They’ve grown and my nice custom boots are very painful to wear. Any suggestions for an “Off the Rack” option with a larger/wider toe box ? Thanks
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If they are zip ups, a shoe repair might be able to stretch them. They have stretchers specifically for bunions. Wide off the rack, unless you can wear men’s, are nearly impossible. I found a pair on ebay that measured wider than normal.
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I actually brought a boot stretcher that has these plugs you can pop in to stretch out the area bothering you. It’s a life saver because I wear custom boots! I got it on Amazon
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I would highly recommend any boot that does NOT have a toe cap, you will find those the most accommodating.
I have a terrible bunion on one foot, I’ve been wearing Ariat V Sport Tall boots. I did order a 1/2 size up just to have the widest part on my bunion. They have worked well. The only issue with breaking them in is the seam on the toe cap (which is very low) hits on my bunion so it was uncomfortable to wear till broken in. I have an older pair of Mountain Horse that have been comfortable.
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I always found Mountain Horse to be wider. And you might consider men’s boots because they are wider (if you wear a large enough foot…. Probably from about 9 up. )
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I was going to suggest mens boots too. My bunions are horrible and I have to wear EE boots in mens.
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Ohhh - a topic near and dear to my heart. I am curious what others have done. My feet are short but wide and the right foot has a bunion and I think a bone spur. Should never have worn high heels!
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mine is from horses crushing my toes 
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Not Ariats I can tell you that for sure!
I had mine stretched as much as they would go and I still couldn’t comfortably wear them
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Bunion sufferer here, too. I have one of those boot stretchers – I actually have one for shoes, one for the foot of a boot AND one to stretch boot shafts. Because my calves, like the universe, keep expanding.
I’ve had good luck stretching shoes and boots to fit my bunion and my fat calves. Do it gradually and dampen the leather before applying the stretcher,
For me with shoes, the ultimate fix was buying shoes in wide. Too bad more boots off the rack aren’t offered in a wide.
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Susan O, I think there’s a genetic component with some bunions. My Dad had a bunion on his right foot (as do I) and I guarantee he never wore high heels!
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Yep, I never wore heels either. I now wear men’s size 7 EEEE.
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Maybe we should post pictures or is that too gross? I’m curious who has the worst and thinking I might get the prize. A prize no one wants. Yes, heels in my youth and runs in the family. And no way in hell do I plan to have that surgery.
Even met w a foot doc last year to confirm he thought my plan to avoid was ok. Don’t want to make a stupid decision now that ends up being worse later.
Mine don’t bother me at all and I don’t do anything to irritate them. And yes, have a couple different kinds of stretchers for new shoes and boots.
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They used to be my brand of choice for exactly that reason. But last time I was looking for off-the-shelf boots (about 10 years ago), they were no longer any wider than any others.
Last time I got new boots (about a year ago) I had to go full custom because of my newly-thick ankles (the joys of aging) and the footbed STILL had to be stretched when they arrived.
I’ve had the surgery, just days before covid started shutting everything down. Recovery at times was brutal (a bone got infected so in I went for surgery #2 six weeks later). But I’m happy I got it.
I have a bunionette, which is on the joint of my pinky toe. This doesn’t help with riding boots, but try barefoot shoes (I wear Xero shoes). They’re shaped like a foot–wide at the toe base. Also, try Correct Toes toe spacers. Some mild bunions can be reversed, and the stretch they give you feels great.
After years of only wearing Ariats for riding and while grooming, I now wear cheaper Noble Outfitter paddock boots but only for riding. Everything else, I’m in a pair of Hunter wellies in warm weather or Noble Outfitter MUDS, which are really roomy. The paddock boots aren’t very wide, even in a wider size, but comfy enough for me.
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Please tell us why you’re happy you had the surgery. Even with surgery #2 you’d do it all again?
I have toe stretchers too and it does feel good to wear them.
I actually had a surgeon tell me not to do the surgery just use the gel toe divider at this point. He said I would be laid up for too long and it was not worth the pain and effort.
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When researching my bunionette (sounds so cute, and kinda French!) online, it sounds like surgery would be a last resort when nothing else has worked. Most podiatrists recommend shoes with wide toeboxes, stretches, ice and anti-inflammatories. Years ago my mom had her toe joint replaced with a titanium implant.
I wish boots were made in a more foot-like shape. One big fear I have is having my pony step on my foot. I think I’d die on the spot.
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