Best Women's Shoes for Bunions That Don't Sacrifice Style
If you have bunions, you already know the trade-off the high street keeps offering you.
The shoe that looks lovely pinches the joint by lunchtime, and the comfortable pair looks like you have given up.
Our founder Jenni has bunions too, and that is the whole reason Calla exists, so we have spent years working out what actually makes a shoe kind to a bunion without making it dull.
A clean white grain-leather trainer with a removable moulded footbed, so you can drop in your own orthotics, and a fully lined seam-free toe box that gives the bunion a smooth surface. Lace-ups let you open the forefoot towards an EEE width, and the cushioned arch-supported insole carries a full day of walking. True to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
White grain leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
Flat
Colour
White
Fit
Fits EE-EEE width feet
Toe box
Wider toe box with extra depth, fully lined with no internal seams
Footbed
Removable moulded footbed with arch support
Closure
Lace-up for forefoot width adjustment
Press
Selected by Hello, Good Housekeeping, The Independent and The London Evening Standard among stylish trainers for wide feet
Browse more images of the Star - White Grain Leather Wide Fit Trainers:
Our Review
The Star is the trainer I recommend to anyone who wears orthotics, because the moulded footbed lifts straight out and my own insole drops in, which almost no white fashion trainer lets me do. The toe box is fully lined with no internal seams, so nothing rubs across my bunion on a long walk, and I can loosen the laces to open the forefoot when the joint swells later in the day. It runs wide to an EEE but reads as an ordinary white sneaker, so it goes with jeans and a blazer or a shirt dress without looking like a comfort shoe. I have walked through whole city days in them without the forefoot ache I used to expect. True to size for me.
Pros
Grain texture on the leather hides minor scuffs better than smooth white leather
Removable moulded footbed lets you slot in your own orthotic
Seam-free toe box lining over the bunion area
Lace-up forefoot adjusts from EE to EEE
Cons
White leather still marks in wet or muddy conditions
The Sophia is Calla's high-heel court, a 3 inch (about 7.5cm) heel softened by a half-inch platform, in goats leather that flexes over the bunion. The platform reduces the pitch so pressure isn't concentrated on the big toe joint, with extra width through the forefoot. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
Goat leather upper, leather-lined
Heel
3 inch heel with a half inch platform
Fit
True to size, fits up to EE width
Toe box
Extra width and volume in the toe area, standard at the heel
Browse more images of the Sophia - Black Leather Courts:
Our Review
Black Sophia is the high court I wear when I want proper height for an occasion, because the 3 inch heel still looks like a heel but the half-inch platform takes the edge off the pitch so my weight isn't thrown onto my bunion. The goats leather flexes where my forefoot is widest, and the leather-lined arch-supported insole means I can stand longer than I can in a normal court. It is a classic black court that goes with tailoring or a dress. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Pros
Goat leather flexes around the bunion joint as you walk
Half inch platform cuts the effective pitch of the 3 inch heel
Leather-lined padded insole sits under the arch
Extra width and volume in the toe area accommodates the joint without losing the court silhouette
Cons
EE the width cap so EEE feet will need a wider style
3 inch heel is at the upper end for all-day standing
Smooth leather sole needs grip pads on wet pavement
The Meredith is Calla's chunky loafer on a 2.5cm heel, and black leather is the do-everything one. The slight heel and cushioned sole carry a day from the office to dinner, while the wide-enough toe box gives the bunion room a slim loafer wouldn't. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal, designed in the UK
Material
Black chunky leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
2.5cm
Width cap
Fits up to EE width feet
Toe box
Wide toe box with hidden stretch panel over the bunion area
Browse more images of the Meredith - Black Leather Loafers:
Our Review
The black Meredith is the chunky loafer I wear when a flat feels too slight for tailoring, since the 2.5cm heel and the heavier sole give it some presence under trousers. It takes me from the office to dinner without changing, and the cushioned sole means my feet aren't aching by the evening. The toe box is cut wide enough that my bunion has room rather than being pressed by a narrow loafer. I wear it with trousers or straight jeans. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Pros
2.5cm heel adds height without losing the loafer's flat-shoe ease
Hidden stretch panel flexes over the bunion joint
Cushioned sole takes the impact out of pavement walking
Fits up to EE width feet
Cons
Width fitting caps at EE so EEE feet will be tight
Chunky silhouette sits heavier on the foot than a slim loafer
Slip-on construction means no width adjustment if your foot swells through the day
The Alice is Calla's low-heel flat boot on a 4cm heel, in soft calf leather with an easy back zip. An extra wide toe box gives the bunion room while the arch-supported cushioned insole carries an all-day boot. Fits EE-EEE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
Calf's leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
4cm block heel
Entry
Back zip
Fit
Fits EE-EEE width feet
Toe box
Wide toe box with hidden stretch panel over the bunion area
Browse more images of the Alice - Black Leather Boots:
Our Review
Black Alice is the everyday flat boot I reach for, since the 4cm heel and soft calf leather are easy with jeans, trousers or a skirt. The back zip makes it simple to get on, and the extra wide toe box gives my bunion room rather than pressing it. The arch-supported cushioned insole means I can wear it all day. It is the go-to boot I pull on without thinking. Fits EE-EEE, true to size.
