I was looking up extra wide shoes when I discovered that New Balance makes extra-wide socks I had my finger on the "Buy Now" button in nanoseconds. I have a bunion, and 10 years ago I almost quit walking due to the constant pain. But I switched to shoe designs with a wider toe box to relieve pressure on the bunion. Then I discovered that it wasn't just the shoes, it was the socks, too! Tight socks were drawing my toes together and putting pressure on the bunion. I've been on a journey ever since to find socks that work.- Good Socks for Blisters can be Bad Socks for Bunions: To help prevent friction that can cause blisters, well-designed socks are anatomically contoured, with a heel cup, toe box, and ribbing in between. This keeps helps keep the sock in place during walking. But inevitably, that ribbing ends up rubbing my bunion and I have pain within minutes of wearing such socks.
- Bigger Socks Not the Answer: I've been buying large and even XL socks to try to find ones that are not too narrow or constricting. But they often are too long, and the extra fabric can bunch around the toes and heel, leading to friction and blisters.
- Shrinkage: My biggest woe has been shrinkage. I will spend big bucks on good socks that are a little large when I first wear them, and they come out of the dryer suitable only for Papa Smurf to wear, even with cold water wash! I've been feeling completely defeated by this repeated experience, such as with Feetures socks.
- New Balance Extra Wide Socks - Wide Without Shrinkage: The New Balance extra wide socks were a true discovery. They are plenty wide to prevent bunion problems. The Medium size is actually a bit longer than I need, and had almost zero shrinkage with hot water wash and two long, hot drying sessions. The socks are anatomically shaped with a generous heel cup and toe box and non-constricting ribbing in between. I'm off to order lots more of these. (Compare Prices) Meanwhile, I'll have to find some bigfooted friend to give the two pairs of size large that ended up being far larger than I needed! Full Review
Before You Buy Walking Socks
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner, 2008
I am sharing your article with your fellow bunion sufferers, and thanks for the tip! I hope you will have more to say about finding wide shoes.
Check out http://www.extrawidesock.com I bought their socks and they are the best! Great if you have swollen feet, edema, big calves, eee feet etc etc. They are the only socks I can wear.
I have had a hard time with my bunions and socks too! Im glad im not alone. The Wide Smartknit Seamless Socks from Therawear have worked great for me I found them on an internet search. I highly recommend them! I think the website is http://www.therawear.com/smartknit_coolmax_diabetic_socks_wide_crew.html
Try the Brand Extra Wide Socks. They are sold by a store in Illinois called Threads big and tall. Hands down the best sock ive ever tried for my swollen feet and ive tried them all.
http://threadsbigandtall.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=100&cat=.Diabetic%2BSocks