A lot of people are suffering from tailor’s bunion or bunionette.

It is a bony bump that forms at the base of your pinky toe and can be very painful.

If you want to run with this foot condition here are the best running shoes for tailor’s bunions of 2022.

My top choice is Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 but there are some great alternatives below.

Also, you will find a lot of FAQs answered.

Top 6 Running Shoes For Tailor’s Bunion

1. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

2. Asics GT-2000 10

3. New Balance 990v5

4. Brooks Ariel’20

5. Altra Escalante 3

6. Saucony Omni 20

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 – Best For Women

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With this version of Brooks Adrenaline, you get a very streamlined construction.

It comes with additional supportive cushioning which keeps your feet protected by absorbing any kind of shock.

This is very important if you have a tailor’s bunion. This type of bunion is painful anyways, and with additional shock, this pain can increase. With Brooks Adrenaline, this type of impact is minimized on your tailor’s bunion and you will get a comfortable ride.

This extra cushioning doesn’t compromise the responsiveness and you get an optimal energy return from every stride.

The cushioning is Brooks’ proprietary 100% DNA LOFT, both of which are very durable. It will easily last you for around 400 miles.

This Adrenaline focuses on preventing injury.

It has moved its focus to provide you with knee support which is the most injury-prone part of a runner’s body.

It achieves this by the use of the new GuideRails Holistic Support System which keeps you moving comfortably but keeps excess movement in check.

The Adrenaline 22 gives you better support and a reliable ride.

The upper of this shoe is made from engineered mesh and has a 3D fit print. This gives the structure of the upper and provides you with a more customized fit based on your feet.

The toe-box of Adrenaline 22 is spacious and doesn’t squeeze your toes. This will help you to have a comfortable ride even with your tailor’s bunions as it will not put additional pressure on it.

Also, being true-to-size, your feet will neither be cramped nor be sliding around, both of which have the potential to aggravate your bunionette.

The forefoot has a DNA LOFT crash pad. This protects your forefoot and stops your bunions (tailor’s or Big Toe’s) to be worsened.

You can use these running shoes in multiple situations like Long Distance running, Treadmills, or Roads.

They are breathable, lightweight, and have very good arch support. This is a must for any runner with any kind of bunion.

It will also provide you with ample support if you overpronate.

Also, the sock liner is removable. So, you can easily replace it with your orthotic insert for a more comfortable running experience.

Not only for running, but these shoes are also suitable for people who have to stand long hours like nurses.

After prolonged standing of more than 8 hours, you will not feel any ache in your back, knees, or feet.

It has lace-up closure and a plush tongue and collar for added comfort.

ASICS GT-2000 10 Running Shoes

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New Balance 990v5 – Best For Men

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New Balance is one of my favorite brands.

Apart from the stability that they provide, their rugged non-traditional look is my thing 😉

Since I suffer from bunions, my choice of shoes is restricted.

However, the number of times I’ve chosen New balance, they have never disappointed me

This version of New Balance W990V5 Or New Balance M990V5 is especially supportive of your bunions, including Tailor’s bunion.

They are made from a combination of 100% Leather and Synthetic overlays, giving you a very good fit.

The Rubber outsole gives you a firm grip on the roads and you get a very very stable running experience. 

It has very good breathability as the upper is made from a combination of engineered mesh and synthetic overlays.

The ENCAP midsole technology gives you constant comfort and stability.

Also since these are made from EVA foam, they are exceptionally durable.

They are very good with shock absorption and this is good news for your tailor’s bunions as it will not aggravate your condition and make it a more uncomfortable running experience.

Unique to this version, New Balance 990V5 comes with 3M Reflectivity.

This makes sure that you are visible during predawn runs or in low-light conditions.

So, you will be visible way before the drivers and this can help you to avoid any kind of accident.

Another new feature of these running shoes is that the shoelaces can now be looped through a lace keeper.

This keeps the tongue secured and it will not move around when you run. This will keep you comfortable through every run.

The toe box is wide and this gives additional room for your bunions.

They are very good for everyday runs and will give you the most comfortable running experience.

The construction of this shoe is very durable and is very much suitable even for rough usage.

This running shoe comes in all possible sizes. This makes it very appealing to a lot of potential buyers.

Also, you can use these shoes not only for running but also for a variety of other purposes like walking, training, daily wear, etc.

Brooks Ariel ’20

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The Ariel’20 looks sleeker than the previous versions and looks more like any other support shoes from Brooks. They have received a more standardized look from Brooks and are excellent for providing support.

It has a fit for most of the feet and no matter how your feet are, you will find a perfect match.

They are very comfortable, even if you use them for a longer period of time.

