Best Overall

Toms Fenix Platform Chelsea Suede Sneaker

$127 at Amazon

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Boot sneaker Sizes: Women’s 5 to 12 Widths: Medium Material: Suede upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best if you want a stylish, comfortable shoe for casual or work wear. 

Why We Love Them

During testing, Tom’s Fenix Platform Chelsea Sneaker immediately stood out for its versatility and comfort for daily wear, combining the support of a sneaker and the ease of a pull-on boot. We wore these shoes for school drop-offs, walking the dog, and more. The roomy toe box offers plenty of space to accommodate bunions, and we didn’t notice any discomfort or blisters throughout testing. 

The suede upper offers style for wear in casual and dressy settings. Meanwhile, the foam midsole and rubber outsole offer plush comfort and grippy traction. By the end of our testing period, we didn’t notice any wear and tear—a testament to the shoe’s durability and high-quality materials.

Potential Flaws

• We love the soft, suede upper but worry that it may get stained or damaged in harsh weather. Wearers may want to use a waterproofing spray for protection.

Best for Walking

Keen WK400 Leather Walking Shoe

$129 at Amazon View on Doddsshoe.com

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Sneaker Sizes: Women’s 5 to 12 Widths: Medium Material: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole Overall Rating: 4.7/5

Who They’re For 

Best if you need a walking shoe for short and long-distance walks. 

Why We Love Them 

To boost your step count without exacerbating bunions, we suggest Keen’s WK400 Leather Walking Shoe. The flexible mesh upper relieves pressure on your bunions and the wide rubber outsole ensures dependable traction. During testing, we found these shoes extremely comfortable and supportive for walking, standing, and other activities. 

Specifically designed with walkers in mind, the shoe’s midsole boasts stellar arch support for shock absorption and energy return on both short and long walks. It also has a slight rocker shape, which we noticed helped propel us forward. Plus, the contoured design provides a custom-like fit for added stability and comfort. 

Also available in men’s sizes at Amazon, Keen, and REI. 

Potential Flaws

• The shoe’s rocker shape takes some getting used to, but we found it helps with quick and efficient strides.
  

Best for Plantar Fasciitis

Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit Shoe

$115 at Amazon View on Zappos View on Orthofeet.com

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Sneaker Sizes: Women’s 5 to 12 Widths: Medium, wide, extra-wide Material: Knit upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best for all-day wear, especially if you have bunions or plantar fasciitis. 

Why We Love Them

If you’re dealing with both bunions and plantar fasciitis, we recommend Orthofeet's Coral Stretch Knit Shoe. Its soft, flexible upper and wide toe box alleviate pressure on bunions, while the generous arch support provides a comfy surface to keep plantar fasciitis symptoms at bay. This pair is one of our favorites for plantar fasciitis. 

The well-cushioned foam midsole offers stability and shock absorption, ensuring protection for our feet and joints—even when walking on cement sidewalks. Three width options and space for orthotics or insoles make these shoes even better for bunions and plantar fasciitis. Plus, they earned the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance, meaning a group of podiatrists has determined they promote healthy feet.

Potential Flaws

• While some wearers have reported a squeaking sound when walking in these shoes, it's worth noting that we didn’t hear anything in testing.

Best Recovery Shoe

Hoka Ora Recovery 2

$90 at Hoka.com

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Slip-on Sizes: Unisex sizing (women’s 5 to 11, men’s 7 to 14) Widths: Medium Material: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole Overall Rating: 5/5

Who They’re For

Best if you want a comfy recovery slide for pre- and post-workout or casual wear.

Why We Love Them

One of our favorite recovery shoes, Hoka’s Ora 2 Slides provide the relief our feet need after a distance run, hard workout, or long day of wearing heels. They have a roomy toe box and plush foam midsole that we found relieves pressure, especially in bunion-prone areas. From the first wear, you’ll experience cloud-like comfort that lasts through extended periods of standing and walking.

Despite their lightweight and breathable construction, these slides feel sturdy and stable. Plus, additional padding in the heel area enhances overall support and comfort. We also love the sleek, athletic design and convenient slip-on style, which makes them ideal for wearers on the move.  

Potential Flaws

• The top strap is not adjustable, so it may be difficult for wide-footed wearers to find a snug fit.

Best Budget

Dr. Scholl’s Nova Slip On Sneaker

$80

$55 at Amazon

$80

$51 at Zappos View on Drschollsshoes.com

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Slip-on Sizes: Women’s 6 to 11 Widths: Medium, wide Material: Faux leather, fabric, canvas, mesh, or microfiber upper; foam midsole; rubber outsole Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who They’re For

Best if you have bunions and want a sporty slip-on shoe for casual wear.

Why We Love Them 

Dr. Scholl’s Nova Slip-On Sneakers offer the convenience of a slip-on shoe without sacrificing comfort and quality. The upper is available in faux leather, fabric, canvas, mesh, or microfiber fabrics—depending on your personal preferences and style. And we found that it’s flexible and stretchy enough to accommodate bunions. 

As one of our favorite slip-on sneakers, these boast a cushioned foam midsole that we noticed delivers comfort for long hours of wear. Plus, the rubber outsole is durable and grippy. We also love that these sleek, versatile shoes can be worn for everyday wear, commuting, traveling, and more. 

Potential Flaws

• Although these shoes are comfortable, they don’t have as much arch support as some other options we tested. Still, you can always add insoles or custom orthotics if you have flat feet.