Pros
4cm block heel gives lift without strain through the forefoot
Back zip eases entry over a wider foot
EEE width cap accommodates the bunion joint
Calf's leather upper softens to the shape of the foot over wear
Cons
Leather uppers benefit from regular conditioning and weatherproofing through wet UK winters
Back zip is the only adjustment so calf width is fixed
4cm heel is not flat so will not suit anyone needing a fully flat boot
The Ruby sandal in cognac brown leather with a black edge, which lifts a warm tan out of purely-casual and lets it sit with tailoring. The strap covers the bunion and the moleskin 'hallux' panel cushions the joint for a full day on your feet. Fits EE-EEE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Porto, Portugal
Material
Cognac brown leather upper with black edge, lamb leather lining
Heel
Flat
Width cap
EE-EEE
Style
Toe post sandal with strap positioned to cover the bunion area
Footbed
Arch-supported cushioned insole with hidden moleskin hallux panel
Sizing note
True to size
Best for
Warm weather when a barely there sandal still needs to cover the joint
Browse more images of the Ruby - Cognac Leather Sandals:
Our Review
The cognac is the Ruby I reach for when I want a brown sandal that isn't only a beach shoe, and the black edge is what does it, giving the warm leather a sharper line that works with trousers. It covers my bunion the way the whole Ruby range does, with the strap across the joint and the moleskin panel underneath, so a smart-casual work day doesn't end in soreness. The arch support holds through lunch and the walk back. I wear it with dark denim or khaki, and it carries into early autumn better than a pale sandal. True to size for me at an EE-EEE.
Pros
Strap is positioned to cover the bunion area instead of crossing over it
Moleskin hallux panel sits under the joint to reduce rub
EE-EEE width cap accommodates wider forefeet
Cognac with black edge sits between dressy and casual
Cons
The toe post sits between the first and second toe which takes a day or two to get used to
Flat pitch with no heel lift
Leather sandal soles need drying out after a wet day
A classic black leather court on a manageable 5cm kitten heel, with extra width and volume through the toe area for a wide forefoot. The roomy toe and arch support carry a full office day, where a standard court would press on the bunion by mid-morning. Fits EE-EEE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
Black leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
5cm kitten heel
Fit
Fits EE-EEE width feet best
Toe box
Extra width and volume in the toe area, standard at the heel
Footbed
Arch-supported insole
Best for
Work, weekday dressing and any wardrobe slot that wants a low heel
Browse more images of the Ava - Black Leather Courts:
Our Review
The black Ava is my everyday work court, the pair I put on for a day of meetings because a 5cm heel is low enough to stand and walk in from morning to evening. What makes it work for me is the extra room through the toe area, an EE-EEE that lets my bunion sit without the joint pressing on a hard leather edge the way a standard court does. The arch support holds my foot through hours on office floors. In smooth black leather it goes under any suit or with a pencil skirt. True to size for me across the EE-EEE width.
