Anyone with bunions will tell you that these enlarged bony bumps can cause irritation and pain, and make finding the right footwear a real challenge. While they can only be corrected through surgery, that’s not always an immediate option. Thankfully, there are things out there that provide relief — and I rounded up a few over-the-counter products that aim to address the pain and pressure associated with the condition.
Whether it’s the right recovery shoe to wear at home or a protective gel cushion that prevents shoes from rubbing on bunions, reviewers have all claimed that the following lineup of helpful goods helped make their bunion symptoms bearable and, in some cases, non-existent.
All easily accessible at Amazon, where fast delivery is almost always an option, shop items like shoes with strategically wide toe boxes, intensive joint relief creams, toe-aligning socks and more.
These terry cotton house slippers promise a soft and adjustable top strap to accommodate a variety of foot widths and reduce friction on bunions. There's a high-density memory foam insole that several reviewers compare to a much pricier version from Vionic, and a hard rubber outsole so these can be worn indoors and out. Shop them in 10 colors and prints and women's sizes 6-11.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I was worried about these slippers with my bunion and needing great support. They are great. No bunion issue because they can be adjusted to your liking. The support is the same as Vionic with at least 1/2 the price. And they are soft!" — DSOlson
"I have a few foot issues, including Mortons toes created from bunion correction. These are the most comfortable slippers for my feet. The arch helps support to help avoid pronation when my arches collapse. The open toe box allows my toes to move freely reducing the pain in my second it doesn't appreciate its promotion to longest toe and can be quite sensitive. The velcro wasn't something I was looking for in the body of the slipper but i love it. As my feet have settled in I have been able to adjust it so my toes aren't clawing to keep my slippers on." — Kali
Dr. Gary Evans, a podiatrist and board-certified foot surgeon, previously told HuffPost that toe spacers and stretchers can alleviate bunion-related pain, swelling and inflammation by temporarily realigning toes, reducing pressure on joints and stretching the connective tendons. The Yoga Toes "Gems" are wearable toe tools that can do all of the above, and come with reviewer claims that promise they're "not a gimmick." They are made from a cushy and flexible medical-grade gel that's even safe to use in the tub.
Promising Amazon review: "Recently saw an orthopedist for a bunion consult and I am a candidate for surgery, however, the downtime is significant for this surgery and I just can’t commit to the downtime and restrictions to drive at this time. I found yoga toes to be a great way to help with bunion pain. My foot 'asks' for the yoga toes (starts getting achy without them) so I’ll wear them before bed. Highly recommend. Only took wearing them twice to get acclimated to them. Highly recommend if you have foot pain from bunions! It’s not a bunion cure, but it is a pain reliever if you use them daily!" — JennyEstes
Intended to feel barefoot-like, these minimalist wide-width sneakers have a fully articulated and slip-resistant sole and a wide toe box that allows toes a full range of movement. The non-elevated heel also helps promote proper posture. These are available in 13 colors and women's wide sizes 6-11.5. There's also a similar style for men made with a different upper material.
Promising Amazon review: "I have dealt with bunions and painful great toes for years with multiple surgeries. I wish I had these 20 years ago and maybe avoided all the surgeries and pain. I bought my first pair of Whitin minimalist barefoot shoe in gray because of the wide toe box. No drop sole was something new. I had always felt I needed insoles to help cushion my feet. But the moment I put these on and wore them in the house the first day I realized I was wrong to do that. These fit so well and were comfortable all day. My feet didn't hurt, no more cramped toes. So, I bought more in three different colors. That was a year ago and I have to tell you that I was pleasantly surprised to find that in addition to being so good for my feet, the shoes wash up so well! It is easy to hide stains and dirt in the dark grey shoes, but the white and beige don't lie. They show the dirt quickly, yet after a year, they are still looking new after a wash. I spray a little OxyClean on the dirt and wash in the machine, air dry and they are nice and white, including the edges of the sole that you see. I will definitely be buying these again if they ever wear out." — noturningbacknow
These patented socks aim to alleviate bunion pain in a few different ways: compressive material, a strategic cushioning pad on the large toe joint and a split-toe design that can help temporarily align overlapping big toes. Perfect for wearing with your daily footwear, these socks are made from a thin breathable fabric, in three sizes and three colors.
