What makes the NAOT Eliana Slingback Sandal such a great investment? In addition to working for a wide variety of social events (dress it up or down), the shoe is remarkably comfortable. The insole has excellent arch support that alleviates forefoot pressure and the Velcro straps are strong and sturdy. In short, we could wear these sandals all day long without any complaints.

The downsides, which were hard to find: These shoes are expensive, and they don’t come in half sizes. You must also pay for return shipping if you want a refund.

If you need a sandal that can go with you just about anywhere, try the Clarks Kitly Way. The straps are soft on the interior to reduce the chance of blisters forming, and the contoured, cushioned footbed helps support the foot and keep toes aligned, reducing bunion pain. We also like that the shoe comes in medium, wide and extra-wide widths, and that the rubber outsole increases durability and offers great traction. Another bonus: Shipping (via the Clarks website) is free on $50+ orders and return shipping is always free.

However, these sandals are pricey, and the color selection is limited. The strap may also extend too far past the ankle and stick out depending on your ankle circumference.

Need a sandal that can withstand long walks on pavement, dirt, gravel or sand? We recommend the Teva Hurricane XLT2 Vegan Hiking Sandal. It comes in a variety of traditional and unique colors, and the contoured footbed keeps your foot properly supported and aligned as you walk. The rubber outsole also has excellent traction, and the straps are made of quick-dry materials.

On the other hand, a few customers have found that the grooves in the upper footbed can pinch your skin as you walk. Teva also does not offer half sizing, and shipping via the official site is not free. (Fortunately, return shipping is free as long as the return meets certain criteria.)

While sandals without backs aren’t ideal for long walks, especially if you have bunions, these shoes can be quite comfortable for short, casual walks. The Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle Sandals are a great example of this, because they have a cork footbed that molds to your feet the more you wear them. Plus, the leather straps are soft and not known to cause blisters, and the shoes are available in half sizing and two width sizes.

The downsides: These sandals are expensive, and you may need more arch support than what they provide if you also have heel pain. In addition, they can cause strain on your feet if you wear them for long walks.

Need a casual summer sandal that you can slip on for a baby shower or barbecue? Try the Sargasso & Grey Candy Espadrille Sandal. The all-day comfort this shoe provides comes from a suede leather upper and a padded antibacterial insole with arch support. Plus, the wide toe box gives the forefoot plenty of breathing room, which helps relieve bunion pain. Shipping and returns in the U.S are also free, even though the brand is international!

On the other hand, this sandal does not come in half sizing, and it’s one of our most expensive recommendations.

Bunions can cause toes to bend inward, which usually makes thong sandals (or any sandal with a toe strap) quite uncomfortable. However, the Shoussy Toe Correction Sandals have a thick toe band that gently shifts the position of the big toe back towards the center, improving the foot’s overall alignment. In addition, we like that the thick sole increases comfort and durability, and that the shoe has a fashion-forward style.

Bear in mind that this sandal will not reverse or necessarily improve the look and shape of bunions. Instead, it can prevent them from getting worse by keeping your feet in better alignment. Other downsides: Shoussy Sandals aren’t sold at most retailers, and you must pay for shipping and return shipping. We also wish the ankle strap could be tightened more.

While an adjustable heel strap is great, adjustable forefoot straps are even better for bunions. The Vionic Amber Adjustable Sandal has four points of adjustability to help you achieve the perfect, comfortable fit, so you can take on long walks with no issues. We also love this sandal’s arch support, and that half sizing and wide width sizing is available.

The downsides: Shipping is only free on $100+ orders, and these sandals are pricey.

If you’re looking for a slip-on summer sandal that won’t exacerbate bunions, the Beek Gallito is the right pick. Its soft leather upper and lining feel sleek and comfortable, and the molded memory foam footbed supports your feet in all the right places. We love that the rubber outsole is grippy enough for slippery surfaces. Shipping and returns are free, and the packaging is sustainable. Plus, for every pair of shoes sold, Beek donates one day's worth of meals to a child in need.

However, Beek doesn’t sell half sizes — they recommend sizing down if you’re between sizes This is also one of our most expensive recommendations.

Heels aren’t ideal for bunions, but if you don’t want to go cold turkey on heels, a wedge sandal like the Zodiac Naomi Wedge is a great option. The platform style creates the illusion of a big height difference between the forefoot and heel, but in reality, the elevation is only about as high as a kitten heel. This places less pressure on the front of the foot than traditional high heels. Plus, we found that the cushioned footbed was quite comfortable, and the overall shoe was very sturdy.

On the other hand, the straps around the toe have a slightly scratchy feel, which can get uncomfortable during all-day wear. The shoe also feels heavy, which some buyers may dislike.

Slip-in heels are known for feeling unstable because they don’t hold the foot in place, but chunky heels like the SOREL Ona Streetworks Slide Sandal are the exception to the rule. The slight platform creates height without increasing the height difference between the toe and the heel. Plus, the molded footbed adds support and comfort, while the cushioned outsole reduces noise.

However, these shoes are heavy, which some buyers may not like. The synthetic material can also get sweaty, and SOREL doesn’t offer free shipping from its direct website.