The toe-box is wider than the earlier versions and this is a welcome change if you are suffering from bunions or tailor’s bunion.

This will not put too much pressure on your tailor’s bunion and you will not feel that sharp pain while running.

It is a motion control shoe and will help you to stabilize your feet if you suffer from overpronation.

These shoes are lightweight, responsive, and supportive and will never weigh you down.

They have significantly improved in the comfort department and come with a lot of cushioning. This is a 100% DNA LOFT cushioning and is excellent at shock absorption.

However, with all these cushioning also, this shoe did not lose its responsiveness and you will have a very comfortable and stable ride.

In the forefoot of the outsole, you will have HPR Green. This is a type of dispersed silica that is environment-friendly.

Ariel is not only shock-absorbent but also skid resistant. This gives you much better traction and grip on any kind of surface and road condition.

It also helps you with a more efficient toe-off.

It has 25% more cushioning compared to previous versions. Also, they are biodegradable.

The upper is engineered mesh and is very good for breathability.

Your feet will remain comfortable and dry while you are running.

Also, it will reduce any chance of blisters which is a common occurrence for people with any type of bunion.

To give you proper flex and shock absorption, the forefoot is having a set of flex grooves.

To complement the Flextra in the outsole, the midsole has Omega flex grooves. Overall a very good running shoe for bunions.

However, Brooks Ariel is for Women. If you want to try the men’s shoes, you can go for Brooks Beast.

Altra Escalante 3 Road Running Shoe

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This is an upgrade from Altra 2.5 which was pretty popular among the runners.

Altra says that they have updated the knit upper and the mid-foot strap.

Also, it now comes with a sleeker heel cup and increased breathability.

As with the previous version it comes with Altra EGO mid-sole which is proprietary of Altra.

This midsole gives you a very nice cushy feel under your feet and every run will be a comfortable experience for you.

You can use this running shoe for multipurpose like Fitness, Cross Training, and Walking.

Though you have very good cushioning under your feet, it is not a maximal shoe.

So, you may feel that cushioning is a bit less than other brands of running shoes like HOKA ONE ONE.

The out-sole has a foot pod. This absorbs the shock when your feet land on the ground.

This helps to protect your feet from any kind of injury, especially if you have bunions or a tailor’s bunion.
They worsen with shock. This may cause you permanent damage and can stop you from running forever.

Also, the insole has a 6 mm contour footbed. This stops your feet from slipping and your toes don’t bunch up.

This is also important for your foot condition as it reduces further stress on your feet.
It is a zero drop shoe and has a wide toe box. So, your forefoot can rest comfortably inside and you will not have to deal with bunion blisters.

The stack height is 24 mm which is a bit less than the other shoes. However, given that it is not a maximal shoe, this is a decent stack height.

The weight of these running shoes is 9.3 oz / 263 g which is on the lighter end of the spectrum.
Also, look wise this shoe looks way more stylish than the other brands in the same category.

These are also great running shoes for ingrown toenails. Not only that, but Escalante will also help you to deal with multiple other foot problems like plantar fasciitis, Morton’s neuroma, or sesamoiditis.

Saucony Omni 20

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This shoe is a bit different in its making as it is 100% Synthetic.

That doesn’t mean that you will not get the comfort of a leather/synthetic combination.

These are very plush shoes and will give you a very comfortable experience.

The outsole is made from rubber and you will get a very good grip while running on the road.

Also, you get a very customized fit with decent toe-box width. This is comfortable for your tailor’s bunion and will not put additional pressure on your bunion.

It gives you a dynamic fit in the mid-foot and the upper is very breathable.

Your feet remain dry as the upper is made from engineered mesh and gives your feet a very breathable environment.

The top sole is made from EVERUN which is a type of EVA foam and gives your continuous cushioning and enhanced energy return.

The external heel has a support frame. This locks down your heels for a more secure fit.

Updated TRI-FLEX outsole for the optimal blend of flexibility and protection.

It also increases force dispersion when your foot hits the ground as the forefoot has Tri-FLEX.

This also absorbs a lot of shocks and gives you a more efficient heel-to-toe transition.

This is a stability shoe so it helps you with pronation and thus protects you from run-induced injury.

Being a lightweight shoe it never interferes with your running speed and the wider toe-box helps you to have a comfortable run even with bunions.

It is available in three colors and all look very sporty.

Not only for bunions, but these shoes are also even good for runners suffering from plantar fasciitis.

With an ample amount of cushioning, and proper responsiveness these shoes are great for any kind of run.

You can also utilize them for training, walking, and for a lot of other purposes.

Buyer’s Guide 

Choosing the perfect running shoe is a big task.

