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Comfort can often come at the expense of style, and this holds true for fashionable sandals when you have bunions. According to podiatry specialist Gregory Alvarez, DPM, FACFAS, some sandals can often be problematic for people with bunions, whether due to a lack of support or excessive pressure and stress on the toes. Such options can lead to pain and difficulty walking, neither of which are fun for you and your feet. Finding shoes for bunions—be it sneakers, boots, or, in this instance, sandals—will involve finding a silhouette that will comfortably accommodate the bony protrusion at the base of your foot. Fortunately, the best sandals for bunions offer style and comfort in equal measure.
Experts in This Article
Ashley Russo podiatry resident at NYU Langone in New York
Asim Sayed board-certified foot and ankle surgeon at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital
Brad Schaeffer board-certified foot surgeon at Sole Podiatry NYC and star of TLC’s My Feet Are Killing Me
Gregory Alvarez board-certified podiatry specialist at Ankle &
Nelya Lobkovav board-certified podiatrist and founder of Step Up Footcare in New York City
Sondema Tarr board-certified podiatrist and founder of Direct Podiatry Arizona
Best stylish sandals for bunions, at a glance
What is a bunion?
According to Brad Schaeffer, DPM, a foot surgeon at Sole Podiatry, in a previous interview with Well+Good: “Bunions are a deformity in our big toe that presents as a mass at the side of the foot.” The condition is usually caused when the big toes push and bend inward towards the other toes, which results in a painful protrusion—and bunions can be made worse by wearing the wrong shoes. While there’s no substitute for a medical treatment, particularly if pain is severe, the right pair of shoes can offer some much-needed relief.
What to consider when shopping for sandals for bunions
For enduring comfort, you first want to choose a sandal with a wide toe box to offer bunions plenty of space—and some sandals even come in extra-wide widths to accommodate the most severe bunions. Conversely, footwear with overly short or narrow toe boxes can irritate your bunion and cause discomfort by squeezing your toes together, says Ashley Russo, DPM, MS, a podiatry resident at NYU Langone in New York.
The straps also play a key role in how comfortable a sandal will be. Sandals with adjustable straps allow you to modify the fit, which, in turn, “can help ensure pressure is evenly distributed across your foot, preventing irritation and discomfort,” says Dr. Alvarez. Straps made from stretchy materials, like leather and canvas, are also welcome features. “This will help relieve discomfort caused by rubbing or chaffing,” he adds.
Lastly, don’t forget to seek out sandals with ample arch support, which is typically identified by “an insole that closely contours to the bottom of your foot,” says Asim Sayed, DPM, AACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. The picks below feature some degree of arch support with a fashion-forward design for a stylish yet comfortable shoe. That might look like an orthopedic sandal in a classic neutral palette or a pair of leather slides that can seamlessly integrate into your everyday wardrobe.
All to say, you’ll find plenty of choices in the list below. Read on for the best—and most stylish—sandals for bunions that have earned the approval of podiatrists.
Best for Daily Wear: Birkenstock Gizeh Birko-Flor™ Birkibuc™ - $113
Sizes: Women’s 4-11.5, including narrow sizes
If you want comfy shoes that won’t alert the fashion police, a safe bet is Birkenstock’s Gizeh Sandal. The style features a T-strap that won’t irritate your bunion and is as versatile as it is timeless, so you know this pair will be wardrobe mainstay for years to come. The shoe boasts a contoured footbed made from cork and some serious traction underneath to offer you and your feet utmost support. What’s more, it has the stamp of approval from Dr. Alvarez: “This classic sandal features a supportive footbed, shock-absorbing EVA sole, and adjustable straps that won’t press too tightly against the bunion.” ($113, Zappos)
Colors: 9
Midsole material: EVA
Outer material: Acrylic and polyamide fibers
Straps: Adjustable strap (via buckle closure)
Pros:
Adjustable strap
Features a sturdy cork footbed
Deep heel cup provides more support
Cons:
Pricey
Best Slide Sandals: Vionic Mayla Sandal - from $35
Sizes: Women’s 5-11
Podiatrists love Vionic because it offers comfy and stylish footwear—and when it comes to sandal options, the Mayla Sandal is one of the best. “This stylish sandal combines fashion and function with a wide toe box and a podiatrist-designed orthotic footbed for superior support,” says Dr. Alvarez. Since the light-as-air straps aren’t constricting, you won’t have to worry about bunion irritation. Complete the look with a flow-y dress, and you have yourself a look. Hello, style. Bye-bye, bunion pain! (from $35, Amazon)
Colors: 4
Midsole material: EVA
Outer material: Leather
Straps: Non-adjustable straps
Pros:
Wide toe box
Orthotic footbed
Stylish silhouette
Cons:
Straps aren’t adjustable
Best Splurge: Tory Burch Miller Cloud Sandal — $225
Sizes: Women’s 4-13
Beloved for its leather bags, Tory Burch also makes shoes that podiatrists and fashion-forward shoppers love. Featuring a T-strap, the Miller Cloud Sandal allows for plenty of room for your toes, and it’s unlikely to irritate your bunion. Another notable feature is the “dual-density foam insole for added cushion and support,” says Dr. Russo. Shop it in 13 colors, from neutrals to brights. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
Colors: 13
Midsole material: EVA
Outer material: Leather
Straps: Non-adjustable strap
Pros:
Wide toe box
Dual-density foam insole
Can be dressed up or down
Cons:
Straps aren’t adjustable
Best Water-Friendly Sandals: Teva Hurricane Drift Sandal — $45
Sizes: 5-14
“This lightweight sandal features a wide toe box and an adjustable ankle strap, making it perfect for people with bunions,” says Dr. Alvarez. Plus, the supportive rubber soles will stand up to plenty of outdoor use, and better yet, the hook-and-loop closure offers easy on and off when you’re ready to kick up your feet. Available in 27 fun colors, the sandal presents a myriad of style opportunities, making it anything but just functional. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)
Colors: 27
Midsole material: EVA
Outer material: EVA
Straps: Adjustable strap (via hook-and-loop closure)
Pros:
Adjustable ankle strap
Wide toe box
Inexpensive
Cons:
Shoppers have reported that the sandals run large
Best Platform Sandals: Teva Flatform Universal Sandal — $75
Sizes: Women’s 5-12
Recommended by Sondema Tarr, DPM, podiatrist and founder of Direct Podiatry Arizona, the Teva Flatform Universal Sandal features fully adjustable and flexible straps so as not to irritate bunions, plus a molded EVA midsole with heel cupping and arch support for pain-free jaunts into the city and beyond. The rubber outsole will keep you from slips and slides while you walk, adding some height while mitigating the risk of breaking your back. What’s more, the sandals come in a range of aesthetically pleasing colors, from brights to fun patterns. ($75, Teva)
Colors: 15
Midsole material: EVA
Outer material: Repreve polyester
Straps: Adjustable straps (via hook-and-loop closure)
Pros:
Adjustable ankle and foot straps
Molded EVA midsole
Anti-odor treatment keeps unpleasant smells away
Cons:
1.75-inch platform could be too high for some people
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