In the US alone over 100 million people deal with bunions. So you are not alone in trying to figure out the best running shoes for bunions! I’ve got friends who deal with this and it’s important to know that they don’t have to mean the end of your running.
The right running shoe is going to make a massive difference in reducing discomfort while running.
Previously I’ve written about the running with bunions treatment techniques, like taping bunions and foot exercises. Make sure you check that out for some additional ways to improve your time on the roads. But today, we’re going to dive more in to what you need to look for in running shoes.
For you, it’s not just about cushion and weight. Instead, our focus shifts to a wide toe box, better arch support and even a lower heel to toe drop. Let’s discuss each of these features a bit more and then dive in to reviews of my top running shoe for bunions.
10 Best Running Shoes for Bunions
There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re choosing a new pair of running shoes. If you’re looking for a pair with a wide toe box, these are our 7 picks for the best running shoes you can buy right now.
These are the shoes that came most highly recommended by Physical Therapists and Podiatrists that I know (and equally important, by runners I know who deal with this issue). We’ve looked at some of the best brands and shoes so that you can be sure that your feet will be happy no matter how far you run.
#1 Best Cushioned Zero Drop Shoe – Altra Provision
The Altra Provision is a great stability shoe that is lightweight and lets you run in a natural way. It has Altra’s well-known EGO midsole, which provides lightweight cushioning for soft landings and explosive takeoffs.
For those with flexible arches or who tend to overpronate, this is the ideal shoe. Altra designed the Provision with GuideRail technology, which provides medial support when you need it
The Altra Provision is a lightweight and supportive zero drop shoe. That means we have eliminated worries about the heel to toe drop and we have provided that arch support, all alongside some really nice cushion! Just remember that if you are new to Zero Drop running shoes, you want to gradually introduce them to your training. Start with just 1 short run per week.
We know I’m not a big stability shoe person and yet these don’t feel like a stability shoe at all. I think it’s because they have a good amount of cushion and aren’t stiff.
- Weight: 9.6 oz Men’s, 8.2 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: zero drop shoe
- Available in 7 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available on Altrarunning.com for $140
I’ve taken these out for quite a few miles now and surprised myself by finding my calves didn’t scream. I think a good sign that I’ve been rotating through a large variety of heel stacks.
This is one that I’d recommend if you’ve been considering a stability shoe, but aren’t going to let up on all the hip, glue and core work that will make sure you aren’t relying on the shoe.
#2 Best All-around Shoe – Brooks Glycerin 22
The Glycerin remains one of Brooks most loved running shoes. I told you I ran a marathon in it! It‘s a great all–around running shoe, providing great cushioning for a variety of running distances.
The Glycerin 23 uses nitrogen infused DNA Tuned cushioning, the same as the Glycerin 22s, with 2mm more foam in the forefoot. YES!! In our Glycerin 22, we mentioned a few times wisher for more under the forefoot. Clearly Brooks is taking feedback from runners.
These shoes were created with a tune dual cell technique which means the heel has large cells for plush landings and the forefoot has small cells for responsive toe-offs.
While this is going to provide great support with each step, it’s considered a neutral shoe. If you’re looking for a little extra stability, that’s where the well loved Glycercin GTS (or any GTS Brooks shoe) would come into play.
- Weight: 10.6 oz Men’s, 9.5 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 38 mm
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Available 8 Colors
- Available in wide and extra wide
- Available on Brooksrunning.com for $175
- Read our full review of the Brooks Glycerin 23 here >>
#3 Best Max Cushioned – HOKA Arahi
If you’ve ever wondered are HOKAs good for bunions? Yes!
They have both the wider foot we are looking for, along with the lower heel drop and by default provide a bit more stability. As always there are some models that can be better for bunions than others and you’ll see 2 on this list.
The Arahi is a stability running shoe designed for runners who need support for overpronation. Which means for us, that it’s going to support the arch.
One big upgrade from the previous models is the support system Hoka opted for, switching from J-Frame stability to H-Frame stability technology.
This shifted the support from just the medial side (or inside) of the foot to both the medial and lateral sides allows the shoe to keep the material directly under the forefoot and heel making it a more balanced and less stiff ride, great for overpronators.
This shoe is great for easy and long training runs, especially with extra space in the toebox.
Even with an additional 3mm of foam from previous models this shoe felt light and had a little bounce to it— if you’re someone who needs a lot of support and prefers a more rigid shoe, this might not be the choice for you.
- Weight: 9.8 oz Men’s, 7.7 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 39 mm
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Available in wide and extra wide
- Available on hoka.com for $150.00
- Check out our full review of the Hoka Arahi 8 here >>
#4 Runner-up Max Cushioned Shoe- Hoka Bondi Wide
The Hoka One One Bondi is great for everyday running and walking. With its max cushioning, it’s almost guaranteed to provide max comfort too. The one thing to remember is that the more cushion, the less “pop” or speed you’ll get from a shoe.
