Everything You Need to Know About Bunions & Bunion Treatment

Bunion Bootie’s Frequently Asked Questions

• Does Bunion Bootie ship internationally?
• Can I purchase Bunion Booties in stores?
• What should I expect when I put it on the first time?
• Does a Bunion Bootie fit on either foot?
• Does the seam belong on the top or the bottom of my foot?
• If the Bunion Bootie is made of such thin material, how can it prevent irritation to the bunion?
• Should the Bunion Bootie be worn just during the day?
• I’d like to get more aggressive with my toe support, what suggestion would you give for sizing?
• Does the Bunion Bootie stretch out?
• How long is the Bunion Bootie expected to last?
• What are some tips to follow to extend the life of my Bunion Bootie?
• I’ve been wearing my Bunion Bootie all the time for a month straight and it looks like it’s starting to fray, what gives?
• Are there any instructions on how to put it on?
• What size is best for me?
• Why do I feel pressure on my big toe and in the toe hole area?
• What if I don’t like it, or I discover I’ve ordered the wrong size?
• Is the Bunion Bootie machine-washable?
• Does the Bunion Bootie CURE my bunion?
• My bunions are really bad. Can the Bunion Bootie still help?
• I have had a bunion operation. Does it make sense to use a Bunion Bootie on that foot?
• Are there any restrictions to the Bunion Bootie?
• My bunion is on my pinky toe, will the Bunion Bootie help with that?
• What is the difference between the Bunion Bootie and BunionETTE Bootie?
• I’d like to return my Bunion Bootie for an exchange or refund, how do I do that?
• What is the Bunion Bootie made of?
• What if I find that I’m in between sizes? (i.e. The medium is too large but the small is too small)?
• How do Bunion Booties compare to other non-surgical treatment options?
• Why am I having trouble ordering on my ipad or tablet?
• Can I still purchase the Bunion Bootie with the toe hole?

Do you ship internationally?We’ll ship anywhere! All orders outside of the US ship for a flat rate of $9.95 USD (previously $12.95 – now 25% off!). Please refer to our shipping page for additional details. Bunion pain is global, so are we.

Can I purchase Bunion Booties in stores? At this time, Bunion Booties are only available for purchase online through our website, through Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and select medical offices who treat bunion pain.

What should I expect when I put it on the first time? The Bunion Bootie should feel snug but not uncomfortable.  Depending on whether you picked the conservative size or tighter fit, you’ll see and feel the change in your big toe alignment as soon as you put it on. Wear it all day and night for maximum support, and play around with different sizes for different activities, remember that feet swell throughout the day, especially if you are on your feet all day, or in hot weather. For those that sized down for a more corrective fit, you might have to work up to wearing the Bunion Bootie for a full day, starting with just 30 minutes initially. The Bootie material will likely relax after a few weeks.  After the “break in” period of 2-3 weeks, if you feel the Bootie is too tight, or too loose, just contact us (https://bunionbootie.com/new-size/) to request a new size!

Does a Bunion Bootie fit on either foot? No, you need to specify Right or Left when you order.

Does the seam belong on the top or the bottom of my foot? The seam should be on the top of your foot. It’s more comfortable that way (you are not walking on it).

If the Bunion Bootie is made of such thin material, how can it prevent irritation to the bunion? The Bunion Bootie is made of a combination of Nylon and Polyurethane constructed by weaving two layers together that is very effective in preventing irritation, specifically the rubbing from wearing tighter shoes.

Should the Bunion Bootie be worn just during the day? That’s up to you. If you are serious about attacking your bunion pain long-term, then you should also keep it on at night. **Most Bootie wearers prefer a looser size for sleeping**

I’d like to get more aggressive with my toe support, what suggestion would you give for sizing? Go one size smaller. You can exchange it if you don’t like the fit but you might find that if you want 24-hour support, then two sizes come in handy. The smaller size works well if you aren’t working on your feet all the time, or wearing shoes that give you the most grief. The true-to-fit size is more comfortable during or after a long day on your feet because of the swelling that occurs. Whichever size you go for, wear it for a full 2-3 weeks to determine the correct size for your foot, activity level, and comfort level.

