Everyone’s seen them: the shoes with the big black rubber nibs on the instep. They’re called Crocs, and they’re everywhere. The idea behind them is that by taking weight off the foot, you can improve your posture, relieve joint pain, and help prevent bunions and other foot problems. But do they work?
Crocs are a good choice for people who have bunions or injured feet because they’re soft, have inner support, and ergonomic heel cups and large toe boxes. The wideness of the toe box is especially beneficial, as it reduces the chances of an injured toe or bunion bumping against the roof of the shoe.
Because Crocs are manufactured with Croslite, a patented closed-cell resin, they tend to mold to fit the shape of your feet, unlike shoes made from less flexible materials.
Bunions Overview
Bunions, bunions, bunions. What the heck are they?
It’s a common misconception that bunions are swollen, inflamed big toes, but they’re actually benign bone protrusions on either side of the joint where the big toe connects to the second toe.
Bunions usually begin as a mild discomfort under your big toe but can progress to pain and even instability. If you have a bunion, you may have pain and swelling around your big toe joint.
You might also notice that your big toe leans toward the second toe or is pushed out of its normal alignment with your other toes. A bunion makes walking difficult because it puts pressure on the outside edge of your foot and increases friction between your shoe and the floor.
Some common symptoms you may notice if you suffer from bunions include: bump on the outside of the big toe, redness and swelling on top of the big toe, soreness along the inside edge of the big toe, and pain when walking or standing for long periods. While bunions can be hereditary, they’re also caused by wearing ill-fitting shoes with high heels and pointed toe boxes.
If you have bunions or bunion-like symptoms, you can alleviate your pain by choosing your shoes carefully. Wear shoes with wide toe boxes, and ensure that your big toes are not pressed against the ends of the shoes.
Also, you shouldn’t have any business with shoes that don’t conform to the shape of your feet or squeeze your toes together.
Best Crocs for Bunions
It’s a painful truth that when you have bunions, shopping for shoes is a hazard waiting to happen. Yes, those lovely pumps make your legs look great, but if you don’t find one that fits perfectly, the result could be blisters, calluses, and even more pronounced bunions.
When picking out a pair of shoes, ensure that they have plenty of room around the toe area and do not crowd or rub against the bunion. That’s not all; these shoes in question should provide enough support and cushion for your troubled feet.
When choosing Crocs for your bunion-affected feet, pick the ones with large toe boxes. As I mentioned earlier, this feature prevents the bunion from bumping against the edge of the shoe.
Also favor Crocs that are especially recommended for bunions. Such Crocs have exclusive features that will relieve the pain and irritation resulting from the ailment.
What Do Experts Say About A Pair of Crocs for Bunions?
Some podiatrists believe Crocs can provide long-term relief from foot pain. The shoes are therapeutic, so patients—particularly those who have had foot surgery—can wear them as an alternative to traditional footwear.
Other experts advise their patients who have swollen feet to wear Crocs until their feet are back to normal. As for bunion patients, they’re encouraged to use Crocs with roomy toe boxes to ease their pain before and after foot surgery.
On a lighter note, some experts say Crocs are inappropriate for playing sports and exercising. Unlike athletic shoes, you cannot wear them when playing tennis or running.
Advantages of Wearing Crocs
Wearing the wrong type of shoes can put stress on your feet and trigger the formation of uncomfortable, painful bunions. But what about Crocs? Do these shoes help or hurt bunions?
Crocs are designed with wide toe boxes to give the wearer’s feet plenty of room. This is especially important for people who struggle with bunions.
Good Arch Support and Cushioned Insoles
If you’ve been looking for a pair of comfortable, well-cushioned shoes that provide good arch support and can help relieve the pain of bunions, look no further than Crocs.Their soft-foam soles have plenty of cushioning, which helps distribute your weight evenly throughout your feet, so you don’t put as much pressure on any one toe.
Their molded insoles are also designed to provide good arch support and keep your forefoot from pronating, which can help correct any misalignment issues that contribute to your bunion pain.
Roominess
Crocs are extremely forgiving to those who have had foot surgery. Why? Since Crocs are made from Croslite, they are very flexible and can accommodate any swelling or ease discomfort that your feet experience after surgery. They also have plenty of room in the toe box to harbor bunion pads.
Wearing tight shoes contributes to the pain caused by bunions because they push your toes together and rub them against each other. For this reason, you need to wear Crocs with extra room to feel more comfortable while preventing further worsening of your condition.
Excellent Cushioning
Crocs are not just comfortable and roomy; they have a cushioned design that makes them an excellent choice for people with bunions, verrucas, warts, and other foot problems.
Whether you’re going out or staying in, the right cushioning makes all the difference. With these shoes, you’ll have an extra layer of protection against harsh conditions.
Final Thoughts
Crocs were a controversial footwear brand when they first hit the market in 2002. The colorful, rubbery shoes were thought to be a fluke or even a joke by many critics and consumers. Over time, however, Crocs made a name for themselves with their comfortable and durable designs. While plenty of detractors claim that the shoes have no place in fashion, there seem to be just as many supporters who would rather wear Crocs than any other type of footwear.
These shoes also offer good cushioning and a wide toe box, which can help prevent and assuage foot problems like bunions.
The designs of some Crocs are simple but fashionable, so you can care for your feet without compromising the dress ethics of your work environment.
Don’t let foot pain stop you from doing the things you love. Wear Crocs and get going.