Walking boots for bunions and wide feet

In a bid to make Profeet the best walking boot shop in the South, we have scouted out some specialist footwear to make your walking and hiking adventures even more comfortable.

Do you love walking, but struggle with uncomfortable feet?

Shoes too tight… sore feet… arch pain… pinched toes…blisters on heels and toes! We’ve heard it all. But like you, we love cresting the brow of a hill, be that the South Downs or the Dolomites. We love the fresh air and the panoramic views – and we love to get a boot fitting just right – so you can ‘climb every mountain’ (in the words of Julie Andrews) and not even think about your feet.

Welcome to Hanwag

Introducing Hanwag, the specialist walking boot manufacturer originating from a small workshop in Munich. With over one hundred years of history behind them, Hanwag can genuinely claim to be craftsmen and purveyors of really good outdoor boots. Today they are a much bigger operation, thanks to the success of their products. In their own words:

“…no corners are cut in making the 100-plus parts that are used to make a boot – from the high-quality Vibram sole to the timeless full-grain leather upper or the solid, deep-pull lacing.”

Hanwag make their boots with specially designed lasts. (These are the foot forms used to shape each boot.) They use high-quality leather, double stitching and fine attention to detail – as well as the latest technological innovations. They are a true fusion of a traditional values meets hi-tech, benefitting from the best of both worlds. The result is a range of carefully crafted boots, from which we have selected two key models.

Walking boots for wider feet

The Hanwag Banks SF Extra GTX Hiking Boot
Designed for demanding treks and multi-day hikes, the Hanwag Banks SF Extra GTX offers exceptional comfort, durability, and weather protection tailored specifically for people with a broader forefoot. Built with high-quality materials and modern support technology, this boot is made to handle rugged terrain while ensuring long-lasting comfort.

This is a classic looking boot made from 100% finest LWG (Leather Working Group) rated nubuck leather, which guarantees high-quality, sustainable, eco-friendly leather, coupled with waterproof and breathable Gore-tex®. The leather is soft and flexible for a comfy fit out-of-the-box, but not so soft that it isn’t durable and robust – key areas of wear around the toe and heel are double reinforced.

The wider fit is an absolute blessing for those with a wider foot, giving toes room to breathe and allowing blood to circulate without pinching – avoiding the need to buy another size up (which can lead to feet sliding forwards and backwards causing blisters and bruising).

With a 1.5-millimetre thicker polyurethane foam wedge in the midsole, the Banks has a smooth roll-off and better shock absorbency for longer lasting comfort. Meanwhile the Vibram sole has a deep and reassuring tread with some flexibility but still solid underfoot on rocky terrain. Grip feels good in slick conditions and the boots are overall reasonably lightweight and easy on the legs. They took little to no breaking in which was pleasing, but we would recommend going through the breaking process anyway if you’re planning a long trip, just to be sure.

These boots are ideal for everything up to demanding hikes in the lower mountain ranges e.g. the foothills of the Alps.

Walking boots for bunions

Hanwag Alta Bunion II GTX Walking Boots
If you have bunions, you’ll be familiar with the pain. Some days can be OK, but others you can be hobbling along. It’s all about looking after your feet and accommodating the lumps and bumps to ease pressure points and give your feet the best chance. Enter the Hanwag Bunion boot described as “particularly sturdy – particularly comfortable”. Built on a specially designed Hallus Valgus Bunion last, it has extra room in the side and around the big toe joint for optimum hiking comfort, free from pain.

Again, this is a classic looking boot, and the attention to detail is immediately apparent. A combination of nubuck leather and Goretex® ensure that your feet will remain dry and protected from the elements. The leather is soft and easy to break in, but still feels sturdy and robust. The sole has a good grip and provides confidence underfoot on wet/dry/steep and rocky terrain. All good, but what of the bunion feature?

We were looking for a good foothold but with an onus on comfort, and the liner and inner are certainly soft and cushiony. The toe box is seam-free and roomy allowing the big toe joint to flex without pressure. This is key and resulted in a comfortable walking experience over a long day hike, and later, a full week in the mountains. The bunion shape is not immediately obvious from the outside so the difference in these boots is not apparent to the naked eye.

Try them on!

If you have had trouble with boots in the past we recommend booking in for our Signature Walking Assessment where we measure your feet accurately, assess your lower limbs and foot shape and observe your walking gait on our professional treadmills. A foot scan provides further insight and from that we can fit you up with the right boot for your feet. It’s the best way to find the right fit!

Add a Profeet custom insole for further tailoring and fine-tuning. These are custom moulded to your feet to provide a bespoke fit that’s hold your feet firmly with your boots. We offer a 90 day custom insole money back guarantee so if you find they don’t provide the enhancement you’re looking for, you won’t be out of pocket.

Call 020 7736 0046 to book your one-to-one appointment with one of our qualified Profeet technicians, or book online.