7 Best Running Shoes For Bunions in 2025

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7 Best Running Shoes For Bunions in 2025

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Bunions, or bony bumps, ask for a wide toebox that does not put pressure on them. This usually means running shoes should have high-volume toeboxes and the volume of the toebox is exactly what we measure in our lab.

We use 3 data points to quantitatively describe each toebox and this, along with our running expertise and other lab tests, allows us to highlight the best running shoes for bunions in various categories. 

How we test running shoes for bunions

There's no brand or marketing campaign that tells us what to write or what not to write. We have our own process for deciding which shoes to test, and then we buy them using our own money. We have no brand ambassadors on the team. 

Each shoe is treated the same. We perform test runs and make sure to test shoes in different weather conditions and over varying terrain, be it road, trail, mud, rocks, both wet and dry. 

Then, we test the shoes in our lab. We use calipers, force gauges, durometers, tire tread gauges, smoke machines, a freezer, and other devices to measure and describe different features accurately. All our results are published in a way that allows our readers to compare them with averages or results from other shoes of their choice. 

Our approach allows us to publish the most objective reviews out there. The top picks that we put under the spotlight here have performed the best in different categories when bunions are taken into account. 

Best running shoes for bunions overall

ASICS Noosa Tri 15
92
Superb!

What makes it the best?

Asics Noosa Tri 15 outperformed all the other running shoes for bunions by far. It delivers on all fronts: the toebox is wider than average, the platform is cushioned and comfortable, even for long distances, and it's lightweight and works well both for tempo and daily runs. It's not 3 in 1, it's 6 in 1! 

Looking at the toebox, it's wide and tall! At the ball of the foot, the toebox is 3 mm wider than the average and, at the big toe, it's around the average. However, bunions often mean overlapping toes, so we had to look at the toebox height as well. Here as well, Noosa Tri 15 delivers by being higher than average. Is it the widest toebox out there? Of course not. But, it offers other features that are great for runners with bunions. 

It's high-stacked, yet stable! We can see tall side walls which bring lateral stability to this platform that's 34.6 mm tall at the heel. The midsole is also slightly softer than the average but it turns out to be super comfortable and definitely not dull. Our shore A durometer showed 18.6, and it's definitely what we felt below our feet, a comfortable and protective ride. 

At 7.7 oz, this shoe is very light, especially when we take into account the great cushioning, stability, and the fact that it works both for speedwork and jogging. 

We only have to warn heel strikers that this may not be the best choice for them due to the narrow platform. Forefoot and midfoot strikers would love the shoe based on our test runs! 

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight
  • Well-cushioned for long runs
  • Works well across various paces
  • Specifically designed for triathlons
  • Unique design
  • Breathable and comfortable upper
  • Long-lasting outsole
  • Suitable for sock-free running
  • Excellent value at $130

Cons

  • Limited energy return
  • Tongue might be too thin for some
  • Not the best for heel strikers
Full review of ASICS Noosa Tri 15

Running shoes for bunions with the best stretchy upper

What makes it the best?

Wider than average AND equipped with a super-stretchy upper? Yes, that's the Ultraboost 5 and that's the shoe with the best possible upper for those who have bunions. It's gentle, it's stretchy, it it's roomy, so basically, all you could ask for! 

To understand how a shoe fits, we have to understand its volume. Our gel tests allow us to do just that: we pour a liquid into the shoe, put the shoe into the freezer, and after 2 hours, we have a mold of the shoe's interiors! This is GREAT because it allows us to measure the exact width of the shoe. There's no other way of doing it because we can't stick a laser or a caliper into the upper and take into account the stretchiness. At 98.4 mm, the Ultraboost 5 is wider than the average. Just what we need when dealing with the bunions. But, there's more. 

Looking at the toebox, it is 78.6 mm wide. That's 5mm wider than what we usually encounter in running shoes! This is very important because bunions don't need room only where they protrude, but also in the toebox. Narrow toeboxes press the big toe towards the pinky toe and make things even worse. Adidas Ultraboost 5 offers a roomy toebox, so on the way to recovery, the big toe can enjoy more room and no pressure from the sides! 

