Bunions can be unpleasant to look at especially for women and if not managed properly, can be extremely painful. This common foot condition can happen to the elderly and younger ones as well, one of the most common causes is uncomfortable and ill-fitting shoes. We’ve listed the best walking shoes for women with bunions including a guide on how to choose the right shoes fitted for you and your needs.
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What Is A Bunion?
A Bunion, also known as “hallux valgus”, is a bump that forms and protrudes from the base of the big toe or the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. It is caused by a misalignment of the first metatarsal bone, which leads up to the big toe. It slowly happens over time, and as it progresses, it gets bigger and eventually sticks out. When it’s not managed and treated properly, it can be a source of extreme pain.
Anyone can have a bunion, but it is more common in women due to the frequent wearing of tight shoes that tend to squeeze the toes together. People with this condition tend to experience pain when walking or running, that’s why proper treatment and management are important.
What Is The Main Cause Of Bunions?
There can be many causes why bunions form and eventually progress; here are the most common causes of these foot deformities.
- Wearing ill-fitting shoes– narrow and tight shoes tend to squeeze the toes together into an unnatural position.
- Genetics- This condition can be inherited, and if it runs in the family, there are higher chances for you to develop this foot deformity.
- Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
- Birth deformities
How To Choose The Best Walking Shoes For Women With Bunions?
Poor-fitting shoes can aggravate bunions, that’s why you must choose the best and most fitting walking shoes for you. Always consider the following factors before you make your purchase.
Insole
To minimize or manage the pain that comes with bunions, shoes with orthotic insoles are ideal. Overpronation and excess movement of the feet can cause bunions, and orthotic insoles help in preventing that. They provide support for your foot arch as well as align the body.
Material
The material used on the upper part of the shoes is also important. Walking shoes with stretchy and flexible material are ideal as they don’t put any extra pressure on the bunion.
Toe-box
Walking shoes with a rounded and wide toe box is also perfect for those feet with bunions. They offer enough space for the bunions and are not tight to squeeze the toes together. A wide toe box allows biomechanical movement of the feet.
Interior
The best walking shoes for women with bunions have interior materials that are not irritating and gentle on the foot. Bunions can be very painful, so materials that won’t aggravate this condition are ideal. Pick out shoes with a soft lining and are generously padded to prevent irritation while still providing maximum protection for your feet.
Heel Height
Lower heel height is best since they don’t put unwanted pressure on your toes which can worsen bunions. Anything that puts extra pressure or weight on your toes and forefoot is not advisable.
Weight
To manage the pain and prevent constant rubbing of the shoe materials to the pain points, look for shoes that are made of soft and lightweight materials.
Depth
Loo for shoes that provide just enough depth for our feet to move around comfortably. Extra-depth It can also accommodate your orthotics if you have one.
How To Find The Best Walking Shoes For Women With Bunions?
To help you find the perfect match for walking shoes, here are some tips that you can use when you’re to help you make an informed decision.
Know The Correct Size Of Your Feet
You should look for specialty shoe stores wherein they can professionally measure your feet so you can choose the appropriate walking shoe even with a bunion. Your podiatrist can also measure your feet accurately.
Go To A Specialty Shoe Store
These stores offer a better selection of shoes that are fit for people with certain foot conditions such as bunions.
Shop In The Afternoon or Later In The Day
Feet usually get larger throughout the day, you can do your shoe shopping at the end of your day to avoid buying a shoe that is too small for you.
Choose Walking Shoes With Round And Wide Toe-Box
Shoes with rounded and wide toe box provide comfort and ample space for your toes. Unlike shoes that are pointed and narrow, a wide toe box doesn’t put added pressure on the foot.
Stick To Low Heels
Heels that are above 2 inches tend to shift the weight of the body towards the toes. The pressure towards the toe can aggravate your bunion making it more painful. Always choose shoes that have low heels.
Orthotics
These can help in relieving the pressure on your feet making your shoes more comfortable when walking.
Try It On
Always try on shoes before purchasing them to get a good sense of how it actually feels when worn. Make sure that when you walk your feet are comfortable and don’t make your bunion even more painful.
What Are The Best Walking Shoes For Women With Bunions?
Bunions can make shoe shopping a little bit harder but with the right attitude and knowledge about this foot condition, you’ll definitely find the best walking shoes that can address your needs.
To help you out, here are our top picks for the best walking shoes for women with bunions that will leave your feet pain-free when walking.
Best Walking Shoes For Women With Bunions
This is a great walking shoe that offers features that will help you better manage foot pain and allow you to enjoy your outdoor activities without worrying about your bunions.
The ASICS GEL-Venture 6 shoes for women deliver excellent shock-absorbing comfort and are great whether you’re on the trail or as a casual pair of walking shoes that you can wear on a regular day. The upper mesh of the shoes is made from flexible and durable synthetic material and it also features a rubber sole which makes it more durable and less susceptible to wear and tear.
The Rearfoot Gel Cushioning System reduces the shock during the impact phase and effectively helps the heel-to-toe transition. The outsole features reversed lugs that ensure great performance and increased traction on different surfaces, plus the ASICSHigh Abrasion Rubber(AHAR) is placed in critical areas of the outsole for exceptional durability. It has a removable sock liner that can be replaced with orthotics if needed.
Features
- Rearfoot GEL Cushioning System
- Rubber sole
- Removable Sockliner
- Trail Specific Outsole
- ASICS High Abrasion Rubber
Pros
- Durable
- Strongly built for walking and running
- The outsole feature is great even on different surfaces
- Comfortable for feet with bunion
- Wide toe box
- Shock-absorbing comfort
- Removable insole
- Affordable
Cons
- A little bit on the heavy side
For people who have bunions, always look for shoes that have a wide toe box. This is extremely important to provide enough space for your feet and to allow biomechanical movement.