You have to take into consideration the surface you are running on, your foot curve, pronation and a lot more.

If you have bunions of any kind, then this task becomes more tricky.

I found that these couple of tips always help me to select my kind of running shoes. 

How to buy running shoes when you have a bunion?

Here are 6 tips that will help you to choose the best running shoes for bunion (bunion, bunionette or tailor’s bunion)

1. Look for a wider fit in a particular area

Your bunion will aggravate if you wear a traditional or a narrow fit.

So, most of the time you may not be able to get the most beautiful running shoes.

They may not be very stylish also.

However, if you choose a shoe which is wider around your bunion, you will not end up in terrible pain after every run.

Also, you will be able to avoid some worst possible conditions like worsening your bunion or at the very least blisters on your bunions.

Your shoe should not only have a wider upper, but the corresponding area of the sole should also be wide.

So, always go for a wider fit like Brooks Ariel 18

They will give you ample cushioning and have a wider toe-box.

2. Must have underfoot support

Shoe width is fine, but some of the shoe companies become stingy with the underfoot cushioning.

People with bunion must have ample amount of cushioning underfoot.

This will absorb most of the shock when your toes strike the ground. So look for shoes which gives you plenty of cushioning.

Here are some running shoes with best underfoot cushioning. You will get a general idea of what you are looking for.

3. Look for softer materials on the upper

When selecting a running shoe for bunion, you are looking for something which will not aggravate your condition.

So, the softer the material the better. Soft leather or suede is your go-to material.

Also, a combination of engineered mesh will also work.

Why you should not go a complete engineered mesh upper?

Engineered mesh without any internal support will give you a fabulous fit.

It will give you a truly custom fit and a lot of breathability.

But since they give you a custom fit, the will sit snugly on your bunion as well.

This will cause you a lot of friction and you will not only end up in pain but also your condition will worsen.

Above you will find shoes which have a combination of synthetic leather and mesh.

The ones which don’t have mesh has internal supports that are not visible from outside.

Also, look for shoes that doesn’t need break in time

4. Shop at the end of the day

This might seem weird, but this is your best bet when looking for a shoe with perfect fit.

You should always buy your shoes when your feet are at their largest.

They tend to swell by end of the day.

So if you buy your running shoe when they are largest, you will get a very comfortable fit throughout the day.

5. Get additional support for bunion

Running shoes are the best support that you can get for your bunions.

However, to enhance their effectiveness, you can further get some more cushioning for your bunions

Also, you get specialized socks for bunions which will further enhance your comfort.

6. Get help if needed

After following these tips, if you find that, you are still not able to decide on the best running shoe, get expert opinion.

Go to a specialty running shoe store. They will be able to help you out.

Otherwise your podiatrist can also help you.

FAQs

1. What are Bunions?

Bunion is a kind of deformity the forms when the bone or tissue at the joint of the big toe moves out of place.

It is called hallux valgus by doctors and looks like a bump a the side of your feet.

This can either be completely painless or very painful based on the severity of the bunion.

Image curtsy WebMd

2. What are Tailor’s Bunions?

Tailor’s bunions is also called bunionette. It looks like a bump and forms at the base of your little toe.

It is formed due to the deformity of the metatarsal bone. It can also be very painful depending on the severity.

Image curtsy Academy Foot And Ankle Specialists

3. Do I have bunions?

If you have a bump at the base of your big toe, chances are you have a bunion.

They may have formed due to prolonged wearing of narrow shoes or other stressful conditions for your feet.

If you are unsure, look for these symptoms:

• A hard bump on the outside of your big toe
• A hard bump from the side of your small toe
• Swelling, redness or soreness around these joints and bumps
• These two toes are stiffer to move
• These areas may become shiny and warm to touch

4. What causes bunions?

There are several causes for bunions and they usually develop over time.

Here are some more common causes of bunions:

• If any of your parents have this foot condition, chances are you will also inherit
• You met with an accident or injured your foot somehow – In this case the appearance of bunion may be sudden.
• You have it by birth.
• You are a woman (Wearing tight shoes can cause bunions)
• You have arthritis
• One of your leg is longer than the other.

5. What are the different types of bunions?

There are mainly three types of bunions. Two are related to the big toe and the third one is related to the pinky toe.

• Hallux Valgus or the Large Bunion – This is a large bump at the outside of the joint of your big toe. It may or may not be combined with Hallux Limitus
• Hallux Limitus – Many times you will observe that the big toe bump is not that big. However, you have a hard time moving your big toe. In other words your motion is limited. This is called Hallux Limitus or Hallux Rigidus
• Tailor’s Bunion Or Bunionette – It forms at the joint of the pinky of the foot. It is also a rigid bump visible from outside and can be very painful.

