I have bunions. Looking for a shoe that is comfortable.

I have a bad bunion on my left foot. What I didn't realize was that as my foot got wider, my arch got flatter. Inserts which support the arch helped to straighten my great toe , and prevent foot roll. This really alleviated the bunion, as well as a wide toe box .

Lots of good suggestions here.
I too have bunions and I second the recommendation for
Compeed Bunion Plasters . They are truly life changing.

OLLYgr

As my title suggests. I am looking for a smart shoe with a block heel, what I would wear for appts, theatre, etc.
I have a couple of Court shoes, but both pairs dig into the bunion. They were ok when I tried on in the shop, but as soon as I had had them on for a couple of hours or walked a distance, the pain was awful.
I cant afford to keep wasting money on shoes I only wear a couple of times. I have been searching online and I know there are some comfy ones out there, but they look frumpy and old fashioned. Anyone else have this problem?

Having had bunions since the age of 14?I feel your pain . I can well remember trying on heels in the shoe shop and then wearing them and my feet feeling like they were cut to pieces!
I had my feet repaired some twenty years ago. I buy nice loafers from van dal who are now part of the pavers brand .
Honestly though in the west end theatres no one seems to dress up and no one is looking at peoples feet. Wear what feels comfortable

I'm another with bunions and I wear orthotics. If shoes rub I find Compeed bunion plasters relieve the pressure. Sandals sometimes rub, it varies which pairs cause problems but Compeed, a few pounds for five from Superdrug, make most comfortable, with good cushioning, and last several days surviving showers.

Wider

Cosy Feet or Eder fitting Pavers.

Do check DB wider fit shoes. I have a bunion and that foot is much wider the the other The catalogue tells you how to measure accurately and which shoes are suitable for different conditions such as bunions, hammer toes etc. Customer service is very good and free postage on returns. They do block heels and models are from frumpy which I love.

Sole Bliss. They are on line only but specialise in bunions and wide feet. Not at all frumpy but not at all cheap either. Send for a few pairs and try them on at home. Returns are free.

You can buy wooden shoe stretchers from Amazon and other places that have little plastic inserts that you can put in at the correct place which simulate bunions, corns etc. You insert it into the shoe and twist a handle and the stretcher gets wider. Keep stretching them for a week or so and if the shoes are textile or leather they will be much more comfortable and fit round the problem area.

I have bunions and really struggle with proper shoes. However, I saw a couple of pairs on Shein, wide fit. They were cheap as chips so i gave them a go So comfortable. I got lots of compliments, too.

Thank you Fairislecable for that information. I'm another who didn't know that such a spray existed. I will hunt it down.

It’s worth having a look at Hotter - they do have some non-frumpy styles, and they usually come in wide or extra wide fittings.

The (non frumpy) ankle boots I bought from them a couple of seasons ago are positively the most comfortable footwear I’ve ever had, and I’ve worn them loads.

Sole Bliss … I have them in nude go with everything! Not cheap but excellent

Honestly I can't thank you ladies enough. I thought I had done some research, but clearly not. I have not heard of many of these companies. So much choice now.

You may need to check if they are available in the UK, because I'm not sure, but I wear WideStep shoes. I don't have bunions, but I still love the wider toe box. I have their Elora flats - they are sort of a cross between a ballet flat and a Mary Jane.

Sole Bliss are beautiful and comfortable but pricey. I have one pair and they've lasted for ages, but then I only wear them for evenings out.

I’ve got a bunion on one foot, and I’ve learned that the most important thing for comfort in shoes with a heel is to have as low a differential in height as possible between your heel and the ball of your foot, because that puts the least pressure on your toe joint. Also you need a wide and deep toe box, so it doesn’t rub when your feet get hot. The nicest ones I’ve found are Calla, they aren’t inexpensive, but they are stylish and excellent quality and offer great advice.

Thank you lovely ladies for all your help.

MayBee70, I sympathise with the arthritic knees, Im suffering the same and it is getting worse. I wear trainers all the time now.
Seacliff, my daughter said the same thing and I actually have a really nice, white sketchers pair that I haven't worn yet.
Fairislecable, I never knew there was sprays which Ill try this weekend on mine.

As a teenager I worked in an upmarket shoe shop and for people with bunions we used to use a stretch spray on the leather. We sprayed it on and used to work on the inside of the shoe with a broom handle.

There are sprays online and they may be worth a try on your existing shoes.

Just a point, if you are mainly buying these for a theatre trip. I discovered last winter, first trip to London theatre for over 20 years, that people wear much more casual clothes these days. You could easily wear nice trainers to the theatre these days with a nice outfit. Perhaps buy some really special trainers instead and then you'll wear them a lot more afterwards

I bought several pairs of Hotter Donna shoes a few years ago as they were the only shoes that were comfortable with my bunion. The heel was just the right height for me, too. But since then I’ve not been able to walk easily because of my arthritic knee so heels are out. I do love them, though.

Thanks Bixiboo, Ill check Sole Bliss out. I haven't heard ocf them. I will pay more if I can find comfort, but still a bit fashionable.

Thank you Tizliz and MayBee70, I will certainly try the insoles.
Ill also mainly live in trainers Maybe, its just we have a theatre trip being arranged and dont really want to wear trainers. Ill take a look at the Van Daal site.

I have bunions and find Sole Bliss shoes are the only ones I can wear. They are not cheap but for me they are worth it.