What blew our minds was just how amazing this upper is. Even though it's made of knit, it still scored 3/5 on our durability test! Very good for a knit upper. And, even better for a superbly breathable one! It scored a perfect 5/5 on our breathability test, which means it is as breezy as it gets. Perfect for hot weather and sweaty feet. 

If you're looking for a running shoe for tempo sessions, fartlek, or even racing, skip this one. This is a daily trainer and that's what it shines at! 

Pros

  • Enhanced midsole cushioning
  • Roomy, comfortable knit upper
  • Suitable for daily wear
  • Excellent durability
  • Optimized for heel strikers
  • Superior Continental outsole
  • More cushioned than ever before
  • Can handle forefoot strikers
  • Great for summer

Cons

  • Could still be lighter
  • Not suitable for fast paces
  • Potential for heel slippage
Full review of Adidas Ultraboost 5

Best stability running shoes for bunions

Hoka Gaviota 5
83
Good!

What makes it the best?

If bunions could talk, they would ask for a gentle upper, room to splay, and a platform and fit that do not make the feet overwork. Hoka Gaviota 5 delivers on all front which is why we found it to be the best stability running shoe for bunions. 

Gaviota 5 features a wide and stable platform (it is 16 mm wider than the average!), and the extra support comes from the dual-density midsole. The main foam is significantly softer than the average. Our durometer showed 12.9 HA (the average is around 20 HA). But, there's another foam that is firmer (22 HA) and placed in the shape of a letter H (although we think it's shaped as a number 8) at the tip of the shoe, under the arch, and at the back. This way, the heel and the ball of the foot land on the softer foam, while the firmer one acts as a stabilizing cage. And it works like a charm for those who overpronate or have flat feet. 

Looking at the extra room that we need when dealing with bunions, Gaviota 5 delivers them both where the shoe is the widest and at the big toe (in the toebox). In both places, Gaviota 5 is ~4 mm wider than the average! Talk about extra space. 

If you're a heel striker, be warned that this is a low-drop shoe. With a heel drop of 2.2 mm (no, it's not 6.0 mm as Hoka claims), you may find it challenging to run in this shoe and a transition period should be taken into account. 

Pros

  • Remarkably stable
  • Breathable and comfortable upper
  • Lightweight for its size
  • Plushier than ever
  • Good stability option for forefoot strikers
  • Ideal for wide feet
  • Excellent for long runs

Cons

  • Low drop might pose issues for heel strikers
  • Performs poorly in colder conditions
  • Not for narrow feet
Full review of Hoka Gaviota 5

Best tempo running shoes for bunions

Topo Cyclone 2
89
Great!

What makes it the best?

Topo Cyclone 2 is lightweight, fast, and grippy, and it features a very roomy toebox! We loved its lively midsole, flexibility, lack of a carbon plate, and roominess. There was nothing we could do but highlight it as our #1 choice for tempo work for runners with bunions! 

Cyclone 2 features a full-length Pebax midsole, which, at this price, is just crazy! Crazy good. The energy return it offers is impressive, especially when taken into account that this is not a dedicated racer. It simply feels natural, and what contributes to this is the rather low stack height (at 26.2 mm at the heel, Cyclone 2 is 8mm lower than the average running shoe) and the flexibility of the platform. On average, the force of 15.0N is needed to bend the shoe to 30 degrees. For Cyclone, it was only 5.9N! It is THAT flexible, and it is an important part of its natural-ride story. 

Once we created a gel mold of Cyclone 2's interiors, we were able to measure just how wide it is. The most important measurement for the bunions is at the widest part of the shoe. Topo Cyclone 2 is 98.3 mm wide there, almost 5mm wider than the average. We'll take any extra millimeter we can get so we are very happy with this measurement. Moving closer to the tip of the shoe and measuring the width of the toebox at the big toe, we got 83.5 mm! This is 10 mm wider than the average. So much room, and your big toes or pinkie toes have absolutely no reason to worry. This toebox will not cramp them or force them to the sides, which would make the bunions and bunionettes even bigger. 

If your big toes point up or if it's the toebox that you damage the first, skip this shoe. The durability of the toebox got the worst rating 1/5 and you may want to look something more durable. 

