People with bunions - what shoes and trainers do you recommend?

[WellTidy]

I’ve had bunions for years, and they’re getting worse. They’ve been assessed (scale is mild/moderate/severe) as moderate on one foot and moderate to severe on the other foot. I’m 46.

I know that surgery is probably going to happen. But I need to be able to wear shoes in the meantime!

I really struggle to fit my moderate to severe foot into anything on the high street. Wide fit doesn’t cut it. The loafers that I’ve worn for years for work that used to be comfortable now cut me on the bunion and on the heel (I think that not having been in the office for 18 months means that the bunions have worsened in that time).

I’m stuck. The only shoes that I’m left with are sketchers lace ups in that knitted type fabric, but my feet get wet in these when the water on the pavement splashes back on my toes.

What would you recommend please? I am ideally looking for loafer/brogue type shoes to wear with skirts and leather or suede trainers in navy/grey to wear with jeans.

Adidas gazelles fit me, I have in black and also navy suede.

In rainy weather I wear dc Martin Chelsea boots with the zip, really wide. But this is a kids style so won't work if you are above about a 5.

And have you tried ecco and hotter? I know it's where old people shop. But they often have bunions. I have shoes from both places and no-one would know. I'm younger than you.
There was a specialist bunion shoe shop in my town too, but I'm not quite ready for that.

My bunions don't hurt but my metatarsals do. Anyone else? Any tips?

Thank you - yes, Ecco and hotter have been my footwear shops of choice for 15+ years, needs must! I will have to go in one morning and try everything on. I find that if I go later in the day, anything is comfortable and I buy things that I cannot actually wear again.

DM Chelsea boots are too edgy for me, unfortunately. My wardrobe is mostly M&S and white stuff now

But I’d never thought of gazelles. Brilliant, I will give them a go! Do you buy womens or mens? I am a size 4. I’ve worn boys shoes in the past as I find that they’re wider.

Summer isn’t a problem as I find that Moshulu wasabi sandals let my bunions poke through a little and they’re comfy, and I wear boys canvas lace ups which again are fine. But autumn/winter/spring, especially for smarter looking shoes are a real issue.

Obviously depending on budget because they are ££, but I've got a pair of loafers from solebliss.com (sorry, can't do links) - they are fantastic. Their shoes are designed for people with bunions and/or otherwise sensitive feet.

They also sell trainers but I haven't tried them, I'm currently wearing a pair of giesswein merino wool trainers and they're brilliant too.

@WellTidy

Thank you - yes, Ecco and hotter have been my footwear shops of choice for 15+ years, needs must! I will have to go in one morning and try everything on. I find that if I go later in the day, anything is comfortable and I buy things that I cannot actually wear again.

DM Chelsea boots are too edgy for me, unfortunately. My wardrobe is mostly M&S and white stuff now

But I’d never thought of gazelles. Brilliant, I will give them a go! Do you buy womens or mens? I am a size 4. I’ve worn boys shoes in the past as I find that they’re wider.

Summer isn’t a problem as I find that Moshulu wasabi sandals let my bunions poke through a little and they’re comfy, and I wear boys canvas lace ups which again are fine. But autumn/winter/spring, especially for smarter looking shoes are a real issue.

I’ve just got M+S Chelsea boots wide fit and they’re very very roomy for my wide feet and big bunion. www.marksandspencer.com/wide-fit-leather-chelsea-ankle-boots/p/clp60478094?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

They look good with skirts and dresses, plus skinny jeans or straight jeans turned up. I also wear them with ankle grazer trousers.

See another Chelsea boot fan :)
I get the kids gazelles as they are cheaper by quite a way. They are soft so shape well. Thin soles though.

Vans have a wide toe box.

Do the surgery, I did and it's great!

Try Vionics. I like some of their styles and they're very comfy. I have bunions plus multiple other problems and I will be buying again after a recent first purchase.
www.vionicshoes.co.uk/women/wide-widths.html

I like Nike Air Force and I buy a size up.

I like Allbirds but they might be too casual for what you’re looking for.

www.allbirds.co.uk/

Try Calla shoes, not cheap but designed for people with bunions and they are actually pretty and stylish

callashoes.co.uk

Skechers. I find they run large so I size down by one.

Another vote for DM Chelsea boots.
I have two pairs (without zips) and adore them. Plus they are waterproof.
I don’t think they are edgy, more like classic. And I’m older than you!

Thank you all. I’ve got a great list now of places to look. Hopefully I’ll be sorted in no time!

My mum has really bad bunions, her go to are Salomon shoes as they have a wide toe box she’s quite selective about her footwear as the pain after wearing something narrow isn’t worth it as it lasts for days. It can be an expensive mistake though if you get shoes thinking they’ll be comfy and they aren’t 😂

Most mainstream shoes, even supposedly wide-fit shoes, have bunion shaped toe boxes.

Would you consider minimalist/barefoot shoes that have a physiologically correct shaped toe box?

Happy Little Soles site has a good selection for adults.

I got some wide fit m&s loafers which fit my bunion.
I wear Chelsea boots too. I like Gabor, Vionic and Fitflop. Clarks can be good too.
I look for wide toe box but also soft enough leather that there's a bit of give. Preferably leather lined too.
For running I wear Brooks which have a lovely wide toe box and are super comfortable.

I'm intrigued by the DM suggestion though. I like the look of DMs but assumed they would be too rigid for my bunion.

So glad I found this thread, I've mild got bunions but very wide feet anyway. One has suddenly got much worse for no apparent reason so Im having to buy all new shoes. So depressing as it's painful

Reiker got some red patent DM style laced boots with a side zip for easy on/off

I had chevron osteotomy surgery in my 40’s and never regretted it even though you have to be mindful you have had the surgery like not wearing heels for long periods.

Blundestone boots are very comfy and wide and less hard on the feet like DM’s

DM's here too. Loads of styles and don't get misshapen by my bunions either.