Bunion Splint

Different Styles Of Bunion Splint

There are a whole range of different style bunion splints out there depending on what you are looking for:

• Toe Splints: can be worn during in shoes while you are walking around 
  
  
• Night Splints: more substantial bunion splints that are worn over night
  
  
• Toe Spacers/Stretchers: small inserts that sit in between your toes 
  
  
• Bunion Pads/Guards: soft pads that cushion the bunion to reduce friction
  
  
• Bunion Splint Sets: contain more than one different type of splint

Let's have a look at the pros and cons of each type of bunion splint and what people think of them. NB Links take you through to your local Amazon site and #CommissionEarned on qualifying purchases

1. Daytime Toe Splints

If you are looking for a bunion splint that you can wear during the day while you are walking around, these are the ones for you. These bunion splints, aka bunion regulators, hold the toe in the correct position and some version also provide cushioning over the bunion. They are best for mild to moderate bunions and can also be used after bunion surgery.  

There are two options of daytime bunion splints, both of which can be worn in shoes:

Spreader & Protector

This is a plastic bunion splint that fits over the big toe and in-between the big and second toe to hold them apart. This helps to move the big toe into the correct position as well as providing protection on the side of the bunion.  They stay in place well simply by wearing a sock and can be worn inside shoes. 

There are a number of different manufacturers of this style of bunion splint such as Dr Rogo and AligNow, but they are all extremely similar.  They are made of medical grade gel and receive average user ratings 4.2-5/5

Read: User Reviews   Buy Now: ON SALE (guide price $10/£7)

Bunion Corrector Splint

These wrap around the big toe drawing it into a good position and anchor around the mid-foot, which helps to support the foot arches.  There is usually a metal bar at the side of the bunion splint which can be moulded to hold the foot in a good position.  This helps to improve the position of the toe joint as well as stretching out muscles, ligaments and tendons.  They are sometimes known as bunion regulators.

There are a number of different manufacturers such as Neo G and 66 Fit, but they all receive average user ratings 3.8-4.2/5.

Bunion Night Guard

Bunion night splints work in the same way as day splints, but tend to be more rigid and less flexible.  The advantage of this is that it can provide stronger support to the foot, but as they are less flexible, they are uncomfortable to walk around in, hence being used at night-time. 

Wearing a bunion night splint allows the foot to be held in a good position the whole time you are in bed which is a good proportion of the day.  It certainly makes sense to be stretching the foot out as much as possible and this is a great way to do that. 

Best Single Toe Spacers

These bunion splints sit in-between the big toe and second toe. Some attach around the second toe, others sit freely between the two toes. 

There are a number of different manufacturers but the most popular are Tip & Toes (average user rating 4.5/5), Profoot (4.7/5) and Neo G (5/5).

Best Double Spacers

These toe spacer splints attach around both the big and second toe.  Some people find this style stay in place better due to the extra anchor, but it will depend on the shape of your toes as to how well they fit.They tend to give less of a stretch than single spacers due to their design

The most popular brands are Pro 11 (average user review 4/5), Toe Buddy (3.8/5) and Genesis (3.9/5).  User reviews aren't quite as good for this style as the single spacers.

Whole Foot Toe Stretchers

You can also get toe stretchers that sit between each of the toes, stretching out the entire foot into better alignment.  They don't provide as much of a stretch so are better suited to mild hallux valgus. 

You can find out more about how they work and which ones work best in the toe stretchers section.

Plastic Bunion Guards

This style of bunion splint simply slides over your big toe.  They are made of soft, flexible gel.  The thin design means they can easily be worn in shoes.  These are the most solid design of bunion pads and extremely durable.

The most popular brands are Pedifix (average user rating 4.4/5) and GelX (4.2/5).

Gel Bunion Pads

The most popular brand of gel bunion pads is Compeed.  They are made of hydrocolloid gel to provide a second skin.  They stick well and mould to the bunion providing instant pain and pressure relief, stay in place for several days and are waterproof.  Slim-line fit so they are comfortable to wear in shoes. 

You get five bunion pads per pack.  These really are the bee's knees – to quote one user “These pads are miracles”. Average user rating 4.4/5

Bunion Cushions

The most popular brand are Dr Scholl's Bunion Cushions.  They are soft, comforting foam cushions that sit over the top of bunions to help prevent friction.  Simply stick one over the desired area – they are self-adhesive and waterproof.  They are especially good at relieving or preventing calluses and hard skin. 

There are six bunion pads in each pack.  They stay in place really well, lasting for a good few days before they need replacing.  They receive good reviews with an average user rating of 4.4/5. 

Bunion Sleeves

Ultrathin, lightweight sleeves with a strategically placed gel pad relieves pain and pressure through the bunion. Bunion sleeves simply slip on over the front of the foot, stay in place well and can be worn underneath socks or tights. 

They are easy to wash making them extremely cost effective.  There are a number of different manufacturers of bunion sleeves but the most popular are HappyFeet (average user rating 4.9/5) and Pro11 (4/5)

Bunion Splint Set

MediToes have a deluxe bunion relief set containing 12 items including various styles of bunion guards, toe spacers and bunion sleeves.

This set receives amazing user reviews scoring 5/5! A great way to try all the different types of bunion splint and work out which work best for you in which situations.