The 7 Best Tennis Shoes For Bunions In 2025: Ultimate Comfort & Wide Toe Box Guide

Playing tennis with bunions (Hallux Valgus) can be a constant battle between your love for the game and chronic foot pain. The lateral movements, quick stops, and sudden pivots required on the court place immense pressure on the big toe joint, often causing inflammation and severe discomfort. As of December 2025, the good news is that footwear technology has advanced significantly, offering dedicated court shoes and athletic crossover models designed specifically to accommodate and relieve pressure on this sensitive area. The key is finding a shoe that combines a generous wide toe box with the necessary stability and cushioning for high-performance tennis.

This in-depth guide is based on the latest 2025 shoe releases and player reviews, focusing on models engineered with a roomy forefoot, soft upper materials, and excellent arch support to keep you comfortable through long matches and intense training sessions. We’ve analyzed the newest offerings from top brands like K-Swiss, Babolat, and Mizuno, ensuring you get the freshest, most effective recommendations for bunion relief on the court.

What to Look for: Essential Features in Bunion-Friendly Tennis Shoes

Choosing the right tennis shoe is crucial for anyone suffering from bunions. It’s not just about getting a larger size; it's about specific design elements that prevent the shoe from squeezing the sensitive big toe joint. A shoe that works for a neutral runner may not provide the necessary lateral stability and forefoot room needed for court sports. Here are the non-negotiable features you must prioritize:

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• Wide Toe Box (The #1 Priority): This is the most critical feature. The toe box must be wide and deep enough to allow your toes to splay naturally without rubbing against the shoe's sides. Look for brands that offer dedicated "Wide" or "2E" widths, or models known for a naturally roomy fit.
• Soft, Flexible Upper Materials: Avoid shoes with stiff, restrictive overlays or seams directly over the bunion area. Soft, synthetic mesh or pliable leather uppers will stretch and conform to the foot's shape, minimizing friction and irritation (a major bunion trigger).
• Excellent Arch Support and Cushioning: Good arch support helps maintain proper foot alignment, which can reduce the pressure that contributes to bunion progression. Furthermore, ample midsole cushioning (like Brooks’ DNA LOFT or HOKA’s SurgeMax foam) absorbs impact from jumping and running, protecting the entire foot.
• Removable Insoles: This allows you to insert custom orthotics or specialized over-the-counter insoles, which a podiatrist may recommend for personalized bunion and arch support.
• Secure Midfoot and Heel Counter: While the forefoot must be wide, the midfoot and heel counter should still be snug to prevent your foot from sliding. This is essential for the quick, multi-directional movements of tennis, ensuring stability and preventing ankle rolls.

The 7 Best Tennis Shoes for Bunions in 2025

This list includes dedicated court shoes and highly-rated athletic crossover models that offer the best combination of wide toe box comfort and on-court performance for players with Hallux Valgus.

1. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Wide (Dedicated Wide Fit)

The K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 is arguably the gold standard for players seeking a true wide-fit tennis shoe. Unlike many competitors, this model is explicitly offered in a dedicated 'Wide' width, which provides that essential extra volume in the forefoot and toe box.

• Key Bunion Feature: Genuine 'Wide' (2E) sizing option and a notably generous, pressure-free toe box.
• Performance: It’s a lightweight and comfortable shoe that requires minimal break-in time, making it a favorite for both tennis and Pickleball players.
• Target Player: The club player who prioritizes immediate comfort and needs a proven, reliable wide-width option.

2. Babolat SFX 3 (The Cushioned, Roomy Court Shoe)

The Babolat SFX 3 has been a highly-praised option for years because it was intentionally designed with a wider fit than most performance tennis shoes. It is particularly noted for its plush, layered cushioning and a roomy feel that doesn’t compress the toes. Player reviews consistently highlight its comfort right out of the box, with no hard spots to aggravate a bunion.

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• Key Bunion Feature: Naturally wide forefoot design and soft upper materials, providing a comfortable environment for the big toe joint.
• Performance: Excellent heel cushioning and a durable outsole, offering a great balance of comfort and court durability.
• Target Player: The player who needs maximum comfort, a soft feel, and a wider fit without sacrificing the performance of a true tennis shoe.

3. Mizuno Wave Enforce Court (Forefoot Room and Stability)

Mizuno is a brand often cited by wide-footed players, and the Mizuno Wave Enforce Court is a standout model. Even in its regular width, reviewers often note that it offers a surprisingly roomy forefoot, which can be a game-changer for moderate bunion sufferers. The shoe’s design focuses on stability, which is vital for preventing the foot from rolling inward and placing extra stress on the Hallux Valgus joint.

