What are the Best Walking Shoes (for Bunions)?
If you're like most people, you probably experience some discomfort in your feet after a long day of walking. This is especially true if you have bunions, which can make walking feel pretty painful for some people.
Lucky for you, there are plenty of great walking shoes on the market that can help make your walks more comfortable. In this blog post, we'll discuss what to look for in a good pair of walking shoes. So, if you're ready to start enjoying your walks again, keep reading and then consult with your physician to determine the best pair for you!
What are bunions?
Bunions are those bony protrusions that develop where your big toe joins the rest of the foot, and they can be very painful if allowed to progress for an extended period of time. To cope with bunions, you’ll want to find shoes that are more comfortable when walking or being active.
Given the fact that approximately one-third of the adult population1 have or will develop bunions at some point during their lives, shoe manufacturers have taken note, and are now offering more and more products to accommodate the situation.
Qualities to look for
If you're looking for the best walking shoes for bunions or the best sneakers for bunions, the general characteristics will be the same whether you're searching for bunion shoes for men, or shoes for women with bunions. The basic qualities you should be seeking are a very roomy toe box area, so that the toes have plenty of room to relax and spread out. You should also seek out a shoe with plenty of support, so parts of the feet and ankles aren't strained by activity.
Some of these new products are very good at providing much better support and comfort for customers by not aggravating the bunion2. Good shoes for bunions are generally lightweight, so they don't require a great deal of effort when moving around, and so they don't weigh down on the toes and the bunion when walking.
Bunions do not disappear on their own, and your doctor may recommend surgical removal for severe bunions. However, there are things you can do to help alleviate pain associated with bunions. Your physician may suggest orthotics for bunions because these devices can arrest the progress of a developing bunion1. Custom orthotics can be created that mold to the precise contours of your feet to provide relief from bunion pain and to avoid any additional structural damage with your foot. Custom orthotics can deliver support precisely where it's needed so that no extra pressure gets applied to the foot in general, or to the bunion specifically.
Beyond footwear
Once you've found a good pair of shoes for bunions, your physician may recommend taking it a step further and find some good bunion socks as well3. Bunion socks are often split in the toe area, segregating the big toe from the other four. This design allows for additional cushioning to be built into the sock, which makes the wearer more comfortable and to provide additional support.
If the time should come when your bunion simply becomes too painful to manage, that may be when your physician recommends a surgical solution. Until then, seek extra support and comfort from the best walking shoes, orthotics, and socks for bunions, under the guidance of a physician treating your condition.
References:
1 https://www.newcanaanpodiatry.com/blog/how-custom-orthotics-can-stop-your-bunion-from-growing
2 https://www.livestrong.com/article/13769000-best-shoes-bunions/
3 https://www.orthosleeve.com/products/bunion-socks
4 https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/bunions/
