Best Shoes for Bunions
As all bunion-bearers know, finding good shoes for bunions isn’t exactly easy when shopping for today’s latest trends. Pointy tips, narrow frames, and barely-there toe boxes can make for an anything-but-comfortable fit.
The best shoes for bunions offer a wide-enough toe box to avoid pinching and squeezing, which can worsen this joint condition over time. KURU shoes feature extra wide toe boxes for a roomy metatarsal fit—allowing your bunions to lie flat and live their best lives.
Bunions, or hallux valgus, are simply your toe bones out of their proper alignment. Contrary to how they might appear, bunions are not a separate “bump” or growth on your joint. Bunions can be genetically inherited and worsen through prolonged use of too-narrow footwear.
A bunion develops when excessive pressure gets continually placed on the big toe or pinky toe joints, forcing them to push outward in unnatural—often painful—ways. Over time, this condition creates an angle in the joint where there should be a straight line, causing pain, redness, and swelling—especially when you’re on your feet all day.
Although bunions can’t be cured on their own, they can be treated conservatively without surgery by reducing the use of high heels or ill-fitting footwear, using alignment tools, and wearing wide-enough shoes to help bunions.
The most comfortable shoes for bunions allow for adequate space and cushion for these sensitive joints.
In addition to proper footwear, there are exercises that can help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with bunions. Marble pick up is a simple exercise that can strengthen the muscles in your feet and improve your toe alignment. Watch our video demonstration to learn how to do this exercise and add it to your bunion treatment plan.
- Flat FeetFlat feet can contribute to the development of bunions by altering the alignment of the foot, which can put pressure on the big toe joint and cause it to deform over time. Additionally, flat feet can cause the foot to overpronate, or roll inward, which can also contribute to the development of bunions. People with flat feet who wear shoes that do not provide adequate support or who engage in high-impact activities may be at a higher risk for developing bunions.Flat Feet
- OverpronationOverpronation can contribute to the development of bunions by altering the alignment of the foot, which can put pressure on the big toe joint and cause it to deform over time. This can also cause the arch of the foot to collapse, leading to additional stress on the foot and ankle.Overpronation
- Genetic PredispositionA parent or grandparent had bunions (bunions can skip a generation).Ill-fitting footwear: consistently wearing shoes that are too tight.Genetic Predisposition
- Muscular ImbalanceMuscular imbalance occurs when some muscles in the foot are stronger or weaker than others, causing an imbalance in the forces applied to the foot. This can lead to an altered foot structure, which can put pressure on the big toe joint and cause it to deform over time. Additionally, muscle imbalances in the foot can contribute to overpronation or supination, which can also increase the risk of developing bunions.Muscular Imbalance
As with any medical condition, it is always best to make an appointment with your doctor to get a formal assessment and diagnosis of bunions.
That said, there are a few common symptoms people experience when suffering from bunions that might help you know when it’s time to visit the doctor:
- Pain at the big toe or pinky toe jointOne of the most common symptoms of bunions is pain at the big toe or pinky toe joint that can come and go. Bunions are a common foot condition characterized by a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe, causing the toe to shift towards the other toes. This shift in position can cause pain and discomfort in the affected area, particularly when wearing shoes or engaging in physical activity. In some cases, the pain may be intermittent, with periods of relative comfort followed by bouts of sharp or achy pain. Over time, the pain may become more severe and persistent, particularly if the bunion continues to grow or is left untreated.Pain at the big toe or pinky toe joint
- Redness or swellingThe shifting of toes toward the direction of other toes can lead to inflammation and irritation in the affected area, which can cause redness and swelling. In some cases, the affected joint may also feel warm or tender to the touch.Redness or swelling
- Pain while walkingPain while walking, especially while wearing tight-fitting shoes, is a common symptom of bunions. The pressure from tight-fitting shoes can aggravate the bunion and cause additional pain and inflammation. In some cases, the pain may be so severe that it can limit your ability to walk or engage in physical activity.Pain while walking
Facts and Stats
We take a look at some facts and stats you might not have known about bunions. Read on to find out more!
- Bunions are 10 times more common in women than in men. The best shoes for women with bunions feature a wide toe box for a truly comfortable fit.
