By Donald Begg Foot Health Guide 9th March 2023
Table of Contents
One of the most common foot health problems that we encounter in our stores on a daily basis is bunions. Our expert teams see first-hand how our shoes fit and which styles to recommend to customers. Begg Shoes have a variety of brands that stock a collection of bunion-friendly shoes. In this guide we will review the best footwear for bunions currently available, helping to alleviate some of the soreness and slow down progression.
What Shoes To Wear With Bunions
Bunion-friendly shoes have wide fitting options and often can accommodate additional orthotics thanks to removable insoles. Typically, women tend to be more prone to bunions due to wearing high heels, pointed-toe shoes, or shoes that have not been correctly fitted.
For men, bunions are often caused by ill-fitting footwear during childhood, or by work footwear such as safety boots during adulthood. And of course, it could also be hereditary. It is extremely important for parents to get their children’s feet professionally fitted early on to ensure they are wearing the correct size.
Best Shoes for Bunions: Our Recommendations
Take a look at the shoes our experienced team recommends to customers with bunions or even an inflamed joint/start of a bunion.
Best Overall – Legero Tanaro 5 Stitch, £85
- Soft suede upper
- Adjustable lace fastening
- Cupped heel and arch support
- Removable insoles
- Available in 7 colours
One of our most popular styles is the Legero Tanaro. These women’s lacing shoes offer exceptional support and comfort thanks to the anatomically shaped footbed and shock-absorbent sole unit.
Shop all Women’s Lacing Shoes
Best Trainers for Bunions – Remonte Vapoknit, £79.99
- Stretchy textile upper
- Padded lining
- Adjustable laces
- Removable insole
- Lightweight
- Flexible
Remonte brings us these stylish black trainers with a stretchy textile upper. Lightweight and flexible, these trainers are comfortable and easy to wear.
Shop all Women’s Trainers
Best Wedding Shoes for Bunions – Gabor Gigi Dallas, £95
- Smooth leather upper
- Attractive silhouette and design
- The scalloped edging is flexible
- No detail around the bunion area
- Available in black or navy
Perfect for special occasions and weddings, these women’s Gabor heels are comfortable and neutral. The Gabor G fit is a roomier fit, whilst the leather upper and lining ensure superior comfort when on your feet for long periods.
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Best Slip-On Shoes for Bunions – Legero Tanaro 5 Slip, £99
- Flexible Leather Upper
- Padded lining
- Removable insole
- Easy slip-on fit
Easy to wear and versatile, these Legero slip-on shoes are comfortable and shock absorbent. Based on the popular Tanaro design, these women’s slip-on trainers are flexible and lightweight.
Shop all Women’s Slip-On Shoes
Best Skechers for Bunions – Skechers Skech Lite Pro, £62
- Stretchy textile upper
- Adjustable lace fastening
- Sporty silhouette
- Lightweight and flexible
- Memory Foam Footbed
One of our customer’s favourite brands, Skechers are well known for its sporty and lightweight trainers. These women’s sneakers have minimal details over the bunion area, and the lace-up fastening ensures an adjustable fit.
Shop Women’s Skechers
Best Pumps for Bunions – Gabor Petunia, £75
- Metallic leather and suede upper
- Easy slip-on fit
- Roomy fit
- Neutral shade
- Also available in five colours
Gabor shoes are synonymous with comfort, premium materials and style. These women’s pumps are neutral, supportive and comfortable with minimal detail over the bunion area for maximum comfort.
Shop all Women’s Pumps
Best Wide Fit Shoes for Bunions – Ecco Gruuv, £120
- Leather upper
- Adjustable lace fastening
- Removable insole
- Flexible sole unit
Hard-wearing, shock-absorbent and flexible, these women’s Ecco trainers offer superb comfort and long-lasting support. The wide fit design offers a roomier fit whilst the distinctive ridged sole is super flexible.
Shop Women’s Wide Fit Shoes
Best Arch Fit Shoes for Bunions – Skechers Skech-air Arch Fit, £87
- Stretchy textile upper
- Easy slip-on fit
- Built-in Skechers Arch Fit Support
- Memory Foam footbed
Skechers’ range of Arch Fit footwear is highly sought after for its excellent comfort and support. By combining built-in arch support and a memory foam footbed, Skechers has created trainers that offer superior comfort.
Shop Women’s Skechers Arch Fit
What is a Bunion?
A bunion is a condition where the big toe joint shifts out of place, causing a bump on the inside of the foot. In many cases, a bunion will distort the shape of footwear. Carefully selected and fitted shoes are essential for comfortable day-to-day wear. Bunions can be hereditary or linked to arthritis however the most common cause is generally accepted to be ill-fitting footwear.
Bunions are a common problem that can affect young and old alike. Medically known as hallux valgus, the lump or swelling and tenderness on the first joint of the big toe. Bunions can often have a fluid-filled sac over the affected area as a result of the body’s natural defence in protecting the joint.
How Do I Spot A Bunion?
The formation of a bunion begins with the toe joint aching and becoming red. This is commonly due to the toes being cramped in certain types of footwear that don’t allow for forward movement, and with every step, the big toe is pushed backwards or sideways causing it to become distorted and bent. This happens to counteract the lack of room within the shoe to move freely.
Can Age Affect Bunions and Other Foot Problems?
If the problem presents itself in a young person, orthotics can be purchased to align the big toe in the correct place and appropriate footwear can be purchased to allow the foot the space needed to grow and for the toe to realign.
In a more mature foot, unfortunately, the problem will progressively worsen as rheumatism and arthritis begin to affect the area. After consistently wearing inappropriate shoes, the bunion will get worse and may eventually be painful. Existing footwear can then become misshapen as the little toes are forced upwards to make way for the alteration of the big toe.
It is important that the appropriate shoes are worn to accommodate the repositioned toes to negate knock-on effects. Another potential problem arising from bunions is that other toes can rub on the upper of the shoe and corns develop.
What Features Make the Best Shoes For Bunions?
Unfortunately, a bunion is an irreversible condition and in severe cases may lead to another toe being removed if one becomes lifted and pushed out of place. Good quality leather shoes with ample room in the toe box are always our top recommendation.
Leather is a fantastic material in footwear – breathable, flexible and looks great. With a leather upper, you can expect natural stretch in the material, not offered by many man-made materials and this helps the shoe adjust to your individual foot shape. We have specialist tools in store which allow us to stretch a leather shoe to match your foot shape, but any good shoe repair shop will do this for you locally if you don’t live near our stores.
What Shoes Not To Wear With Bunions?
Typically, podiatrists will advise not wearing tight-fitting footwear that could squash your feet, if you have bunions. Along the same lines, shoes with a pointed toe will force your toes inwards and could push the two big toe joints out to form a bunion. Similarly, the forward pressure caused by wearing heels can put pressure on your feet if worn too often. Whilst wearing heels on the odd occasion would be fine, the general advice would be to avoid regularly wearing heels if you suffer from bunions.
Should I Wear Trainers With A Bunion?
From our experience, our customers are often advised to wear trainers if they have a bunion as they are soft, light and flexible and easily allow for orthotics. Unfortunately, this is not a look that works for everyone – particularly for work or a formal occasion. There are lots of great options in our footwear range and we do our best to advise the best shoe for the purpose you have in mind.
Can Shoes Help Correct Bunions?
Unfortunately, bunions are an irreversible condition. Whilst all the styles we have suggested can help alleviate any pain or discomfort associated with bunions, they will not cure this foot health problem.
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bunions/
- https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-about-bunions
- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/bunions/
- https://www.shoefitters-uk.org/find-a-qualified-shoe-fitter/
