Best Tennis Shoes for Bunions in 2023

Is that painful bump on the side of your foot at the base of your big toe getting in the way of you exercising? Finding the best tennis shoes for bunions could be your answer.

There’s nothing worse than having shoes that cause your bunions to hurt. Squished toes, blisters, and inflammation can make it hard to walk, let alone work out or run or play tennis. We will detail our top 7 picks of roomy, comfortable athletic shoes to help alleviate bunion pain and get you moving.

 

Our top 7 picks of the best tennis shoes for bunions for men and women

1. K-Swiss Bigshot Light 3

K-Swiss is known for producing tennis shoes with a wide toe box to accommodate broader feet. These shoes, available for women and men, have support from an EVA footbed and insole. The uppers are fabric and synthetic leather, and the rubber outsole has excellent traction.

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2. NIKE Court Lite Tennis Shoe

Nike brings us a hard court tennis shoe for women and men. It’s lightweight with cushioning throughout and has a durable outsole with good traction. The rounded toe box is roomy and should accommodate bunions.

 

3. Prince T22 Tennis Shoe

A wide toe box is a must when you have bunions. These shoes from Prince come in a range of sizes for women and men, and the toe box is spacious. They have patented SoftSpring and EVA to cushion feet and absorb impact.

 

4. Nike Men’s Revolution 3 Running Shoe

Nike is a brand well-known for their quality sports shoes. The Revolution 3 for men comes in an extra-wide fitting for broader feet or those of you with bunions. Although it’s a running shoe, it has sufficient traction and lots of support and cushioning for tennis and other sporting activities.

 

5. ASICS Tennis Shoe

When you want comfort and support for your feet, these Asics tennis shoes are loaded with features. There’s specific cushioning for women and men, patented Flexion Fit uppers, and gel in the rear and forefoot. They also come with a six-month warranty as protection from excessive wear on the outsole.

 

6. New Balance 806 Tennis Shoe

Four width fittings are on offer from these New Balance tennis shoes enabling you to choose the right one to give room for bunions. They have patented cushioning and support as well as moisture control technology to keep feet dry. The rubber herringbone sole provides traction and stability.

 

7. Adidas Barricade Classic Wide Tennis Shoe

The Adidas Barricade Classic comes in two width offerings, regular and extra-wide, making them suitable for men with bunions or broader feet. The uppers are mesh allowing feet to breathe and there’s plenty of support, and cushioning throughout the soles.

 

 

In Depth Reviews

Trying to find tennis shoes which will be comfortable enough for your bunions can be a mammoth task. There are so many different styles and choices on the market. Let’s review our top 7 picks to keep feet comfortable on and off the court.

 

1. K-Swiss Bigshot Light 3

K-Swiss has been manufacturing tennis shoes since 1966 when its first shoe, the Classic, made its debut at Wimbledon. Stylish enough to wear on and off the court, they’re a popular choice for many. The company’s shoes have a reputation for providing roomy toe boxes to accommodate wider feet.

 

The Bigshot Light 3 is available in sizes 5 to 11 for women and 7 to 14 for men. There are 10 color choices for the ladies, including pinks, blues, and white, while men can select from nine variations of blues, whites, and black.

 

Synthetic leather uppers are padded by a collar with a textile lining that supports your ankles. A molded EVA midsole and cushioned insole absorb impact and keep your feet comfortable.

There are rubber outsoles offering slip-resistance and traction, while featuring a classic herringbone design. The soles are also non-marking. These shoes are lightweight and flexible, making them a suitable option to take the pressure off your feet and lower limbs.

K-Swiss is a popular brand with pickleball players and is the choice of many for casual wear.

Some find their feet get hot in these shoes, which means the ventilation might be lacking. It also seems that a break-in period might be necessary.

Pros

• Wide with a roomy toe box.
• EVA midsole for support and cushioning.
• Traction from the herringbone-patterned sole.
• Lightweight.

Cons

• Might make feet feel hot.
• Could need to wear them in.

This tennis shoe is lightweight with cushioning throughout, and is supportive for your feet. The rubber outsole has a good grip from the herringbone-patterned tread. Suitable for men and women, you can also wear them as casual shoes.

 

2. NIKE Court Lite Tennis Shoe

Nike makes a wide range of athletic shoes, including some for tennis. It has sponsored top-level players including Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova.

