https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:55:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes/page/2#post-918854 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:49:15 +0000 vnsata 918854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm so glad to have found this thread! I was beginning to feel like the only suffering fashion lover.<br /><br />I never wore heels a ton and instead opted for flats and walk a lot. After having a lot of heel and toe&nbsp;pain I visited a podiatrist who told me I had bunions and plantar fasciitis along with flat feet and some other minor issues. He sent me to Beck's Shoes and I've worn Dansko almost exclusively from then on. They are beginning to be more stylish but are still a pretty specific style. I've found Dansko to be the most reliable brand for my problems. They are difficult to get used to because they are high and heavy and I (along with some people I know) have done a bit of tripping/rolling ankles in them.<br /><br />I've also found Orthaheel to be great. Most of their styles are not great but their flip flops and house slippers offer great support. I recently got the Accomplish Post Strap sandal (from Orthaheel by Dr. Weil) and it is great. I am constantly getting compliments on them.<br /><br />I branched out a bit recently and got the Born Aronica flats because one reviewer mentioned she had bunions and they fit well bunion-wise but I noticed the support wasn't great and had a tiny bit of heel pain.<br /><br />I'm not sure how helpful all of this is since if you only have bunions you may have less trouble finding a good shoe. I noticed a lot of people suggested boots (which I used to love to wear when I wasn't wearing flats) and oxfords (another former live fave) but I found I could not longer wear either of these. While they are more shoe, I found most styles to be narrow in the toe box and too type covering-wise, but I haven't tried a shoe stretcher, which I really want to do.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes/page/2#post-878275 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 22:48:39 +0000 Carla 878275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bunions on both feet, left worse than right. My doc, who is a runner too, said I could go for surgery, but I would loose big toe range of motion, and might not be able to run again after. My toes don't cross, but the bunions are pronounced. If I wear good shoes, they don't hurt. I took a pass on the surgery.</p> <p>My mom had bunion surgery, but experienced other problems after, and had to have further surgery. </p> <p>I swear by Asics for my running shoes, and Mizuno is good too. Merrell for gear ( hiking boots and sandals). I can almost tell by looking at a shoe if it will be good or bad for my 50+ year old feet. I've found stylish shoes of all heights that work...Naturalizer, Clark's, Soft, Frye, Steve Madden, Franco Sarto, and some other designers. I try on a lot of shoes, but they will not come home unless they are comfortable in the store. I refuse to 'break' shoes in.</p> <p>My SIL who started ballroom dancing with her husband about 5 years ago, wears dancers shoes when she wants height. She says they are supper comfortable.</p> <p>I get pedicures, and massage, and I do lots of self care with my feet, and it goes a long way to keeping them as healthy and as pretty as possible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes/page/2#post-874765 Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:02:39 +0000 barkingdogshoes 874765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi! It's Kirsten from BarkingDogShoes.com. I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I understand how bunions can really put a damper on your shoe choices. However, each season I find more and more shoe companies that are making stylish yet foot-friendly shoes to accommodate bunions: vamps that don't cross the sensitive area, soft leathers, rounded toes/roomier toe boxes and adjustable straps across the forefoot. See my most recent post with eight fashionable options for feet with bunions:<br /> <a href="http://www.barkingdogshoes.com/newshoe/2013/03/bunions-and-sty.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.barkingdogshoes.com.....d-sty.html</a><br /> Best wishes,<br /> Kirsten </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes/page/2#post-759011 Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:58:40 +0000 gossipgirl 759011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My bunions appeared just few years ago and it's been a pain to find shoes that don't hurt seriously...I mean of course, I can wear boots or sneakers but it's not really appropriate for parties and clubbing! Randomly, I found out about French brand who sells elegant heels for women like us. It's a bit expensive but I had enough to wear heels that made my feet bleeding. Honestly, I don't regret it, I bought the model Chantilly as I love bows. The brand is called Caroline Macaron and you can have a look here: <a href="http://www.carolinemacaron.