Do you suffer from bunions? Did you know that choosing the best socks for bunions can help reduce pain and prevent the condition from worsening?
While wearing the right shoes can help to protect your feet and slow the development of bunions, wearing bunion socks can add extra protection as well as comfort.
We recommend the OS1st BR4 Bunion Relief Socks for our top pick. They have a split-toe design, a targeted bunion pad, and graduated compression.
But it’s just one of the options, and we’ve reviewed 8 excellent choices below for you to choose from.
Top 3 Best and Favorites
Best Overall
| Best Overall |
OS1st BR4 Bunion Relief Socks
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| Check Price |
Top Value
| Top Value |
Doctors Choice Bunions Quarter-Length Socks
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| Check Price |
Top Toe Cushioning
| Top Toe Cushioning |
Thorlo Running Maximum Cushion Low Cut
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| Check Price |
Best Overall
1. OS1st BR4 Bunion Relief Socks
These socks are designed to fit snugly on your foot and provide strategic support.
They feature four distinct zones of compression: light around the ankle, moderate around the heel, moderate around the forefoot where the bunion is, and light around the toes.
This helps to increase circulation in the feet, while providing pain relief as well. The unique split-toe design is an innovative way to help realign the big toe and keep it gently in position. Extra padding in the toes provides more protection and cushioning.
A targeted bunion pad is a section of tight-knit compressive fabric over the metatarsophalangeal joint. It offers cushion and compression, allowing good blood flow through the area and protecting it from chafing and pressure to help reduce pain.
There is also a Y-shaped heel and the socks are anatomically-designed to provide the most accurate and comfortable fit. The fabric is moisture-wicking, seamless for chafe-free comfort.
The sock comes in various neutral colors but there is only one sock height available.
PROS:
- Split-toe design
- Graduated compression
- Targeted bunion pad
- Extra padding in the toes
CONS:
- Only one sock height
Top Runner-Up
2. OrthoSleeve BR4 Bunion Relief Socks
The OrthoSleeve socks also feature a split-toe design which serves as a splint for your toes to gently guide them back into alignment. As well as keeping the toe aligned, it has a bunion pad that’s extra cushioned to provide comfort and reduce pain.
There are also four zones of medical-grade graduated compression across this sock, with the highest level of compression being across the metatarsophalangeal joint. This provides comfort and pain relief.
The anatomical design helps to achieve a perfect left/right fit. They are also seamless, so there’s nothing to create friction and cause more inflammation.
The nylon is moisture-wicking and treated with silver-ion technology to eliminate odor-causing bacteria.
It’s recommended to wash these socks by hand and air dry, as the washing machine may cause them to lose their compression.
PROS:
- Targeted cushioned bunion pad
- Four zones of graduated compression
- Seamless construction
- Treated with silver-ion technology
CONS:
- Some may feel that the socks are uncomfortably tight around the ankle
Best Value
3. Doctor’s Choice Bunion Quarter-Length Socks
If you want a slightly longer sock should consider the Doctor’s Choice Bunion Quarter-Length Socks. They cover the ankle and come a little way up the calf for more warmth and support.
The split-toe design helps to isolate the big toe and keep it aligned. The big toe pocket is also cushioned for comfort.
At the side of the sock where the bunion is you’ll find softer fabric that cushions the bunion and prevents friction that could aggravate it.
This sock also features targeted arch support, with an area of tighter compression around the arch.
For comfort, there’s terry cloth padding in the forefoot and an easy-stretch top to get the sock on and off with minimal effort. The fabric also contains silver, copper, and zinc for inhibiting odor-causing bacteria.
PROS:
- Easy-stretch top
- Ribbed arch support
- Cushioned pocket for the big toe
- Terry padding in the forefoot
CONS:
- The seam attaching the toes to the sock may cause chafing underneath the foot
Top Toe Cushioning
4. Thorlo Running Maximum Cushion Low Cut
If you’re looking for a sock that will help protect your forefoot that doesn’t have a split-toe design, the Thorlo Running Maximum sock is a good choice.
Made of lightweight but strong material, these socks feature extra cushioning in the toe for comfort and protection.
The sock fabric is moisture-wicking and breathable, thanks to a ventilation panel. It has a contoured fit which makes it comfortable and aerodynamic.
These socks are available from medium to extra large, so individuals with small feet may not be able to wear these socks.
PROS:
- Extra padding around the toes
- Contoured fit
- Moisture-wicking material
- Ventilation panel
CONS:
- Not available in small sizes.