 

This Nike Court Lite Tennis shoe is available for the ladies and the men. Sizes on offer are 7 through 15 for men and 5 through 12 for women. There’s also a range of four colors for men and six for women, including white with different color accents.

 

Synthetic mesh and leather uppers combine to allow your feet to breathe while providing support where you need it. They could also stretch with wear allowing room for your bunions. The collar of the heel is padded for comfort, and the tongue is meshed to let more air circulate.

The midsole is constructed from Phylon, making it lightweight, supportive, and cushioned. Furthermore, the rubber outsoles have a herringbone pattern for traction, designed for hard courts.

A rounded toe box provides plenty of wiggle room and the toe area is also reinforced, offering resistance to any abrasion that could occur.

Although many find these shoes comfortable, they might be better suited to those with narrower feet. There are no different width options available.

Pros

• Styles for men and women.
• Rounded toe box with wiggle room.
• Supportive and cushioned.
• Uppers allow feet to breathe.
• Herringbone design treads for on-court traction.

Cons

• Might not be suitable for people with wider feet.

These shoes from the international brand, Nike, have mesh and leather uppers allowing the shoes to stretch and your feet to breathe. They’re cushioned and supportive through the length of the shoes and have ample tread for proper traction.

 

3. Prince T22 Tennis Shoe

Prince produces a wide range of tennis gear, including racquets, clothing, and footwear. The company’s sponsorships have included the likes of Maria Shriver and Andre Agassi.

 

The T22 comes in styles for men and women with sizes from 6.5 to 14 and 6 to 10, respectively. There’s only a regular width fitting, but the toe box is wide and roomy.

 

You can choose from three colors available for men in blacks, blues, and whites, and for the ladies, only one, white with silver accents.

The uppers comprise synthetic materials and mesh, making them breathable with some flexibility for your feet. There are accents placed in strategic places for support.

Patented features load the midsoles of these shoes. There’s EVA combined with proprietary ShockEraser to absorb impact and SoftSpring in the forefoot giving bounce back. The arch support is good, and a wishbone shank in the midfoot reinforces it.

A six-month durability guarantee covers the PRC1000 rubber outsole. This durable compound has a herringbone tread to give you sufficient grip and stability.

On the downside, it seems these shoes can come up about a half-size small, so be prepared to size up.

Pros

• Spacious toe box.
• Patented shock absorbency.
• Six-month guarantee on the outsole.
• Arch support.
• Cushioned and supportive throughout the shoes.

Cons

• Sizing isn’t always accurate.

Prince manufactures a range of tennis products, including footwear. The wide toe box in these shoes makes them a viable option if you have bunions. They also have flexible uppers, rubber soles, and adequate midsole support.

 

4. Nike Men’s Revolution 3 Running Shoe

Nike Inc is an international company with a US base in Oregon. It’s a favorite of many for their sports and tennis shoes, which include the brands Jordans, Hurley, and Converse.

 

While the men’s Revolution 3 is a running shoe, it has all the attributes you would want in a shoe for tennis. The rubber outsole offers traction on all surfaces.

Available in sizes 6 to 15, there are half sizes on offer up to a 12.5. You can choose from three width fittings, regular, wide and extra-wide, and 13 colors. Some are understated blacks and greys, while others are bold reds and blues.

The Phylon foam and mesh uppers have no-sew overlays, which means there aren’t seams to aggravate your bunions. They have a lacing system that securely holds the shoes on your feet.

Inside the shoes is soft foam to cushion and support your feet when walking, running, or playing tennis.

If you’re looking for strong arch support, then these might not be the shoes for you. You might also find the quality of the laces lacking, but these can always be changed out.

Pros

• Three widths to accommodate your bunions.
• Choice of 13 colors.
• Cushioned and supportive.
• Gives grip on all surfaces.
• Soft, breathable uppers.

Cons

• Arch support isn’t firm.
• Laces might need changing.

A choice of three widths and 13 colors, as well as a wide size range, means you should find a pair of these shoes to suit your feet. They have traction from the rubber soles and are supportive and cushioned.

 

5. ASICS Tennis Shoe

Asics is a Japanese company founded in 1949. It manufactures all types of sports shoes, including some for running, baseball, tennis, soccer, and rugby.

 

This generation 7 version of this shoe comes in styles for women and men in a range of vibrant colors. You can choose from 5 through 12 for ladies, and men, 6 through 15. Half sizes are also on offer for both.

