We Tested Dozens of Shoes for Bunions — These Actually Gave Our Feet Sweet, Sweet Relief (2024)

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Most bunion warriors feel every single rub and chafe when they're breaking in new shoes, so finding options that offer relief without requiring a break-in period can feel like striking gold. Well, consider the Hoka Ora Recovery Shoe your jackpot. Wearing these shoes felt like walking on air immediately, thanks to a supportive foam footbed and secure yet wide toe box that gave our bunions plenty of wiggle room.

The material of these shoes is very flexible and lightweight. So much so that you kind of forget you're even wearing shoes. We put our pair through long walks and long days and never once felt an ounce of friction or discomfort. Though other people may want more adjustment options, we found the fit to be spot-on. Overall, we’re highly recommending this as the best shoe for bunions; the only thing missing is more color options.

Sizes: 5-11 in Women’s | Width: Medium | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5mm

When every shoe infuriates your bunions, long walks on the beach feel like a pipe dream. But the high-quality leather and thoughtful design of Keen's Women's WK400 Leather Walking Shoe keeps soreness at bay while you go the extra mile (or twelve). We loved the soft yet sturdy padding on the bottom of our feet, which didn't rub against our bunions like other shoes do — even after an hour or so of wear.

But with such great cushioning comes a bit of an adjustment period for the arch support and curved sole design. Keen's KEEN.CURVE™ technology propels you forward and supports your foot in a way that's unlike most shoes on the market, which can feel slightly strange at first. However, once we got used to it, the comfort and relief from bunion pain were well worth it.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women's | Width: Medium

Narrow, ultra-tight shoes are common bunion aggravators, which is why most people with this condition opt for wider fits and roomier toe bases. But sometimes, that spaciousness can come at the cost of stability, leading to potential slipping and imbalance while walking. The KURU Quantum is designed with a firm foam sole that provides ample support and structure for your foot without squishing any toes or causing rubbing on bunions.

Overall, we found the secure fit to be comfortable. Even on long days with a lot of walking, our feet didn't feel fatigued or strained in these shoes for bunions. That said, the tightness did irritate the outside of our feet where tailor's bunions can form. So those with both types of bunions should consider going for the wide width for the best (and most pain-free) fit.

Sizes: 5-12 in Womens and 6.5-14 in Men's | Width: Medium, wide | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

If you're looking for a stylish cold-weather shoe that won't aggravate your cranky bunions, the Toms Fenix Platform Chelsea boot is a solid pick. Even though they're not specifically designed for bunion relief, the roomy toe box and slip-on style are just what the podiatrist ordered. Only, they don't look like anything close to what you'd get at a medical supply store. A suede material and chunky sole make these slip-ons both supportive and cute — a rare combination in the world of bunion-friendly shoes.

Like the Hoka Oras, we loved that these came out of the box comfortably, with no real break-in period needed. We experienced no hot spots or blisters around our bunions during our testing. The only downsides we could see are that the suede material might not hold up as well if you need to tromp through rain or snow, and they're what we'd call bunion-friendly, not bunion-specific. So, if your bunions are very prominent or painful, you might want a shoe for bunions that's designed specifically for those challenges.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women's | Width: Medium

The Dr. Scholl's Nova Slip-On Sneaker may look like a basic shoe, but it packs quite the punch when it comes to bunion relief — starting with the fact that you don't have to fight your foot into it. These shoes are designed with the smallest strip of stretchy fabric at the front and back of the shoe that offers just enough give to make sliding them on and off a breeze. But we doubt you'll want to take them off anytime soon.

Most slip-ons get a bad rap for being unsupportive and flimsy, but these shoes for bunions are anything but. The Nova has multiple layers of cushioning, a slightly thicker sole with good traction, and more support than you'd expect from a slip-on. We did initially wear these shoes without socks and developed a slight corn on one foot, so we'd recommend breaking them in with socks first. But other than that minor hiccup, pain, heel blisters, and all the other horrors that can come from new shoes were nowhere to be found.

Sizes: 6-11 in Women's | Width: Medium

When you have bunions, you expect to white-knuckle it in some crazy uncomfortable heels through pretty much all formal events. So from the moment you slip on the Sole Bliss Cadence shoes, you'll realize why it made our list. Designed with all the features you've come to love in your favorite bunion-friendly shoes — a wide toe box, a pronation pillow, memory foam cushioning, and a padded interior to prevent bunion chafing — these stunning heels defy the norm.

The 2.5-inch heel is the perfect height for events, like weddings or work dinners, that require just a little more polish than flats offer. You won't want to walk any 5Ks in these, but they're surprisingly stable for heels thanks to the shock-resistant rubber sole. While we wish these shoes for bunions were more reasonably priced for semi-regular wear, they may be worth the cost if you like rocking heels daily.

Sizes: 5-11 in Women's | Width: Medium

Anyone who's broken into a sweat trying to shove their feet into a pair of too-tight boots will appreciate the godsend of a side-zipper. The ECCO Women's Soft 7 Low Boot makes getting dressed for winter weather even easier — and better on your bunions — with a roomy fit and a loose ankle opening. We found all of that extra space to be a relief for crowded toes without making us feel too unstable while walking. You won't get that ultra-plush, cushy feeling that some of our other picks offer, but the support was more than enough to keep our feet and joints pain-free.

