We Tested Dozens of Podiatrist-Recommended Shoes — These 11 Are the Best if You Have Bunions

These shoes mold to your foot over time, boosting comfort. They’re also super lightweight and offer a fun take on lifestyle shoes that are great for your feet. These shoes are best for leisurely strolls, running errands, and general daily tasks, but they’re not ideal for running or hitting the gym. You may want to note that they are difficult to wear with socks. If you’re up for leaning into this quirky style, these are a no-brainer for those suffering from bunions.

Our choice for the best podiatrist-recommended shoes for bunions is the New Balance Made in USA 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 that catches light and makes 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 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.

Finding a great pair of shoes can be a challenge when you have bunions. I long for a shoe with a wide toe box, so my bunions aren’t irritated. But I don’t want something with cloyingly thick material, especially since I live in a warm, sunny climate year-round. The Dillon from Xero Shoes checks all those boxes. It has a very wide toe box, is made from ultralightweight material, features breathable mesh, and comes in sizes suitable for the whole family.

I had a chance to try these shoes and was generally pleased. I clocked three miles walking in them and noticed how lightweight and breathable they were. It was a hot day, and yet I hardly noticed I was wearing shoes. There was no break-in period, and it seemed like they only got more comfortable as time wore on. That is by design, since its sole is created to mold to the foot as it is worn more.

There is no drop level on these shoes, which is done intentionally — the company says that it helps promote good posture. While these shoes are very comfortable, the lightweight material and design left me feeling like they may wear down easily. They also run a bit small, so try sizing up half a size for the perfect fit. These shoes are one of the more affordable ones on this list, and we think they are well worth the price.

Our pick for the best walking shoe for bunions is the Asics GEL-Kayano 32. And it’s not just great for people with bunions — it also has arch support and great supportive cushioning in the heel, making these shoes ideal for people with flat feet too. 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 previously tried out the Asics GEL-Kayano 31, loved its cushioned feel, and didn’t experience any foot pain. This updated version is similar but includes extra forefoot foam and a lower heel drop, making the shoe feel even more stable, without sacrificing any comfort.

A drawback we saw with the previous model was that the shoe may not be wide enough for feet with severe bunions. Considering that there weren’t any major updates made to the shape of the shoe this time around, you’ll still want to consider whether they are wide enough for you.

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.

Our best shoe for bunions and flat feet is the Brooks Ghost Max 3, due to its ideal structure and feel for both foot concerns. Flat feet, or “fallen arches” as they’re sometimes called, occur when the arch of the foot collapses under pressure. People with flat feet or low arches have a higher risk of developing bunions because the foot shape can put pressure on the big toe joint, pushing it out of alignment. We previously tested the Brooks Ghost Max 2, and we love the updated Brooks Ghost Max 3’s increased toe box space and wider platform sole, which makes the shoes even more comfortable.

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 Brooks Ghost Max 2 shoes felt on hard concrete, making them ideal for long days on your feet. We’re confident that this new version is even more comfortable, due to its wider platform sole. The only potential drawback is that if you suffer from severe overpronation from having flat feet, meaning your feet roll inward, you may need custom orthotics to manage more severe symptoms.

Everyday Health editor Olivia Campbell had a chance to try these shoes out and especially loved the hands-free styling. She also noted that she believes they will stand the test of time. After one wear, they remained “comfortable, cushy, and supportive.” She did note that the blue color got pretty dirty quickly. If that sounds off-putting to you, consider purchasing a darker color.

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, as well as for 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, which is less than many other shoes on this list.

An easy slip-on that you can slide into when it’s time to run to the mailbox or take a stroll around the block is an essential. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort for convenience though. The Gobi Wavey Mule from Vivobarefoot is a comfy, durable mule that’s perfect for indoor and outdoor use. Vivobarefoot is known for shoes that encourage toe splaying, increasing balance and support while mitigating any nagging at tender spots like bunions.

Simply put: These shoes do what you want a comfy shoe to do. “They are durable, have a decent cushion even for a flat shoe, and don’t worsen my knee pain,” shares tester Chelsea Avila. While she mostly wore them around the house, since the blustery New York winter kept her inside, she can’t wait to break them out for leisurely walks once the weather warms up. At nearly $200 they’re definitely a splurge, but Avila noted that the durability and luxe leather upper make the price tag feel worth it.