 

Patented Flexion Fit in the uppers aims to provide comfort that fits the form of your feet. The ankles are supported, and the reinforced midfoot contains a vamp for stability. Your feet will stay fresh, thanks to the EVA insoles.

The strategically-placed gel technology helps cushion your feet, including the forefeet and heels. Furthermore, shock absorption comes from the proprietary SpEVA foam incorporated into the soles. It helps prevent foot fatigue by returning energy as you walk or run.

Asics’ patented Guidance Line Technology helps keep your movements natural. The outsoles are made from rubber and are durable and abrasion-resistant. A variable tread is designed to give you traction and keep you steady on your feet.

Cushioning has been created explicitly for women and men, with the ladies’ shoes having an upper layer designed just for female feet.

A warranty for six months covers the outer sole.

Previous models of this shoe seem to have been roomier in the toe area than this model. It could be worth ordering a wider shoe than you would typically wear, so you get more space for your toes.

Pros

• Form-fitting uppers.
• Good traction from rubber soles.
• Gel and foam cushioning.
• Guidance technology system for a natural gait.
• Six months warranty against sole wear.

Cons

• Might need to go up a size in width.

Cushioning has been placed in these shoes specifically for women and men. Patented fit and cushioning supports your feet while a rubber sole with a variable tread provides traction.

 

6. New Balance 806 Tennis Shoe

New Balance is a popular brand that has been making sports shoes for more than 100 years. The company’s known for its range of widths catering for broader feet.

 

The 806 model comes in sizes to fit women and men. There are also four width fittings, narrow, regular, wide, and extra-wide. You can choose from 7 to 16 for men and 5 to 13 for women.

 

There are no color choices; the men’s shoes are white with grey and black accents and the ladies white with purple and grey accents.

New Balance has loaded these shoes with many proprietary technological features.

The molded compression C-CAP insole is made from EVA foam, offering flexibility and support. Cushioning comes from ABZORB, a rubber and foam blend, and a Lightning Dry liner helps keep feet fresh by wicking moisture away.

A classic herringbone design tread on the outsole gives you grip and stability. The toes of the shoes have rubber protection making them durable, and patented NDurance rubber is placed in high impact areas to reduce wear.

Stability is built into these shoes with New Balance’s Rollbar technology. It helps hold your heel in the correct position, reducing the risk of injury to your ankles.

These shoes might run small, so be prepared to size up. The soles could also wear out after a year of use.

Pros

• Rollbar technology to keep heels and ankles stable.
• Ndurance rubber to reduce wear on outsoles.
• Four width choices.
• Patented cushioning and support.
• Moisture-wicking liner for dry feet.

Cons

• Might need to buy a larger size than your regular one.

These shoes come in a good range of widths and sizes. They’re loaded with New Balance’s technologies to support your feet and keep them comfortable. A Rollbar feature keeps heels and ankles stable.

 

7. Adidas Barricade Classic Wide Tennis Shoe

Adidas celebrated its 70th birthday in August 2019. Encompassing the Reebok brand as well, they’re at the forefront of creating sports shoes and apparel in many countries worldwide.

 

The Barricade wide tennis shoe offers men the color choices of black or white with contrasting, iconic Adidas’ three stripes. Sizes run from 4 to 14 in regular and extra-wide width options. With the sizes starting low, they could be worn by women as well.

Perforations in the synthetic overlay in the mesh uppers allow air to circulate and keep your feet fresh.

Many of Adidas’ patented technologies exist in these shoes. Wrapped around the toes and forefoot is Adituff, an abrasion-resistant material. It helps protect your feet against drag when you’re making lateral movements, volleying, or serving.

Then there’s Adiprene, which provides shock absorption and cushioning in the forefoot and heel. 3D torsion supports the midfoot, and an Adiwear rubber outer sole provides traction and grip on a variety of surfaces.

On the downside, these shoes could be heavy for some, and the soles might feel stiff.

Pros

• Breathable mesh and synthetic uppers.
• Patented cushioning in the heel and forefoot.
• Wide fittings and a spacious toe box.
• Good grip and stability.

Cons

• Some find the shoes heavy and stiff.

This men’s tennis shoe is a viable option if you have bunions, thanks to the width offerings and roomy toe area. The uppers allow your feet to breathe, and the many patented features give stabilization, cushioning and support.

 

What Are Bunions?

