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Our featured picks
A podiatrist favorite
Darco Toe Alignment Splint
To stabilize the first and second toes
Zentoes Double Loop Toe Spacers
For custom support
Qccl Bunion Corrector Tape
To wear with shoes
Promifun Bunion Cushion Protector, 10-Pack
It’s estimated that up to one-third of Americans have bunions, those bony bumps that form at the base of your big toe. While a bunionectomy is the only way to permanently correct a bunion, orthopedic devices called bunion correctors can temporarily straighten your toes, offering symptomatic relief.
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“When we talk about bunion pain, it’s a little bit more complicated than just ‘the bump hurts,’” Dr. Mikel Daniels, a board-certified podiatric surgeon, said, noting there are numerous causes. “It can be a bony deformity; it can be a bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac that can form there; it could be other conditions like gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or something more severe.”
Since bunion pain is typically related to how your joints move, anything that minimizes joint movement or keeps the joint in a more comfortable position can provide relief, Daniels said. Depending on the type of bunion corrector you choose, it may also stretch the joint capsule, minimizing pressure on the joint.
To help you find the best options on the market, I spoke with three podiatrists who shared their recommendations and what to look for when shopping for the best bunion correctors.
Darco Toe Alignment Splint
Dr. Nicole Graf, a board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon, said she typically recommends this Darco toe alignment splint to her patients with bunions. Itwraps around your foot and allows you to manipulate each toe joint individually, which she said is especially beneficial when you’re dealing with other issues that usually appear alongside bunions, like hammertoes. The softer material also makes it more comfortable to wear on your feet, especially at night, Graf said.
Zentoes Double Loop Toe Spacers
According to Graf, toe separators keep the big and second toes apart and promote proper alignment, which helps to minimize bunion-related pain. She likes these latex-free gel spacers because they attach to both toes instead of floating between them like traditional models, and prevent toes from over- or underlapping. Each pack comes with four separators that can be worn inside most shoes for continuous relief.
Qccl Bunion Corrector Tape
Hate the idea of wearing a splint? Dr. Samantha Landau, a board-certified podiatrist and professor at Touro University New York College of Podiatric Medicine, suggests checking out bunion corrector tape, which is designed to pull the big toe straight and keep it there. Because this is a slim option, you should have no problem slipping your feet into your favorite pair of sneakers once the tape is applied.
While Landau didn’t recommend this specific product, I came across this pre-cut option on Amazon, made with stretchy, breathable and waterproof fabric. Apply it per the included instructions or consult with a doctor for their professional recommendation.
Bukihome Bunion Cushions, 10-Pack
A discreet option that can be worn with shoes, these washable bunion cushions are made from soft but durable silicone. Graf recommends them because they push your first and second toes apart while cushioning the sensitive metatarsal area in the middle of your feet. She also likes that they attach to your big and second toes for stability, just like the Zentoes toe spacers. But because they’re one-size-fits-most, they may not work for every foot.
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Dr. Scholl’s Bunion Relief & Toe Corrector Massaging Gel Splint
This Dr. Scholl’s splint has a similar design to Graf’s Darco’s recommendation, but it doesn’t have the smaller loops for your other toes, so it can’t address hammertoes or tailor’s bunions. However, this splint does have an adjustable gel pad to cushion your bunion, as well as adjustable straps that go around the big toes, forefoot and heels to ensure a comfortable fit. The brand recommends wearing it for just 30 minutes a day to start off and then working your wear up to overnight (but it shouldn’t be left on for more than 8 hours).
Welnove Gel Toe Separators, 12-Pack
Daniels suggests using silicone toe spacers that you can slide between your digits to push the big toe over and back into position, helping to alleviate pain. These separators come in a pack of 12 and keep your toes splayed to promote proper alignment. Unlike some of the other options on this list, they don’t anchor to your toes, so they may not feel as secure. They are, however, infused with aloe vera extract and mineral oil to minimize friction and produce a soothing aroma.
Promifun Bunion Cushion Protector, 10-Pack
Like the Bukihome Bunion Cushions, these do double duty by keeping your bunions appeased and your toes separated. Reviewers say they’re comfortable enough to wear during active mornings and sedentary nights, thanks to the soft silicone material that molds to your feet. Though they’re designed to stay in place when you walk, the brand advises wearing socks on top for added security. Opt for the bright blue color (they also come in beige, black, clear and white) to make wearing an orthopedic device more fun.