Pros

  • Exceptionally roomy, foot-shaped toebox
  • Outstanding value for the price
  • Full-length Pebax midsole
  • Impressively flexible for a natural ride
  • Snappy, lightweight and fun
  • Great as a plateless racing shoe
  • Sticky rubber delivers great grip
  • Excels in track workouts and intervals
  • Superb breathability

Cons

  • Not ideal for narrow-footed runners
  • Limited cushioning
  • Not very stable
  • Durability concerns
Full review of Topo Cyclone 2

Best minimalist running shoes for bunions

What makes it the best?

Bunions can happen to anyone, and they are not a foot condition that requires super stiff, orthopedic surgeon-recommended shoes. The opposite: All feet deserve the best, and for some, that's a minimalist shoe. There are many benefits of minimalist shoes, and strengthening the foot muscles is one of them. We found this to be very valuable for feet dealing with bunions and Altra Escalante 4 is our top pick in the world of minimalist running shoes! 

A few things make the Escalante 4 such an excellent minimalist shoe. First, its stack height. With only 23.8 mm at the heel, it is more than 10 mm lower than the average running shoe. It is really low to the ground. Then, the drop. Although the brand claims it's a zero-drop shoe, we discovered an offset of 1.4 mm. Still, not bad! Actually, it's ~7mm less steep than the average running shoe and this is THE feature to love the Escalante 4. 

This low heel drop makes the foot muscles work more than the muscles of the upper legs. Minimalist shoes can be very helpful in strengthening the lower legs to the point of helping with some injuries because your feet become stronger. It's just very important to gradually adjust to them! 

To make sure it offers a natural-feeling ride, Escalante 4 had to be flexible. And it is! 83% more flexible than the average running shoe. Talk about bending the shoe naturally together with your feet! 

And why do we love it so much for bunions? Well because it features a very spacious toebox. The shoe itself is more than 5mm wider than the average and then, looking at the toebox, there's 9mm more than you could find in the average running shoe. So, the bunions will have room at the big toe joint and the toebox won't push the big toe toward the pinkie one. Isn't that the whole point of having bunion-friendly footwear? 

If your big toe is pointing up, you may want to look elsewhere. The average toebox height is 27.2 mm and the Escalante 4 got only 25.4 mm. While it may seem like a small difference, sometimes 1-2 mm can really mean the difference between all good and black toenails. 

Pros

  • Minimalist, flexible ride
  • Outstanding outsole
  • Spacious extra-wide toebox
  • Superb stability
  • Lightweight
  • Highly durable upper
  • Recaptures Escalante 1.5 vibes

Cons

  • Poor ventilation
  • Midsole lacks energy return
  • Non-gusseted tongue
Full review of Altra Escalante 4

Best long-distance running shoes for bunions

What makes it the best?

Longer distances mean your feet are working a lot, maybe even in the hot weather, and that means swelling. What do runners with bunions need for longer distances then? A shoe with a generous interior, gentle upper, and cushioning that's comfortable and lively for miles and miles! Which shoe delivers that better than the rest? On Cloudmonster 2! 

37.9 mm of heel stack height! While it's not massive, we discovered it's actually perfect for building up the mileage and heel strikers. Height alone does not mean a lot, but when we add the fact that it's a dual-density midsole with a softness of 26.5 HA and 40 HA, and that the shoe features the CloudTec technology, all of it together results in a softer-than-numbers-show feel, a lot of impact protection, and a ride that feels good for miles. 

When covering long distances, many things can happen, including a change of weather. Fortunately, on the grip test (we follow the SATRA TM144 test method), On Cloudmonster 2 scored 0.50. This means that it grips both wet and dry surfaces well, so no worries if a rainy cloud appears out of nowhere! Keep running! 

The average width of road running shoes we've tested so far is 95.3 mm. On Cloudmonster 2 is 98.5 mm wide! Not an Altra/Topo shoe, but still, it is wide and it feels roomy all over, not just in one place. Its toebox is also wider than the average at 74.5 mm. This room is super valuable for runners who have bunions or bunionettes. 

When we pump the smoke into the toebox, we assess the shoe's breathability. Cloudmonster 2 scored rather low: only 2 out of 5. This means it's better for colder weather than long summer days. Because of this, we recommend that you skip it if you have very sweaty feet or you always run in very warm weather. Thin socks can only do so much when doing an LSD. 