While many fashionable, strappy sandals can cause foot pain and exacerbate bunions, OluKai’s Tiare Leather Strappy Sandals do not. They’re made of premium leather, which is instantly comfortable and molds to your feet over time. The footbed also has built-in arch support which helps keep toes in alignment, and the rubber outsole has great traction. Plus, shipping and returns via the OluKai website are free.

The downsides: OluKai deducts a $5 restocking fee from refunds. In addition, these sandals are pricey, and the straps are not adjustable.

Looking for a stylish, 90s-inspired platform sandal that won’t cause pain around your bunions? Try the SOREL Dayspring Ankle Strap Platform Sandal. We like that the leather straps are soft and don’t dig into your skin, and that the synthetic sole creates traction and durability.

However, the insoles and chunky platforms don’t have any flexibility, which may cause some discomfort while walking. The shoes are also heavy, and SOREL also doesn’t offer free shipping from its direct website.

Whether you work in an office or a classroom, the Famolare Slide Over Sandal is a great addition to your wardrobe. The shoe’s signature waves are designed to absorb shock in the heel and ankle, cushion the arch and propel you forward as you walk, thereby distributing your weight evenly across your feet. This prevents pressure and pain in any one area of the foot. Other things we love about Famolare? Shipping is free on all orders within the contiguous United States, as is return shipping if you want a refund.

What could be improved: The leather upper may be too snug at first and create discomfort along the top of your foot. (Fortunately, it stretches over time.) It can also take time to get used to walking on waves!

Not ready to give up on pointy heels? We get it! However, we still recommend sticking to low heels that don’t add to bunion pain, and the Donald Pliner Cherry Slip-On Sandal is an excellent example. This slip-on sandal has a hidden toe strap which 1) prevents the shoe from slipping around on your foot and 2) keeps your toes in line. The cushioned memory foam insole and leather upper also increase support and comfort.

On the other hand, kitten heels aren’t ideal for long periods of walking. These shoes are also expensive.

OluKai’s slippers are well known for their comfort and supreme quality, and the brand’s Hila Heu Slipper Sandals surpass expectations. The soft exterior is made of ethically sourced, 100% genuine shearling, and the contoured footbeds add support and comfort in all the right places, alleviating bunion pain. Plus, the outsole includes OluKai’s signature wet grip rubber to increase traction on all surfaces. We also love that a portion of all sales goes toward the Ama OluKai Foundation, a non-profit that helps preserve Hawaii’s cultural heritage.

The downsides (which were hard to find): If you return a product for a refund, OluKai deducts a $5 restocking fee. In addition, these slippers are pricey and not ideal for long outdoor walks.

If you love wearing thong flip flops on beach days or summer afternoons, try the PowerStep Women’s Sandals. The cushioned, orthotic midsole is designed to relieve plantar fasciitis pain but also helps alleviate bunion pain by reducing pressure on the big toe joint. We also like that the outsole is grippy on wet and slippery surfaces. Plus, PowerStep offers free shipping on $35+ orders.

However, PowerStep doesn’t offer half sizing — the brand recommends sizing up if you’re between sizes. It also doesn’t cover free return shipping.

If your bunions have led to poor foot alignment, walking barefoot around the house can aggravate them and increase your foot pain. A recovery sandal like the KURU Moment Slide Sandal can quickly alleviate this pain as you go about your day. The built-in orthotic keeps your feet in alignment, and the adjustability of the main strap helps create a great fit. Plus, standard shipping in the U.S. is free, and return shipping within 45 days of receipt is covered.

However, this sandal isn’t available in half sizes. (KURU recommends sizing up if you’re between sizes.) Also, this particular style isn’t available at other retailers.

If you’re looking for a sandal that can handle outdoor sports, from trail walks to tubing, the TreadLabs Albion Sandal is a great fit. The microfiber suede footbed dissipates moisture quickly so your feet won’t get sweaty, and the slip-resistant outsoles work well on wet surfaces. The arch support also keeps your feet in alignment as you walk, preventing extra pressure around bunions. Plus, you can wear these shoes during water sports and toss them in the washing machine when they get too dirty. We appreciate that TreadLabs offers free shipping and free return shipping in the U.S.

What could be improved: The design of these sandals means your toes may hang a tiny bit over the front, leaving them a little vulnerable. The strap between the toes is also uncomfortable at first, though breaking in the shoes alleviates the discomfort.

Looking for a sandal that can withstand all water sports without breaking down over time? If so, we recommend the REEF Water Vista Sandal. We love that the EVA material is completely waterproof and washable, and that the velcro doesn’t wear down after heavy use. The soles also have a little spring, which helps absorb shock on rough terrain. We were expecting the material to create blisters, and were impressed to find these sandals were comfortable enough for all-day wear, dry or wet. An unexpected bonus: These shoes float in water, so if one somehow slips off your foot, you’ll be able to find it more easily.

While we recommend these sandals for bunions and other foot ailments, we do wish they had more arch support. In addition, REEF only offers free shipping on $65+ orders, though return shipping is fortunately always free.