These Expert-Approved Products Can Ease Bunion Pain—And They Start at Just $10 (2025)

• Different Types of Bunion Support Products

• What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know

• When to See a Healthcare Provider

• Our Picks

• How We Selected

• How to Treat Bunions

• Our Experts

• FAQ

• Why Trust Verywell Health

Key Specs:

Type: Splint/toe guard | Arch Support Level: None

Why We Recommend It

Dr. Scholl’s is a well-known and trusted orthopedic footwear brand, and their Bunion Relief & Toe Corrector splint doesn’t disappoint. This splint prioritizes toe realignment by applying pressure on the bunion. The pressure could feel intense during testing, but the reinforced cushioning on the inside helped when we wore it. Within two days, our balance and agility had improved, and by the end of testing, our toes looked more aligned by 20-30%.

It has adjustable Velcro straps so that you can modify the fit easily. We liked that it was snug and secure and didn’t restrict any natural movement. It’s for indoor use only, making it great for staying at home and lying or sitting down.

As mentioned, it works gradually and can sometimes be uncomfortable and inconvenient. If you’re looking for a more comfortable, mobile-friendly bunion support splint that offers more immediate (albeit temporary) pain relief, the Caretras Bunion Corrector may be a better option. It provides optimal support and uses a soft fabric fastener splint that wraps around the big toe to help straighten it with a strap around the center of the foot. If you plan to wear shoes with it, it may be best to size up as it’s bulkier than a traditional sock.

Keep in Mind

Even with the cushioning, the pressure is intense. We could wear it for a few hours, but not for extended periods, or the discomfort would become too much. This also isn’t for you if you’re interested in a toe guard, splint for active use, or something to wear with other shoes or orthotics.

Key Specs:

Type: Big toe sleeve | Arch Support Level: Moderate

Why We Recommend It

The Flyen Bunion Sleeves Kit addresses both irritation and toe alignment. This all-in-one bunion support product provides a sleeve covering the entire big toe and midfoot area. The kit also comes with toe separators if alignment is a concern. All you have to do is place the toe spacer between the big and second toe before putting the sleeve over the entire foot. It's also crafted with medical-grade silicone that absorbs shock when walking.

We tried all the pieces during testing and were quite impressed with how they performed. We liked wearing the small wraparound piece on days when we'd be on our feet for long periods of time. We loved that the spacer made wearing shoes more comfortable. We think the large-sleeve protector would be best for people who feel sharper pain due to their bunions. The toe stretcher piece was our absolute favorite, as it helped strengthen the muscles needed for proper alignment. All of the pieces felt soft and comfortable, making this kit more than worth it.

Keep in Mind

This product isn't the most durable, so it may not be as long lasting as other picks. The big toe protector was uncomfortable if worn for long periods of time.

Key Specs:

Type: Toe spreaders | Arch Support Level: None

Why We Recommend It

If you are unsure what support product might work best for your bunions, consider getting this all-encompassing kit that includes a variety of separators, pads, and spacers for bunion relief. Dr. Frederick's Original Bunion Corrector Kit is affordable and comes with 14 different pieces to try on your big and second toes. Each piece is made with a soft gel-like material that will provide optimal comfort throughout the day. The material is also super flexible, making it easy to take the products off and on. Plus, the products are washable, so it is easy to reuse them repeatedly. This kit might be a great option if you are trying to determine whether separators or bunion pads might work better for your foot.

Not all bunion support products are comfortable in shoes, but lucky, this kit has options. The bunion spacers were comfortable during testing—we could easily wear them for long periods. They were also soft and helped protect our bunion against friction. They proved to be great on long walks and when standing. While they weren't strong enough to fully re-align toes, we think they're good for added support and protection (especially if you're active).

Keep in Mind

This is a good starter kit, but it isn't ideal for someone who knows what support their bunions need. The items in this kit aren't as durable and long-lasting as other products, so if you know what you need, it'd be better to go for exactly what you need.

Key Specs:

Type: Insoles | Arch Support Level: High

Why We Recommend It

If you’re interested in a removable insole that you can wear to support and cradle your bunion, these insoles by Footlogics might be for you. They’re comfortable, have good arch support, and pair well with shoes. They alleviated the bunion discomfort we felt in shoes when we wore them and elevated our arches, which gave us more balance and stability. We also liked that they were flexible enough for running and walking long distances—they were a joy to wear on our three-mile walk.

They’re thick and seem to fit best inside wider toe boxes—a beneficial feature for shoes for bunions. They come in four sizes, from men’s 4 to 14 and women’s 5.5 to 13.

Keep in Mind

They’re large, so you may need to trim them to fit your shoes perfectly. We also don’t suggest wearing them for extended periods. We noticed that the arches became irritating when we wore them for more than three hours of walking or one-hour standing.

Key Specs:

Type: Toe spreader | Arch Support Level: None

Why We Recommend It

Depending on the type of bunion you are experiencing, products that merely separate the toes might offer optimal pain relief and support throughout the day. The ZenToes Gel Toe Separator is made with silicone that wraps around the second toe. The noninvasive design then helps keep the big toe straight and prevents it from turning inward toward the second toe.

This spreader is so great because it is smaller than other devices on the market, making it easy to wear with or without shoes.

Keep in Mind

The device does not offer a shield around the actual bunion. This means that wearing shoes could cause some friction over the impacted area.

Key Specs:

Type: Big toe guard/toe spreader | Arch Support Level: None

Why We Recommend It

For ultimate comfort, consider getting a bunion supporter made of a gel-based material, like the NatraCure Gel Big Toe Bunion Guard. This product works in two areas. First, it slips over that big toe and covers the bunion, which helps prevent any irritation or pain when walking around in shoes or barefoot. Second, the product separates the big toe from the second toe. This is important because when bunions form, they rotate the big toe inward toward the second toe. The added separator will help separate the two toes and temporarily straighten the big toe. This should make walking more comfortable and relieve pressure on that area. When we wore it, we noticed it offered ample protection against the pressure we usually felt in shoes.

Keep in Mind

This pick can cause some skin irritation like chafing. We also noticed more sweating than usual. If you're priority is toe alignment this may not be the best pick for you as it didn't do that during testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How often should you wear bunion supports?

  Levine says you can wear these products whenever needed to help forestall the development of worse symptoms or relieve pain. Depending on the user, bunion support can exacerbate the symptoms instead of helping the joint. If the product is causing abrasions, increased pain, or ulcers, then cease using the bunion support and consult with your podiatrist about other options available. Levine says you should only wear bunion supports after surgery for a few weeks before stopping.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.