For runners, bunions can be a nightmare. It’s challenging to find a good running shoe for bunions, meaning that even shorter runs can cause chafing… or worse. Luckily, there are shoes—for neutral and pronating runners—that are sensitive to your bunion needs. Best Running Shoes for Bunions Like previous blogs, Janji digs in to find the best running shoes for runners who have bunions. Working off data from over 4,000 runners (courtesy of Shoekicker), we’ve narrowed down the very best running sneakers for bunion runners!
Bunions… a term no one likes to hear or see. They are gross to look at and they cause massive discomfort when running. Many people suffer from this awful pain and it can impact people in all areas of life, especially when running! This article will give you the breakdown on how to cure/prevent bunions, what causes bunions in the first place and the best running shoes for bunions to pick that is designed to instantly eradicate discomfort when running.
When you are running one day and all of a sudden you start to feel a burning pain, rub against the side of your foot, you instantly stop to see what is happening. You have checked your ankle and find that everything is fine. You continue to run along. The bigger issue is that many runners do not know that they have bunions nor they feel the need to change their shoe up due to it not affecting their lives dramatically.
But, ignoring the issue may increase the likelihood of your bunions to worsen and actually cause even more discomfort in the future. It is better to be safe than sorry to find a solution to the problem early on than leaving it later until something more serious happens.
Best Running Shoes for Bunions – Simple exercises to cure bunions
Ball roll- This is a fun one when watching the telly or online browsing your favorite websites & it is simple to set up. You simply get a small ball of any kind. A golf ball or tennis ball is most suitable ( I prefer to use a tennis ball as it has a softer surface!) and you place it under your foot. You roll it around on the floor with the guidance of your foot for 2 – 3 mins. This exercise will help stop the foot from cramping and straining.
Aligning your big toe – This may sound painful and uncomfortable to do but it is another good exercise to do! You simply use your fingers to grip your big toe and slowly move it in the correct position. Hold your big toe in place for around 10 seconds and repeat 3 – 5 times respectively. This will help re-align your big toe to where it should be!
Using resistance on your big toe – If you have a spare towel or a scarf, this can be easily accessible and easy to do. You grab a towel and wrap it around your big toe. You then pull on the towel to pull your painful toe inwards towards your index toe whilst simultaneously pushing your foot forward. There isn’t a set amount of time you should do this, but don’t overdo it as you may cause more harm than good!
Walking along sand – Who doesn’t like walking on sand? When there is sand, there is likely a beach! Walking on your local beach can see more benefits than previously thought. It not only helps you get Vitamin D, you also help cure your bunions. Walking along sand is a great alternative to walking across concrete in tight and uncomfortable shoes. Use this to relax and nurture your bunion to help reduce the pain.
Best Running Shoes for Bunions – Asics GT-2000 6
I’ve been wearing the Asics GT 2000 6 series for years. And every year, I fall in love again with the shoe’s mesh forefoot, durable heel, and incredibly soft interior. Seriously: this shoe is about as plush as it gets. So if you’re looking at durability, comfort, and bunion protection at a great price, the Asics GT-2000 6 is a fantastic choice. One note of caution: wear this shoe if you’re a “stability” runner (you pronate).
Best Running Shoes for Bunions – Brooks Launch 5
The Brooks Launch 5 is nearly half the price of the Ultraboost. It’s much more than half the value. The Launch 5 has a mesh toe box to help with bunion chafing and an extremely comfortable, 3D Fit Print that ensure the shoe stays snug. While it isn’t as durable as the Wave Rider 20 or Ultraboost, the Launch 5 can you take from road to trail all in great, bunion-loving comfort.
Best Running Shoes for Bunions – Adidas Ultraboost
By far the priciest shoe on the list, the Ultraboost might also be the most comfortable. With a seamless mesh interior that negates nearly any bunion chafing, the Ultraboost wears like a glove. It also has Adidas’ Boost Technology will makes a runner’s step springy thanks to an energy transfer system that we at Janji can’t even pretend to understand. Perhaps best of all, the shoe be stylish. If it weren’t $180 we probably would have anointed this the very best running shoes for bunions.
Best Running Shoes for Bunions – Hoka One One Clifton
The most popular shoe from the fastest growing shoe brand, the Clifton has all the best Hoka features—plenty of cushion, low heel-to-toe drop—without Hoka’s traditionally steep price point. And for long-time bunion suffers, the Clifton has a mesh exterior that has plenty of give, even as your feet expand. Take it on a long run and your feet (and the side of your feet) will thank you.
Best Running Shoes for Bunions – New Balance MX857
These running shoes are one of many shoes that help people run with bunions. Other than the stylish exterior, these New Balance shoes are not only to impress but function at the same time. They have specifically designed a bunion comfort zone which is an attractive feature for many runners and it helps emphasize the width of these shoes! The new balance shoes are also great for overpronators as it has ROLLBAR technology and a lateral TPU support to help eradicate the discomfort.