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.carolinemacaron.com</a>. Hope this helps </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes/page/2#post-753984 Mon, 22 Oct 2012 03:21:10 +0000 shiny 753984@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>With help of PT I figured out that my bunion (left foot only) is caused by a leg length difference. My left leg is slightly longer than my right leg, which means I put more weight on that foot (in flats OR heels), which causes the bunion to form over time (and also that foot is wider). </p> <p>Initially the PT thought it was a congenital issue, so recommended I wear an insert in my shoe, to even out the leg length difference. After a few months wearing nothing but flats that could accommodate the insert, the bunion completely disappeared. </p> <p>I stopped wearing the insert because I missed stylish shoes. Over time, the bunion came right back. </p> <p>Then I got into yoga. And discovered that regular yoga ALSO makes the bunion magically disappear. </p> <p>Penny dropped... it's not a congenital issue at all. The leg length difference is caused by habitually crossing my left leg over my right all the time, which stretches out the muscles from hip on down, and makes that leg a little longer. </p> <p>Another strategy that helps immensely is wearing Vibram five finger shoes, just around<br /> the house. It spreads your toes back into place, after being forced together if you wear heels a lot. </p> <p>Hope that helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes/page/2#post-673307 Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:48:41 +0000 Marigold 673307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's another bunion sufferer. Or not as much 'sufferer' since I stopped wearing heels at all.. I mean they didn't 'go away', just stopped bothering me, I live in flat gladiator sandals (the kind with lots of straps, I find them actually pretty supportive, I splurged and got a pair of AGL flats from ebay (cheaper than retail but their sizing is weird, and I tried them at Nordies first) after trying countless ones that didn't work (all the comfort brand ones were pinching the bunions and digging into my feet), Still, I sized up, put an insert in them and it took quite a few wears for them to become truly comfortable. But they're very soft and elastic band is just enough to keep them put but not tight.<br /> But as the others have said, the true relief is just footwear with plenty of support.. meaning boots, oxford, booties and such. I can't wait till the fall and winter to wear my (flat) boots! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes/page/2#post-673303 Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:41:53 +0000 Theodora 673303@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oops, forgot the link:</p> <p><a href="http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/footankle/store/item.asp?ITEM_ID=707" rel="nofollow">http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/.....TEM_ID=707</a></p> <p>Ball and Ring Shoe Stretcher</p> <p>This easy to use bunion stretcher allows you to stretch the specific part of your shoe causing pain rather than stretching the entire shoe. This device can stretch problem areas without stretching the entire footbox. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-673301 Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:40:33 +0000 Theodora 673301@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I use one of these, leaving it overnight on each shoe, but it only works if the shoes are leather. Softer leather is best. In the winter, I find that soft ballet flats work well, and look better than just sneakers. I wear the ones from Bloch, ordered online. They are really soft. Also, the ones from J Crew are soft. Another trick is that I am wearing 1/2 size larger as my bunions get worse! Can always pad the bottom a bit with an insert, but I find that my wider feet hold them on anyway-ha, ha! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-670371 Mon, 16 Jul 2012 21:32:22 +0000 DonnaF 670371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Ruth: I have the Dansko Buffy as well, but in black! Their price is keeping me pulling the trigger on the Dansko Rowena, but I keep them in my Endless.com "Saved for Later" box. The bunions put me at a D or sometimes C width, too. Dansko Rylan mid-calf boots were bunion friendly on me, but I ended up returning them because they don't fit my lifestyle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-669168 Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:42:00 +0000 krishnidoux 669168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is the one I have. <a href="http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/auc-kutuyatomoda/item/10001066/" rel="nofollow">http://global.rakuten.com/en/s...../10001066/</a><br /> BEST Summer shoe on earth. It looks bulky but actually the platform gives you extra height. The colour blends with your leg (if you are pale like me!). And the comfort! I have never come across a more comfortable shoe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-669165 Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:37:56 +0000 krishnidoux 669165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you tried any shoe from Xsensible?