What shoes to wear if you have bunions
As promised, we’re coming back with a part 2 blog on bunions. In our last one, we covered some of the things you can do to alleviate the discomfort of bunions and ensure they don’t worsen over time. Topping that list was a section on the types of shoes you should avoid (anything with too high a heel, that’s too tight and lacking arch support). So what should you be looking for when shopping for a new pair of shoes if you’ve got bunions?
Some of the key features you want to look out for are shoes with a wide toe box that don't squish your toes, a soft, cushioned insole, arch support, stretchy material like leather or canvas and adjustable features such as laces or velcro straps that you can adjust to your feet. The latter will help secure your foot in place as you walk, reducing friction and unnecessary joint strain.
Shoes should be low-heeled (less than 1-2 inches) to reduce unnecessary pressure on the big toe joint. A few healthier alternatives to stilettos include block heels, wedges and platforms as they distribute your weight over a larger area and have a shallower angle that stops all your weight from being dumped onto the balls of your feet.
You want your shoes nice and roomy in the toe area so as to have enough width and length that they do not squeeze or rub your bunion or foot in any way. Your toes should not be touching the front of the shoe. If you have any existing pairs of shoes that are a smidge too tight in that area, try taking them to get stretched rather than throwing them out. Oftentimes, this will solve the problem by giving you a better fit around the toe area and allowing more room for you to add orthotics if need be.
It’s important to get your feet measured to help you make the best decision when buying your next pair of shoes. Once you know your size, you might also want to consider buying shoes with ¼ to ½ inch of extra depth to allow for more wiggle room but to also allow for the addition of insoles/inserts, if need be (more on inserts in part 1 'How To Get Rid of Bunions'). You also want to make sure that your shoes are comfortable as soon as you put them on - they shouldn’t need breaking in to become comfortable. You might have to go up half a size to get the right fit. So, remember to always shop based on comfort, and not size.
Has this left you wondering about the styles you can shop right here at Shouz? We’ve got you covered. Below are our top 6 shoe styles for anybody with bunions:
1- Madis
2- Petti
3- Sidecut punch (and all Rollie styles, really)
4- Brenda
5- Nuria
6- Turion
