Bunions

Reading time: 3 min | Last updated: 22 January 2026

Bunions can be quite a nuisance. That bony bump at the base of your big toe is often unsightly and uncomfortable. While bunions are more common in women and tend to appear with age, they’re (luckily) not something you just have to put up with.

At Wolky, we’ve been perfecting our shoes for bunions for over 40 years. You could say we know a thing or two about bunions! We design our shoes with comfort and support at the forefront. Whether you have foot troubles or just like wearing comfortable footwear, we’ve got you covered. Shoes should fit your feet – not the other way round.

This blog features:

What is a bunion?

If you’re not familiar with the term bunions (or hallux valgus, as it’s also known), you might just call it a bump on your big toe. And essentially, that’s exactly what it is. A bunion is a bony lump that forms at the joint where your big toe meets your foot. It happens when the big toe shifts inwards, towards the other toes. This causes the joint to stick out – alas, creating a bunion.

While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, we can take some factors into account, such as genetics, poor footwear, and foot shape. High heels and narrow shoes are major culprits, pushing your weight onto the front of your feet. At Wolky, we say no to these types of shoes! No to discomfort, yes to comfort!

Learn more about hallux valgus here.

Bunion pain

Some lucky people have bunions without any pain at all. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everyone. For many, bunions can cause pain. The bump becomes tender, swollen, and painful. Bunion pain often occurs when walking or wearing the wrong shoes. The pressure from tight footwear can make the pain worse over time. Another reason to wear proper footwear!

Unfortunately, bunions don’t go away on their own. If you’d like to lessen the pain (which we think you most definitely want), good shoes can help ease the discomfort and stop them from getting worse. Surgery is the only way to remove them, but that’s only needed in more severe cases.

Check out all of our shoes for bunions here.

Bunion symptoms

So how do you know if you suffer from bunions? Common bunion symptoms include:

A visible lump at the base of your big toe
Redness or swelling around the joint
Pain or tenderness, especially when walking
Difficulty finding shoes that fit comfortably
The big toe leaning towards the second toe

You may have all these symptoms; you may have only one – both are completely normal. The most important thing to remember is this: with the right support, your feet can feel happy again.

In this video, our very own Dr. Shoe will tell you more about bunions.