by Nancy W. (Silver City, NM)
Any suggestions for snorkeling fins for my feet with bunions? Or any other way around my bunion/fin problem, maybe lighter weight open heel fins?
We bought the US Divers Sea Lion fins, and Dee’s are working out fine, because he has regular shaped feet. However, we’ve been trying to modify mine with chisels and scalpels and so far it’s not working out so good. I’m thinking I need to go with the open foot kind with booties.
I really like your website. It’s part of the reason Dee and I decided to take our first trip to the Big Island of Hawaii (and to use your guide of where to snorkel there). We’ll be camping (out of a van) there for 28 days beginning May 15. Activity-wise, snorkeling is number one on our list, though neither of us has done a whole lot of it, yet.
Thanks for inspiring me.
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Comments Moved From Previous System
Galen & Nicole – Apr 26, 2011 – Best Fins for Bunions
Hi Nancy, you are probably right in thinking that you may need to go to an open heel fin and wear a padded bootie. Because those Sea Lion fins are some of the most flexible closed foot fins on the market. Nicole has a small bunion and just had to deal with the same issue and basically could find nothing better in a closed fin.
We think your best bet would be buying from a store where you can try many options on to see what works best. You may wish to wait until you are in Hawaii to do that if you don’t have a good shop where you live.
P.S. Have a great trip to the Big Island!
Marvin Bernstein – Apr 28, 2011 – Wear a Thin Lycra Sock for Bunions
I developed a bunion right behind my left little toe where the bone seems to be. I did it by wearing flip flops for three months everyday.
I scuba and snorkel. When I put on my fins I noticed pain at the bunion. I asked around and found out that by wearing a thin lycra sock that can be purchased in most dive shops and wearing it in my full foot fins that I had no pain. I suggest you try this in a pool before going out into the ocean. Everyone’s feet are different. Good luck.
Errol – Apr 23, 2013 – Foot Attached to a Bunion
Hi Nancy, my bunion is such that it’s more of a foot attached to a bunion rather than the other way, and boy did it cause me problems with fins.
I tried bigger and tried socks and they all ended up in loose rubbing fins that inflamed the bunion and caused blisters.
The solution for me is very simple. Normal full foot fin, with open toe – not a strap at the back! Fin size the same as without the bunion so it’s a tight fit – I mean tight. The fin must, must have soft elastic rubber over the top of the foot rather than the traditional rubber which is pretty inflexible.
Very simple but works an absolute treat.
Good luck.
Holly – Nov 20, 2017 – Snorkel Fins With Bunion
I have a bunion under the outside of my right big toe and, after reading through related comments, I am wondering if Wildhorn Topside Snorkel Fins (on Amazon) would be a good choice?
Nicole & Galen – Nov 20, 2017 – Wildhorn Topside Snorkel Fins
Hi Holly, the Wildhorn Topside Snorkel Fins are interesting. They are basically neoprene boots with a tough sole and a small, stiff fin integrated.
The only way to know if they will work for your feet with bunions is to try them on. Every foot and person is different.
Because these fins are so short, about 1/3 the length of the fins that we wear, they would be very low power. So, if you go for long snorkels, you would be working very hard.
Anonymous – Mar 3, 2018 – Simple Fix
I have a bunion on my right foot and I have two pairs of full foot fins that I have successfully modified by cutting a cross to relieve the pressure. First put the fin on and use a marker pen to mark where the pressure is worst. Then take a sharp knife and cut a small cross with the center over the spot I marked.
Start small, you can always make a bigger cut if the pressure is still too much. Don’t cut away any material, just cut a cross that will allow the fin to split open a little and relieve the pressure over the bunion. Also avoid cutting into the rigid side of your fin, just cut the softer part that is over your foot.
You will now have to remember to use the modified fin on the affected foot but you’ll soon get used to it.
Happy snorkeling!