Best for Wide Feet

Kuru Atom

View on Kurufootwear.com

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Sneaker Sizes: Women’s 5 to 12 Widths: Medium, wide Material: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Who They’re For

Best for long walks and daily wear—especially if you prefer a classic sneaker style. 

Why We Love Them

If you have wide feet and bunions, shoes with a wide toe box are especially essential. We recommend Kuru's Atom Slip-Ons because they offer exceptional comfort, whether you’re aiming for 10,000 steps a day or just need a shoe for casual wear. Not only do they boast a wide and deep toe box, but they also come in two width options for even more accommodation for wide feet and bunions. 

During testing, our feet felt supported and pain-free thanks to the stretchy mesh upper and durable rubber outsole. We were also impressed with the ample foam cushioning, which reduces irritation and promotes comfort during long walks on various terrains. 

Also available in men’s sizes at Kuru. 

Potential Flaws

• While the shoe’s slip-on design is convenient, we wish that the faux laces could be adjusted to achieve a more secure fit.

Best for Running

Brooks Ghost 15

View on Amazon View on Shoemall.com

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Sneaker Sizes: Men’s 7 to 15 Widths: Narrow, medium, wide, extra-wide Material: Engineered mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole Overall Rating: 4.8/5 

Who They’re For

Best for neutral pronation runners with bunions who need a wide, supportive running shoe.

Why We Love Them 

Painful bunions can stop a runner in their tracks, but wearing the right running shoes can make a huge difference. Brooks’ Ghost 15 Sneakers boast plush cushioning in the arch and heel, which we found alleviates pressure and pain. During test runs, the wide toe box and stretchy mesh upper also help to keep irritation at bay.

What’s more, the padded tab, collar, and tongue enhance overall comfort. And the shoes are also APMA-approved. We enjoyed wearing this versatile pair for running, as well as walking and gym workouts. Plus, we love that the shoes come in four different width options to accommodate a variety of foot shapes and sizes.

Also available in women’s sizes at Amazon, Brooks, and Zappos. 

Potential Flaws

• These sneakers are ideal for neutral runners, but may not have the right stability features for runners with flat feet who overpronate.

Best Loafer

Vionic Cheryl II Loafer

$130

$56 at Amazon

$140

$135 at Zappos View on Vionicshoes.com

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Loafer Sizes: Women’s 5 to 12 Widths: Medium, wide Material: Leather or suede upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole Overall Rating: 4.2/5

Who They’re For

Best for women who need a comfy, supportive shoe for casual wear, work, or going out.

Why We Love Them

Vionic’s Cheryl II Loafers serve as proof that shoes designed for bunions can be streamlined and attractive. This sleek, stylish slip-on boasts a wide toe box and comes in wide sizes, accommodating bunions. Plus, it narrows in at the rearfoot, gently hugging our heel to provide more stability. 

During testing, we found that the podiatrist-designed footbed provides plush comfort, and the thick rubber outsole offers grippy traction. Notably, these shoes have also earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance, adding to their appeal.

Potential Flaws

• During testing our usual size felt too big, so we had to go down a half size.

Best for Hiking

KEEN Women’s Targhee III Waterproof

$170

$105 at Amazon $160 at Zappos

$160

$155 at Zappos

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Hiking shoe Sizes: Women’s 5 to 11 Widths: Medium Material: Leather and mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber sole Overall Rating: 4.7/5 

Who They’re For

Best for beginner to advanced hikers with medium to wide feet.

Why We Love Them

Keen’s Targhee 3 Hiking Shoes offer the stability and traction you need for hiking, without putting pressure on bunions. The spacious toebox and grippy rubber outsole keep us sure-footed when traversing uneven or slippery terrain. Plus, the midsole shank helps stabilize our feet even more.  

The best hiking shoes should not only provide stability but also protect your feet from whatever you may encounter on the trail. That’s why we appreciate this boot’s waterproof layering that keeps feet dry and comfortable. Despite keeping water out, the upper remains breathable, ensuring that your feet stay cool and don't overheat. Plus, the shoes feature natural anti-odor protection to maintain a fresh scent. 

Also available in men’s sizes at Amazon, Keen, and Zappos. 

Potential Flaws

• Since they’re designed for hiking, these shoes are too heavy-duty for casual, everyday wear.

Best for Flat Feet

Rykä Devotion X

$120

$80 at Amazon

$110

$76 at Zappos $90 at Nordstrom

Key Specs

Shoe Type: Sneaker Sizes: Women’s 5 to 12 Widths: Medium, wide Material: Mesh upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole Overall Rating: 4.9/5

Who They’re For

Best for those with flat feet who need a supportive walking shoe.

Why We Love Them

One of our top shoes for flat feet, Rykä’s Devotion X Walking Shoes are also a great choice if you have bunions. The soft, stretchy mesh upper gently hugs the foot while allowing for enough flexibility so as not to aggravate bunions. Plus, the wide toe box provides plenty of room to accommodate lumps and for toes to splay. 

The midsole offers great arch support and reliable shock absorption—exactly what flat-footed wearers need. During test walks, this APMA-approved pair kept our feet comfy for hours at a time. And we found these shoes to be exceptionally high-quality and durable, making them well worth the already budget-friendly price.

Potential Flaws

• We found that these shoes may be too wide for narrow-footed wearers.