The 10 Best Shoes for Bunions

These shoes seem all to be for good weather, walking on dry surfaces. However, my winter is cold and wet early on, progressing to bitterly cold (-15F/-26C, so ice, not wet) and snowy. Frostbite is a concern. The summers can also be very muddy. None of these shoes seem to be very good for those more extreme environments.

Another great shoe for bunions are Lems, based out of Boulder, Colorado. Their extra wide toe boxes accommodate the silicon toe spacers too.

The best shoes for bunions are Mephisto, which make literally the most comfortable shoes in the world for problems like bunions, gait pronation etc.

I transitioned too fast into barefoot shoes. While they helped me resolve foot weakness and plantar fasciitis issues, they also seemed to trigger a painful episode of sesamoiditis. The ticker midsole of the Birks and Altras that didn't work for you, actually ended up allowing me to heal the sesamoiditis without surgery. The first two shoes I moved into after the orthopedic boot (prescribed for the fracture), were a Finn Comfort Stretchy shoe with a cork footbed and a tick midsoled Altra Paradigm. Finn/Birk Sandals worked well too, Chacos were close but had too much toe spring and heel lift. Slowly, I transitioned from the Altra Paradigm to the Torin, and also to Finn Comfort Vassa. Camper Peu Sneakers were also useful, they allow you to play with different footbeds. Removing the footbed temporarily to strengthen, then replacing cushioned and supportive inserts for long hours standing (museums, subways). It's a journey, you have to try what method works for you. For me, concrete floors, city sidewalks and parks with completely minimalistic shoes were a no-no. A footbed with a few milimiters of latex or cork usually prevented a flare up. Trails, rocks, grass, sand, gravel...I can walk all day with nothing but a thin rubber out sole. YMMV.

I have bunions and NEED ARCH SUPPORT. I also need my heel to be higher than my toes to be comfortable. The type of Crocs you showed wreak havoc with my Morton’s Neuroma because they have no structure. I literally just threw away a pair and can now walk again in Danskos, Ariat, and other well-made shoes. That said: Croc makes some extraordinarily comfortable sandals which I wear all summer and even use for easy hikes when it is too hot for hiking boots.

I work in the food service industry and found crocs years ago and have worn them nearly every day for the past 11 years. I have had to glue the bottoms back together a few times, but I am on my feet usually on concrete floors for hours everyday. I have to wear something that is slip resistant and protect my feet . They are not pretty, but I wouldn't trade them! I have been doing the bunion exercises you suggested. My problem is trying to find a pair of dress shoes that don't hurt and that I can afford!

Wow this is another amazing video! I’m so grateful I found you. I’m a dog walker and in the recent months have developed pain and bunion. I just can’t give up walking which is my livelihood. Having worn bad shoes for so long as I’m cheap, I’m now looking for shoes that accommodate my bunion pain. The first video I saw of yours yesterday led me to this one and they’re like godsend. I’m now pondering to purchase one. Thank you so much! I’ll continue to follow you… I love how your baby stretches her toes!

As an avid Vibram 5 finger shoe wearer, now almost 5 years, I feel you downplayed these shoes. Yes, I had dorsal bunions for over 30 years, yes, I had periods of plantar faciitis, yes, I had repeated between the toes fungal infections, yes, I develop periods of tendonitis, muscle cramps, and yes, grew once again my muscles to spread my toes, yes, I experience shin muscle pain early in the day, yes, I can walk again 10 miles/day, yes, I can stand for hours on concrete with NO pain. Ok, the shoes look funny, but I think I will live now well over 100 years. I am 73. Forget all the other shoes. Tough it out, I DID!

Vibram 5 Fingers- YES! Plantar fasciitis sufferer for years, they really helped along with the bunion from boots. Also had a plantar flexed first ray - all solved from 5 fingers.

As a vibram rep, wear them for a few hours and rotate with other shoes and build a comfortability with them. I have been wearing 5 fingers since I was 13... after a few weeks and you get comfortable with spreading your toes you can get right into them. Just when you get close to the toes (putting them on) inch worm your (wiggling) toes as you slide in. The kso are a great weight training shoe, and my favorite is the v-trail 2.0. I've been back packing in vibrams for a while time, I have back packed 36 (out of 46) Adirondacks peaks in vibrams. You get tons of grip and being able to grip your toes helps!

Great show. I liked the Vivo and the Skinners best. The Vivo for their organic cotton, suedes and leathers, plus the style to wear for work and the skinners because they are like barefoot but with protection.

Very surprised Merrell zero drop trail runners were not mentioned, even though they have been modifying their model to add more midsole😕. Should have mentioned Merrells instead of New Balance. On a positive note, I am glad this video introduced me to more brands of minimal shoes.

Great video... I just found your channel while search of shoe ideas that'll help my left side bunion problem... I cancelled surgery today for a bunionectomy, so I thought I'd better find proper shoes now that I've decided to live with the bunion.

Another most helpful video. Love your work. Cheers

Awesome content! Worth looking at the ALTRA Lone Peak 6 and Topo Athletic series for a wide toe box running shoe. Probably the best in the market right now, as far as reviews go

Very interesting for me having suffered from bunions for 50+ years. I wish you had reviewed Arcopedico brand soft shoes which give me support and bunion relief. I wore out a pair or two then got my first Birkenstocks which are letting my toes spread. I now wear both brands alternating from one to the other. Whether it was the double arch support of the Arcopedicos or the toe spread of the Birkenstocks, I now can walk barefoot nearly painlessly which I could not do for many years. Thanks!

Amazing information!!! Thank you very much!

Thank you the informational & educational video. Nice to pay heed to.

Please make a video about how to convert Birkenstocks into barefoot shoes.

Yes to the Birkenstock modification tutorial. Thank you!