6. Why are your bunions so painful?

Bunions are formed by misalignment of your foot bones.

That is why they are a bit out of balance. And anything that is not a normal body alignment can start giving you discomfort.

Apart from that any kind of stress or pressure forces the bone structure to try to move outside.

Hence the numerous neurons of your skin gets more pressure.

This makes the bunion to hurt more.

The pain also depends on the severity of the bunions. 

If they are big, you can get hurt more easily which further causes more pain.

7. How can I fix my bunion?

Unfortunately, there is no permanent solution for your bunion other than surgery.

However, the success rate of surgery is not that great and also, you may not be cured completely.

So, as always, prevention is better than cure.

These tips for running with bunions will definitely help you out.

8. What should you do if your bunion hurts while running?

If your bunion start hurting while you are running, most of us try to run anyway.

But that is actually very bad. You are making your condition worse by putting more stress on your already sensitive bunion.

Instead, just stop. Find a nearby place to sit down.

Open your shoes and let your feet breath. 

Then after you are a bit comfortable, start doing a bunion message.

Once the pain subsides, you can start running/walking again or end your running session for the day.

Here is an effective way to do a bunion message.

9. Does arch support help bunions? 

If you have a proper underfoot arch, then an additional arch support is not needed.

However, most of the time, a person with bunion also have a flat feet.

In such cases you should use arch support.

To check if you have a flat feet, do a wet water test.

Here you will get detailed instructions of how to perform a wet water test.

10. What is the fastest way to get rid of bunions?

Unfortunately there is no easy way to get rid of bunions.

Some will suggest surgery. However, the success rate is not that high and it will cost you a bomb.

Instead, try so less invasive ways like using orthotics or toe-separators.

Bunion socks are also very effective. But they are a bit expensive.

11. Do bunion corrector really work?

Yes they do. But not the way you expect them to.

They will give you a temporary relief by keeping your big toe straight.

However, once you stop using them your toes will go back to its earlier place.

However, they are no intrusive and will cost you a dime compared to a surgery which has less success rate.

I still use my corrector and I’m not thinking of surgery in the near future.

12. Can I exercise/run with bunions?

Obviously you can.

However, you will have to take more precautions while exercising or running.

This will ensure that you don’t end up accidentally worsening your condition.

In this article you will get all the details of why running makes bunions worse and how to deal with it. 

13. How can I stop my bunions from progressing?

Bunions worsens with time. However, if you take some simple precautions, you will be able to halt its advance.

Here are some ways to stop your bunions from progressing:

• Maintain healthy weight
• Wear a gel pad every time. This will reduce any kind of friction or stress on the bunion.
• If you have a flat feet, use orthotics for proper arch support
• Consult your doctor
• Use well fitted shoes with wide toe area
• Have a surgery (not recommended. Consult podiatrist)

14. How do you treat an inflamed bunion?

There are a couple of ways in which you can treat an inflamed bunion.

• Take warm soaks, ice packs, Whirlpool, ultrasound or message
• Take some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen. Consult your doctor first.
• Consult your doctor if your pain persists for longer duration

15. Does Stretching help Bunions?

Yes, stretching helps bunions.

To get the maximum benefit, you can do these exercises regularly.

Pull your big toe – Pull your big toe to the correct alignment. Hold the position for 10-15 secs. Then release it.

Do this for 10 times on each foot. You can do the same for tailor’s bunion.

Flex your toes – Press your toes against a wall or other hard surface. Then start stretching. Stretch as much as possible.

Hold it for 10-15 secs. Repeat on the other foot. Do it for 10 times on each foot.

Curl and uncurl your toes – Curl your toes. Hold it for 10 secs. Then uncurl your toes. Hold it for 10 secs. Repeat this 10 times on each foot.

Pick up the marble – Try to pickup a marble or a small object using only your toes and place it in a bowl. You can do it with any other small object also.

Use a resistance band – Wrap a resistance band around your both big toes and stretch in opposite direction. Hold it for 10 secs. Then return to normal position. Do this for 10 times.

16. Can chiropractor work on bunions?

In 2011 a very interesting study was done on a group of 30 people by Foot Journal.

This group was divided into two groups of 15 members each.

The first group was asked to wear night splint and the second group was given four manipulative therapy within a span of 2 weeks.

They were scored based on pain, toe function and the angle of big toe dorsiflexion.

 At the end of two weeks they were scored again. There was not much of a difference in both the groups.

However, over the course of next 1 month, score of the group receiving manipulative therapy improved significantly.