Pros
5cm kitten heel works for full work-day standing
EE-EEE width cap takes wider feet than most courts on the high street
Extra width and volume in the toe area accommodates the bunion joint
Lamb leather lining over the bunion area flexes with the joint
Cons
Smooth leather sole needs grip pads on wet pavement
Narrower than EE feet may find the toe area roomy
Black leather shows light scuffs at the toe over time
The Hallie Mary-Jane court in glossy black patent, the sharp evening version of the 5cm block court. The high-shine finish dresses up an outfit while the EEE toe area and strap keep the bunion comfortable and the foot secure. Fits up to EEE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
Black patent leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
5cm block heel
Style
Mary Jane court with pointed toe
Width fit
Fits up to EEE
Toe box
Pointed toe with wide toe box and hidden stretch panel over the bunion area
Footbed
Arch-supported cushioned insole
Best for
Office, evening events, occasions, tailored jumpsuits or a black dress
Browse more images of the Hallie - Black Patent Leather Courts:
Our Review
Black patent is the Hallie I wear for evenings, since the glossy finish sharpens a dark outfit in a way matte leather doesn't. The strap holds my foot and the 5cm block keeps me steady at a long event. The EEE width gives my bunion room so the patent isn't pressing a hard line across the joint, which is where a glossy court usually catches. I wear it with a black dress or tailored trousers. Fits up to EEE, true to size.
Pros
5cm block heel gives mid-height lift on a wider base than a stiletto
Mary Jane strap holds the foot in place over the instep
Hidden stretch panel sits over the bunion area inside a pointed silhouette
Fits up to EEE width feet
Cons
Patent finish shows scratches and marks more visibly than matt leather
Patent leather feels less breathable in heat
Pointed toe tapers from the forefoot so very narrow feet may slide forward
The Emily is Calla's 3.5 inch (9cm) heeled sandal on a half-inch platform, with straps positioned to conceal the bunion, here in soft black leather. The platform eases the pitch off the forefoot and the cushioned arch-supported insole carries you, so you can dance into the early hours. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Origin
Handcrafted in Portugal at a family-run factory in the Porto region
Material
Black leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
3.5 inch heel with a half inch platform
Fit
True to size, fits up to EE width, suits a wider toe area paired with a narrower midfoot and heel
Toe box
Wide toe box that conceals the bunion joint, standard at the heel
Strap layout
Positioned to sit clear of pressure points across the forefoot
Footbed
Cushioned, arch-supported insole
Best for
Parties and evening occasions paired with black tailoring
Browse more images of the Emily - Black Leather Heeled Sandals:
Our Review
Black Emily is the tall occasion sandal I wear when I want to actually dance, because the 3.5 inch heel is softened by the half-inch platform so my weight isn't driven onto my bunion. The straps are placed to conceal the joint rather than frame it, which matters to me in a bare sandal. The arch-supported insole means I forget I'm in heels by the end of the night. It fits a wider toe area even if the rest of your foot is narrow, which suits my feet. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Pros
Half inch platform softens the angle of the 3.5 inch heel
Black leather pairs across an evening wardrobe without colour-matching
Strap layout sits clear of the bunion joint
Cushioned arch-supported insole inside
Cons
3.5 inch heel sits at the upper end for full-evening standing
EE width cap so EEE feet will need a different style
Smooth leather sole needs grip pads on slick dance floors
The Meredith chunky loafer in neutral leather with a gold horsebit detail, the day-to-night one. A 2.5cm heel and cushioned sole carry the day, while the wide-enough toe box gives the bunion room. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Browse more images of the Meredith - Neutral Leather Loafers:
Our Review
Neutral leather is the Meredith I wear when I want a loafer that goes from day to evening, since the soft neutral and the gold horsebit give it just enough polish for dinner. The 2.5cm heel and cushioned sole keep me comfortable from morning on, and the toe box is wide enough that my bunion has room. The horsebit lifts plain trousers without trying too hard. It wipes clean more easily than the suedes. Fits up to EE, true to size.
Pros
2.5cm heel sits low enough for full-day wear
Gold horsebit detail across the vamp
Cushioned arch-supported insole
Lamb leather lining flexes over the bunion area
Cons
Width cap stops at EE
Neutral leather will show scuffs and needs a conditioning cream to keep the colour even
Horsebit detail rules out the most formal black-tie settings
The Petra is Calla's flat slingback, a square toe finished with a bow on a low heel, here in black leather. The cushioned insole and discreet stretch panel flex over the bunion, so a low slingback stays comfortable all day. Fits EE, true to size.