A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a bony lump that forms on the side of your foot close to the base of your big toe. The pressure on the joint in this area eventually causes the big toe to bend towards your second toe.

It can cause stiffness, swelling, redness, and pain. If you leave them untreated, bunions can get worse, and it could be painful to walk, and also wear regular shoes.

Approximately 33 percent of adults in the US have bunions. The likelihood of the condition increases as you get older and is more prevalent in women than men. This could be the result of ladies’ penchant for fashion shoes that pinch the toes.

The causes of bunions could be genetic or as a result of an abnormality in the bones of your feet. Also, as we’ve mentioned above, narrow-toed, high heeled shoes could be the culprit.

 

Symptoms of Bunions

The symptoms of a bunion include:

• Thickened, red skin situated at the base of the toe on the inside edge of the foot.
• A bony lump in the joint of the first toe and decreased movement in that area.
• Pain around this first toe joint, which worsens when you wear shoes, due to pressure.
• The big toe turning in towards your other toes, or even crossing over them.
• Corns and calluses at the site of the bunion or where the toes are meeting.
• Problems wearing shoes or finding ones that don’t exacerbate the pain.

 

Treatment of Bunions

A bunion can often be diagnosed by a medical professional carrying out a visual examination. They might require imaging, such as a foot X-ray, to confirm what your bones are doing.

Taking care of your feet when a bunion begins to develop can help prevent it worsening.

To do this:

• Wear shoes that have a wide and roomy toe box, which helps relieve pressure on that area of your foot.
• Protect the bunion with foam pads or use spacers between your toes to align the bones.
• Ask your podiatrist or doctor if you have flat feet that need correcting by wearing insoles.
• Cut a hole at the location of the bunion in an old pair of shoes for use at home.

Your health care provider can advise you on the best solution for you. Surgery is usually the last option and might help in some cases.

This video from Panorama Orthopedics and Spine Center explains bunions, their causes, and treatments.

 

Features to Consider When Choosing Tennis Shoes for Bunions

There’s little doubt that walking or working out when you have bunions can be painful. Choosing the correct footwear can help get you moving again, and keep your feet comfortable. Let’s look at things you should consider:

• Wide toe box: Pressure on the side of your foot could make bunion pain worse. Look for tennis shoes that either have a choice of widths so you can size up or have plenty of space in the toe area.
• Flexible uppers: Synthetic materials such as mesh can stretch with your feet easing the pressure shoes might cause.
• Traction: Rubber outsoles with a good grip will help keep you steady on your feet. This could help prevent foot injuries, which might exacerbate your bunions.
• Cushioning: EVA foam and other cushioning materials in the midsole will help keep feet comfortable.
• Support: Many tennis shoes offer patented features to help support your feet through a range of motion. This will help ensure you walk or play sports using your natural movement and gait.
• Breathable materials: Shoes that provide airflow to your feet will help keep them dry and reduce the risk of friction blisters. Look for moisture-wicking liners or fabricated uppers that are breathable.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Shoes Correct a Bunion?

If you notice a bunion in its early stages, then choosing the right shoes could prevent it from worsening. It’s important to make sure that your footwear fits properly and that you have plenty of wiggle room for your toes. Choose shoes that don’t place undue pressure on the sides of your feet.

 

Can Walking Make a Bunion Worse?

While walking might not make a bunion worse, wearing the wrong shoes can exacerbate the pain you feel. Continuing to be a victim of fashion and wearing narrow-toed or high heeled shoes can increase the size of the bunion. The pressure can eventually lead to the toes being pushed out of alignment.

 

What Can I Do to Ease Bunion Pain?

There are a few solutions that could help with easing the pain caused by bunions. These include:

• Wear proper-fitting shoes with plenty of room in the toe area.
• Use a moleskin or gel-filled bunion pad to protect it.
• Wear a toe separator to help keep your bones aligned.
• Use insoles to help maintain proper positioning.

 

Ready to Play

Bunions can impact your active lifestyle. Pain in your feet when you walk or run can prevent you from taking part in sports or even going out for a stroll.

There’s no need to suffer when we have solutions, though. Choosing the best tennis shoes for bunions, whether for sports or casual wear, can help more than you might realize.

A roomy toe box in flexible shoes that fit correctly can ease the pressure on your feet, and make them more comfortable. Furthermore, adequate traction in the soles will keep you steady, along with insoles. Make sure to take advantage of a brand’s patented support features too.

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