The Ryka Devotion Plus 2 walking shoes for women have a wide toe box that is perfect to alleviate and manage your painful feet. The upper mesh is made of stretchable material and won’t put any unnecessary pressure on your foot with bunions.
Aside from being the perfect walking shoes for women with bunions, these shoes are also great for other foot conditions since it has a smooth lining, cushioning insoles with Anatomical Precise-Return(TM) footbed that helps in correcting walking irregularities.
These shoes won’t drag you down since they are lightweight and easy to lace up. It also comes with a removable insole that you can replace with your orthotics if you have one. The Ryka features a stylish gradient print and technology that is quite unique alongside its excellent foot support.
Features
- Lace-up closure
- Breathable upper mesh
- Four-way gradient print
- Lycra-lined tongue and comfort collar with built-in cushion
- Anatomical Precise-Return(TM) footbed
- EVA midsole features a full-length RE-ZORB platform
- External pod
- Full-length internal insert
- Eight-piece radiused skeletal rubber outsole
Pros
- Wide Toe box
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Made of the soft lining that isn’t irritating to the foot
- Unique styles
- Super Lightweight
- Suited for different kinds of foot condition
- Great shock absorption features
- Padded tongue and collar for added comfort
- Easy to wear
Cons
- Not very durable outsoles
Foot friendly and super comfortable to wear especially for foot conditions. Bunions can be very painful and tend to affect simple movements like walking or light running. With the New Balance Women's 813 V1 Lace-up Walking Shoe you’ll never have to worry about your painful bunions since it is a specifically designed comfortable cushioned walking shoe to keep you pain-free while on the move.
The 813 adult walking shoe from New Balance features Walking Strike Path technology in the outsole to help stabilize and guide the foot through a natural walking gait cycle. The shoes are crafted with a Rollbar stability post system that helps control rear-foot movement for enhanced support with every step. It has a lightweight foam midsole and soft Comfort Collar for supportive cushioning that fits every type of lifestyle.
Features
- Rubber sole
- Roller stability post system
- Walking Strike Path technology
- Leather uppers with classic New Balance branding and a secure closure
- lightweight foam midsole
- Soft Comfort Collar
Pros
- Durable
- Breathable
- Non-irritating to foot
- Lightweight
- The rubber outsole is durable and resilient
- Simple and classic design
- Safe even on different surfaces
- Wide toe box
- Great toe cushioning and support
Cons
- The leather upper is quite stiff
Leap into a whole new world of comfort with the Brooks Ariel ‘18. This shoe is designed specifically for women who love running but also works great as walking shoes for feet with bunions. It has a wide toe box and features maximum cushioning and a heel counter for better stability.
The air mesh upper makes it more breathable and it perfectly wraps around the feet reducing the chances of developing blisters when worn. The Full-length Segmented Crash Pad accommodates any foot landing and delivers smooth heel-to-toe transitions.
It also provides great arch support and with an extra depth enough to slide in your orthotics if you have one. The midsole offers 25% more cushioning than Brooks’ standard midsole and it also includes an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar that offers stability for people who need extra support for overpronation. The outsole is made of environment-friendly silica that provides great traction even on different surfaces.
Features
- External heel counter
- Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar
- Super DNA midsole
- Air mesh upper
- Full-length Segmented Crash Pad
- Omega Flex Grooves
Pros
- Breathable
- Durable
- Provides great traction on different surfaces
- Arch support and cushioning
- Stability features
- A wide toe box that works great for bunions
- Durable
- The midsole gently guides each stride into a healthy rhythm for heel-to-toe transition
- Keep your feet cool and dry due to its air each uppers
Cons
- Some customers find it a bit heavy
Narrow and poorly fitting shoes are a nightmare especially for those women who have a bunion. The Saucony Grid Omni walker has a roomy toe box that can accommodate wider feet and foot conditions such as bunions. Made with superior cushioning and heel-centered stability to help in alleviating painful toes and manage walking irregularities.
It offers a Grid cushioning system that provides strong support and enhanced comfort, together with the impressive traction of the durable rubber outsoles. Enjoy effortless strides with the SRC™ impact zone that works great in shock absorption and sets the foot up for a smooth heel-to-toe transition.
Features
- Grid Cushioning System
- HRC forefoot cushioning
- XT-900 Outsole
- SRC™ impact zone
- Lace-up vamp and mesh tongue
- Sockliner
Pros
- Biomechanical fit
- Breathable
- Wide toe box
- Superior cushioning for comfort and stability
- Durable
- Provides great traction
- Excellent shock absorption
- Great arch support
- Sturdy
Cons
- Squeaky outsoles according to some customer who reviewed
Does Walking Make Bunions Worse?
Bunions can progress overtime and when it’s not treated or managed correctly they can be very painful and can negatively affect normal foot function. Ill-fitting shoes can make the pain worse and eventually affects walking. To reduce painful bunions when walking, you should choose footwear that has a wide toe box, enough cushion, and support with a heel height of not more than 2 inches.
Can You Fix Bunions With Shoes?
Aside from surgery, there are also noninvasive approaches to treat bunions. Wearing the right footwear (shoes and sandals) is a good start for treating bunions, shoes with flexible soles and wide toe boxes are ideal to remove the pressure off your toes. Wearing proper footwear alongside other options such as orthotics that relieves pressure on the joint, splints, and taking pain and anti-inflammatory medications are some of the ways to treat a bunion non-surgically.
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