Style
Slingback with bow detail across the vamp
Material
Black leather upper, lamb leather lining
Heel
Low heel
Toe shape
Square toe
Fit
True to size, fits EE width feet best
Toe box
Wide toe box with discreet stretch panel across the bunion area
Insole
Cushioned
Best for
Workwear with tailored trousers, midi dresses, denim and a blazer for evenings
Origin
Designed in the UK, handcrafted in Porto, Portugal
Browse more images of the Petra - Black Leather Slingbacks:
Our Review
Black Petra is the flat slingback I wear when I want the look of a court without the height, since the square toe and the little bow keep it smart while the low heel is kind to my feet. The stretch panel flexes over my bunion so the joint isn't pinched, and the cushioned insole supports a full day. The open slingback keeps it from feeling closed-in in warmer weather. I wear it with tailored trousers or a midi for work. Fits EE, true to size.
Pros
Square toe gives the forefoot horizontal room without widening the heel
Hidden stretch panel flexes across the bunion joint
Slingback strap holds a fit that does not need to grip the heel rigidly
Low heel pitch for full-day office wear
Cons
EE width cap is narrower than the EEE flats in the range
Slingback strap can slip on narrower heels and may need adjusting through the day
Leather upper benefits from a protector spray before first wear
The styles above are our answer across the shoes you genuinely wear: flats, trainers, heels, boots and wedding shoes. Choosing between them comes down to a few things: what makes a shoe bunion-friendly, whether you can still wear a heel, what to steer clear of and how to get the fit right. The honest headline is that comfort and style are not opposites, and you should not have to pick one.
What makes a shoe genuinely good for bunions?
The right pair gives your toes room, keeps the pressure off the joint and still holds your foot properly. Three features do most of that work:
A wide and deep toe box. Width matters, but so does height. Your bunion needs room to sit out to the side, and the top of the toe box has to clear it, so nothing presses down or rubs across the joint. A shoe can be wide at the front and still catch your bunion at the edge if the vamp, the part of the upper over your toes, is cut too low. That low-cut "toe cleavage" look has had its fashion moment, and it is one of the worst shapes for a bunion.
A soft or stretchy upper where the bunion sits. Stiff material rubs; soft leather and a stretch panel give. We build a soft moleskin panel, our Hallux stretch panel, into the lining directly over the bunion area, so the inside flexes exactly where your big toe joint sits while the rest of the shoe keeps its shape.
A low, supportive heel. A lower heel keeps your weight off the ball of your foot, where the bunion is, and a cushioned, arch-supported insole helps stop the foot rolling inward. That inward roll, over-pronation, is one of the things that can quietly add to the strain on the joint over the years.
Two things most guides skip. First, a removable insole. If you wear orthotics from your podiatrist, you want to lift our footbed out and drop yours in, rather than forcing a support into a shoe that was never deep enough for it. Second, the seams. An internal seam running across the toe box is a constant rub for a bunion, which is why the inside of the toe box wants to be as seam-free as possible.
This is the thinking behind what we call the Calla Comfort Method. We widen the toe box to E, EE or EEE and keep the heel a standard width, so your bunion gets the room and your heel still stays put when you walk.
You can browse our entire range of shoes for bunions here.
Do the rules change for trainers, boots, sandals and work shoes?
The three features above hold whatever the style, but each kind of shoe has its own thing to watch for.
Trainers. Look for a removable footbed if you use orthotics, as our wide-fit trainers have, and check the outside of the shoe as well as the inside. Trainers often have a "facing", the stitched-on panels and strips around the sides and front, and even a small overlay sitting across the bunion can press inward. As Jenni puts it, it is a bit like the princess and the pea: you feel it even through the shoe.
Boots. A zip matters more than you would think. A pull-on boot makes your bunion clear the tightest part of the boot every time you put it on, whereas an inside or back zip lets your foot in without that squeeze. You want room through the instep too, not just a taller shaft.
Sandals. It is the position of the strap, not its width, that decides whether a sandal rubs. A strap that sits straight across the bunion will catch it; one that angles away from the joint will not. Even a toe-post sandal can work if the strap is placed to cover the bunion rather than expose it.
Work shoes. For long days on your feet, a low block-heel court or a smart loafer gives you support and a polished look without the forefoot pressure of a higher heel.
You will find styles for each of these among the picks above. The point is that none of them asks you to choose between looking right and feeling right.
Can you still wear heels if you have bunions?
Yes, with the right heel. A lower, sturdier heel, a wide toe box and a fit that holds your foot back from the front of the shoe will carry you through an occasion far better than a high stiletto.
