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Finding the best running shoes for bunions can be a challenge at the best of times.
There are number of issues to consider including the additional width of the foot because of the bunion.
But the good news is the best running shoes for bunions do exist and you can find them.
Any time you change your shoes, keep a close eye out for the warning signs of overload which might indicate you’ve chosen the wrong shoe for you.
It can be a sign of problems if you experience sore/black toenails, very sore hip muscles, ankle pain or blisters on your feet (click on the issue to read more about its causes and fixes).
Need expert advice to get the perfect shoe?
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This app, on Android and ios, offers expert advice on the perfect running shoes for you and your niggles.
The app can also diagnose injury and suggest running sessions that won’t flare up any current niggles.
Physiotherapist shoes recommendations for runners with bunions
Here’s a list of the best running shoes for bunions that we’ve tried, been recommended or received great feedback.
They are all wide fit (women’s B or men’s 2E) or extra wide fit (women’s 2E or men’s 4E) and offer different levels of support.
Start by trying out shoes from the brands you’ve used before and have found comfortable.
If you’re not familiar with the terminology, “heel-toe offset” (also known as “heel-toe drop”) is the difference between heel and forefoot heights. “Stack height” is the heel height, and weight….well, that’s just weight.
Best running shoes for bunions in a wide fit
Minimal support level, women’s D or men’s 2E width (wide)
Saucony Tempus
Heel-toe offset: 8mm | stack height: 37mm | weight: 224g (womens), 258g (mens)
Our recommendation: great for runners who like a light fast shoe.
The Saucony Tempus is a lightweight shoe with great reviews for bunions and wide feet. It’s perfect for faster sessions up to 10k and racing up to half marathons.
You’ll find the full range of colors and widths in the womens range and mens range here.
Brooks Glycerin
Heel-toe offset: 10mm | stack height: 38mm | weight: 252g (womens), 300g (mens)
Our recommendation: the Brooks Glycerin suits runners who like some underfoot protection (at the expense of ground feel).
The Glycerin is a firm shoe underfoot but with enough cushioning for comfort. Better priced than many alternatives in this range.
The color options and widths can be found here for womens shoes and mens shoes.
Moderate support level, women’s D or men’s 2E width (wide)
Asics Gel GT-2000
Heel-toe offset: 8mm | stack height: 31mm | weight: 252g (womens), 277g (mens)
Our recommendation: one of the best all-rounders, for those who like a balanced mix of support and cushioning.
Asics’ GT-2000 is the most popular shoe on the market for good reason. It’s been around for 25+ years and just keeps getting better.
Find standard and wide fit in the full range of colors here for womens shoes and mens shoes.
Mizuno Wave Inspire
Heel-toe offset: 12mm | stack height: 37mm | weight: 244g (womens), 303g (mens)
Our recommendation: a solid choice for any distance up to marathons, with a firm feel and a protective feel.
Mizuno Inspire is another star performer on the list of best running shoes for bunions. Firmer than the Asics 2000s but just as supportive.
Check out the full range of widths and colors for womens shoes and mens shoes.
Hoka One One Arahi
Heel-toe offset: 5mm | stack height: 35mm | weight: 218g (womens), 264g (mens)
Our recommendation: surprisingly light, this plush but supportive shoe can easily cover any distance in comfort.
One of Hoka’s first models with support, this one rapidly gained a loyal following. Supportive but generously cushioned and with a rounded outsole. Probably the most comfortable shoe on this list.
You can find all the color options and widths for the womens range and mens range here.
Saucony Guide
Heel-toe offset: 8mm | stack height: 35mm | weight: 235g (womens), 269g (mens)
Our recommendation: a lovely shoe for runners who need stability but need a lighter feel.
A popular shoe for anyone who likes the shape of Saucony, Adidas or Nike (straighter last). They’re super light but with a durable feel.
You’ll find the full range of colors in wide and standard fit for womens shoes and mens shoes.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS
Heel-toe offset: 12mm | stack height: 36mm | weight: 249g (womens), 289g (mens)
Our recommendation: a star performer for a good reason, the Adrenaline is now lighter (but less supportive) than previous models.
These shoes have undergone a big design change recently with less support but lighter than previous editions.
Take a look at the womens range and mens range in all colors and widths.
Maximal support level, women’s D or men’s 2E width (wide)
Hoka One One Gaviota
Heel-toe offset: 5mm | stack height: 40mm | weight: 280g (womens), 314g (mens)
Our recommendation: huge stack height feels comfortable thanks to the rocker shape, with a solid supportive feel.
