Reader Request | Comfortable Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis and Bunions
I’m exhausted and broke trying to find shoes; please, please help me. I wear a 9 1/2 to 10 even a 10 1/2 wide, possibly extra wide. I have what’s known as tailor’s bunions. I also have a high instep as well as deal with plantar fasciitis. I need a comfortable shoe (closed toe) that I can work in; standing and walking on hard surfaces for four to six hours at a time. Any help you could possibly give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You. Lesley
Hi Lesley,
I’m happy to help. Finding effective plantar fasciitis shoes and shoes that relieve the pain of bunions is no easy feat. I have tailor’s bunions also (bunions on outer side of foot) and they’re more painful than just the run of the mill bunion. I can look at a shoe and know if it will hurt them! I’m hoping one of these five options will work for you. They all receive excellent reviews for support, toe room, soft leathers and all come in wides; a few in extra wides! Just click on the picture to go to Zappos. All are under $120.
Let me offer one more suggestion. Hotter shoes from the UK. They’re now available to the states and come in extra wide widths. I have a pair of their mary janes from a few seasons back and while the style is a tad plain, the comfort is anything but. Right now they’re offering 30% off with free shipping and returns with offer code JXHCTFD.
Just have to chime in here: I also have bunions, tailor’s bunionettes, and ridiculous high insteps that mess with everything I try to wear. And I’m still looking, not totally delighted with any of my shoes except the old, pre-move-to-China Danskos, but:
I was pleasantly surprised by how wide the toebox in Earth Spirits were, and how supportive. I bought a pair of Fullertons and if they weren’t so flexible in the forefoot, they’d be perfect. Very cushy.
Also happily surprised by the Earth Origins Carma 5, which however needed a Superfeet dress arch support to be walkable all day. A little too flexible in the forefoot also for all-day comfort.
Sanita’s professional clog runs large and is not as perfectly supportive as Dansko, but does not pinch across the high high instep like all the new Danskos. You put it on and think it can’t possibly be comfortable due to lack of cushioning, but your forefoot never moves, your foot is relaxed in a neutral position with a slight raised heel to relieve PF, and it works.
Here are my credentials for saying it’s okay for a job standing all day: I’m a nurse :).
By the way, Kristen, you’re the reason i found the Earth Spirit and Earth Origin brands, thank you so much for this blog!!!!
Jen,
Thank you so much for the informative comment/recommendation. Much appreciated by many.
K
I wear EEE width, have flat feet, bunions, and plantar fasciitis. So far I have had success with the Dansko “Kelsey” and Orthaheel “Tide” flipflops (regular width are wide and provide enough support so you don’t have to swear off flip flops!). I like the Kelsey style of Dansko because they’re not hard/heavy/rigid like the other Dansko styles.
Help! I have narrow feet and hammertoes. My right heel through the arch hurts only at work. I wear Skechers Velcro shoes and Naturalizer shoes at work. Sanita clogs hurt me after about 5 hours and have added heel insole. My feet does not hurt when wear Skechers Jammers or Mossimo open toe high wedge. I work 3-4 hours on fatigue mat behind a cashier and 4-5 hours on hard floor in the store. I do stretch my foot before I get out of the bed. My work requires black or other dark colors and no open toes. This sounds like plantar faciitis and plan to go to a doctor. I have a hard time finding shoes that fit and feel comfortable for 8 hours on floor.
I have not been able find a pair of shoes good for me and I am tired of using athletic shoes always. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and hammer toes plus a big bunion,om my left foot and in my little toes horrible and painful callous and wide width My shoes have to be flat I never learned to walk with heels. Please help me find something that is good for me …Thank you and God Bless you !
I have a bunion on left foot and was experiencing some pain and numbness near third and fourth toe in my shoes, I’ve tried going up a size and a few wide width, recently I went to a clog as I was suggested to but now the foremost part of my foot goes numb like its asleep, any suggestions, any help would be greatly appreciated. I stand an average of 8 hours a day on concrete floors.
Have Taylor’s bunion and plantar facitis need a good sneaker. Size 7 b womens