Two things make the difference. The first is the kind of heel. A block or kitten heel spreads your weight across a wider base, while a thin stiletto concentrates it on a point and leaves you rocking and straining the big toe joint. As podiatrist Liam McManus of South West Podiatry told us when he walked through how to survive a day in heels: "the super-thin stiletto heel ... isn't great for women with bunions as it reduces your stability when walking. A thicker heel is better as it reduces the pressure put on the toes."
The second is height, and here the detail that gets missed is pitch. Pitch is the angle your foot tips forward at, and that angle is what forces your weight onto the bunion, not the heel number on its own. A platform under the front of the shoe lifts the toe to meet the heel, which flattens the angle, so an 8cm block heel with a 2cm platform sits far gentler on the joint than a bare 8cm heel. McManus puts the everyday ideal at around two inches and says that if you go higher for an occasion, a platform is what keeps it bearable; fellow podiatrist Louise Smith keeps everyday heels to no more than 4cm. On a delicate style, the ankle strap matters too, holding your foot back so your toes do not slide forward onto the bunion.
So heels are not off the table. They are a question of choosing a shape and a height that work with your feet for the wedding, the party or the day at the office, rather than against them.
What shoes should you avoid with bunions?
The shoes that cause the most trouble are narrow or pointed ones, stiff materials that dig in and high stilettos. A pointed toe squeezes the big toe inward, straight onto the joint; a stiff seam or a hard synthetic upper rubs the bump with every step; and a shoe that is too short jams the toes forward just as badly as one that is too narrow.
It is worth saying plainly that shoes are not usually the whole cause of a bunion. As podiatric surgeon Ron McCulloch explains, genetics and the shape of your foot play the biggest role, which is why one woman develops bunions while her friend who lives in heels never does. But the wrong shoes can certainly make an existing bunion more painful and help it along, and that is the part you can do something about.
One habit worth dropping is sizing up to gain width. Going a size or two bigger to find room leaves the shoe too long, your foot slides forward and your toes end up jammed at the front anyway. What a bunion needs is width, not length.
Can the right shoes cure or reverse a bunion?
No. A bunion is a change to the joint itself, and the only thing that genuinely corrects it is surgery. The NHS and the Royal College of Podiatry are both clear on that. What the right shoes can do is ease the pressure and rubbing, keep your day-to-day comfort up and avoid being the thing that makes the bunion worse.
That is worth being honest about, because easing that pressure is exactly what good shoes are for. As Ron McCulloch, Director of the London Podiatry Centre, put it when we asked him how to stop bunions getting worse: "Once a bunion has formed it is usually not possible to reverse the condition without surgery. The best one can hope for is to slow down progression and to limit the worsening of [the bunion] by taking some simple measures. By far the most important one is to wear good shoes with a round toe and a relatively low heel."
So the job of a bunion-friendly shoe is comfort, not a cure: it keeps the pressure down so you can stand through a long day and still dance at the end of it, without the joint flaring up. Please remember that this is general advice; if you are in pain, see your podiatrist.
How do you find shoes that fit your bunions?
Measure both feet, fit the wider one and look for width rather than going up a size in length. Feet are rarely a matched pair, and the bunion side needs the room.
A few things make fitting easier. Try shoes on at the end of the day, when your feet are at their most swollen, so a mid-afternoon shoe does not catch you out by evening. Check there is a little room beyond your longest toe. And know the difference between a plain wide-fit shoe and one shaped for a bunion: a wide fit gives you more room all over, including at the heel where you do not want it, while a bunion-friendly last keeps the heel standard and puts the width and give where the joint actually sits. Many of our wide-toe-box styles fit up to an EE or EEE across the forefoot for exactly that reason.
We are honest about where we stop, too. Our shoes are made for mild to large bunions on standard to wide feet. If you have severe bunions or very wide feet, our standard lasts may not be enough, and we would rather say so before you buy. Send us a photo and the measurement around the widest part of each foot, and we will give you a straight answer.
Whichever kind of shoe you are after, the same things make it work for a bunion: room where the joint sits, give where it would rub and a heel that keeps your weight off the ball of your foot. The styles above are the ones we would put in front of you for each of those jobs, from an everyday flat to a heel you can actually dance in. And if you are not sure a style will suit your feet, send us a photo first. We would rather get it right than have you guess.
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