- Contrary to their appearance, bunions are not growths or “bumps” on the bone. They are simply misaligned joints.
- While there is no “cure” for bunions apart from surgery, they can be treated with proper footwear and exercises to keep them from getting worse.
- Bunions are diagnosed on a scale of severity from 1st degree to 4th degree.
- Although they are often genetically inherited, bunions can also develop (or worsen) from muscular imbalances or wearing too-tight dress shoes or walking shoes.
Treatment
If you have a bunion, it can be very painful and difficult to walk comfortably. Here are a few tips for treating these sensitive joints to help you feel better.
Happy bunions are un-squozen bunions. These misaligned joints can get worse with too-narrow footwear, so the best shoes for people with bunions start with plenty of room for them.
Since bunions typically can’t “go away” without surgery, most bunion treatments focus on preventive measures to help keep bunions from getting worse.
A Few Tips for Bunion Treatment:
- Avoid ill-fitting shoes (yes, even those cute high heels!), especially when walking longer distances.
- Choose high-quality footwear that offers enough space to relieve pressure on the outer toe joints.
- Consider using bunion alignment devices when at rest.
- These over-the-counter tools will not correct your bunions, but they can help relieve pain in the moment.
- Perform bunion exercises to help strengthen your feet and improve muscular imbalances. Consult your doctor for exercises for your unique condition.
The best shoes for bunions—for men and women alike—feature extra space at the toe box and adequate cushion to offer shock absorption for the bones.
KURU footwear offers some of the best shoes for bunions and plantar fasciitis on the market. Our three-part technology goes above and beyond traditional inserts to offer unparalleled support and comfort.
- What shoes are best for bunions?
The best shoes for bunions—for women and men—allow for plenty of room for your metatarsal joints to breathe. They should feature a wide toe box to reduce pressure on the big and pinky toe joints, quality arch support for all-day stamina, and shock-absorbing cushion to help relieve impact.
- I just received a pair of your shoes and my feet are sore/hurt after wearing them. Why is that?
Some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs.That’s ok! Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology.
Our shoes are also designed to mold to your unique foot shape, which takes a bit of a break-in period.
To help mitigate this, we suggest you follow our break-in procedure, including wearing your KURUs for a couple hours per day around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
- Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
That said, many of our customers tell us theKURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don’t need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
- How is the arch support of KURU shoes?
KURU shoes deliver excellent arch support without the need for thick inserts or expensive, custom orthotics.
Superior arch support starts with our patented KURUSOLE technology, which delivers natural cushioning and dynamically hugs your heel with every step. Every foot is unique, and our ULTIMATE INSOLES adapt to fit your needs by using your own body heat to custom-mold to the shape of your feet over time.
The corrective nature of our superior arch support is designed to neutralize your weight distribution and place your foot in the best anatomical position. This support can take some getting used to. We suggest slowly breaking in your new shoes over the course of 2–3 weeks.
- Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
Even though KURU shoes were not initially intended to be orthopedic shoes, thousands of our customers say they experience relief from various foot conditions—including bunions!
While our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURUs helped reduce or eliminate their pain.
How To Prevent Bunions and Keep Them From Getting Worse in 4 Steps
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Toe Lifts For Stronger Feet
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. …Show More
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps us utilize our body’s natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad.
…Show lessKURUCLOUD
Our KURUCLOUD base layer acts as a cushioned footbed to offer padding and shock absorption for the whole foot—including bunions. This …Show More
Our KURUCLOUD base layer acts as a cushioned footbed to offer padding and shock absorption for the whole foot—including bunions. This layer of dense EVA foam helps absorb impact to protect your joints, ligaments, and bones.
…Show lessULTIMATE INSOLE
The final layer in this technology trifecta, our ULTIMATE INSOLES feature a bridge of arch support and space-age cushion. Made of durable polyurethane …Show More
The final layer in this technology trifecta, our ULTIMATE INSOLES feature a bridge of arch support and space-age cushion. Made of durable polyurethane foam, these insoles form to your foot shape to provide lasting comfort, mile after mile.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps us utilize our body’s natural cushioning system: the heel’s fat pad.
Fine, We’ll Tell You Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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