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Best Walking Shoes For Women With Bunions In 2023

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Bunions can be unpleasant to look at especially for women and if not managed properly, can be extremely painful. Wide-toe box shoes are the best walking shoes for women with bunions, as they provide enough space for the foot to move around without causing any additional irritation.

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.

Best Walking Shoes For Women with Bunions
Best Walking Shoes For Women with Bunions

Orthopedic shoes can be an effective bunion treatment, especially when it comes to reducing pain and discomfort. These are designed with a roomier toe box, extra depth, and a wider heel counter.

Read on to learn more about our top picks for the best walking shoes for women with bunions.

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; 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.

Best Walking Shoes For Women with Bunions
Best Walking Shoes For Women with Bunions

Always consider the following factors before you make your purchase:

  • Insole– Shoes with orthotic insoles are ideal for minimizing or managing the pain that comes with bunions. 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 is ideal as they don’t put 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 that is 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– Look 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 you can use to help you make an informed decision:

  • Know The Correct Size Of Your Feet– You should look for specialty shoe stores that can professionally measure your feet to 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 boxes provide comfort and ample space for your toes. Unlike pointed and narrow shoes, a wide-toe box doesn’t put added pressure on the foot.
  • Stick To Low Heels– Heels above 2 inches tend to shift the body’s weight 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 your feet are comfortable when you walk, and don’t make your bunion even more painful.

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 find the best walking shoes to 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.

Does Walking Make Bunions Worse?

Bunions can progress over time 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 relieve 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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