<br /> <a href="http://www.archangel-shoes.com/brands/stretchwalker/" rel="nofollow">http://www.archangel-shoes.com.....tchwalker/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-669161 Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:30:52 +0000 lynne 669161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't necessarily rule out surgery unless she had the exact same kind of bunions and kind of surgery you would have. There's more than one type of surgery. Talk to your doctor. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-667795 Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:10:08 +0000 Anonymous 667795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Update:</p> <p>@DonnaF: Since my ankle injury, I've tried the Dansko brand. The somewhat inflexible sides of these shoes offer more stability, so I don't feel like I'm going to turn/twist my ankles. Even though I wear a D width shoe, I can wear Dansko size 38 just fine. I now have 3 pairs:</p> <p>Dansko Rowena, in both brown and black:<br /> <a href="http://www.clogkingdom.com/product/DANROWENA?gdftrk=gdfV2822_a_7c950_a_7c6559_a_7cDANROWENA" rel="nofollow">http://www.clogkingdom.com/pro.....cDANROWENA</a></p> <p>Dansko Buffy boots, in gray suede (They look brown online, but are actually charcoal):<br /> <a href="http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-dansko-buffy-grey-kid-suede-p_id228787" rel="nofollow">http://www.onlineshoes.com/wom.....p_id228787</a></p> <p>I recently met a woman whose bunions grew back after surgery. Her bunions look larger and worse than mine! So no, I don't think I'll ever opt for surgery. I'll just keep shopping for the most comfortable shoes for my feet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-667090 Thu, 12 Jul 2012 20:58:02 +0000 Carol B 667090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was doing a search for shoes and came upon this post. So surprised no one has mentioned Keen! They've been a life saver for me since I "discovered" them. Not all Keen are great for bunions, but most have a wide foot bed, a built-in arch, some more flexible than others (depending on use), and for the first time since forever, I can wear my true size, no need to go up half a size to accomodate my "duck feet." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-543479 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:10:37 +0000 DonnaF 543479@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And then, unlike Ruth, I do best in an inflexible shoe like a clog! Too much flexibility really hurts the joint by my worse bunion! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-543477 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:06:57 +0000 Anonymous 543477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have bunions. I wore orthotics for a year, but they made my back and legs hurt really bad, and I decided it wasn't worth it. I have sciatica anyway, and the orthotics made it 10x worse. Anyhoo, I've found that boots or booties are really comfy. I wear a D width, so brand choices are limited. Right now, I wear mostly Sofft and Softspots, and for everyday don't exceed a 2-inch heel height. I can wear higher heels (2.5 to 3 inches max.) for occasions when I'm not on my feet to amount to anything. Also, the toe box needs to be roomy and both the upper and the sole need to be soft and flexible. Nothing stiff on my feet! Padded insoles are a bonus. I haven't experienced any foot pain (or pain anywhere else on my body) after adopting the aforementioned strategies. Hope this helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-543433 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:21:09 +0000 rachylou 543433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Clarks suck for bunions - or just the bunion area, no bunions needed. Born is hit or miss. Look to avoid narrowing toe boxes and seams in that area. I have some cheapie sneaker mary janes from Payless that are actually quite foot friendly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-543432 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:20:26 +0000 DonnaF 543432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A fourth vote for BarkingDogShoes.com! Based on her September recommendation re Ros Hommerson Miracles, I bought the flats (from Zappos) and they don't slip at the heels at all. Not too much arch support, however. Her recommendations are pretty spot on as she examines where the shoes cut, their softness, and toebox room. I also read shoe reviews because they sometimes mention bunions. I tend to have or wear W or WW shoes due to the bunions, but have found that I can occasionally order medium width shoes if the reviews complain that they run wide!</p> <p>Since Born, Ecco, and Clarks do not come in Wide, I don't even try them. I use Zappos a lot, followed by Endless.com since returns are free. If you like a cowboy boot look with a bit of a heel, Dansko Rylan is probably the most comfortable thing I have ever tried on my feet -- even better than Dansko Pros. I decided that they do not fit the life I lead, my style, or my (lack of) height, so I regretfully returned them. I also found Dankso booties that are great after a TON of Danskos that don't work AT ALL.