The Best (Actually Stylish) Shoes for Bunions, According to Foot Experts (2024)

All three podiatrists recommend Birkenstocks for their sturdy footbed, arch support, and soft leather upper. “Birkenstocks are wonderful. My favorite style for bunions is the Gizeh,” says Parthasarathy, who has them in three different colors. She likes the thong style, “because the two straps may irritate the bunion if you strap it too tight.” She also notes that the soft, flexible suede option, as opposed to leather, is less likely to cause irritation.

For a shoe that’s a little more secure, the ankle strap on this thong-style sandal from APMA-approved footwear brand Dansko anchors your foot, so you’re not overworking to keep things in place. The soft suede uppers stretch with your foot, and one bunion-suffering reviewer says that her toe was “free of any pressure at all,” and that “all the while [her] feet look downright awesome.”

Torres-Hodges recommends a style with a low heel that “keeps your foot stabilized in both the front and the back, behind the heel, too,” and often finds luck with Cole Haan shoes. This sandal, with a one-inch platform height and elasticized ankle strap to keep your foot secure, checks both of these boxes. Plus, the flexible leather straps are, according to Cole Haan, constructed to “embrace the contours of your body for the most exact fit possible” — including, even, the contour of a bunion.

Parthasarathy highly recommends shoes from APMA-certified brand Vionic for their “really supportive footbed.” These soft leather sandals will easily mold to the shape of your bunion, and the podiatrist-designed footbed keeps your feet stable and your weight balanced, taking the pressure off of your big toe. For those who are afraid of commitment (or online shoe shopping in general), Vionic also has a 30-day wear test, meaning you can take their shoes for a month-long spin before taking the plunge.

Though heels are not recommended for daily wear, the podiatrists we spoke to agree that there’s no real harm in wearing them for special occasions — as long as they’re comfortable. Both Sheth and Grace Torres-Hodges recommend a short wedge heel, like these two-inch Cole Haan wedges, which are also available in a wide width to accommodate a protruding bunion in the toe box.

For something a little more elevated (literally) than the Gizeh, these Birkenstock platform wedges have a contoured footbed to ensure proper weight distribution, and deep heel cup to help with foot alignment. The breathable, flexible uppers will contour to your bunion, and while the width is marked as narrow, they run quite wide, reviewers assure.

When trying on shoes, Sheth tells her patients that they should be able to “move [their toes] up and down and from side to side.” These Vionic soft suede slip-ons, recommended by Parthasarathy and available in both regular and wide width, will surely provide you with enough toe-wiggling room. The flexible uppers will stretch with wear as well, forming to your bunion rather than restricting it as you walk.

If you’re looking for a heel, Parthasarathy opts for these super-supportive round-toe block heels, which, like their suede slip-on cousins, are available in two different widths. The padded sole also takes some of the pressure off of the bunion while walking, and the closed back keeps your foot in place.

Sheehan recommends the U.K.-based shoe company Calla to her clients with bunions for their “cushioned sole, arch support, and wider box at the toe.” Calla shoes are actually made specifically for those with bunions, designed with a wider toe box and narrower heel to accommodate the extra width, and to disguise bunion appearance. While the narrow toe on this leather Chelsea boot looks like it would be restrictive, it has a specially designed extra-wide toe box that will curve around the bunion, rather than rub and irritate it.

With suede uppers, a wide width option, a low heel, and a round toe, it’s clear that podiatrist-founded Vionic designed this bootie with those with bunions in mind. The low heel helps with foot alignment, and the cushioned footbed takes the pressure off of your big toe, meaning your joint won’t get strained or overly compressed through the day. This tried-and-true style also made the list of our best orthopedic shoes, so they’re good for all types of foot concerns, from bunions to plantar fasciitis.

These flexible-soled leather oxfords are a favorite of Parthasarathy. The inners are made from antimicrobial memory foam that “shapes to your foot,” while the leather uppers are designed to breathe and stretch, which will help keep bunion irritation at bay.

“I’m loving Hoka — they’re lightweight and have a wide toe box,” says Parthasarathy, who opts for the Bondi 6 style. They’re ideal for both running and walking, and the two different widths, cushioned outsole, and soft uppers will accommodate any size bunion. Multiple reviewers describe them as “walking on a cloud.”

Parthasarathy also likes Altra running shoes for their “wide toe box but narrow heel,” particularly for those whose heels tend to slip out of wider shoes. The Provision 4 has a padded sole, a contoured footbed, and knitted, breathable uppers, which will keep your foot cushioned and stable while you walk and run. As for the toe box, this style is no exception — one reviewer found it “terrific” for bunions.

Sensible-footwear company Merrell gets a thumbs-up from Torres-Hodges for its superb arch support and roomy toe-box offerings. This faux-fur lined clog has a thick rubber sole and molded footbed for extra cushioning, which helps lessen any pressure on your toes while walking. Designer Sandy Liang can also attest to their comfort, and found them “strangely flattering on [her] wide, flat feet.” According to Liang, the clogs don’t slip off her heels, meaning that you won’t have to overwork your foot — or your bunion — to keep them secure.