Pros

  • Premium materials
  • Enhanced cushioning from v1
  • Roomy toebox
  • Works fantastic for midfoot strikers
  • Unique ride feel
  • Excels in long runs
  • Solid stability

Cons

  • Breathability needs improvement
  • Tongue lacks enough cushion
  • Needs to lose a bit of weight
Full review of On Cloudmonster 2

Best trail running shoes for bunions

What makes it the best?

Altra Experience Wild is a wild (see what we did there?) combination of a) cushioning that works both for running and hiking, b) grip, and c) a roomy fit that turns out to be perfect for bunions! There was nothing else we could do but highlight it as our #1 pick for trails for runners who have bunions. 

Altra shoes used to be minimalist, featuring a zero drop. Not anymore! With 34.5 mm at the heel, this is a very cushioned trail shoe! And, its drop is 4.3 mm. The average for trail shoes sits around 7.5 mm, so it is lower than that but still higher than what Altra used to deliver (0 mm). And this is great for runners who do not want to immediately switch to a zero drop (or at all). The non-zero drop and the cushioned platform are very kind to our feet, and when troubled with bunions, we really enjoy the ride. 

Once we cut the Experience Wild in half, we were able to measure the thickness of the lugs with a digital caliper. At 3.6 mm, this shoe sits at the average, meaning it's perfect for moderate and light trails. 

But, it's not all just about the ride, it's also about the fit. Runners with bunions need more room at the big toe joint, those with bunionettes need room at the pinkie toe joint, and all runners with bunions need room to splay. Toes must not be cramped in the toebox! With 98.8 mm of width, Altra is quite wider than the average. But, it's even wider (than the average) at the toebox. Our digital caliper showed 79.3 mm, which is almost 5 mm wider. This fit offers more room for the bunions but it is not so wide that it makes the foot slide inside or cause an impossible lockdown. 

We mentioned this shoe is not meant for technical terrain, but if the terrain you plan to cover often includes small pebbles and debris, we recommend wearing the gaiters. The heel collar is rather low and the debris finds the way to the shoes' interiors very easily. 

Pros

  • Exceptionally roomy toebox
  • Good transition shoe towards zero drop
  • Ultra-plush tongue for top comfort
  • Well cushioned for long adventures
  • Versatile for hiking and running
  • Good stability for heel strikers
  • All-around durability
  • Compatible with external gaiters
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • Midsole lacks energy return
  • Low heel collar allows debris in
  • Non-gusseted tongue
  • Not for narrow feet
Full review of Altra Experience Wild

This guide is here to educate, not make a medical diagnosis. If you’re experiencing pain or noticing anatomical differences in your feet, schedule an appointment with a podiatrist.

When the big toe is pushed towards the pinky toe, the joint at the base of the big toe protrudes. We see that as a bony bump on the inner side of the foot, and we call it a bunion or hallux valgus. In many cases, this happens due to ill-fitting footwear with very narrow (pointy) toeboxes.

bunion-hallux-valgus-runrepeat.png

Due to that pressure on the big toe, the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint becomes misaligned, so the tip of the big toe starts pointing to the pinky toe, sometimes it even overlaps with other toes, and the first metatarsal bone shifts outward so that its tip points toward the opposite foot. 

Bunions or big toe arthritis: similarities and differences

Both of these conditions happen at the metatarsophalangeal joints and, although they can look similar, they are not the same. It’s important to make the difference between them so that you know what you’re dealing with. 

big-toe-arthritis-runrepeat.png

Hallux valgus or bunions

Hallux rigidus or big toe arthritis 

Both happen at the base of the big toe (MTP joint)

In both cases, it’s imperative to start treatment ASAP

One person can have both of these conditions.

Many other consequences, including limited big toe movement. 

Progressive, from limited motion of the big toe to a complete lack of motion

A deformity that happens as a consequence of extra pressure on the big toe that pushes it out of its natural alignment and towards the other toes. 

A form of degenerative arthritis

Usually hurts less than hallux rigidus and can be pain-free, especially at the beginning

Tends to hurt more and have a bigger impact on the (lack) of big-toe motion

Hurts because soft tissue on the joint is rubbing the inside of the shoe

Hurts because a bone spur is limiting the motion or because there are loose bone pieces that detached from the bone spur and got trapped in the joint

Why it’s important to find proper footwear for bunions sooner rather than later

Not just footwear. It’s always best to visit a specialist who will make proper diagnosis and recommendations. From icing, taping, physiotherapy and corticosteroids to painkillers (NSAIDs) and surgery. 

