Best Tennis Shoes For Bunions – These Are Our Picks
Bunions are common foot pain. Just like plantar fasciitis, it’s a painful condition that nobody wants to have in his life.
It often causes ongoing or occasional pain and limits the movement of the big toe or even the entire foot.
Tennis players with such conditions must find adequate shoes to nicely accommodate their feet and play comfortably without pain.
What is Bunion?
According to the mayoclinic.org, a bunion, hallux valgus, is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe. It occurs when some of the bones in the front part of your foot move out of place.
This causes the tip of your big toe to get pulled toward the smaller toes and forces the joint at the base of your big toe to stick out. The skin over the bunion might be red and sore.
Wearing tight, narrow shoes might cause bunions or make them worse. Bunions can also develop as a result of the shape of your foot, a foot deformity or a medical condition, such as arthritis.
Smaller bunions (bunionettes) can develop on the joint of your little toe.
Bunions in Numbers:
- 1 in 3 Americans have bunions
- Tweens and teens between the ages of 10 and 15 may develop bunions.
- 1 out of 3 people over the age of 65 have a bunion to some degree
What are the causes of bunions?
Bunions are generally genetic. They occur because of the inherited faulty foot structure. In general, tight footwear is an aggravating factor for the bunions and can worsen the deformation and cause ongoing pain.
These are worsening causes of the foot bunions:
- Tight shoes
- Shoes with pointy toe box
- Shoes with high heels
- Standing for a long time
Why Do you need special tennis shoes for bunions?
People suffering from bunions occasionally suffer from unbearable pain.
Imagine it happening in the middle of a tennis match, especially in a tournament or a competitive match.
Using narrow shoes with high heel support and stiff materials can strain the hallux/big toe and wake up the symptoms.
This is why a tennis player who has suffered or is currently suffering from a bunion, needs a tennis shoe that offers a spongy feel, a wide toe box, and a lower arch.
What are the best tennis shoes for bunions?
In the tennis industry, there isn’t a thing called ‘bunion shoes’. However, some shoes have characteristics that make them better wear for people suffering from bunions. In general, these shoes must:
- Have a wide toe box that accommodates all the toes in a neutral position
- Have low heel support, which avoids shortening of the Achilles muscles hence the weakening of the intrinsic muscles in the feet.
- Have a soft and flexible upper to avoid friction and provide a better fit for the feet.
Now let’s take a dive into the best tennis shoes for bunions.
Best Men’s Tennis Shoes For Bunion
Diadora Speed Blushield 5
The Diadora Blushield Speed 5 is the best in the comfort department thanks to its Blushield cushioning system.
Diadora shoes are famous for their comfort and support, but this particular model excels in foot support and stability as well.
The bottom and the arch are well-supported thanks to the Blushield technology incorporated in the ball of the foot, which features cushioning and responsiveness.
One impressive point is the durability of the shoes. They stand the test of hard courts. You can go full tilt on indoor and outdoor hard courts with these beasts and the Duratech 5000 rubber sole stays untouchable by a mile.
Moreover, the level of traction is impressive proving no slipping after hours of play on hard courts and delivering excellent balance on clay courts.
Finally, they are heavy at 15 ounces making them stable and balanced.
PROS
- Amazing performance and comfort with good fit especially for wide feet
- Suits people suffering from bunions
- Superb cushioning around the toes and ankles
- Inner arch reinforcement offers pain relief
- Heavy and grippy and not slippery
- Awesome durability with wear-resistant rubber compound in the outsole
CONS
- Some players find it heavier than usual
- Some find the materials not premium
ASICS Gel Resolution 8 WIDE
The Asics Gel Resolution 8 is king when it comes to comfort and cushioning.
The wide sizes add a layer of comfort for people with large feet or suffering from foot deformations like bunions and hammertoes.
The main characteristics are as follows.
- With powerful outsole support, the Asics Gel Resolution 8 is a fully equipped package to serve you on any tennis court.
- The signature Gel technology in the rear and forefoot offers great cushioning and brilliant responsiveness.
- The shoes feel stronger compared to many of its competitors. This means a heavier weight.
- The rubber base offers solid support if you need to push or change management. This means that you will have the ability to make quick moves in competitive games.
- For the right match, The Gel Resolution 8 features Dynawall technology. This provides increased stability and comfort in the midfoot to ensure smooth rhythmic movements.
- The secure grip provided by the tight laces also allows for quick transitions. Overall, your toes will be well prepared to lap the tennis court with ease.
Overall, it seems like the Gel Resolution 8 is a blessing for players looking for a wide toe box mixed with plenty of comfort and stability.
PROS
- The wide model
- Supportive padding for the heels, arch, and ankles.
- The upper is made from fabric and synthetic material making it flexible
- Available in a selection of colors ranging from gray and white to black
- Provides a quick response on all surfaces
- Durable and stable
CONS
- Squeaky feeling
- Some players feels the strap around the ankle is too tight.
Adidas SoleMatch Bounce
One of the most comfortable and plush tennis shoes on the market.