Tiger Balm Pain Relieving Ointment Ultra Strength
Like the Bukihome Bunion Cushions, these do double duty by keeping your bunions appeased and your toes separated. Reviewers say they’re comfortable enough to wear during active mornings and sedentary nights, thanks to the soft silicone material that molds to your feet. Though they’re designed to stay in place when you walk, the brand advises wearing socks on top for added security. Opt for the bright blue color (they also come in beige, black, clear and white) to make wearing an orthopedic device more fun.
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WinnerWhy Toe Stretcher Bands, Set of 5
If you’re open to exploring other products outside of bunion correctors, Landau recommends picking up this set of toe-stretching resistance bands. They come in varying resistance levels (extra-light, light, medium, heavy and extra-heavy) and help strengthen the opposing muscles in the arch. For an at-home physical therapy exercise, Landau suggests wrapping the bands around each foot’s big toe and moving feet in a horizontal outward motion. This will help strengthen and re-align the area. While these color-coded bands won’t cause your bunions to disappear, she’s seen patients achieve a few millimeters of correction. However, this exercise likely wouldn’t work for someone whose deformity is more severe.
How to choose the best bunion corrector
If you search for the best bunion correctors online, the results will pull in everything from bunion splints to corrective toe spacers. Daniels recommends staying away from bunion correctors that use a knob on the side to pull your big toe into position, as they can be unnecessarily painful. He also cautions that forefoot wrap-style bunion correctors can be dangerous for those with circulation or sensation issues.
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You should also consider any additional health issues or deformities that need to be addressed and the source and severity of your bunion pain. According to Daniels, you should opt for bunion surgery “when the idea of having surgery sounds better than the idea of living with it anymore” and “when it hurts enough that you can’t do regular things on regular days in regular shoes.”
Looking for bunion correctors with comfort features like padding should be top of mind as well, since you need something comfortable to wear consistently. The Dr. Scholl’s Bunion Relief & Toe Corrector Massaging Gel Splint is a perfect example with its gel pad to cushion the bunion and minimize friction.
Lastly, if your corrective devices are designed to be worn during activities, ensure your footwear is wide enough to fit your feet and these accessories.
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FAQs
A bunion is a type of foot deformity caused by the big toe leaning in towards the other toes, creating a visible bump. Some studies suggest that one in five people will develop bunions at some point, while other estimates are higher, approximating that up to one-third of people will have bunions at some point in their life.
Women are more likely to have bunions because they more often wear narrow shoes, like flats or heels, that shift their toes together, as opposed to shoes with spacious toe boxes. The deformity is also more common in individuals over 40 and proven to be hereditary.
Numerous factors cause bunion pain, including other conditions like gout or osteoarthritis. According to the Bunion Institute, much of bunion-related pain stems from the misalignment of the first metatarsophalangealjoint (the one at the base of your big toe), which leads to inflammation, swelling and discomfort.
Bunion correctors temporarily shift the big toe into its natural, straight position, which minimizes pressure and friction and provides pain relief.
No. According to Daniels, bunion correctors and toe spacers are not the same. While toe spacers can be used to address bunion pain, they can also treat a variety of foot issues, whereas bunion correctors are made specifically to minimize pain from bunions and can’t be used for other treatments.
The amount of time you need to wear bunion correctors might vary depending on the type of corrector you buy. It’s always best to read the product’s instructions and follow that advice. For example, Dr. Scholl’s recommends wearing its gel splint for just 30 minutes a day to start and gradually increasing that over time.
Although bunion correctors can help manage bunion pain short-term, you should always speak to your podiatrist about the best course of action, especially if your bunion pain is worsening.
According to Daniels, some of the best shoes for bunions include the Hoka Bondi 9, Brooks Ghost 18 and the New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v15.
Yes. Both Daniels and Graf said custom orthotics can help relieve bunion-related pain. According to Daniels, custom orthotics won’t correct the actual bunion, but they will promote proper foot mechanics, which will help with the pain and slow the progression.
Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:
- Dr. Mikel Daniels, board-certified podiatric surgeon and chief medical officer at WeTreatFeet Podiatry
- Dr. Nicole Graf, board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon
- Dr. Samantha Landau, board-certified podiatrist and professor at Touro University New York College of Podiatric Medicine
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.
For this article, CNN Underscored associate lifestyle editor Rachel Dennis interviewed three different podiatrists who shared their thoughts on shopping for bunion correctors and their recommendations.
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Rachel Dennis is an associate lifestyle editor at CNN Underscored. She oversees the site’s celebrity column, The Essentials, and contributes to lifestyle coverage through roundups and one-off reviews. You can find her watching Lifetime movies, brushing up on her music skills or playing video games.
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