Best Crew Length
5. Rockay Razor
Rockay creates innovative products, and their socks are environmentally-friendly.
These socks are crew-length, which are easy to tuck into your tights or sweatpants in cold weather but are also suitable for wearing with shorts.
The sock is a maximum cushion sock, providing impact absorption and targeted arch support with a built-in arch brace. A seamless toe prevents chafing and mesh ventilation zones allow for airflow.
Rockay uses built-in anti-odor technology that only requires washing these socks every few uses.
Simply let them air-dry and wear them again the next time, without any odors. They also come with a lifetime guarantee.
PROS:
- Mesh ventilation zones
- Tailored arch support
- Anti-odor technology
- Seamless toe
CONS:
- No other lengths available
Top For Hiking
6. Swiftwick PURSUIT HIKE Six
Bunions can make hiking difficult and painful. The Swiftwick Pursuit Hiking Socks are made of Merino wool, which is soft on the skin and won’t chafe against the sensitive skin of the metatarsophalangeal joint.
To wick away moisture and keep your feet dry while hiking, the fabric is blended with Olefin fibers. Merino wool also has temperature-regulating properties, which means you will stay cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather.
The contoured compression fit is designed to hug your foot and provide light compression, improving circulation, which can help to reduce pain in the MTP joint. It also offers arch band support to help guide the foot into a natural alignment.
PROS:
- Made from natural merino wool
- Arch band support
- Y-shaped heel
- Contoured compression fit
CONS:
- There are no variations in length
Most Comfortable
7. Balega Hidden Contour
These Balega socks are made for comfort.
They’re low-profile socks and feature a pull-tab on the back to make it easier to get off. With a 200 needle count, these socks are soft against the skin and densely cushioned for protection.
The socks fit snugly and offer some support. A deep heel cup hugs the foot and ensures a good fit, while elasticated bands across the sock provide light compression to help keep circulation as healthy as possible.
Breathable mesh allows for airflow and the heel and toe are reinforced with extra cushion for protection, comfort and durability. To keep your feet dry, Drynamix fibers wick away moisture.
For more comfort—especially in the area of the bunion—the socks are seamless so there won’t be chafing. A light elastane cuff along with the heel tab prevents the sock from falling down.
PROS:
- Contours to the shape of your foot
- Mesh panels
- Hand-linked and seamless design
- Deep heel pocket
CONS:
- The sizing may be inconsistent
Best For Women
8. Sockwell Sport Ease Bunion Relief Sock
This bunion relief sock has been created to reduce the pain and discomfort that bunions cause. Anatomical padding helps to reduce the chances of friction, which can lower pain levels.
These socks are made from Merino wool, which is temperature-regulating and also very soft and comfortable on the skin. It is also naturally antibacterial and blister-proof. There are also bamboo Rayon fibers integrated into the fabric, which adds to the softness of this sock.
This sock also features the split toe for gentle alignment of the affected big toe. The toe pocket is cushioned all the way down to the joint, for reduction in chafing and an increase in comfort. It’s also seamless, to further reduce the chance of friction.
Light arch support and cushion throughout the rest of the sock keep it lightweight. A wide and comfortable cuff keeps the sock from falling down when worn.
PROS:
- Anatomical padding
- Cushioned toe pocket
- Non-binding welt top
- Arch support
CONS:
- These socks may not be cushioned enough for some people
FAQs
What Are Bunions and Why Do You Need Special Socks for Them?
Bunions—Hallux Valgus—are a bony growth on the joint at the base of the biggest toe—the metatarsophalangeal or MTP joint. This occurs because the joint becomes misaligned and the toe begins to turn inwards towards the other toes.
The bony growth takes time to develop and it becomes bigger over time. As the structure of the foot changes, the ligaments in the foot also change. Some ligaments weaken and aren’t able to hold their position, and others tighten, which then causes the joint to move further out of alignment and cause a more pronounced bump.
Pressure on the bunion can cause pain, as well as friction when walking. Bunion socks are specifically designed to cushion the area of the bunion and reduce friction, ultimately helping to reduce the pain associated with bunions.
What Features Should Those Socks Have?
The best socks for bunions should have certain features in order to be effective.
They should have cushioning in the area of the bunion, for protection and comfort. The socks should also be made of material that doesn’t create friction.
Some bunion socks have a built-in toe-straightening mechanism that can help keep the ligaments working properly.
What Socks Should Be Avoided?
Avoid cotton socks if possible as they are rougher than other materials and can cause friction, leading to pain and inflammation of the bunion.