</p> <p>BarkingDogShoes reviews a lot of orthopedic looking and frumpy looking shoes, but she does the best she can within the constraints of fussy feet. Sadly, I've found I hafta kiss a lotta frogs before I find a prince. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-543423 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:09:32 +0000 ManidipaM 543423@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No recommendations due to lack of experience with this issue. But with my own fussy feet, I'll be following this thread with interest. If they work with bunions, they should work with me too, hopefully. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-543374 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:23:18 +0000 runner805 543374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear Bunion Booties in my shoes also - it helps with friction and rubbing. Which I find then generally brings down the swelling and general discomfort. They are expensive but comfortable and easy to wear (if I can REMEMBER to wear them lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-192305 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:52:25 +0000 Kristen 192305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely recommend Barking Dog Shoes to any bunion-sufferers. I love that site, and I don't even have fussy feet at all! But she reviews a lot of practical, functional, often very pretty shoes that can help those that do. I just like comfortable shoes, in all sorts of heel heights, and I've found several from Kirsten's recommendations. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-192299 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:30:35 +0000 tarzy 192299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks all! What an interesting thread. I'm pretty sure I have bunions, but I've never been to a doctor. (Lousy HMO probably wouldn't be much help.) I have very very fussy feet when it comes to shoes, but I never knew you could do anything about it! </p> <p>I've just learned to pick shoes carefully. I didn't wear heels a lot when I was younger, but I probably never had shoes that fit well.I prefer a low heel, and I wear boots for as much of the year as I can, since they seem to give less problems. I've been experimenting a lot more with sandals this year, since I'm trying to up my style a bit. I've found many Clarks styles to be pretty good, though few are truly more than 3 or 4 hour shoes. Flats are okay, but I don't feel they give me enough support. I have to be very, very careful about where the straps hit when it comes to sandals. As others have mentioned - it's trial and error, and try, try, try on a million different pairs. (I'm sure I'm on Zappos "repeat returner" list by now.) </p> <p> I guess foot pain is something I've just sort of put up with. I doubt I would want to go through surgery at this point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-192296 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:14:44 +0000 lynne 192296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had bunion surgery when I was in my late 20s and haven't regretted it a bit. I had both feet done at once and a hammertoe done as well. Yes, recovery was long and painful, but now I can wear just about any shoe I want. Before surgery my shoes would get misshapen and have scuff marks/fading on the part of the leather where the bunion was.<br /> I've found the Barking Dog blog very helpful. I used to subscribe to her daily blog entries but found I was buying waaaayyyy to many shoes.<br /> <a href="http://www.barkingdogshoes.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.barkingdogshoes.com</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-192003 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:41:59 +0000 Maya 192003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had bunion surgery. The pain is gone but other problems have since come about, so I didn't bother to get the other foot done. I don't regret it but I don't think it substantially changed my life for the better either. Keep in mind I'm only 26 and had the surgery when I was only 23. More than anything I did it because I was terrified that it would just get worse, and being so young it meant I should take care of it early.</p> <p>I haven't found any brands that work better than others. It's just the style of shoe that either works for me or doesn't. I don't wear ballet flats anymore. They just seemed to make the problem worse and hurt my feet like the dickens. Doing that seems to have resolved a lot of my fussy foot issues. I wear sandals, boots, and oxfords exclusively now. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-191999 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:37:10 +0000 medusa 191999@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've had bunions for a long time (&gt;20 years?). I have a pretty strong opinion that it's MUCH better not to get surgery. In fact, I would say that in general people shouldn't get bunion surgery without trying non-surgical alternatives for at least 5 years. Doctors always recommend surgery - that's because surgery is what doctors do. They tend to be pretty unfamiliar with non-surgical options. I've looked into the surgery, and it has a lot of disadvantages. The recovery is horrible, and unless you really follow the recovery instructions well - meaning literally no walking other than going to the bathroom for many weeks - the results from the surgery aren't that good. And even if the surgery is successful, it permanently messes up the range of motion of your toes. This may not seem like a big deal, but having a bunch of yoga poses off limits for the rest of my life isn't so appealing. And finally, surgery always has the potential for serious complications and should be treated as a last resort. And from what I've found, most bunion surgery can be avoided.