Promising Amazon review: "Have tried everything ... toe socks, compression socks, and on and on. OrthoSleeve BR4 Bunion Relief Socks have been by far the most effective product I have ever tried. Never realized that having your large toe separated from your other 4 toes provides amazing balance and comfort. They do not 'fix' my very bad foot but they do bring much needed relief when walking, better balance and I have noticed I do not need to use my splint on the bunion foot nearly as often AND my feet feel so much better at night. Initially, I purchased one pair. Since they are a little pricey I also ordered the same style big toe socks (regular material - not compression) -- DO NOT WORK. So, I then ordered a pack of 3 OrthoSleeve BR4 Bunion Relief Socks. I also really love that I can wear them with my flip flops." — Barb
Available in up to 15 color combinations and sizes for men and women, these Bronax athletic sneakers feature a wide toe box for a roomy and accommodating fit that won't constrict bunions or further misalign toes. The breathable mesh uppers keep feet cool, and the cushioned midsole promises to absorb shock and offer a comfortable rebound with each step.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I walked 20k steps a day for a week long trip to Disney in these shoes! An absolute godsend. They didn’t hurt my bunion or squeeze my feet. They have a lot of support and the wide toe box is just right. If you have bunions then these are definitely worth trying!" — Amazon customer
"I have very tender feet since last year when I broke my left ankle. My left foot grew a half size during the healing process, so now all my size 9s are too tight. I also have a terrible bunion and my toes rub up against each other in tight shoes. These were the perfect shoe for me: wide toebox. I used my Superfeet in-sole with these and they fit perfectly. Good support especially with my insole. I wore these down to Guatemala and walked everywhere in them. I like them better than my Skechers." — sunset lover
Available in nine color combinations and women's sizes 5-11, the Merrell Terran is a supportive slip-on sandal designed with a proprietary foam insole and a comfortable toe ring that can keep the big toe separate from the other toes, without any painful friction on bunions.
Promising Amazon review: "As someone with bunions on both feet, these sandals are a great, comfortable fit and are offered in many colors. Being told that thong sandals are not good for someone with bunions, these Merrell sandals keep the big toe somewhat separated from the other toes and doesn’t encourage the big toe to grip the thong like a thong sandal does. The protruding part of the bunion is covered by the part of the sandal where the big toe fits into the sandal with a flexible fabric that doesn’t rub or hurt. These sandals are true to size and I hope Merrill never stops making this style." — Mimi C.
One of the main benefits of these particular toe separators is that they are sleek enough to be worn with your regular footwear, including sandals. Made with soft and washable silicone, the separator uses a ring design that just slides over the middle toe to offer comforting alignment of toes that may be leaning inwards. They come in several colors, including clean and flesh-toned options, so they look less noticeable in open-toed shoes.
Promising Amazon reviews: "These are pretty amazing. I’ve got a bunion and other foot issues. These have straightened my toes. Relaxed the angle of the big toe bunion. My feet feel much better. I do recommend these. Honestly" — peggy boldt
"I have a big ol bunion on my right big toe that my podiatrist wants to do surgery on, but I'm not so excited about that and wanted to at least keep it from getting worse. I also have plantar fasciitis on that same foot. I didn't honestly expect much from these because I have tried overnight toe separator socks before, but these can be worn during the day and it makes a HUGE difference. Not only is my bunion actually appearing to get better, but these reduce the amount of plantar pain I get from walking. I have worn it so far for weight training, walks, cardio on the elliptical and dance aerobics. They stay in place and work well. My advice is to build up to it slowly, a couple hours at first, and up to a full day over the course of a week or so. It was a bit of an adjustment at first but after a week I prefer to wear them, it just feels like my foot is in a better position. Thanks for this awesome tool, and good luck to all of you out there with bunions and foot pain! I hope this helps you too." — Rose12345
These athletic sneakers from Orthofeet are made from an antimicrobial stretch-knit fabric and are equipped with a wide toe box so you don't have to worry about uncomfortable pressure or friction on bunions and hammer toes. The cushioned heel is also supplemented with removable orthotic insoles that provide anatomical arch support to help realign the foot. They are available in up to eight colors, four widths (including extra wide) and sizes for both men and women, up to 15 with half sizes included.
Promising Amazon review: "These orthopedic walking/workout shoes were comfortable for me from the first wearing, which is saying something since my feet are problematic with bad bunions. Finding a good supportive shoe that is also comfortable enough for a 3 mile walk/hike is hard, and these fit the bill. Because the tops are knit, they conform to my feet without constricting them or being too tight over the bunions. I do use the optional orthotic piece that fits under the sole - it gives extra arch support. But I have also worn these shoes without that piece, and they are very comfortable that way too. It just depends on how much support you need, but it's nice to have the option. The colors are great. I am not crazy about slip-on shoes ~ I still like old-fashioned lace-ups, so these are great. They wear well. I just got my second pair for Christmas, after wearing the 1st pair for nearly a year, and I will keep alternating with those for awhile, because they still have some wear left in them. Great, supportive, comfortable athletic shoe!" — Lynne G.
