The 10 Best Shoes for Bunions
TLDRThe video script discusses the top 10 shoes for bunions, emphasizing the importance of a wide toe box and lack of narrowness in the front to prevent toes from pushing against each other. The review highlights Crocs and Vivobarefoot's Blooms for their spacious toe boxes and minimal heel-to-toe drop, while also touching on the drawbacks of other popular options like New Balance and Altra running shoes. Barefoot shoes from Vibram Five Fingers, Feelgrounds, Splay Athletics, and Saguaros are also evaluated, with Feelgrounds and Splay Athletics taking the top spots for their comfort and toe-friendly designs. The video concludes with a look at Skinners, a hybrid sock-shoe, and Wildlings Nebula, which ties with Feelgrounds for first place due to its seamless upper and wide toe box.
Takeaways
- 🔍 To prevent bunions, choose shoes with a wide toe box to avoid toe misalignment and the development of hallux valgus.
- 👟 Crocs have the widest toe box and comfortable material, but their raised heel and arch support may not be ideal for foot health.
- 🌿 Vivobarefoot's 'the Blooms' are top-rated for bunions due to their minimalist, natural design and zero-drop sole.
- 👡 Birkenstocks offer a wide toe box but should be avoided with the standard cork insole; customized DIY versions are recommended.
- 👟 New Balance running shoes, even in extra-wide, do not provide significant toe box space and have a pointed toe box shape.
- 🏃♂️ Altra running shoes feature a natural toe box shape and a flat, zero-drop sole, but their soles are thick and lack sensory feedback.
- 🤸♀️ Vibram Five Fingers promote toe independence and splay, aiding bunion correction, but may take time to adjust to and accommodate.
- 🥾 Feelgrounds have updated their toe box to be wider and more foot-shaped, making them a top choice for those with bunions.
- 👟 Splay Athletics offer the widest and most naturally-shaped toe box, providing great value for money and comfort for bunion sufferers.
- 🌵 Saguaros are budget-friendly minimalist shoes with a wide toe box and flexible soles, though they may lack premium feel.
- 🧦 Skinner Shocks are a hybrid of socks and shoes with a wide forefoot shape, offering excellent ground feel for barefoot-style shoes.
Q & A
What is the primary issue with shoes that are too narrow in the front for people with bunions?
-Shoes that are too narrow in the front can push the toes out of alignment and into the bunion shape, known as hallux valgus.
What feature is essential for a shoe to be considered good for bunions according to the review?
-A wide toe box feature is essential for a shoe to be considered good for bunions as it prevents the toes from being pushed into an alignment that causes or exacerbates bunions.
How do Crocs address the issue of bunions in their design?
-Crocs have the widest toe box of any shoe tested, providing ample room for the toes to spread and splay naturally. The toe box shape is also similar to the natural shape of the forefoot, ensuring that the toes remain in a good position.
What are the potential drawbacks of Crocs from a foot health perspective?
-Crocs have a raised heel with a heel-to-toe drop and significant arch support, which are not ideal for promoting top-notch foot and ankle performance as they can cause a shortening of the Achilles tendons and weaken the intrinsic muscles in our feet.
What is unique about the Vivobarefoot 'the Blooms' in comparison to Crocs?
-Vivobarefoot 'the Blooms' are amphibious shoes with a similar foamy material construction as Crocs but without stitching or hard bits that could irritate the inflamed big toe joint. They also feature a wide, naturally-shaped toe box and have a zero drop and thin, flexible sole with no arch support, allowing the feet to move and react in the most natural way possible.
Why are Vivobarefoot shoes more expensive than Crocs?
-Vivobarefoot shoes are about four times more expensive than Crocs due to their more natural, minimalist design and the materials used. However, they are more reasonably priced compared to other Vivobarefoot shoes.
What is the main issue with standard Birkenstocks in relation to bunions?
-Standard Birkenstocks have a thick and rigid slab of cork on top of the undersole, which is not ideal for promoting strong and adaptable feet as it acts like an external crutch and does not allow the foot to support itself naturally.
How can the reviewer's customized DIY Birkenstocks be considered the best shoes for bunions?
-The reviewer's customized DIY Birkenstocks are considered the best for bunions because they have been modified to remove the cork slab, essentially turning them into barefoot sandals with a flatter heel, which is more beneficial for foot health.
What was the outcome of comparing New Balance normal width and X-wide shoes?
-The comparison of New Balance normal width and X-wide shoes revealed that there was no significant difference in the toe box size, shape, or overall feel between the two, making the X-wide option not a better choice for bunions.
What are the key features of Altra running shoes that make them a good choice for bunions?
