These Are the Only Shoes You Should Wear If You Have Bunions, Podiatrists Say

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

Hoka’s Ora Recovery 2 Shoes earn our top spot for superior comfort, custom-like fit, and bunion-approved wear. This slip-on sneaker features a wide toe box that gives our bunions plenty of wiggle room and a sturdy foam footbed with plenty of support. The material feels flexible and lightweight, so no sweat or stink. We felt completely comfy, with no pressure or pain, as we sported these shoes on long walks, errand runs, and other daily activities. So much so that we often forget we even had shoes on! 

Plus, the sleek, sporty style is versatile for any athleisure outfit. And that’s honestly hard to find in a pair of slip-on shoes. The only downside is the lack of color options—we wish these were available in different color ways at more retailers.

Sizes: 5-12 in Women’s | Width: Medium | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10 millimeters

Believe it or not, comfy walking and bunions can go hand in hand (or foot in foot). Keen Women’s WK400 Walking Shoe is a bunion-bearer’s dream for travel days, busy schedules, or proverbial long walks on the beach. We love the soft yet supportive footbed, which didn’t irritate our bunions like other shoes do—even after hours of wear. And the grippy traction on the outsole kept us confident on all terrains. 

While we loved the comfy cushioning, it took us a few walks to get used to it. We also had to adjust to the shoe’s rocker shape, but after a few walks, we came to appreciate how it effortlessly propelled our strides forward. 

Sizes: 6-11 in Women’s | Width: Medium, wide | Heel-to-Toe Drop: N/A

 What’s harder than finding shoes for bunions? Finding slip-on shoes that work for them. But luckily, Dr. Scholl’s Nova Slip-On Sneakers actually kept our pain at bay. For starters, we didn’t have to fight to get our feet in. There’s a small strip of stretchy fabric at the front and back of the shoe that provides enough give to slip in and out easily without irritating bunions. Plus, the multi-layer cushioning and grippy outsole traction offer more comfort and support than you’d expect from a slip-on.

If you prefer to go sockless, you’ll love how lightweight and breathable these are, keeping odor at bay—we definitely appreciated! However, we did get a blister from wearing these without socks initially, so we recommend breaking them in with socks first. 

Sizes: 4-12.5 in Women’s | Width: Regular | Heel-to-Toe Drop: N/A

Regular bunions occur at the base of the big toe, while tailor’s bunions form just below the pinky toe. When you have tailor’s bunions (or both), finding shoes that fit comfortably and look stylish can be challenging. In our experience, few options on the market deliver both—which is a non-negotiable. 

We were stoked to discover ECCO’s Soft 7 Slip-on Sneakers. They have a soft, stretchy leather upper that prevents irritation on the outsides of your foot. Even after a full day in these shoes, our heels stayed blister-free (no small feat for leather slip-ons). The sturdy base offers solid support, while the ground-hugging grip kept us completely stable. Bonus points: the minimalist design makes them easy to pair with nearly any outfit.

Best Heel Cushioning Shoes for Bunions

Kuru Atom

Sizes: 5-12 in Women’s | Width: Medium, wide | Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm

 When we think of shoes for bunions, we often focus solely on the toes. But your heels need support, too! Well-made heel cups can help absorb the impact of daily activities and reduce symptoms of plantar fasciitis. Kuru’s Atom Sneakers are designed with heel comfort in mind, using a patented heel-hugging technology that flexes dynamically with each step. Our heels were definitely happy in these. 

Besides their heel support, these sneakers were gentle on our bunions. Thanks to a relatively wide fit throughout, we didn’t notice any friction. The looseness of the shoe did make us feel a little unstable, though—a feeling compounded by the inability to tighten the laces. We’d recommend these shoes for daily here-and-there walking, but not for higher-intensity activities like running or hiking.

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

Laceless sneakers a loved for good reason: they offer the versatility of an athletic shoe without the hassle of tightening and tying. Our top pick for bunions is Kuru’s Stride Move Shoe. While it has elastic laces on top, they’re actually built into the shoe, so there’s no actual tying required (though they can be adjusted if needed). Plus, the stretchy mesh fabric gives you the adjustability for easy on-and-off slipping. 

Beyond this unique laceless design, we also loved several other features. The wide toe box eliminated friction on our bunions (we could even wiggle our toes!). And the arch support felt subtle yet effective. In fact, just about everything about these slip-ons made it easy to forget we were wearing shoes at all. We’d happily slip these on for everyday casual wear. Just note: the toe box isn’t as wide as other options, so these may not work for tailor’s bunions.