</p> <p>When my bunions first started getting painful, the doctors I talked to recommended surgery. Then I found a good pedorthist to make me custom orthotics, and my bunions have (a) stopped getting worse (stopped "growing") and (b) stopped hurting (as long as I wear the orthotics). I can't recommend enough finding a really good pedorthist, preferably one who works with athletes because most athletes beat up their feet a lot but don't want to deal with surgery. A good pedorthist should be willing to not just make the orthotics, but work with you to adjust them until they are perfect. I recommend a pedorthist rather than a podiatrist because making orthotics is the focus of a pedorthist, so they usually are more experienced at it than many podiatrists. They can correct the support problem that's leading to your bunions and make the pain go away.</p> <p>If you want dressier non-painful shoes, there are two key things you need to do. </p> <p>#1: Learn about shoe stretching. Either find a good cobbler who can stretch shoes to accommodate your bunions, or buy a good shoe stretcher and do it yourself. Most shoes can be stretched to accommodate your bunions. You can wear almost any shoes if you have them stretched to accommodate your bunion. This is like magic, it feels so good. You'll be wondering why you haven't been doing this your whole life.</p> <p>#2: Try on lots and lots of shoes. It's a trial and error process and everyone's feet are different. At this point I have several pair of dressier shoes that work with my orthotics, including Oxfords, flat boots, and a pair of low heels. Boot or booties tend to work better with orthotics because there's more shoe to still support your foot once it's raised slightly by the orthotic. In my experience ballet flats and orthotics don't work at all. I have found ballet flats that are comfortable to wear without orthotics for my bunions, at least if I don't do too much walking. They are Me Too Swanns and Eccos.</p> <p>I can tell you lots more about the specific shoes I have, but I don't know that it will help you so much because people's feet vary. And once you get a shoe stretcher, you'll have TONS more options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-191950 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:47:53 +0000 bj1111 191950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i am no help on this matter... i too have bunions and refuse to give up my skyscrapers. i see orthotics in my future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-191876 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:00:59 +0000 Lisa 191876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been told to get surgery on both feet, and being in my 30s that really bums me out. Bunions on both feet, and both sides of the feet (by big and little toes) plus hammer toes and all that jazz. I have no standard brand, although I do favor: Cole Haan Air, Clarks, Aerosoles, and Naturalizer. I find I have to watch the size of the toe box, where the shoes cuts across, especially if there are straps like many sandals have, and how high a heel. I'm too much of a wuss to get surgery. It would have to be one foot, recovery, physical therapy, then the other, ugh! So I understand. It's a lot of trial and error for me with shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-191776 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:18:19 +0000 Kristine 191776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the suggestions. Nwetjen, I have Privo for walking shoes and those feel good on my feet. I'll check out Asics for next pair. It's the dressier shoes that are really a problem. Thanks for the reference to Barking Dog annagybe!</p> <p>Luckily my feet have been doing much better lately and it looks like I'll avoid surgery for the moment. But I'm always on the lookout for good shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-191764 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:43:02 +0000 annagybe 191764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The blog Barking Dog Shoes has lots of recommendations for problem feet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bunion-friendly-shoes#post-191761 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:34:57 +0000 nwetjen 191761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>BUY ASICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have bunions too. You will never regret your purchase. I get wide shoes, and at least one hundred dollar ones. They are great casual or work out shoes. Also get some Birkinstock insoles. They are wonderful </p>