The Soft 7 Low Boot is as trend-forward as it is comfortable, with a soft leather material that just screams chic. They held up well for the duration of our testing, and we felt the quality was spot-on. And it should be for the price. While some shoes are worth the investment, you might be hesitant to drop this much cash on a style that isn't as versatile as other picks. But if you live in an area with long winters or have some extra cash to spend on expanding your bunion-friendly shoe collection, these fashionable boots won't disappoint.

Sizes: 4-11 in Women's | Width: Medium

Similar to stilettos, mules are usually a no-go for anyone dealing with bunion pain. But the Vionic Arlette Mule manages to create a cozy close-toe cave that cradles bunion-laden feet without irritating them. And thanks to their built-in orthotic footbed that promotes proper alignment and relieves arch and heel pain, these mules are top-performing in the comfort category.

While we loved the slight arch support and lack of bunion aggravation, it didn't come without a little trial and error. These mules definitely gave us some arch pain for the first couple of days, but that dissipated once they broke in. Vionic recommends giving these shoes up to two weeks to become your go-to faves. If you’re worried that the arch won’t break in how you need it to, shoe insoles could always help you get the fit just right.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women's | Width: Medium

It's not just your big toe that's susceptible to bunions; you can also develop tailor's bunions, which occur on the outside of your foot at the base of your pinky toe. This is where the ECCO Women's 7 Soft Slip-On comes in. While it's not designed for tailor's bunions per se, we found that the soft, stretchy leather material gave just the right amount of support to this particular bunion area without causing any irritation. But it'll take a couple of wears to get there.

Initially, we experienced some heel rubbing and general tightness, but after a few days, the leather molded to our foot shape, and they felt like a dream. Plus, the arch support is decent yet subtle enough that we didn't notice any balance issues. If you can get past the initial break-in period (and don't need an overly roomy toe box), these slip-on shoes for bunions are a chic and comfortable option for both types of bunions.

Sizes: 4-12.5 in Women's | Width: Regular

When it comes to bunions, having enough room for your toes is crucial. But sometimes, even shoes that claim to have a wide toe box can still be too snug. That's where the KURU ATOM steps in with its extra-roomy design and flexible mesh material that's great for the heel. Not only does this allow for comfortable movement (and plenty of toe-splaying), but it also prevents bunions from rubbing against the sides of the shoe.

The downside, however, is that there's perhaps too much room for feet to slide around. We found the shoe to be too loose for long walks, running, or all-day wear. While the extra support and cushion definitely keep feet in proper alignment, there's not much in the way of lace tightening to keep things secure. So, if you're planning on being mostly stationary, these are a great option to keep bunions from feeling any pressure. But for more active days, grab a pair that's firmer, like the KURU Quantum.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women's and 6.5-14 in Men's | Width: Medium, wide | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

When bunions are causing you grief, sometimes a less-is-more approach is best. That's where KURU's Stride Move comes in, with its minimalistic (and laceless) design that doesn't skimp on protection or support. We'd categorize the arch support as subtle yet comfortable, and like all features of this shoe, you'll forget it's there. While it's definitely an upgrade from those hefty shoes you feel every twitch in, the lighter feel and lack of grip made us walk with caution initially. But once we got used to the level of traction, these shoes for bunions were an easy favorite for casual wear.

Those with minimal bunions should find the Stride Move spacious enough to prevent rubbing in the toe box. However, those with larger bunions may still experience some discomfort due to the tighter fit. Also, keep in mind that there's not as much cushioning as other options. If you’re worried about this fit, the Hoka Ora Recovery Shoe may be a better option since this pair provides a lot of cushion and a variety of reviewers find the fit to be just right. The thinner design won't necessarily affect your bunions, but some people just prefer a plushier, more cushioned shoe.

Sizes: 6-11 in Women's | Width: Medium | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 7mm

Loafers don't typically have the makings of a bunion-friendly shoe. But Vionic attempts to change that with their Cheryl II Loafer. Designed with a wider toe box than you'd find in your average loafer, these shoes are a great option for those with mild bunions who like extra arch support. We found the fit to be too tight for pronounced bunions, though that tightness did keep our feet from sliding around inside the shoe. Because there aren't a ton of stylish options outside of the sneaker and slipper realm when it comes to bunion-friendly shoes, we found ourselves willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort for a more polished look.

But like most fashionable shoes, wearing them for long periods will result in some discomfort. Outside of the tight toe box, we found the stiff heel to be our major source of irritation. However, wearing socks and breaking in the shoes should help alleviate some of that. Overall, these are a good choice for those with mild bunions who still want to look stylish and put together.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women's | Width: Medium, wide

Frequently Asked Questions

• What causes bunions?

  According to Dr. Egbogah, bunions are caused by genetics, overpronation, or wearing shoes that are too narrow and force your foot into alignment. High heels can also be a culprit as they put more pressure on the base of your toes, which can contribute to misalignment.

• Can I stretch my shoes if I have bunions?

  Dr. Pinker says absolutely. Cobblers and shoemakers can stretch your current shoes to fit bunions.

• Do bunion correctors work?

  Yes, but only temporarily. Dr. Egbogah says they can provide momentary relief from bunions while you wear them by correcting the alignment of the big toe. However, when you take them off, your bunion will go back to its original position.