Best Running Shoes for Bunions 2020 – Maximum Support for Your Feet

In caseyou may bewonderingwhat bunions are, this is a foot condition where bony bumps start developing at the joints on the bigger toes. One of the common causes is wearing the wrong shoes, which could eventually make the bumps bigger and more painful. At the same time, finding a condition-specific shoe brand is usually a great start for the healing process. And with that, we’ve reviewed 8 best running shoes for bunions that will help you have comfortableruns.

8 Best Running Shoes for Bunions 2020

1. ASICS Women’s Gel-Venture 6 Running Shoes – Best for high arches

The rearfoot area features gel cushioning. As the feet hit the ground, more impact is usually felt on the rearfoot, and the only way to manage this is with proper cushioning. ASICS takes this to another level with their gel cushioning which reduces these impacts, allowing you to have smooth transitions.

It has a removable foot bed. This is a great feature as we had seen because with bunions, one might constantly need to have their own inserts or supports. This enables you to customize padding, without having to compromise on the perfect fit. It’s designed with trail-specific outsole. With the reverse lugs design, you’re guaranteed of better traction irrespective of the trails that you frequent. These soles are made with high abrasion rubber and you’ll realize that the concentration lies on the critical areas. These are the areas that are often in contact with pressure from the ground. So, what this shoe brand does is not only keep your feet safe, but also minimize wear and tear.

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2. Altra AFW1848G Women’s Paradigm Running Shoe – Best Zero-Drop shoe for Bunions

Now if you love Altra brands, this Paradigm 4.0 is something to consider especially for women who often complain of tired feet. When designing these shoes, all they had in mind was a properly cushioned dynamic shoe type that can withstand impacts for longer hours. So, if you’re looking for something to keep you comfortable on those long days, Altra is here to the rescue.

The upper is different from the previous range. With this you’ll get a properly knit upper that takes both durability and comfort to the next level, and so you can go for those extra miles with minimal injuries to deal with. In addition to that, you don’t have to worry about slippery grounds once you’ve picked these shoes because the full rubber soles offer unmatched traction.

Altra has invented a unique toe-box technology and with this, you’ll have shoes with enough room for your toes to spread naturally, keeping your bunions in a straight position during runs. In the end, you’ll experience less pain and also experience maximum stability. They also understand the uniqueness of a woman’s feet, and that’s why they have included their Fit4Her technology. This basically ensures that everyone gets a customized fit.

These are zero-drop shoes, meaning that the sole platform has equal distance from the ground between the forefoot and heel section. The design makes them perfect for those with low arches, being that they facilitate natural feet alignment. This minimizes impacts when the feet hit the ground. These shoes also feature a foot pod technology on the outsole. This ensures that the outsole maps all the tendons and bones on the feet and with this, your foot can move and bend in a natural position. All of these sum up to improved comfort, even during long runs.

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3. ALTRA Men’s ALM1848G Paradigm Running Shoe – Best Zero-Drop Bunion Shoes for Men

This is a similar version to the previously reviewed product, but with a few selected differences in terms of construction. Altra usually customize their shoes based on who or what the target is, and that’s why you’ll see differences between Men’s and Women’s bunions running shoes.

Men’s Paradigm 4.0 comes with an Altra EGO padding. This gives you the needed amount of cushioning and helps runners achieve the needed energy in return. It also turns out great for those with other conditions like plantar fasciitis.

Here you’ll also find the Guide-Rail system which directs the foot in case of fatigue or pronation. This further prevents accidents which could trigger bunion pains and it’s a feature that comes in handy when you love going for extra miles. The shoe brand features durable and breathable knit uppers. Those with bunions understand the struggles that come with wearing shoes that aren’t breathable because any level of discomfort negatively translates to bunions-related pains.

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4. Asics Gt-3000 2 Women Round Toe Synthetic Sneakers – Best For Over-Pronators

ASICS products are popularly known for their durability which in turn make them ideal for those who are constantly on their feet. This second generation is not any different being that it provides runners with stable rides. It’s one of those brands which give runners a great combination of class, support, flexibility and comfort, and at a fair price.

They have a patented rubber sole design with extra foot support. You can count on this pair when you need something that is sturdy enough to withstand wear and tear. One of their strength lies in the incredibly lightweight materials used in the construction. Added on to it is the 1.25 inches midsole which makes the shoes usable as an everyday-shoe.

It’s upper accommodates bunions with the extra room designed at the toe box. The unique feature that increases comfort is its heel-clutching system. It helps keep the entire foot steady while coordinating different movements when running. This product has a design which is engineered strategically. This features their patented rubber sole technology which combines different support and comfort enhancements. With this, you can easily have those long runs or walks without having to compromise on your comfort.