Does the Bunion Bootie stretch out? The Bunion Bootie is comprised of a very durable but ultra-thin material. You can expect the Bunion Bootie to relax initially after a few weeks. If you are considering wearing the Bunion Bootie around the clock, we suggest buying two. This will allow them to last longer.  Additionally, many people prefer a larger size to wear to bed at night, or if they spend alot of time outside in warmer month, especially working out (walking/running), as feet naturally swell.

How long is the Bunion Bootie expected to last? Due to it’s extremely thin characteristics (that’s why most people love them!) the Bunion Bootie will eventually wear out, but the lifespan of the Bunion Bootie will depend upon each person’s wear and care. We do urge folks that wear it most of the time to buy multiple Booties to prolong the life of your Bunion Booties, as well as follow our suggested use and care guidelines.  With consistent wear, the Booties may sometimes need to be replaced after 1-3 months.  For many who wear them only with certain shoes or when their bunion bothers them, they can last upwards of 6 months.

What are some tips to follow to extend the life of my Bunion Bootie? Although you can (and many do) wear the Bunion Bootie barefoot, in order to extend the life of the Bunion Bootie we strongly recommend that you only wear them barefoot while sleeping, and not walking around. We suggest you try to wear socks or shoes when wearing with the Bunion Bootie during the day to prevent snagging and wearing of the material. Also taking extra care when putting on and removing the Bunion Bootie can help prevent unnecessary stress on the fabric fibers and material bonding. If the Bunion Bootie is fitted properly it should never tear while putting on the Bootie.  Finally, instead of tossing out your old day-wear Bunion Bootie, rotate it to wear to bed at night.  Then you can start fresh with a new Bunion Bootie to wear during the day!

I’ve been wearing my Bunion Bootie all the time for a month straight and it looks like it’s starting to fray, what gives? The Bunion Bootie is comprised of two different materials bonded together. It was a conscious decision not to hem the edges in order to keep a smooth edge (so you don’t feel it when you walk). In time, it may appear to start to fray but you can still wear it, it will not fall apart. But keep in mind, just as if they were socks, if you wear them around the clock they will not last forever either. We highly recommend you buy a couple sets and rotate them out to extend the life of your Bunion Booties. Also, sizing down will stress the material and bonding even more so selecting a size smaller might result in more fraying.

Are there any instructions on how to put it on? Yes, illustrated instructions come with your order. You can also see our Use and Care page.

What size is best for me? Please be sure to visit our Sizing Tips page for tips and considerations. It’s strongly urged that you measure your foot for the best fit. If you are buying a Bunion Bootie for both feet, we suggest you measure them independently as our feet are not always the same size.

Why do I feel pressure on my big toe and in the seam area? The Bunion Bootie should fit tight but not so tight that it causes discomfort. We suggest you exchange it for a larger size. (**Remember that feet swell so if it fits fine in the morning, but feels too tight at night, it could be due to foot swelling from either heat, diet, activities, or poor circulation. Another reason to purchase two sizes for around the clock support.) We don’t recommend Bunion Booties for anyone who suffers from frequent hang nails or ingrown toenails.  We also recommend that you keep your big toe nail trimmed short.  If you like the fit but the seams still bother you, please contact us here for a Bunion Bootie in the same size but for the opposite foot, and you can turn it inside out.  We are looking at a design change to address the seams inside the big toe hood.

What if I don’t like it, or I discover I ordered the wrong size? Not a problem. Bunion Booties come with a 30-day exchange or refund guarantee.  Contact us here – https://bunionbootie.com/new-size/.

Is the Bunion Bootie machine-washable? No, that would cause degradation of the material. Hand-wash your Bunion Bootie in cold or lukewarm water, using a mild detergent that does not contain bleach or whiteners and let it air-dry. Do not iron or dry-clean it, or otherwise expose it to high temperatures.

