We Tested Dozens of Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes — These 9 Are the Best if You Have Bunions

Our choice for the best podiatrist-recommended shoes for bunions is the New Balance Women’s 990v6, thanks to its trifecta of bunion-friendly design elements. “I recommend brands that come with the following criteria: a wider toe box, good arch support, mesh material in the toe box (so that they are breathable), and a seamless interior to prevent irritation of the bunion or prominent bony protrusion. My personal No. 1 brand that I recommend is New Balance, as they offer all of the above criteria in the sneaker variety,” Srinivas explains.

These shoes are ideal for bunion sufferers and people without bunions as well, as they come in various sizes — from narrow to extra wide. People with bunions may do well with wider shoes to accommodate their foot shape and prevent overcrowding. This shoe has ample cushioning and a lightweight feel. As a bonus, it’s made with reflective fabric to catch light and make you more visible in low light.

The biggest complaint among some of our testers was that these shoes felt somewhat stiff. Those who suffer from plantar fasciitis felt that the shoes weren’t cushioned or comfortable enough at the heel for long-term wear. At around $200, these sneakers are also the most expensive on our list and may not be suitable for all budgets. Those things aside, these sneakers are still an excellent option for bunion sufferers who want a comfortable and durable shoe for running or everyday wear. The shoe comes in both men’s and women’s versions, but the one we tested was for women.

The Brooks Ghost Max Cushion is our pick for the most comfortable shoe for bunions, due to its super plush cushioning and bunion-friendly design. It has a mesh upper, a roomy toe box, and wide or extra-wide width options. It’s also a stability shoe, with a broad base that gives the wearer comfortable support.

I tested this shoe, and it’s the most comfortable pair I have ever owned. I have a severe bunion, so I ordered the shoe in a wide width to accommodate my foot. I have an extremely narrow heel, and I was worried that the shoe might be too big on my heel, so I called customer support before ordering online (I usually try shoes on in a store), and they said that the width shouldn’t impact the back of the shoe. They were right. I’m an avid runner, and these shoes keep me feeling comfortable during my three-mile runs and long walks in New York City. I experienced no bunion pain after wearing them, even with no break-in time. These shoes cost $150, making them cheaper than several others on this list. They come in both men’s and women’s versions, and I tested the women’s pair. I will continue ordering these shoes in the future and will recommend them to other bunion sufferers.

Our pick for the best walking shoe for bunions is the Asics Gel Kayano 31. And it’s not just great for people with bunions — it also has arch support and great supportive cushioning in the heel, Srinivas explains, making these shoes ideal for people with flat feet. This stability shoe can help correct overpronation, which is common in people with bunions, and it offers the support you need during walks. It has a breathable mesh upper and a roomy toe box, two of Srinivas’s must-haves for bunion-friendly shoes. We loved the cushioned feel of the shoe and didn’t experience foot pain.

The only potential drawback is that the shoes may not be wide enough for feet with severe bunions, so people with bunions would be wise to order these shoes in a wide width. Our custom orthotics felt snug inside the shoe’s heel, so this is something to note if you wear orthotics. This sneaker comes in men’s and women’s versions, but we tested the one for women. It costs $164, which is in the mid to expensive price range compared with other shoes on this list.

This shoe has a wide toe box, mesh upper, and balanced cushioning to absorb impact without being overly soft. It is a neutral stability shoe that offers support without feeling overly stiff, making it an excellent choice for people with bunions and overpronation. The standard-size sneaker was wide enough to accommodate wide feet, but people with extreme bunions should note that these shoes don’t come in wide sizes. Also, these shoes only offer moderate arch support, so you may need custom orthotics if you have very flat feet, severe overpronation, or very high arches.