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5. Saucony Women’s Omni 14 Running Shoe – Best For Additional Arch Support

Omni 14 is a true representation of stability that comes with Saucony brands. It introduces runners to effective upgrades of sturdy cushioning and support. It features the Trademark power grid on the soles. This, together with the soft layers of foam used to cover the soles enable runners to achieve smooth rides the entire time.

If your feet is prone to over pronation and bunions all at the same time, this shoe is all you need. You will benefit more from the firm foam used for cushioning, together with the perfect fit established by the shoes in general. We all know how vulnerable breathable mesh can be, and that’s why Saucony has incorporated additional solid materials to their mesh. I would say it can fairly stand water unlike several others on the shelves and also dries up fairly faster. On the inside is a liner which locks the feet in the right position. The shoes also keep the feet secure with extra securing mechanisms like the sturdy shoe laces, heel support frame and the Sauc-Fit system

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6. ALTRA Women’s Intuition 4.5 Sneaker – Best Neutral Shoes

Altra Intuition 4.5 delivers unmatched combination of style comfort and versatility. One thing that stands out with the shoe brand is its versatility. You can use it for walking, running, cross training and so much more. The construction reveals soft, breathable and flexible uppers thereby providing proper ventilation, especially on warm or hot days.

This shoe brand has a durable rubber outsole which is great for those who love going the extra mile. It’s resistant to wear and tear and will therefore remain comfortable for long. In as much as the 4.5 version has soles which are considered stiffer than the rest, these sneakers still remain flexible enough. It features a favorable wide toe box, which is a plus to those with bunions because of the ability to spread the toes freely. It’s also ideal for those with narrow feet but have bunions. It helps eliminate chances of friction between the swelling and the shoes which causes discomfort.

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7. Brooks Mens Beast ’18 – Best For Flat and Medium Arches

Brooks is always committed to releasing the best running shoes, so if you happen to have a flat or medium arch and need the right support, this shoe brand is for you. It has maximum cushioning for improved comfort.

Once you slide your feet in the shoes, you’ll feel the soft protective layers. This keeps the feet stable even after running for long hours. The midsole on the other hand is designed in a way that it conforms to the body’s alignment, helping you move naturally. This Beast has it all when it comes to fit and comfort. It’s engineered with soft mesh uppers which offers the needed breathability for bunions. The toe box is also roomy enough even for those who have wider feet, therefore you’ll experience minimal rubbings on your bunions.

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8. Mizuno Men’s Wave Inspire 13 Running Shoe – Best for elevated runs

Mizuno is a brand known for their signature fit, and the same applies to the Wave Inspire 13. It has an improved mesh upper, which is something you can barely find in other related collections. The Mizuno shoes take comfort to another level by including a softer cushioning on the collar.

In the end, you’ll experience a comfortable fit on the heel, without any chances of irritation. The midsole features a Double Fan Wave design. This is a great way to maximize on support because unlike other brands, Mizuno still managed to keep the sole lightweight and soft. It’s fitted with the unique U4icX heel wedge. The design provides extra cover for the heels when your feet hit the ground. Still on cushioning, the midsole is incorporated with a unique U4ic foam. This makes it more responsive and durable, compared to other bunion running shoes.

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How to Choose the Best Running Shoes for Bunions

Landing on the right type of footwear requires that you know what you’re exactly looking for. With special foot needs like bunions, this is critical because it can either manage or worsen your condition. So, here are the key factors to consider when looking for the best running shoes for bunions:

1. Upper Material

This comes first, being the most important feature to look out for when buying any bunion shoes. One, it’s the part that gets in constant contact with the feet apart from the foot bed, and so it has to be friendly. Unnecessary rubbings or pressure from the upper part will only make your runs miserable.

You should only go for shoes designed with stretchy or well perforated uppers to keep your feet in a rightful shape, especially for those who tend to cover extra miles. Such materials also tend to be lightweight and with such, you won’t have to burden your feet with any extra load.

I mean, you’re already battling bunions, therefore it’s important to avoid additional injury risks which could slow down your performance.

2. Adjustability

With bunions, you’ll sometimes have to customize the fit based on what feels comfortable at that time. When shoes tend to feel smaller, it might require some time before it stretches fully and this will also depend on the type of material used as previously mentioned. At the same time, re-sizing shoes that have grown bigger overtime can sometimes compromise on comfort. 

The best option therefore remains to be by the use of shoe laces or straps. Most of them are often designed in a way that makes them easier to adjust in different measures as fits the needs of the user. That being said, this should be the number one feature to help you narrow down your choices for bunions running shoes.

