I'm A Marathon Runner With Bunions & These Are The Only Sneakers I Trust (2024)

One of the most common foot deformities1 (particularly in women!), bunions can be caused by genetics, the shape of your foot, another foot deformity, or joint issues. Not only can the bump at the base of your toe joint be painful and intrusive—but it can make finding the best running shoes even more difficult.

I should know: I’ve had bunions for as long as I can remember (thank you, ballet)—but I didn’t let that stop me from reaping all the benefits of running.In the past decade, I’ve run thousands of miles, four marathons, and ten half marathons—and I’ve tested dozens of running shoes for bunions.

Along the way, I’ve interviewed countless podiatrist and learned that the best running shoes for bunions have a wide toe box, good arch support, and ample cushioning (which can also help improve performance2).

Below, find the five best running shoes for bunions based on research, podiatrist insights, and extensive testing.

The link between bunions & running

I've personally found a few helpful remedies for running with bunions (e.g. toe spacers and foot strengthening exercises), but it's all a moot point if you aren't running in the right shoes.

Contrary to popular belief, shoes do not cause bunions. Instead research shows1 that ill-fitting shoes can case more pain for people with bunions, as the tightness creates pressure on the toe and foot.

“A more rigid sneaker will usually cause the forefoot to jam forward into the toe box and can cause more pressure on the bunion," holistic podiatrist Robert Kornfeld, DPM, previously told mindbodygreen.

How to find the right running shoes for bunions

A lot of factors go into choosing the best running shoes, but bunions add another layer of confusion to the equation.

Per podiatrist Dina Gohil, DPM, runners with bunions should look for awide toe box to avoid excessive pressure and rubbing, good arch support to protect your joints and feet, and ample cushioning to help prevent injury.Additionally, it's important to find a stabilizing shoe, as bunions can impact your balance.

Kornfeld adds that the best running shoes for bunions should have a soft upper and flexible sole that moves with the foot—and it’s also important to know when to try on a new pair of running shoes.

"Making sure there is enough room is best accomplished by shopping for sneakers at the end of the day when the foot is naturally larger since, over the course of the day, blood flow into the foot increases girth and can cause some swelling," Kornfeld explains.

The best running shoes for bunions

I first laced up my Puma Deviate Nitro 2 running sneakers about a year ago, and I loved them so much they won me over after a decade of running in the ASICS Gel Nimbus.

I run significantly faster in these sneakers. At first I thought it was a fluke, but now I attribute it to their lightweight design and carbon-plated midsole. The engineered carbon plate helps stabilize the midsole and maximize energy transfer.

The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 has a lower drop (6 millimeters) than others on the list, but still enough cushioning to provide a soft landing. The most recent iteration has a complete layer of the brand’s NITRO™️ Elite foam across the midsole, which helps propel the foot forward.

What's more, they keep my feet supported during treadmill workouts, sprints, long road runs, and even my last marathon—and the shoe is incredibly lightweight. It has a breathable mesh upper and a TPU heel spoiler that makes these shoes easy to put on and take off.

Reflective accents and durable rubber grips help increase safety and traction, while the PWRTAPE in the upper provides targeted reinforcement for more support. While there are no wide sizes available, these shoes doe have a spacious toe box that's great for runners with bunions.

Asics calls the Gel Nimbus 26 sneakers its most comfortable running shoe yet, and I can't disagree. I've worn the super cushioned sneaker for three out of four marathons, and they've never caused discomfort to my bunions—yup, even during a 26-mile race.

Designed for road running, the style is maxed out with cushioning, which makes every stride feel like stepping on a cloud. Best for those with high or neutral arches, the shoe effortlessly propels you forward despite weighing just over 9 ounces.

While I've been wearing these shoes for over a decade, I can confidently say that every iteration of the Asics Gel Nimbus improves upon the last. The latest version has a soft cushioned midsole, made with the brand’s FF BLAST™ ECO PLUS cushioning and a new PureGEL™ technology, which creates an even softer landing with less impact on the joints.

Despite the ultra cushioned construction, I can wear these shoes on 90°F training runs and still expect my feet to stay dry and comfortable thanks to the breathable knit upper. Plus, the brand is slowly making small steps towards more sustainable design with a new sockliner dying process and 75% recycled material for the mesh upper.

I started testing the Brooks Ghost 15 after a 4-month running break following a marathon, and I genuinely worried the comeback would be painful. Instead the shoes somehow made runningfunagain—and it all comes down to the smooth ride.

Similar to the Gel Nimus style, the Ghost are designed for road running with an abundance of cushioning (though still less than the brand's Ghost GTX or Max designs). This ensures you get a soft-but-not-squishy landing.

Some of my favorite construction elements of the Brooks include a segmented crash pad for a smoother toe-off and an updated midsole made from a new lighter cushioning that helps reduce the weight down to just 9.2 ounces.

Per the brand, the design is best for those who only need neutral support. Personally I consider the APMA-approved style stabilizing enough for my stride, and I honestly feel like I'm running on clouds.

Bonus: The Brooks Ghost 15 sneakers are carbon neutral with an upper made from 57% recycled materials.

After two weeks of running in the Saucony Triumph running shoes, I'm fairly certain they'll soon be an MVP in my collection. Thanks to a soft collar and flat-knit upper, these plush trainers have a sock-like feel, with a secure fit and thick cushioning.

Like every top contender I tested, these sneakers have a wide toe box that prevents the shoe from rubbing against my bunions. In fact, I recently ran 10 miles in these sneakers and my feet felt no discomfort or pain in my bunions whatsoever. I will note that I did feel a bit of rubbing around my ankles the first time I wore these, but I've avoided it by switching to higher socks.

What really makes the Saucony Triumph stand out most is its bouncy, lightweight feel. When I first put these on, I couldn't help but rock back and forth to feel the bounce—and, when I'm running, I can truly feel the shoes helping my body propel forward.

These APMA certified sneakers have a 10 millimeter drop (on the higher end), but are the lightest design (8.6 ounces) out of all the shoes on the list.

Sustainability bonus: The shoe is vegan and made with recycled materials.

New Balance says if it only made one running shoe it would be the Fresh Foam 1080—and after two weeks of testing, I can see why. I've been pleasantly surprised by how a shoe with this much cushioning can feel so lightweight. Even when road running, I barely feel the pavement under my feet.

My pace is naturally faster in these bouncy shoes—and I never feel discomfort in my bunions, thanks to the spacious toe box and wide design. There is ample cushioning in the midsoles, which helps give a smooth heel-to-toe transition.

What's more, the breathable mesh upper is so flexible that it feels like an extension of my foot. And yet, a solid rubber outsole gives this shoe a sturdiness other lightweight shoes lack. This factor makes these a great stability running shoe as well.

This shoe has also earned the APMA Seal of Acceptance, confirming it’s beneficial for optimal foot health.

Plus, the style is available in four widths: narrow, standard, wide, and x-wide. I have narrow feet, but with bunions I opted for the standard width, which was a perfect fit.

Comparing the best running shoes for bunions

The shoes that I don't recommend for bunions:

The takeaway

The best running shoes for bunions make a huge difference in your comfort and performance—and I'm walking (running?) proof that you can run comfortably with bunions. If you're looking for a new pair of running shoes that won't aggravate your bunions, podiatrists suggest prioritizing a wide toe box, arch support, cushioning, and a lightweight, flexible design. Each shoe on our list meets these guidelines and passed our extensive testing process.

Just getting started on your running journey? Check out our roundup of the best running shoes for beginners, with recommendations from podiatrists..