The Adidas SoleMatch Bounce is superb when it comes to giving plenty of comfort.
With a low arch and roomy toe box, they are a superb option for people with huge feet or suffering from deformations like bunions.
In addition, the materials incorporated on the inside and the outside are soft and durable. For example, the TPU upper resists abrasion and stands the test of time.
Also, the Bounce material used to make the midsole offers lots of cushioning and shock absorption helping with quick rebounds.
PROS
- Low arch and forefoot
- Wide toe box to accommodate bunions and hammertoes
- Nice materials and a high level of cushioning and comfort
- Good durability
- Great stability for this type
CONS
- Needs attention in the ankle part
New Balance Men’s 996 2E WIDE
While the normal version feels true to size, the Wide version of the New Balance Fuel Cell 996 V5 provides extra room in the forefoot for more comfort for people suffering from bunions.
The NDure upper is breathable and stretchable adding flexibility and support for the foot shape. Reinforced PU in target areas to maximize support.
The midsole comes with full-length FuelCell foam that offers great support and propulsion for higher performance.
These shoes are also durable thanks to the Ndurance technology incorporated in the outsole rubber, backed by a 6-month guarantee.
The 996 wide is low to the ground ensuring full ground contact, which is crucial for relaxing the players who suffer from foot pain.
PROS
- Wide and low to the ground
- Durable
- Good support and stability
- Offers good balance
CONS
- A tad stiff
- Need some time to break-in
Best Women’s Tennis Shoes For Bunion
K-Swiss Women’s Hypercourt Express 2
Along with the affordable price, the Hypercourt Express 2 offers a unique level of comfort, support, and room to accommodate feet suffering from bunions or hammertoes.
These supportive parts contribute to avoiding injuries in the ankles and toes, and to bring a stiff feeling thanks to the DuraWrap technology.
The shoes have a lower arch which is good to maintain a low-to-the-ground stance.
They have lightweight inner soles that your feet will sink into, but don’t fret about sweat; they are ventilated with mesh panels to keep your feet cool and dry.
The shoes feel nice and grippy and provide an amazing level of traction on all courts.
The upper of the Hypercourt Express is light and flexible offering a soft feel, which is crucial to maintaining the feet comfortably fit.
PROS
- Plenty of room inside for wide feet
- Excellent comfort
- Superb cushioning and lots of padding around the heels, toes, and ankles.
- Great arch support with a solid shank in the middle of the foot.
- Insoles or orthotics can be added for more support.
- Low to the ground and super flexible at the same time.
- Good traction and stability
CONS
- Not the greatest sole durability, but ok for the price.
Babolat SFX3
Women absolutely love this shoe for its comfort and durability. It’s the improved version of the SFX2, giving more cushioning to support the heels, and plenty of space in the forefoot.
It is appropriate for people with wide feet or people suffering from conditions like bunions or hammertoes.
The shoe upper features TPR (Thermo Plastic Rubber) tube compression system positioned beneath the heel for exceptional shock absorption.
The midsole contains Kompressor System positioned beneath the heel for exceptional shock absorption.
Additionally, they are a little bit low to the ground which is perfect for having more pressure surface on the foot offering more comfort and relaxation.
The SFX3 is very durable and the outsole provides amazing traction and stability (probably a lot) thanks to a collaboration with Michelin.
PROS
- Light and fast on the court
- Great cushioning
- Wider toe box and more comfortable than the SFX2
- Supportive and breathable upper
- Very responsive and quick
- Great shoe for all courts and comes in amazing feminine colors
CONS
- Some women find the shoe not supportive enough underneath
- Not ideal for tiny feet
Adidas CourtJam Bounce
Low to the ground, wide, comfortable, and affordable.
The Adidas CourtJam Bounce is a gem of tennis shoes. Despite the lower price tag, it feels expensive and offers quality materials that are soft, breathable, and flexible.
Underneath the feet, you will find it a little stiffer than other models like the Asics or the K-Swiss. However, this is in fact perfect for people suffering from pain since it strengthens the foot and restores its natural abilities.
Furthermore, the CourtJam bounce is noticeably wide in all areas including the toe box giving the toes lots of room and freedom.
The shoe comes with a TPU upper combined with mesh to provide good levels of breathability, flexibility, and protection.
To top it off, the shoes are affordable, comfortable, and durable even for heavy usage.
PROS
- Great value for the price
- Large choice of colors
- Flat and wide
- Perfect for people with bunions and hammertoes
- Comfortable and durable
- Great ankle support
CONS
- Some find it not soft enough
Last Words
We did our best to provide you with our humble recommendations for the most comfortable and performant tennis shoes for people suffering from bunions.
Being proactive and sticking to the tennis court is a virtue and a brave decision.
While some people may stop their sports activities entirely when in pain, I must say congratulations to you for reading this article and for searching for solutions to keep playing the game.
Read Also: Best Men’s Tennis Shoes – (In-Depth Reviews and Ratings)