3. Type of Heels

At this point, you’ll probably realize that style and fashion isn’t a priority for you if you have bunions. Therefore, you should stay away from those fancy heels as much as you can or rather, anything above 2 inches. This however doesn’t mean that we don’t have descent bunion footwear in the markets because we have a number of classy running shoes for bunions outlined for you in this article.

For sportswear, I also recommend that you go for shoes with minimal heel-to-toe drop in order to minimize pressure on the feet. At the same time, this could be relative depending on your arches and other feet needs. So the only thing that is supposed to guide you here is comfort.

4. Shoe depth

Finding the right shoes is just one way of managing bunions, and at times you might have to use additional inserts or socks as may be prescribed by your doctor. When it comes to footwear, any additional item added inside the shoes will affect how well it fits or how comfortable the shoes will end up to be.

However, this can be managed with shoes that are deep enough because some of the accessories recommended for bunions are quite thick and bulky. If buying from your local store, it’s ideal to try fixing your extra cushioning or support objects to see if you’ll still have enough room for your feet.

5. Shoe Brand

I know we’re in 2020, and when it comes to footwear, I still pay close attention to the brands that I buy from. I can never emphasize enough on how important it is to buy from trusted brands with patented technology because the truth is, not all products paraded at the stores today offer the same amount of comfort. It’s usually better to overlook the prices and pay attention to the durability that comes with such brands, making them worth every dollar spent.

With bunions and other related feet conditions, it’s important to choose from collections that are endorsed globally and hopefully by professionals, in order to manage the pains, without having to seek further treatment. Lucky for you, the reviews outlined are for brands that you can rely on, so you don’t have to search any further.

6. Shoe size

How comfortable any shoe type feels highly depends on how perfectly it fits. For this, you have to know your exact shoe size. As with the norm, always insist on trying the shoes at the store before submitting your purchase because that’s the best way to figure out if the shoes are comfortable or not. For those who conveniently shop online, the hack to picking the right size is by measuring your feet any time you need to make a purchase.

With the measurements, you’ll know what size to pick, based on the shoe-size chart given on that particular site. The reason why it’s good to have your feet measured before every purchase made is that with time, your feet can tend to change in size, and those with bunions can attest to that.

7. Flexibility

Apart from the shoe uppers, flexibility also depends on soles and extra padding the shoe has been designed with. Now, this is where rubber soles and gel cushioning come in. These materials aren’t only comfortable, but also make it easy for the feet to move in a more natural position.

Rubber soles still remain to be the best when it comes to traction, durability and shock absorption. This is a great combination that keeps you on your feet when running on uneven and slippery terrains and also prevents ground impacts from damaging the feet’s nerves and joints.

8. Toe-box

Wearing narrow shoes has been proved to be the leading cause of bunions and trigger for the pains. This therefore means that your collection should comprise of shoes with wider toe boxes so that every toe fits perfectly, without rubbing against each other or on the shoe walls. In addition to that, you could need to have bunion pads for extra cushioning around the area depending on how bad the pain is. Adding the pads to an already narrow toe box will bring in more discomfort and this is the point where you’ll experience the pros of that extra space.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can you manage bunions?

Using the right pair of shoes is just one of the ways to help manage and prevent pains related to bunions. However, you can also use painkillers, bunions accessories like pads, ice bags and bunion exercises as well.

2. Can bunions be completely eliminated?

There’s only one way to get rid of bunions and that is corrective surgery. However, I only advocate for this option when recommended by a specialist, or when the rest of the options have failed. But when you barely experience any pains, you can stick to the right footwear and workouts.

3. Is it safe to run when you have bunions?

It’s clear that even those with bunions can comfortably include fitness exercises in their daily routines. And just like everyone else, you have to be in the right footwear for different activities in order to keep your feet safe. So yes, don’t let bunions hold you down. Hit the road whenever you want to, but in the ideal pair of shoes.

Any other Advice?

What I haven’t shared with you is that investing in the best running shoes is one thing, but you still have to put in some effort to keep the shoes comfortable in order to help with the pain. Shoes that are originally durable will only stay so when you clean, store and use them properly. One of the things that people don’t pay attention to is putting the shoes on correctly. Always ensure that every part of the feet is placed where they’re rightfully supposed to be, and this is only made possible when you pick the right size. Similarly, remember to change your shoes the moment they start getting uncomfortable, either from wear and tear, or as a result of lifestyle changes like pregnancy which affect how shoes fit. 

Summary

Now that you can easily identify the best running shoes for bunions on the markets, I’m convinced that you’ll find the perfect one for your feet. However, for a start, you can try the highly versatile Asics Gt-3000 2 Women Round Toe Synthetic Sneakers. These shoes will have you covered even for other fitness exercises, not only running. Similarly, if you’re a man, you can also try Mizuno Men’s Wave Inspire 13 Running Shoe for better and elevated runs.