If you’re needing a little extra room when dealing with bunions, you can get the Bondi 9 in Wide and Extra Wide to give even more space.
The newest model has a mesh construction, lighter foams, and an extended heel that offers a soft but balanced roll-through from heel strike to push-off. Just remember as we mentioned before that more cushion isn’t always better.
- Weight: 10.5 oz Men’s, 9.3 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 5 mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Available in wide and extra wide (in limited colors)
- Available on Hoka.com for $170
- Read our full review of the Hoka Bondi 9 here >>
#5 Best Lightweight Daily Trainer – Topo Cyclone
The foot shaped toe box is a win for bunions!
My immediate thought upon picking this shoe up was “holy cow how is it so light?” When that’s the first thing you notice, it’s definitely going to be a fun shoe for some up speed workouts!
When you aren’t looking for a max cushion shoe (because we don’t always need that), but a shoe that’s light and still comfortable for the run, this is a great option. It doesn’t have a massive stack height, which means it is also a bit more stable for a lot of folks.
There is a slight rocker design to it, but I can’t say I noticed this much in my runs. I just thought was a nice sensible daily trainer that was a bit more responsive than a bigger cushion. If you want something for tempo runs, intervals, or even a race day light weight shoe this wide toebox will keep that big toe doing it’s job.
- Weight: 6.9oz Men’s, 5.5 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 5mm
- Available in 2 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available at REI for $150
- Read our full review of the Topo Cyclone 3 here >>
#6 Best Saucony Shoe for Bunions: Saucony Guide 18
The Saucony Guide is a stability running shoe that is designed for runners who need more support and guidance. It features a medial post, which is a firmer foam that helps to prevent overpronation and provides stability.
That being said, it’s not HUGELY structured. Compared to older stability shoes, this isn’t going to be super firm or provide massive support. It’s just providing a little bit of extra for those who find their arches dropping or have flat feet.
The upper of the Saucony Guide is made of breathable mesh material that offers flexibility and a secure fit. Moving slightly away from past posts to provide stability is their new Hollow Tech medial support. The TPU medial support element placed in rear of the midsole provides support without the rigid and firm feeling of a medial post, seen in most shoes.
- Weight: 9.6 oz Men’s, 8.6 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- 13 Colors for Women’s, 12 for Men’s
- Available in wide and extra wide
- Available on Saucony.com for $140
- Read our full review of the Saucony Guide 18 here >>
#7 Best New Balance For Bunions – New Balance 860v14
The New Balance Fresh Foam 860 v14 has a dual-density medial post in the midsole that helps with overpronation, which will stabilize your foot strike and help to keep you in better alignment.
A combination of hard and soft rubbers on the outsole of the Fresh Foam 860 imparts grip, while the firm midsole is useful at runs of a higher pace.
Wide is also available and that might be necessary for some of you to get just a little more room in the toe box.
The breathable mesh upper keeps your feet cool and secure, and the cushioning is second to none.
It’s a stability running shoe that’s surprisingly light. It has a stretchy, spacious forefoot and toe box which is perfect if you have bunions!
- Weight: 10.8 oz Men’s, 8.7 oz Women’s
- Heel Drop: 8 mm
- Available in core and seasonal colors
- Available in narrow, wide and extra wide (in limited colors)
- Available on Newbalance.com for $140
- Check out our full review of the New Balance 860v14 here >>
There are A LOT Of fresh foam numbered shoes, so note that the 880 is neutral cushion. The 860 is the stability option. Personally, I quite like the Fresh Foam which provides just the right amount of cushion for my runs from 3 to 20 miles.
#8 Best On Running For Bunions – On Cloudflyer Wide
Cloudflyer running shoes are known for their comfort and style. They feel super nice on your feet, due to their soft cushioning, but they also have the stability you need. Having run in these, I’d label them as a firmer shoe providing more support and less of that plush cushion.
Great if you need some additional stability or arch support. These shoes are not bouncy or super cushioned, so again if you want that softer feel choose one of the first couple shoes listed.
The wide version of a Cloudflyer shoe still has all the luxuries but is constructed 4mm wider than the regular fit. It might sound like a small amount of difference, but your toes will thank you the very first time you go for a run in them!
- Weight: 10.6 oz Men’s, 8.8 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 9 mm
- Available in 5 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available from on.com for $170
#9 Best for All Day Wear- Kuru Atom 2
Kuru shoes are designed with a heel-hugging KURUSOLE. If you’re someone who spends a lot of time on their feet and deals with plantar fasciitis and bunions this shoe was designed specifically for you!
Once you put the shoe on, the curved, heel-cupping design will give your heel pad a little extra support and form to your foot. They are meant to follow your foots natural biomechanics and sorta mold to your needs.
