can cause misalignment of the big toe,which worsens the bunion and the pain. So, using this type of shoes should be limited as possible. One of the things you have to consider in choosing the shoes for people with bunions is something that has a wider style or has a wide toe box.
Shoes can be purchased in various widths. Extra wide shoes or those with a wide toe box can give enough space to prevent any pressure and discomfort in the area of the big toe or the bunion. This will allow the foot to be much more comfortable in wearing shoes.
In looking for wide fitting shoes for bunions, the big toe should not press against the tip of the shoe when you wear it. It should have enough room at the front part of the shoe to give space to allow the big toe to move freely.
Comfortable
One of the most pressing issues in looking for the best shoes is choosing between looks and comfort. However, the comfortability is one of the essential factors when looking for the best and right shoes for bunion feet.
The comfort in shoes for people with bunion typically means having enough space especially on the upper part of the shoes. Comfortable shoes can give a lot of benefits especially for people who suffer from bunions. This will help prevent irritability on the part where the bunion is and prevent additional pain.
The most common type of shoes that offers much more comfort are the ones that are quite boxy in look and is made up of stretchy material.
Try a Larger Size
Another factor to consider in choosing the most comfortable shoes for bunion sufferers is going at least 1 size larger than the normal shoe size. This can make a lot of difference in providing enough space to fit around the part of the foot with a bunion. The additional space it can give you will help in reducing the pressure on the toe joint especially when walking.
The larger shoe size will prevent your toes squashing in all the time,thus reducing any pressure or even stop causing pain on the toes. This will also provide more space for the movement of your toes.
Cushioning
The cushioning is one factor that should also be considered when looking for the best shoes for people with bunions. Shoes that have thicker than normal cushions can effectively help taking the weight away from the toes or the front foot especially when walking or running. Thick cushioning in shoes is best for the foot with bunion since it has the ability to relieve pressure and pain from the toes or the front foot area where the bunion is.
Arch Support
Having arch supports in shoes is also a helpful guide in searching for the ideal shoes for people with bunions. Arch supports can help to lessen the pain and to make walking a little more comfortable. It provides a specialized support and creates a good foundation for your feet.
Arch supports provide balance on the foot and allow adjustment for a better fit and comfort when wearing the shoes to help alleviate foot pain.
High-Quality Material
Hard type of shoes is not considered the best choice in shoes for bunion sufferers. They can cause damage to your feet, and the bunion can get even worse. The high-quality material used in the shoes also plays a great part in giving comfort especially for feet with bunion, and comfort is essential to prevent it from swelling and being painful.
Shoes that are made using high-quality materials like soft leather are a good choice for protection on the swollen big toe joints. This can be stretched when used and also comfortable for it protects the bunion against mishaps preventing any extra pressure on the joint.
Mesh and Canvas Type Shoes
One of the things to look for in comfortable shoes for bunions is the material it is made of. The type of shoes that are made from materials such as mesh and canvas allows for more give and stretch than other shoes made from other types of materials. This material of the shoes will easily stretch out to accommodate around where your bunion is to make it more comfortable.
Mesh and canvas type of shoes can often be found in loose fitting trainers, running shoes, or sneakers. Although they won’t be as stylish or modern for Friday dinners, it will be comfortable and good shoes for bunions.
Avoid Shoes with Pointed Toes
Although the type of shoes that are designed with pointed toes may look chic and stylish, they are not exactly the type of shoes for hammertoes and bunions. It provides a reduced to the minimum room around the toes that will cause them to be pushed together. This can cause the bunions to get worse and even be more painful.
This type of shoes can increase the risk of developing a bunion in the first place, so shoes with pointed toes should be avoided if you are looking for the best walking shoes for bunions.
Look for Depth
Depth shoe designs are originally for diabetic patients with foot problems. However, through time, this footwear design has been discovered to work just as well for the use for arthritis and bunions support. This type of footwear is designed to accommodate more area of your foot compared to that of the standard shoe. The depth of these shoes can effectively help in relieving the vertical pressure from walking or taking the stairs.
The additional depth of the shoes helps reduce the range of motion that causes added strain on joints. The long-term use of this type of shoes can help decrease the pain caused by bunions. This also works in stabilizing the foot to accommodate the deformity in muscles without causing any additional pain.
Depth-type of shoes creates an enough space for larger insoles for the benefit of added support. The large enough sole area can also give the maximum space and gives the foot its most comfortable position.
The Benefits of Choosing the Right Shoes for Bunions
From the various symptoms and signs of having bunions, using the right shoes can work well in giving your foot comfort. When you have bunions, comfortability in wearing shoes is quite a big deal and somewhat a luxury.
Using the proper shoes for bunion such as having a wider toe box and an ample room to accommodate the swell in your big toe joint will help in avoiding the increase of inflammation or redness of the affected area. The right shoes that include supports, paddings, and inserts can help in giving comfort to the feet and increases the mobility despite the bunion.
Choosing the right shoes for bunions comes down to giving your feet the comfort it needs to alleviate the swell and pain on the affected joint for a better condition and a step closer to the cure of bunion.
Conclusion
Although having bunions can be quite uncomfortable and painful, using the ideal shoes can help in making your feet feel a little better. Knowing what factors can increase the risk of developing bunions, what shoe types to avoid, and what shoe characteristics must be considered can help a lot in preventing it from being worse.
With the best shoes for bunions that can offer your feet comfort especially when walking with its cushions and supports and give your toes enough space for a better toe movement, having bunions can be a little less painful.
Sources:
MayoClinic, Bunions – Symptoms and causes
HealthLine, How to Choose the Best Shoes for Bunion Relief
MedicalNewsToday, Bunions: What you need to know