It’s imperative to pay attention to the bunions as soon as you notice them because they do not go away on their own. 

If you keep ignoring them, they might lead to: limited big toe movement, pain when standing, walking, and/or exercising, corns or calluses, numbness, swelling, bursitis, hammertoes, and osteoarthritis.

running-shoes-for-bunions-cut-into-pieces.jpg
In our lab, we cut all running shoes for bunions into pieces to examine them thoroughly and describe them with 20+ data points

In this guide, we focus on running shoes. It is worth noting that many runners with bunions found Crocs and Birkenstocks comfortable for casual walking. 

Say NO to these if you have bunions

Before we continue, the biggest step you can take right now if you have bunions is to ditch: 

  1. High heels
  2. Shoes with pointy toeboxes

6 things to look for in running shoes if you have bunions

  1. Wide toebox: non-negotiable! This is especially important because many female runners actually need just a wide toebox and not a wide shoe overall. They should look for a wide toebox and not a shoe in Wide or Extra wide. 
  2. Tall toebox. Not many runners think about this, but having vertical room matters as well as your toes should not be pressed on from any direction. 
  3. Stretchy upper. Stiff upper could put more pressure on the bunion. Soft, pliable, knit upper is the way to go! 
  4. Comfort. No hot spots, no sliding within the shoe, no heel slipping. Dreamy comfort is what you should be looking for!
  5. Arch support. There are contradictory opinions on this and we will cover both sides. 
  6. Cushioned platform. Some runners actually enjoy barefoot running shoes instead of high-stacked ones and we will explain the use cases for both. Data (scientific research) is not uniform on this topic. 

Out of these 6, numbers 1, 2, and 3 are insanely important if you also have bunionettes or tailor’s bunions (smaller bunions below your pinkie toe). 

bunionette-and-bunion-runrepeat.png

Finding a wide toebox 

Finding the best toebox for the bunions is much easier when you know we measure the width of the shoe in 2 places: where it’s the widest and at the big toe. Given that bunions can happen when inadequate footwear (very pointy) pushes the big toe towards the pinky toe, we know that you need room at the big toe. 

In our lab, we pour our special gel into the shoe. The gel fills the shoe entirely, so we freeze it to be able to accurately measure the inner volume of the shoe

toebox-big-toe-width-comparison-bunions.jpg
A very pointy shoe (up) vs. a more foot-shaped one (down). The difference in toebox width between them is 17 mm!

But also, when a bunion appears, it happens lower at the base of the big toe, so you need room where the ball of the foot is. This implies that you should look for the overall-wide toebox! 

toebox-widest-width-comparison-bunions.jpg
The width of the shoe (always measured in Men's US 9, medium width) varies wildly. In the example above, you can see a difference of almost 1 cm

What you should avoid at all costs is a pointy (very tapered) toebox. 

pointy-vs-wide-toebox-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
You don't need gels to notice a pointy toebox (left). Here, we compare it to a foot-shaped design (right)

Overall, brands like Altra and Topo are known for their wide toeboxes. However, you might be ok with a few other models that have a wide toebox, because your feet could be generally on the narrow side, so you might not need as much space.

Finding a tall toebox in running shoes for bunions

Unfortunately, brands don’t publish this. Some will offer “shoe volume” or “toebox volume” but we don’t know how that volume is distributed. 

toebox-height-comparison-running-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
In some cases, the difference is also noticeable when shoes are cut in half. But, we prefer having lab data, so we measure the height of the gel cast
toebox-height-running-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
We cut our gel cast in half to measure the precise toebox height 

Having a stretchy upper can help here. When the big toe points up, a stretchy/soft upper will not put too much pressure on it, so runners can avoid having black toenails or toe injuries

Stretchy upper feels gentle when you have bunions

In short: look for a knit upper because it is comfortable and stretchy, creates the much-wanted sock-like feel, and is much less prone to blisters than the mesh upper. It helps when the base itself is not wide enough and your toes and bunions need more room.

