As we’ve discussed on the blog before, bunions are a bony prominence that form on the joint of a toe, oftentimes on the big toe. They are far more common in women than in men, and estimates suggest that roughly half of the women in America are plagued by a bunion at some point in their life. These pesky foot conditions are often brought upon by tight ill-fitting shoes, so it’s no surprise that regular heel-wearers are at the greatest risk for bunion development.
Bunions can be painful, especially when we’re active. But if you’re an avid runner, you’re not going to want to be slowed by a bunion. You can take a look at some treatment options for bunions by clicking here, but today, we want to focus on five running shoe features you should look for in a running shoe if you are dealing with bunions.
Bunions and Running Shoes
If you are looking for a running shoe that can accommodate your bunion, look for these five features in the shoe.
1. Wide Toe – Bunions can get worse if they rub against the side of shoes or they are under pressure from a narrow toe box, so look for a running shoe with a wide toe.
2. Mesh/Soft Toe Box – As you can see in the above photo, the blue shoe has a mesh front that is somewhat flexible, meaning your bunion will not be pressed up against a hard surface. The flexibility of the toe box offers your bunion a little more protection.
3. Supportive Sole – You’ll also want to find a shoe with a soft and well-cushioned sole to help take the stress of each step off your foot and bunion.
4. Contoured To Your Arch – If you have a high arch, the impact of each step is more prominent in your heel and forefoot, depending on your foot-strike pattern. Finding a shoe that contours to your high arch will ensure stress is displaced evenly throughout your foot.
5. Breathability – Another benefit of shoes with a mesh front or a lightweight design is breathability. This will help keep your feet cool, which will prevent sweating. If your feet start to sweat, you’re more likely to feel friction between your shoe and your bunion, which can exacerbate the problem.
For more information about what to look for in a running shoe if you have bunions, or to talk to Dr. Silverman about addressing your bunion problem, click here.