Does the Bunion Bootie CURE my bunion? No, bunions are not “curable” simply because they are not a disease. It’s a progressive condition. You can only hope to slow the deformity and prevent the condition from getting worse. Moreover, most people are just looking for relief from the pain since that is the number one motivator to consider bunion surgery.

My bunions are really bad. Can the Bunion Bootie still help? Take a look at these bunion pictures. If you have reached deformity stage No. 3, we recommend that you see a podiatrist for diagnosis and a treatment plan before purchasing the Bunion Bootie. All wearers are encouraged to consult with their doctor before trying as each foot is different.

I have had a bunion operation. Does it make sense to use a Bunion Bootie on that foot? Absolutely! Bunions often reoccur after a bunionectomy. The Bootie can help to maintain that new proper big toe alignment. Please seek the opinion of your doctor before attempting to self-treat or diagnose.

Are there any restrictions to the Bunion Bootie? We do not recommend this product if you have extreme bunions, are diabetic or have poor circulation.

My bunion is on my pinky toe, will the Bunion Bootie help with that? We have just recently introduced BunionETTE Bootie – now available for purchase through our website! Just like the Bunion Bootie, the BunionETTE Bootie is made of a nylon/polyurethane blend and is cared for, and worn the same way as the Bunion Bootie (order either left or right and wear with the seam on the top of the foot).  Many of these same FAQ’s apply just the same to BunionETTE Bootie.  We do ask however, not to return the BunionETTE Bootie if it has been worn (unlike the Bunion Bootie).  Click HERE to learn more.

What is the difference between the Bunion Bootie and BunionETTE Bootie? There are three main differences between the Bunion Bootie and the BunionETTE Bootie and they are as follows;

1. Bunion pain comes in many forms, one being from the friction and sensitivity of the enlarged bunion area. Both bunion supports offer a full coverage toe hood for protection of the big toe and temporary re-alignment.  The BunionETTE Bootie extends this protective barrier and support to the little toe as well, using the same type of toe hood.

2.The toe hood for the Bunion Bootie is constructed using a single seam to join the top and bottom material. The toe hood of the BunionETTE Bootie uses two stitch seams to create a squared off design, which some people find more comfortable.

3.Both Booties are comprised of the same nylon and polyurethane material however, the BunionETTE Bootie has an additional inner sleeve added for comfort and additional support.

I’d like to return my Bunion Bootie for an exchange or refund, how do I do that? Feel free to download this Returns Slip below and indicate on the form if you are seeking a refund or exchange. The directions on where to send the Bunion Bootie is also on this form.

What is the Bunion Bootie made of? The Bunion Bootie is made out of polyurethane and nylon.

What if I find that I’m in between sizes? (i.e. The medium is too large but the small is too small)? There are two things we can suggest. First, Remember that the Bootie material will relax the first week so as long as it’s not causing any pain, you may have to work up to wearing the small Bootie for the full day as directed on the package instructions. Second, if the small is definitely too small, you can twist the material laterally. To be more specific, if you have the Bootie on your foot (ie. Right foot) you’ll want to gently pull the material that is above the foot, just under the toes  towards the outside (to the left if on your right foot). This should bring the large seam that runs lengthwise and on top of your foot closer to your big toe.  Pull in the opposite direction for the left foot Bunion Booties.

How do Bunion Booties compare to other non-surgical treatment options? Click HERE to find out! :).

Why am I having trouble ordering on my ipad or tablet? Mobile devices like iphones, ipads, and other tablets might display the drop down menu options differently.   For example, for iphones and ipads, you’ll want to click on the field with the drop down options (such as Size or Foot on the Order Page) but make sure you look at the bottom of your devices screen so see the options displayed.  You’ll want to cycle through the field options by scrolling up and down and make sure the option you want to select is in between the two horizontal lines.  Then select “Done” to lock in that value.  The same rules apply to all drop down values including on the Cart and Checkout pages. Feel free to call us at 877-208-4540 if you continue to have issues checking out.