• Key Bunion Feature: Generous forefoot volume for a regular-width shoe, often negating the need for a dedicated wide model.
• Performance: Known for its stability and plushness, offering a secure yet comfortable ride during aggressive play.
• Target Player: The aggressive player who needs excellent on-court stability but also requires more room than a typical performance shoe offers.

4. Brooks Glycerin 22 (The Cushion Crossover)

While primarily a running shoe, the Brooks Glycerin 22 (and the earlier 21) is frequently recommended by podiatrists and players with foot issues like bunions and plantar fasciitis due to its unparalleled comfort. Its nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT cushioning is incredibly soft, and its fit is known for being accommodating, often available in multiple widths.

• Key Bunion Feature: Supreme cushioning that isolates the foot from impact and a very forgiving upper material.
• Performance: Offers excellent comfort for casual tennis or practice, though it may lack the extreme lateral stability of a dedicated court shoe.
• Entity Keywords: Brooks, Glycerin 22, DNA LOFT, Cushioning, Plantar Fasciitis, Orthotics.

5. HOKA Bondi 9 (Maximum Cushion, Maximum Relief)

The HOKA Bondi 9 is the epitome of max-cushion footwear. HOKA shoes are famous for their oversized midsole, which provides immense shock absorption—a huge benefit for painful bunions. The brand often offers multiple widths, and the overall shape of the shoe is designed to be accommodating to various foot shapes.

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• Key Bunion Feature: Thick, supportive sole and multiple width options (including Wide), offering maximum cushioning and reducing ground impact.
• Performance: Best for players prioritizing pain relief and comfort over aggressive, quick-cutting performance.
• Entity Keywords: HOKA, Bondi 9, Max Cushion, Wide Width, Shock Absorption, Forefoot, Podiatrist.

6. New Balance 806 (The Classic Wide Tennis Shoe)

New Balance has long been a leader in providing multiple widths, and the 806 is a classic tennis shoe that comes in a variety of widths, including 2E and 4E. This focus on sizing makes it an excellent choice for severe Hallux Valgus where a standard shoe simply won't fit. The shoe is sturdy and offers great stability.

• Key Bunion Feature: Availability in extra-wide (4E) sizing, ensuring the largest possible toe box volume.
• Performance: Offers traditional court-ready stability and a durable feel.
• Entity Keywords: New Balance, 806, 4E Width, Stability, Durable Outsole, Heel Counter.

7. Altra (Zero-Drop and Foot-Shaped Design)

Altra is renowned for its signature FootShape™ design, which is specifically contoured to allow the toes to spread out naturally. This design philosophy is highly beneficial for bunion sufferers, as it mimics the natural shape of the foot. While known for running, their wider-forefoot models can be adapted for casual court play.

• Key Bunion Feature: FootShape™ toe box and a zero-drop platform that promotes a natural foot position, reducing pressure on the big toe joint.
• Performance: Excellent comfort and natural toe splay, but players should confirm if the specific model has sufficient lateral stability for competitive tennis.
• Entity Keywords: Altra, FootShape, Zero-Drop, Forefoot, Toe Splay, Hallux Valgus.

Choosing Your Perfect Bunion Shoe: A Final Checklist

Before making a purchase in late 2025, always try to try on shoes later in the day when your feet are slightly more swollen. Remember that while a great shoe can alleviate pain, it cannot reverse the condition of Hallux Valgus. However, a properly fitting shoe can significantly slow its progression and allow you to play tennis pain-free.

When you have a shoe in hand, check these final steps:

• The Thumb Test: Press your thumb across the top of the toe box, just past your longest toe. You should have at least a thumb's width of space between your toe and the end of the shoe.
• The Squeeze Test: Gently pinch the material over your bunion. If you feel any pressure or tightness, the shoe is too narrow and will cause pain during play. Look for softer, more pliable materials.
• Orthotic Fit: If you use custom orthotics, ensure the shoe's stock insole is removable and that your orthotic fits snugly without lifting your heel too high out of the shoe's heel counter.

By prioritizing a wide toe box, superior cushioning, and proper arch support, you can confidently choose one of these recommended 2025 models and keep your focus on your backhand, not your foot pain. Look specifically for models like the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Wide and the Babolat SFX 3 for the best blend of bunion relief and on-court performance.