There are mesh uppers that are stiffer and can be harsh for the bunions, and there are stretchy and comfy uppers made out of knit. They both have their pros and cons and, in general, there’s no good and bad, as their use depends on the shoe’s purpose. 

Examining a soft knit upper in RunRepeat lab

However, when it comes to the bunions, it’s best to choose a knit one. This is to avoid any additional pressure on the bunion that would hurt or make the condition worse. 

mesh-uppers-microscope-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
Mesh uppers under the microscope. They are usually more breathable (notice ventilation holes) but stiffer 
knit-uppers-microscope-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
Knit uppers under the microscope. They are soft, gentle and pliable, but less breathable (they get soaked and take a long time to try as well)

However, some toeboxes are wide already and you may not need more room that a knit upper would allow by being stretchy. Such toeboxes may feature a mesh upper as the table below shows.

Nailing the comfort in running shoes for bunions 

While this is a given for most runners, once you get a bunion or bunions, you have to pay more attention to the comfort so that you don’t irritate the bunion more. This means you should look for running shoes in which: 

  1. There are no pressure points or hot spots. Look for a comfortable shoe that does not put pressure on your feet, especially on the forefoot. 
  2. You’re experiencing a superb lockdown. Your feet are not sliding backward-forward or left-right inside the shoe. Your heel should not be slipping as well. 

Heel slipping should be avoided at all costs 

Contradictory data on arch support and cushioning for bunions

There are studies and reports on both a) very cushioned shoes with arch support and b) minimalist or even barefoot shoes helping runners with bunions. Why is it so? Because runners have different needs depending on their pronation and the current state (progression) of bunions. 

minimalist-vs-cushioned-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
Barefoot (minimalist) running shoe vs. a cushioned one 

Here’s an overview of those 2 approaches:

Cushioned running shoes with arch support

Barefoot running shoes

Arch support lowers the pressure on the ball of the foot

No arch support helps with foot muscle strengthening

Study that found benefits of arch support for bunions

Study that found benefits of minimalist running shoes for bunions 

A lot of cushioning allows for impact protection and feels gentle toward the feet

Minimal (or no) cushioning allows the feet to sense the ground and adapt to it. This makes the feet work more but with room to splay and enough (minimal) protection

Runners are used to cushioned running shoes

Moving to barefoot running shoes asks for patience (transition period that is often long)

Can be used regardless of the distance

Usually used for shorter distances, especially at the beginning (when getting used to them)

Rockered running shoes can help with limited big toe movement or forefoot pain, so some runners with bunions enjoy rockered shoes

Barefoot shoes can not feature a rocker and runners must rely on their own feet, not shoe technologies

Runners who overpronate (or have flat feet) tend to enjoy cushioned running shoes with arch support

Runners who have neutral pronation or who supinate have easier times transitioning to the barefoot running shoes as they don’t need the support and stability the overpronators need 

Cushioned running shoes with arch support for runners with bunions

We consider running shoes cushioned when they have more than 30 mm at the heel. For bunions, however, we believe that a minimum of 25mm at the heel is enough. 

stack-height-running-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
We honor the guidelines from WorldAthletics when measuring stack heights, meaning we 1) cut the shoes in half, 2) measure the heel stack height at 12% of the inner shoe length, 3) measure the forefoot stack height at 75% of the inner shoe length
different-drops-cushioned-shoes-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
Different heel drops in cushioned running shoes

Altra running shoes confirm this, given that many of them are considered a great choice for bunions and usually average 27.7mm at the heel (with the current minimum sitting at 19 mm and maximum at 34.8 mm). 

Knowing that 25 mm is enough for the heel stack height, is up to you to decide 

  1. How soft you want the shoes to be, and 
  2. Which heel drop to look for. 

Let’s cover both now. 

Softness of running shoes for bunions 

Softer shoes are great because they mean more cloud-like feeling, as if there’s a gentle cushion below your feet. However, somewhat firmer shoes offer more stability and support that your feet will enjoy, especially if you’re overpronating. 

