- Stretch them so that they fit you more comfortably.
- Purchase shoes that are specifically designed for feet with bunions.
How to Stretch Shoes for Bunions
Take it to a shoemaker
Naturally, shoemakers or shoe repair shops are skilled in stretching shoes, using professional tools and machines. Unfortunately, these expert shops are becoming more and more rare, but if you can find one in your area it can be a good solution.
Use a professional shoe stretching tool
Shoe stretchers usually come with a liquid or spray that you apply to your shoe before you insert the stretcher into it. Stretching liquids and sprays are available for a variety of shoe materials - fabric, leather and vinyl - and they loosen up the material, making the stretching process more effective.
Once you insert the stretcher, you need to twist its widening handle to expand the shoe. Then, leave the shoe stretcher inside the shoe for 24 hours, until your shoes are wide enough.
Apply heat
This simple method is best used on shoes made from leather or suede, because other materials could be ruined by the heat.
Before heating your shoes, put on a thick pair of socks and slip your feet into your shoes. Then, take a hair dryer, turn it on high and point the hot air toward the tight areas of your shoe. Continue blowing the hot air, while simultaneously stretching the shoe by wiggling and flexing your feet and toes.
Once you’ve shut off the dryer, continue wearing your shoes with the thick socks for a little longer.
Spray rubbing alcohol.
First, mix 50% water with 50% rubbing alcohol and spray or rub it on your shoes. Next, wear the shoes immediately after treating them with the alcohol, repeating the process if necessary. However, don’t overuse the spray as it could damage the shoe fabric. This method works best on natural fabrics.
Stuff your shoes with potatoes or wet newspapers.
Insert a bag of ice
Do tight shoes make bunions worse?
The short answer is: yes!
The more detailed answer is that bunions are usually caused by genetic or congenital biomechanical defects in the foot. Bunions are more common in women, because their joints and ligaments are more flexible, resulting in increased motion. This excess motion exacerbates the faulty foot structure, causing bones to shift and resulting in bunions.
Different types of bunions can also develop due to other foot conditions, such as flat feet and abnormal bone structure.
If the problematic area of the bunions is jammed in the shoe, as is the case with shoes that are too tight, the forefoot is pushed forward into the toe box. This crowds the toes, applies pressure on the big toe, exacerbates the defective foot structure and worsens the symptoms of bunions.
“Although preventing bunions is not possible, shoes can and do affect the severity of the anatomical changes that occur in bunion formation and the associated symptomology,” explains Dr. Steven Gershman, a podiatrist.
“Basically, the more the shoe forces the big toe toward the second toe and allows excess motion, the worse the deformity”.
Still, tight shoes are not the only culprit and there are other causes that can make things more painful for your bunions:
- High heel shoes and narrow pointed shoes also crowd the toes.
- Spending long hours on your feet.
- Foot conditions such as arthritis, overpronation, flat feet and more.
Can shoes be stretched to accommodate bunions?
Bunions create a bump on the interior side of the foot, just under the big toe, angulating the big toe toward the second toe. Naturally, this bump adds width to the foot and can become larger due to pressure applied by the shoe.
So basically, bunions don’t only cause pain and even balance issues, but can also make it hard to find shoes that fit properly.
Stretching shoes to accommodate bunions can help and you can even find good stretchers that push the toe box in one specific spot, directly over the bump of the bunion.
But, although stretching can help, the width of the shoe is not the only factor to take into account when looking for shoes that are best for bunions.
Why is it better to buy shoes for bunions rather than stretch them?
We’ve already established that increased motion in the foot is a major cause of bunions, while various foot conditions, such as overpronation, can make matters worse. So, buying shoes that help address these issues can also help shrink your bunions.
More specifically, good quality orthotics that support the arch, align the foot, help straighten the toes and correct the gait, can treat overpronation and the increased motion it causes, and therefore alleviate bunion symptoms, pain and discomfort.
Moreover, using orthotics in the early stages of bunions is believed by many podiatrists to significantly slow down the progression of the bunions.
But orthotics are not the only design feature that can treat and even prevent bunions.
Look for the following design features and shoes:
- Wide enough front to accommodate your toes and bunions comfortably. The wide toe box shoes are wide, high and round, with extra depth for the big toe. Extra depth shoes also allow you to insert custom orthotics if you need to, and help reduce excess motion.
- Wide width shoes that, together with the deep toe box, can make all the difference to your bunions, provide relief and prevent the bunions from getting worse.
- Shoes made from a stretchy material that eliminates pressure on the bunions. The best pressure-free material would be one that can not only stretch, but also conform to the contour of your foot and bunion.
- Shoes with straps or laces that allow you to adjust the fit if you need to, because the size of your bunion can change over time and even during the day.
- Low heels or flat shoes that don’t push your feet into the ground, applying pressure on your toes.
- Ergonomic sole, preferably with a mild rocker bottom that decreases joint movement and disperses the pressure evenly across the foot.
Finally, here’s a convenient tip on how to lace shoes for bunions.
Use the bunion step-over technique. With this technique, you simply bypass the eyelet that overlays your big toe joint. This lacing method significantly minimizes the pressure on the bunion.
Try Shoes Designed for Bunions - Not Workarounds
Stretching shoes can offer temporary bunion relief, but they don’t change how your foot moves or how pressure is distributed across the joint. If shoes often feel tight, cause pain, or require constant adjustment just to stay comfortable, it may be time to stop modifying footwear that wasn’t built for your feet in the first place.
Orthofeet shoes are designed with bunions in mind, featuring extra depth, wide and stretchable uppers, ergonomic soles, and premium orthotic support that helps improve gait and reduce stress on the big toe joint. Instead of forcing a pair of shoes to expand in specific areas, Orthofeet shoes are made to fit comfortably from the start and adapt naturally to your foot shape over time.
FAQs: Bunions & Shoe Fit
Can stretching shoes help with bunion pain long-term?
Stretching shoes can provide short-term bunion relief by reducing pressure on the big toe joint and easing friction in tight areas. However, stretching only addresses the shoe, not the underlying foot conditions or gait issues that contribute to bunion formation. For long-term profiling, shoes that fit properly and support alignment are more effective than repeatedly trying to stretch the width of a pair of shoes that were never designed for bunions.
What shoe materials are best if I need extra width for bunions?
Materials matter just as much as shoe width. Soft leather, suede, and flexible fabric uppers tend to expand more naturally and conform to the foot over time without damaging the shoe. Synthetic materials with little flexibility are more likely to cause pain, especially when shoes are too tight around the joint near the big toe.
Is it safe to stretch dress shoes or a pair of leather shoes for bunions?
Yes, but with caution. Dress shoes and a pair of leather shoes can often be stretched in specific areas using a shoe stretch spray and a professional stretcher. The key is gradual expansion. Over-stretching or applying too much heat can damage the shoe, compromise its structure, and affect how it fits overall.
How do I know if my bunions are being caused or worsened by my shoes?
If you notice foot pain, redness, or swelling after wearing tight shoes or ill-fitting shoes, especially around the big toe joint, your footwear is likely contributing. Shoes that push the big toe toward the second toe, lack sufficient depth, or crowd the forefoot can worsen bunion symptoms and accelerate progression, according to many podiatrists.