The foam uses the EVA shock absorbing cushion, so there is going to have a more plush, bouncy feel. Perfect for those super long days on your feet!
- Weight: 13.1 oz Men’s, 11.4 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 4 colors
- Available in wide
- Available from kurufootwear.com for $165
- Check out our full review of the KURU Atom 2 here >>
#10 Best Trail Running Shoe for Bunions – HOKA Speedgoat
The Speedgoat is often on many of our best of lists because it’s such a great shoe.
This shoe is best for trail runners who are looking for moderate cushion, plenty of protection and grip to cover a variety of terrain and distances. Great trail race day option as well.
It’s not a stability shoe. Instead, the heel base seems wider and they’ve refined the heel collar to hold you better in place. Each time my foot rolled through a rocky section I could tell there was less dipping of my heel than in the 6. It was a glorious feeling and I already know my ankles are going to be much happier. I’d say anyone with Achilles issues will also appreciate it.
The new foam is a little softer, it feels like there’s a bit more in the forefoot which is really comfortable. The shoe remains light, able to pick up the pace, but with even more energy return from this superior foam. It’s not bouncy like a super foam, it’s not crazy plush, it’s just a really perfect amount of foam for a trail shoe!
- Weight: 8.3 oz women’s, 9.7 oz men’s
- Stack Height: 38mm women’s, 40m men’s
- Heel Drop: 5mm
- Available in GTX
- Available in 3 colors to start
- Available in wide in some colors
- Available at: Hoka.com for $165
- Read our review of the Hoka Speedgoat 7 here >>
There are a few shoes that I have recommended in other articles when looking for wide walking shoes (like the HOKA Clifton) that I didn’t include here. They could absolutely work, but I’m trying to eliminate your overthinking about the best sneaker.
What to Look For In Shoes for Bunions
As noted there are three things we want to asses when selecting you best shoe. These are all things you can pretty easily find the details for when shoe shopping online, but may need to better understand what they mean or why they matter.
Wide Toe Box Shoes
Dr. Gaby Go, DPT, PT, says “When working with patients who are dealing with bunions, one of the most impactful things you can do to prevent bunion formation is ensure that the toe box of your shoe is wide enough to accommodate all your toes. The goal is that you can comfortably spread your toes within the shoe itself. ”
Should I Buy a Wide Shoe if I Have Bunions?
Remember that a wide toe box means the area where your toes are is often more footshaped. It does not mean the entire shoe is wide, which can create issues if you have a more narrow heel or arch.
If a shoe is too wide, it can cause blisters and other issues. This is because your foot has too much room to move around in the shoe and as a result creates the friction that leads to blisters or even chaffing.
So again, our focus in on a wider toe box, as we see here with Altra Running Shoes. Having bunions doesn’t necessarily mean you have wide feet.
Moderate Heel Toe Drop
Heel to toe drop refers to the change from the heel of the shoe to the toe in height. It’s not the same thing as stack height which is how tall the shoe is overall.
Standard running shoes are often 12MM in drop, which is great if you have Achilles issues, but not an ideal running shoe for bunions. We know that one of the worst shoes to wear with bunions is a high heel. In effect, the higher the drop the more pressure you are putting forward on the foot and the bunion.
Ideally we want to look for shoes that are 6mm or less. Lucky for you there are now a lot of those available.
Arch Support
Again we’re looking for things to ensure that we aren’t placing extra pressure on your forefoot with each step. And if your arch is coming down that will create bunion discomfort.
According to DPT Amie Ramczyk, “a lot of people who have bunions have flat feet and walk with feet turned out, causing them to roll off the bunion and not the big toe. This then causes decreased ROM in the big toe and ankle as well and can lead to other issues up the chain.”
What Shoes to Avoid with Bunions?
The biggest thing in running shoes for bunions is going to be avoiding a narrow shoe or one with inflexible material, which often includes waterproof trail shoes. Many folks find that Nike and Saucony both run narrow, which means you’ll be looking for Wide versions of their shoes. But as you saw above, I did specifically recommend a wide Saucony.
Meanwhile New Balance is well known for their availability of Wide Shoes and I do recommend them a ton.
All right, we’ve talked a ton here about what you need to look for in the best running shoes for bunions, alongside some well tested options. Go forth and find the shoe that’s going to allow you to run pain free!!!
Looking for more training and gear tips?
- HOKA running shoes compared
- How to Buy Running Shoes Online?
- How to Break in Running Shoes
- When to Replace Running Shoes
Other ways to connect with Amanda
Instagram Daily Fun: RunToTheFinish
Facebook Community Chatter: RunToTheFinish
Sign Up to Receive a Weekly Newsletter with Top Running Tips and Laughs
Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 Review | Baby Got Back
Leave a Reply