For you as a dedicated, hard-core runner, perhaps you love nothing but the thrill of going out for runs every day, either in the early morning before work or in the evening right before dinner. The thrill of feeling the wind in your hair, against your chest and legs, is all the more exalting, and you love how you need to push yourself to become the best runner that you can be.
With that said, you more likely than not churn out a lot of miles each week, and perhaps you might have recently discovered a slight pain forming along the side of your foot. Little did you might know, but chances are that you have a bunion, which is not life-threatening to say the least, but definitely a nuisance to have.
Hence, you might feel like it will be a problem, especially when it comes to running smoothly and pain-free. However, you do not have to worry, for there are alternatives to making sure that you stay comfortable while running, all the while treating your bunion at the same time. One aspect is running shoes for bunions, and we are here to help you choose the best one! Read on to learn more and soon enough, you will be able to get back into running with no problem.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
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Last update on 2017-10-31 at 04:36 PST - Details
Before you go ahead and select your running shoe, it is necessary to take a step back and consider just a few aspects when it comes to getting the best pair for you. It is not a matter of choosing the first pair of running shoes that looks the most attractive or is the most expensive: chances are, they might not be the ideal fit for you, which can be a waste of money.
That said, we have a few tips you ought to consider when it comes to selecting the best running shoes for bunions. Here they are:
Image via www.correcttoes.com
Of course, one of the few first things you will need to really look into is your shoe size and shape. You might be surprised to discover that many runners get the wrong shoe size and shape when buying their pair of running shoes, which over time can lead to not-so-great consequences, including that of bunions.
With that said, it is simply a matter of taking a foot measure and determining your foot’s size. From there, round up to the nearest half-size, but it helps to go for one full-size up, for the sake of giving your foot enough space to breathe; after all, you would not want your feet to feel cramped and uncomfortable when running!
As for shoe shape, it is just knowing whether you have narrow or wide feet, so that you end up buying the ideal one that is neither too loose nor too tight on your feet, respectively.
This is especially an important point to consider, just because many of the bunion problems arise from not having enough room in the toe box part of the shoe. As a result, the lack of space ends up pushing against the side of the toes, which in combination with friction causes the area to get irritated and swell up, along with feeling extremely uncomfortable to the wearer at hand.
Therefore, it is imperative that you find a pair of running shoes that has just the right amount of room inside the front of the shoe, known as the “toe box.” Make sure that the space is neither too big, for that could also create problems with blisters from sliding around nor too small in that it can form bunions. Granted, it is a tricky process, but taking the time to find the best one will be worth it in the long term.
Related post: What Is A Hammer Toe? What Causes It? We Know How To Get Rid Of It.
Image via www.plantarfasciitisresource.com
Just like with any other typical running shoe out there, it helps to have a pair which is supportive. Especially when it comes to different arch types (high, medium, low), having running shoes which have built-in insoles to keep your arch supported when pounding on hard surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
As for cushioning, memory foams and gel bottoms are the way to go: they are commonly built into the shoes already, so it is just a matter of checking to make sure that the thickness is just right for you.
If you would like to look for a good cushion insole for your running shoe, read more in this article to know how to find a good one, along with some options for you.
As it goes with just about any running shoe out there, your pair should be made from solid material, particularly those which are not just single material, but rather a combination of a few. Popular materials for running shoes include rubber, polyurethane, and leather, all of which contribute to a sturdy, but also flexible shoe to feel good wearing and using.
In addition, you will have to consider breathability, particularly in the form of mesh material to keep your feet cool and dry even when you are sweating buckets from your intense run. Check to see if your shoes have small air pockets to let out any odors or moistures, for if not, then you will have to prepare yourself for a smelly and unpleasant shoe-wearing experience, respectively. More importantly, having a breathable running shoe makes it less likely to develop blisters, even bunions, for the moisture will not irritate your skin and form them.
Even if the running shoe you have chosen satisfies all the criteria that has been listed above (and can even help with bunion prevention), at the end of the day you will need to see if it feels comfortable on you.