This shoe is a top choice because it has an extra-wide width to accommodate bunions, a wide toe box (also great for bunions), good arch support, a cushioned midsole to reduce arch pain, and a rocker sole. Its GlideRoll Rocker sole guides the foot forward and takes pressure off the arch and midfoot. We loved how cushioned the shoes felt on hard concrete, making them ideal for long days on your feet. The only potential drawback is that if you suffer from severe overpronation due to having flat feet, meaning your feet roll inward, you may need custom orthotics to manage more severe symptoms. These shoes aren’t the most expensive on our list, but at $150 they won’t fit everyone’s budget.

Our pick — and Srinivas’s suggestion — for the best shoes for bunions and high arches goes to On Cloudstratus 3, due to its structural elements that cater to both. Like people with flat feet, people with high arches are prone to developing bunions, as both conditions cause misalignment in the feet that puts pressure on the first metatarsal, Srinivas explains.

The On Cloudstratus 3 has moderate arch support, making it suitable for people with medium or high arches. It has comfortable CloudTec cushioning and a patented Speedboard for more support and energy return, meaning it has a springboard effect that propels you forward while you run. The shoe is suitable for bunion sufferers because it has comfortable cushioning and a wider toe box, although one drawback is that it doesn’t come in wide sizes and may not be ideal for severe bunions. It’s also a neutral running shoe, not a stability shoe, meaning that those who need more arch support or suffer from overpronation might need an insole. At $180, it’s one of the more expensive shoes on our list, so it may not be suitable for people on a budget.

The shoe’s ample cushioning can lessen stress on the plantar fascia, and the shoe’s rocker sole makes the heel-to-toe transition smoother, relieving pain on the heel and arch. The shoe is available in wide and extra-wide sizes, so it’s excellent for bunion sufferers who need more space. The only potential negatives are that it is slightly clunkier than other shoes and that some wearers report a too-narrow toe box in the standard size. To fix this, bunion sufferers can order it in a wide size. This shoe costs just under $170, so it may be too pricey for some.

“The second shoe brand I recommend is Altra, as they are also known to have shoes with breathable material with wider toe boxes,” Srinivas says, explaining why she recommends them for bunions, in addition to her top choice, New Balance. The Altra Escalante 3 is our favorite shoe for bunions, for the aforementioned reasons, in addition to knee pain, thanks to its zero-drop design and moderate cushioning, which support a more natural gait that can potentially lessen knee stress. We enjoyed the shoe’s stretchy fabric and wide toe box. However, it has high arches, and some didn’t feel like the shoe gave them proper arch support. Also, note that shoes with a zero-drop design, meaning the sole is flat, may require an adjustment period if you aren’t used to wearing them. These sneakers don’t come in wide sizes, but the standard size has a wide fit.

It’s also important to note that podiatrists can rarely suggest specific shoes for knee pain, since you may need a clinical evaluation of how you walk, not just the shape of your foot. “Knee pain can result in either the rear foot alignment of your heel being outward or inward, and more so would require a true gait exam, so we tend to recommend shoes that provide stability and support,” Srinivas says. These shoes cost around $130 and are currently on sale for $100, so they are a good option for someone who wants a quality shoe on a budget.

The Hoka Ora Recovery 2 is our pick for best slip-ons for people with bunions, due to its ample cushioning, wide and breathable toe box, and easy slip-on design. Hoka’s Meta-Rocker technology and broad shoe base promote overall stability and put less pressure on the feet.

My bunion is severe, but I experienced no bunion pain while wearing these shoes and required no break-in time. I also have an extremely narrow heel, and the back of the shoes was slightly loose, but I suffered no blisters or heel discomfort. These are some of the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned, and they are perfect for a leisurely day of walking or long days on your feet, although they are not suited to running, high-impact exercise, or wearing on rough terrain. I have nothing negative to say about these shoes, but some wearers have reported that the shoes look a little clunky or orthopedic. These shoes are just $90, making them the least expensive ones on our list. I will continue to wear these shoes and recommend them to anyone with bunions. I tested the women’s version of these shoes, but they also make a version for men.