When it comes to the softness, we measure it in our lab so you can consult our lab data. We use a shore A durometer to do this and we perform this test on a shoe cut in half as any other option would result in inaccurate measurements

midsole-softness-running-shoes-for-bunions.jpg
Measuring the softness of the midsole in RunRepeat lab 

Looking at the display on the durometer, lower numbers indicate it’s a softer foam, while higher numbers indicate it’s a firmer foam

It’s also worth noting that you can choose between a premium and a standard foam. Premium foams are usually found in tempo and race shoes, they offer an insane energy return and leg-saving features, but that comes at a price, literally. 

standard-premium-foam-difference.jpg
Even when shoes are cut in half, it's often impossible to tell the difference between a standard and a premium foam

On the other hand, standard foams are usually found in daily trainers and they are known for their durability, affordability, and stability. If you have a preference or want to learn more about foams (basically all the geeky details), check out our Ultimate guide to running shoe foams

Which heel drop should you choose if you have bunions 

First, we should understand the effects of different heel-to-toe drops. Heel drop is the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot. We have flat shoes with a zero drop and high-drop running shoes with a drop as high as 16mm. 

marking-heel-drop-measurement.jpg

Based on the height, heel drop is split into 4 categories and each has different effects on the leg muscles: 

  1. Zero drop (0mm): These shoes utilize the foot muscles the most. Many barefoot and minimalist running shoes feature a low drop. In the world of highly cushioned shoes, Hoka shoes sometimes feature a low drop. 
  2. Low drop (1-4 mm): Shoes with a low drop use the lower-leg muscles the most (achilles, calves). Low drop and zero drop shoes put more stress on the foot that mid- and high-drop ones. 
  3. Mid drop (5-8 mm): These shoes utilize the muscles round the knee and quads the most.
  4. High drop (9mm and higher): Wearing high drop running shoes means you will be using muscles around the hips a lot. 

Knowing this, it’s on you to figure out which drop would suit you best. Heel strikers usually enjoy a higher drop because such shoes (obviously) have more cushioning at the heel. Forefoot strikers don’t need the chunky heel so they choose flatter shoes, and it works vice versa as well. Lower drops promote forefoot striking. 

different-drops-of-altra-cushioned-shoes-bunions.jpg

If you’re choosing minimalist or barefoot shoes (covered in the next chapter), you will most likely go for a low or zero drop. In cushioned running shoes, it depends on the goal. If you want to alleviate all the extra stress on the foot muscles, you can choose a higher drop. However, if using foot muscles works better for you (definitely not painful!) you may choose a lower drop. 

Here, we’ve covered the basics only. For more useful information, we recommend reading our ultimate guide on heel to toe drop

Minimalist and barefoot running shoes for runners with bunions 

There’s quite a big difference between minimalist and barefoot running shoes, although they are often put in the same group. In barefoot running shoes, there are no stabilizing technologies, upper usually has no structure, they are as flexible as they get. Minimalist running shoes, however, feature some cushioning and can have some structural or stiff elements. 

Crazy level of flexibility found in a barefoot running shoe

If you plan to use these shoes, this is our advice:

  1. Take time to adjust to the minimalist or barefoot footwear. It might take months because it might be your first time walking and running in shoes with barely any or no cushioning and protection. Also, it takes quite a lot of time to transition from, say 10mm drop, to a zero- or low-drop! 
  2. If you’re an overpronator, be even more cautious. You might do better in minimalist shoes than barefoot shoes, as they have at least some cushioning to absorb the impact forces of your uneven landing. 
  3. It’s best to just start walking shorter distances in these shoes and up the mileage gradually. Whenever you feel the pain, stop immediately. IF you’re far from home, rest and change to your old shoes (cushioned/high drop) to get back home. Do this, of course, in case your old shoes are causing you no pain or discomfort! 

Good-to-know facts about bunions 

Here are some facts we found interesting and useful while doing the research on bunions: 

  • Bunions affect around 35% of women over the age of 65.
  • Bunions can be removed surgically. This surgery can improve the ability to walk and exercise and it can reduce the pain. However, up to 15% of bunions return. 
  • Strengthening the muscles may help with bunion-related pain and movement. 
  • More than 70% of people with bunions have a biological parent who’s had them

Sources 

Author
Jovana Subic
Jovana Subic
Whether it's a vertical kilometre or an ultra, climbing in the Alps or exploring local mountains, Jovana uses every opportunity to trade walls and concrete for forests and trails. She logs at least 10h/week on trails, with no off-season, and 4x more on research on running and running shoes. With a background in physics and engineering management, she prefers her running spiced with data.