A big plush outsole with solid support, what more could you ask for?!? Great reviews, particularly from walkers.
Check out the womens range and mens range in a variety of colors.
Asics Gel Kayano
Heel-toe offset: 10mm | stack height: 35mm | weight: 260g (womens), 317g (mens)
Our recommendation: a perfect all-rounder for runners who need support for up to marathon distances.
Another Asics classic! It’s been around forever and is the go-to shoe for many people with bunions. If you need lots of support, this is probably the one of the best running shoes for bunions.
Find color and width options in the womens range and mens range here.
Best running shoes for bunions in an extra wide fit
Moderate support level, women’s 2E or men’s 4E width (extra wide)
Asics Gel GT-2000
Heel-toe offset: 8mm | stack height: 31mm | weight: 252g (womens), 277g (mens)
Find standard and wide fit in the full range of colors here for womens shoes and mens shoes.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS
Heel-toe offset: 12mm | stack height: 36mm | weight: 249g (womens), 289g (mens)
Take a look at the womens range and mens range in all colors and widths.
Maximal support level, women’s 2E or men’s 4E width (extra wide)
Asics Gel Kayano
Heel-toe offset: 10mm | stack height: 35mm | weight: 260g (womens), 317g (mens)
Find color and width options in the womens range and mens range here.
Key features
When searching for the best running shoes for bunions, the main feature that you require is obviously the width of the shoe to accommodate the angulation of the big toe.
Without the additional width, there is pressure on the sides of the toes.
And if the bunion overlaps the edge of the shoe, it creates foot/ankle instability that can directly to injury.
The second, less obvious feature required is stability in the shoe.
Bunions are caused by a prolonged history of uncontrolled pronation.
The reason bunions tend to accelerate their progress over time is that, as the toe angles, it becomes less effective at stabilizing the foot and creates even more uncontrolled pronation.
After those two features have been considered, you can then select your personal preference for heel-toe offset and stack height (aka. the amount of cushioning).
(To learn about the different parts and functions of a running shoe, including explaining terms like “stack height” and “heel-toe offset”, see our post here.)
Finding the right width
When you’re looking for the best running shoes for bunions, so much of that decision comes down to finding a width of shoe that can accommodate your foot.
Male running shoes come in a standard “D” width while female shoes come in a standard “B” width.
It’s worth noting that’s the actual width of a B or D fitting is not consistent across brands, so the “standard” isn’t actually standardised.
The next width up in running shoes is referred to as a wide fitting. This is “D” for women’s shoes and “2E” for men’s shoes.
The only width above that is referred to as an extra wide. It’s a “2E” width in female shoes and a “4E” width in male shoes.
Not many brands offer an extra width, and those that do only offer one or two models in that width.
For women’s shoes, the best option for extra wide is to look across to the men’s range. Aside from small differences, a men’s wide 2E fit will provide the same width as a women’s extra wide 2E fit.
Standardized shoe shapes and widths
Due to the lack of standardization of dimensions between brands, don’t automatically assume that you’re a D or 2E width across the board.
You might find that you require a 2E in a narrower make, like a Nike shoe. But when you switch brands to a more generous fit, like Brooks, you can actually get away with a standard D fitting.
It’s also worth noting different brands and different models have different shapes to them.
Some shoes are built on a straight last (“last” refers to the shape of shoe/foot) while others are built on a curved last.
This will mean that while some shoes have adequate width, they feel like they push too much on one side of the toes.
This is due to a mismatch in the shape of the shoe and your foot.
Finding the right stability
As bunions are an indication of long-term stability issues, it’s a fair assumption that the best running shoes for bunions should offer more support.
Support levels are usually rated as minimal, moderate and maximal.
(Beyond that there are also “motion control” shoes, however these are best only used on the recommendation of a Podiatrist or Physiotherapist.)
When you’re looking for the best running shoes for bunions, the consideration of which support level is best for you comes down to two things.
Firstly, consider your ability to stabilize the leg and the severity of your bunion. If your leg stability is lacking and/or your bunion make stability difficult, go for a more supportive shoe.
The second consideration is pace. The faster you run, the less support you will need.
So you may end up with two different pairs of shoes – one for your 5k parkrun or tempo run and one for your 20k long runs.
Disclaimer for Best Running Shoes for Bunions
**Special note: this article has Physiotherapist-recommended products with affiliate links to trusted vendors, selected for their fast & reliable service and great prices. The article was written prior to sourcing the affiliate links and the links in no way influence our recommendations.