Perfectly designed to cover the metatarsals and big toe joint, these compressive gel packs offer the benefit of either heat or cold therapy to help reduce swelling and inflammation. Each stretchy slide-on pack contains a gel that can be frozen or microwaved and conforms to the feet.
Promising Amazon review: "At the end of long days, when my feet and bunions are killing me, these are such a relief. The cooling effects of the gel-filled pads feel so good! I wish I could wear them all day!" — Chris Reeder
Designed to be worn for multiple days at a time, these stick-on bunion patches are made with a flexible hydrogel that protects against friction and offers a pressure-relieving cushion from footwear that may be too tight around the big toe joint. Each Dr. Scholl's box contains five cushion patches.
Promising Amazon review: "I have a great pair of black suede ankle boots. They are high quality but the suede is stiff. It was unforgiving to the bunions on my feet from the moment I stood up. I applied the bunion product to each foot. I sure wasn’t expecting any relief. I was planning to stop at a store and purchase something more substantial.
Surprise, surprise- the pain was gone. It didn’t return all day. I’m not sure why it worked so well.
The product stayed on for a couple of days (through showers). It’s a great product." — RainyDay
With over 60,000 5-star ratings, the Penetrex recovery cream is possibly one of the most impressively reviewed pain-relief topicals on Amazon with a concentrated blend of natural ingredients. It's a non-greasy and sensitive skin-friendly formula containing arnica and vitamin B6 to soothe sore and achy muscles without the burning or freezing sensation of other numbing creams.
Promising Amazon review: "Delivery as expected. Here is my and my wife's experience. I play basketball and I have a pretty bad bunion. In the last few weeks the pain has increased to the point that it is difficult to walk, obviously forget about playing. Hesitating between undergo surgery or try to kill the pain, I found this ointment in amazon. Amazing. Period. I put on the cream at night, next morning the pain is gone. I bought it because it is supposed to heal you, and not only kill the pain. It's been a week now, and the effect lasts about 5-6 hours, specially if I go and play basketball. I hope it heals the joint in the big toe. My wife used it on her knee, after I said that my pain was gone, then she tried it. During the first day she didnt even remember the pain on the knee. It was when I asked her if it worked or not; she got surprised too. I don't know if it will heal the lesion, but at least this annoying pain is gone when I have it on. It works as indicated. I would recommend it, in fact I already did." — Carlos Fabian Flores Jasso
"Gel bunion splints can often reduce pressure on the bunion and help reduce pressure of the adjacent toes," Evans previously said. These reusable and washable gel splints cover and conform to the outer big toe joint to stay firmly in place, even when worn inside shoes.
Promising Amazon review: "So simple and so effective! I put on 16,000+ steps a night when I walk horses for a local therapeutic riding center and these have saved me! I have a bunion on my right foot and my boots rub SO hard on that exact spot. These stay in place the whole time! No callouses - no pain!!" — Karma
Despite their deceptively minimalist design and affordable price point, these synthetic leather sandals offer supreme arch support and a fully covered whip-toe design that can conceal bunions while also helping to align toes. You can find these in three colors, two styles and women's sizes 5-10.
Promising Amazon review: "I LIVE in these shoes! I was on the fence about buying them, but given the price point I figured I might as well, and I’m so glad I did! They fit true to size (though I don’t like my sandals to be too big so I got the 40 and they fit my 8.5 feet exactly), and are ridiculously comfortable. The leather strap and toe ring are smooth and don’t dig in anywhere, even on my somewhat wide feet. The arch support took a little getting used to - more than the typical support you’d see in a regular footbed sandal, these seem to have a 'bump' right under the arch of the foot. I will say that the second day wearing them was a little painful just because of that, but nothing that didn’t eventually get broken in. I also thought I’d mention that I have pretty noticeable bunions that make slide sandals hard to wear due to being too tight or my feet turning them sideways - I don’t have those problems with these at all. The toe ring makes my feet stay put, and there’s nothing rubbing against the bunion. And they can be worn anywhere! Dress up some leggings and a t-shirt, wear with some black slacks for work, throw them on next to the pool - they seem to go with everything and I haven’t been disappointed. Just get them!” — V