-Altra running shoes have a more natural toe box shape, brand their shoes as 'foot-shaped,' and feature a flat, zero-drop sole. They also have no seam on the inside medial portion of the shoes, which reduces irritation to an inflamed MTP joint.
Why are Vibram Five Fingers considered beneficial for bunions?
-Vibram Five Fingers are considered beneficial for bunions because they provide individual housing for each toe, allowing for natural splaying and independence of the toes, which is typically lost in those with hallux valgus. This toe separation helps improve the state of bunions.
Outlines
🥿 Best Shoes for Bunions: Introduction and Evaluation Criteria
The video script begins by introducing the topic of finding the best shoes for bunions. It explains the importance of a wide toe box to prevent toes from pushing against each other and forming bunions. The video will evaluate shoes based on this criterion, with a focus on models that have been cut open to inspect their interior design. The script outlines the layout of the video, mentioning that various shoe models will be discussed in separate chapters for easy navigation.
👟 Running Shoes and Barefoot Shoes: A Comparison for Bunions
This paragraph discusses the evaluation of running shoes and barefoot shoes for people with bunions. It starts with an examination of New Balance shoes, comparing normal and extra-wide options, and concludes that there is no significant difference between them. The script then moves on to Altra running shoes, which are praised for their natural toe box shape and zero-drop sole. However, the Altras' soles are criticized for being thick and rigid, despite being zero-drop. The paragraph also touches on the benefits of barefoot shoes, such as Vibram Five Fingers, for their toe separation and natural movement, although they may take time to adjust to and may not fit all foot shapes immediately.
👡 Barefoot Shoes and Budget Options: A Detailed Look
The paragraph delves into the world of barefoot shoes, highlighting Feelgrounds and their updated wider toe box design, which has improved their suitability for those with bunions. It also discusses Splay Athletics shoes, which offer an extremely wide and naturally-shaped toe box, and Saguaros, a budget-friendly option with a wide toe box and flexible soles. The paragraph concludes with a look at Skinners, a hybrid product between socks and shoes, which provide excellent ground feel but require a gradual adaptation period to prevent overuse injuries.
🥾 Final Thoughts and Bonus Shoe Recommendation
The final paragraph wraps up the video with a brief overview of the evaluated shoes and introduces a bonus shoe, the Wildlings Nebula, which boasts a wide toe box and seamless construction, making it ideal for bunion correction. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of regularly updating the list of recommended shoes due to the dynamic nature of the shoe industry and encourages viewers to subscribe for future content. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to engage with the content and seek out additional resources for foot health.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bunions
💡Toe Box
💡Hallux Valgus
💡Arch Support
💡Zero Drop
💡Splay
💡Inflamed MTP Joint
💡Minimalist Shoes
💡Shoe Modifications
💡Foot Strengthening
Highlights
Crocs have the widest toe box of any shoe tested, providing ample room for toes to spread and splay.
Vivobarefoot's 'the Blooms' are amphibious shoes with a wide, naturally-shaped toe box suitable for bunions.
Birkenstocks have a wide toe box, but it's important to select the normal width option for optimal fit.
New Balance running shoes' X-wide option does not provide significant additional room in the toe box compared to the normal width.
Altra running shoes feature a more natural toe box shape and a flat, zero-drop sole, promoting a more natural foot movement.
Vibram Five Fingers provide individual housing for each toe, enhancing balance and control, and aiding in bunion correction.
Feelgrounds barefoot shoes have updated their toe box to be wider and more foot-shaped, making them a top choice for bunion sufferers.
Splay Athletics offers the widest and most naturally-shaped toe box among barefoot shoes, providing great value for money.
Saguaros are budget-friendly minimalist shoes with a wide toe box and flexible soles, suitable for those new to barefoot-style shoes.
Skinners, a hybrid between socks and shoes, provide excellent ground feel and have an improved forefoot shape in their 2.0 version.
Wildlings Nebula shoes tie with Feelgrounds for first place, boasting a 10.5 cm width in the toe-box and seamless merino wool knit weave upper.
The review involves cutting open shoes to examine their internal structure and suitability for bunions.
A raised heel and arch support in shoes are discouraged for promoting top-notch foot and ankle performance.
The importance of a shoe's toe box shape and flexibility of the sole in preventing and correcting bunions is emphasized.
The review highlights the negative impact of narrow and pointed toe boxes on bunion formation and alignment.
The use of textured inner-soles developed by Dr. Emily Splichal is recommended for restoring sensory feedback in the feet.
The list of top 10 shoes for bunions is subject to updates as the shoe industry evolves and new models emerge.
Transcripts
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