What to look for when buying shoes for bunions

Reading time: 3 min | Last updated: 27 March 2026

If you’ve got a bunion, you’ll know that finding the right shoes can feel like a bit of a mission. Comfortable shoes aren’t stylish, stylish shoes aren’t comfortable around your bunion. Quite a dilemma!

At Wolky, we understand this conflict. And we know that the right pair of shoes can make a world of difference. Not just for comfort today, but for how your feet feel tomorrow too. So, what to look for when buying shoes for bunions? We’ll tell you all about it.

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Here’s what to look for when buying shoes for bunions

1 | Enough space for your toes

First things first: space is important! Shoes that are too tight at the front will only make things worse. Your toes need room to move naturally without being squashed together.

A good rule of thumb? Leave about a thumb’s width between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. Pressure on the bunion can lead to irritation, pain and an even bigger bump.

2 | Soft materials

When you’ve got a sensitive spot on your foot (a.k.a. a bunion), stiff leather is not what you want. At Wolky, we only use the best of the best when it comes to materials – because your feet deserve nothing less. Soft leather, for example, stretches slightly and reduces friction around the bunion.

3 | Support over softness

To add to the previous point: softness is important, but not the only feature to look for. It might sound tempting to go for the softest shoe you can find. But here’s the thing: soft doesn’t always mean support.

What your feet really need is proper support. Think anatomically shaped footbeds, cushioning in the right places, and a sole that helps you walk naturally. That’s what keeps your feet comfortable, all day long.

4 | A stable sole

A stable sole gives your foot the support it needs and helps distribute pressure evenly. This reduces strain on the forefoot – exactly where bunions tend to cause trouble.

5 | Low heels

Heels can look lovely, but they do more harm than good. High heels push your weight forward onto the forefoot, increasing pressure on your bunion.

If you do go for a heel, keep it low and stable. Your feet (and your future self) will be very grateful.

What not to do?

It sounds logical. You need extra space around your bunion, so you opt for wide shoes. unfortunately, this is not always the case.

If your feet aren’t naturally wide, shoes that are too wide can actually cause other problems, like blisters or lack of support. What you really want is a shoe that offers extra space exactly where you need it, while still fitting snugly everywhere else.