But the score of the group wearing night splint dropped.

So, the researchers concluded that, chiropractic approach can be an alternative and is way less invasive than a surgery.

However, it is most effective in the early stages of bunion and may not be as effective for more matured bunions.

17. Can you stop bunions from forming?

 Ah! this is a tough one to answer.

If it is not a hereditary bunion, then technically you can stop it from forming.

This is what you need to do:

• Always maintain your ideal weight
• Don’t wear tight shoes
• Avoid foot injury
• Avoid arthritis

But practically speaking, though the first two are actually doable, a child or an young adult may not have that knowledge.

Also, most of the times, the parents also don’t have knowledge and awareness about bunion is still very less.

So, by the time you may have understood the problem, you may already have developed the bunion.

At that time, you can only take precautions so that your condition doesn’t worsen.

18. What running shoes are best for bunions?

As bunion is very close to my heart (I suffer from it), I know what is needed for a runner.

So, I’ve written a lot about different running shoes for different bunion needs.

Here is the entire list for you to find your right fit. 

• 6 Best Running Shoes For Bunions
• Best Women’s Running Shoes For Bunions
• Best Running Shoes For Bunions And Arch Support
• Best Walking Shoes For Bunions
• Best Cross Training Shoes For Bunions 
• Best Running Shoes For Tailor’s Bunion 

19. Is there a natural way to cure bunion?

There are couple of natural ways which can help you with your bunion.

However, take this advise with a grain of salt. It may not 100% cure the condition, but it may ease your pain.

• Use bunion splints or toe spacers. Consult your doctor before wearing a night splint
• You can do simple messages as explained in question number 15
• Wear shoes with wider toe box
• Avoid heels
• Avoid wearing pointy shoes
• Use arch support if you have a flat feet
• Maintain a healthy weight

If your condition doesn’t improve and the pain is unbearable, visit a doctor. Surgery should be your last resort.

20. Is it possible to be a runner with bunions?

Definitely you can be a runner with bunions. I have bunions and I run 3 days a week.

However, since our feet needs extra attention, we better give them that.

Else, we may be in such pain that we will not be able to run or walk anymore.

21. How can you run with bunions?

There are some precautions that you need to take if you plan to run with bunions.

Follow the below guideline:

1. Bunion Step-Over – This is a lacing technique that creates more room in the toe box of your existing running shoe.

2. Select a proper fit – While selecting, look out for two main things. Your running shoe must be wide (2E or 4E) and it should have good stability.

3. Use Bunion Socks – There are athletics socks that are made specially for bunions. You can get the best socks for bunions here. You will get a fair idea of what you are looking for. However, this socks are pricier than the normal socks.

4. Protective pads – You can use gel based protective pads which sits right on the bunion. It reduces friction and will fit inside any running shoe easily. However, one minor issue with it is, you will have to wear a socks over it. Else it may bunch up.

5. Orthotics – Flat fleet is common among people suffering from bunion. So, they need better arch support. Using Orthotic inserts makes their life easier.

6. Splints and braces – Other than protective pads, you can also use splints and braces. However, they are bulkier and stiffer than protective pads. You may wear them throughout the night to get maximum benefit. However, consult your doctor before doing so.

7. Foot Exercises – Check question number 15 for a detailed step-by-step approach.

8. Bunion Taping – You can wrap your bunion with conventional sports tape or kinesiology tape. This will give you relief from pain and may also help to correct your bunion. Here is a step by step guide on how to tape for bunions.

9. Surgery – This is your last resort. If you are considering surgery, talk to a podiatrist. They will be able to guide you about the next steps

Conclusion

If you have tailor’s bunion and is looking for a good pair of running shoes, the above options are the best. 

Among the lot, I love Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21

It gives you support at all the right places and has a wider toe box.

But no specialized shoe will help you if you don’t take precautions.

So, please follow the above guidelines and enjoy all the benefits that running brings to you.

References

https://capitaldistrictpodiatry.com/blog/stretches-relieve-bunion-pain/

https://www.everydayhealth.com/foot-health/8-foot-exercises-for-bunions.aspx

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-ways-to-ease-your-bunions-without-surgery/

https://www.healthyfeetstore.com/prevent-bunions-from-geting-worse.html

https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a25345875/bunion-pain-relief/

https://www.foot.com/2017/08/28/2313/

https://footwearnews.com/2018/focus/health/how-to-shop-shoes-bunions-1202705268/

https://www.wikihow.com/Bunion-Tape

https://www.softstarshoes.com/live-bare-blog/2015/02/17/bunion-treatment-without-surgery-it-may-be-easier-than-you-think/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeZzCf0sQ28

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