After all, you are making a rather big investment when purchasing a pair of running shoes, as you will be using them for a while. That said, buying a pair which does not feel good on you not only will be a waste of money if you do not end up using it, but also can create injuries if worn and used improperly. Hence, try them before committing to them.
Besides getting a good running shoe to help with bunions, this video shows that you can also modify your current pair to help. Feel free to check it out:
Made from textile and rubber sole material, Mizuno Men’s Wave Prophecy 6 running shoe is sure to have the best combination in terms of sturdiness and comfort. Not only that, but also it comes with a removable insole sockliner, so that you can easily replace it with an insole more suitable to your feet. It is sure to keep you on your feet for a long time, so it is worth a try!
Pros
Cons
Opinion
Mizuno Men’s Wave Prophecy 6 running shoe turned out to be quite comfortable when I first tried them on and used them. I especially appreciated the removable insole sockliner, since I have low arches and need a specialized orthotics to keep them supported. Only downside was that I found the shoe shape a tad too narrow, which was not ideal for healing my bunion.
With a combination of fabric and synthetic, Saucony Men’s Hurricane ISO running shoe is just the right fit for natural and artificial, as means of creating a comfortable and long-lasting shoe for you to wear. Aside from that, it contains a breathable mesh upper for a cool and dry running experience, along with an ISOFIT upper for a sock-like fit, to keep you feeling good and snug on your run.
Pros
Cons
Opinion
I set about trying on and using Saucony Men’s Hurricane ISO running shoe right away, and I really enjoyed the breathable mesh upper, along with the ISOFIT upper which fit just right: snug, but not too tight. I would have to say, though, that the material could have been better, as it did not last more than three months before I had to switch to another pair.
With an anatomical toe box position ideal for keeping your feet and toes in perfect order while running, Altra Men’s Torin 2 running shoe certainly looks out for your foot health. Not only that, but also it contains a Zero Drop Platform to correct your running stride so as to prevent bunions from forming later on, as well as a MetaPod traction outsole to keep you stable at all times.
Pros
Cons
Opinion
Altra Men’s Torin 2 running shoe were excellent for their large toe box, which was great for keeping my feet comfortable and free of bunions. The Zero Drop platform feature was a plus to help me correct my running form so as to prevent future bunions from developing. Also loved the traction, especially when it comes to running on slippery roads. Only gripe was that it was rather tricky to get the right shoe size first time around, but now I am satisfied with it.
Containing anti-debris mesh and water-resistant textile, Salomon Men’ Speedcross 4 trail runner is sure to keep your shoes clean and dry through even the toughest terrains out there. In addition, its Sensifit with Quicklace feature offers a “just right” fit for your feet, without any shoving and squeezing required for that. Finally, it provides just the right amount of protection while also keeping things minimalist enough for your feet.
Pros
Cons
Opinion
Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 trail runner was wonderfully clean, even when I ran through the dirtiest of trails: it is all thanks to the anti-debris mesh and water-resistant material. Also appreciated the Sensifit feature, which molded to my feet just perfectly. Granted, it was a tad small for my feet, but still manageable to wear.
Nike Men’s Free Flyknit 4.0 running shoe is incredibly lightweight that it will make you feel as if you are running on clouds. Also containing a three-inch shaft from the arch and midsole hexagonal flex grooves for easier mobility, this is a solid running shoe to have.
Pros
Cons
Opinion
I found Nike Men’s Free Flyknit 4.0 running shoe quite decent, as they were extremely lightweight and stable, not to forget flexible when tackling even the most strenuous terrains. However, I did not appreciate the squeaky sound it emitted when the soles got wet, which was rather annoying.
Overall, the winner of this roundup goes to Altra Men's Torin 2 Running Shoe (#3). What set this shoe apart from the others was its anatomical toe box, which greatly helped with correcting the toe shape after bunion formation. Besides that, it is a comfortable shoe, and it is worth the investment should you go for it!
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Reference
http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-treatment/bothersome-bunions