Product · Hanwag
Hanwag Banks Low Bunion Lady GTX: leather, Bunion model
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Bunions make many walking shoes painful, because the widest, most tender part of the foot presses against a stiff upper. Hanwag sells some models with Bunion in the name, and this low women's walking shoe is one of them. It pairs a leather upper and lining with Gore-Tex. The listing gives no width figure, so think of it as a promising lead to try on rather than a guaranteed fit.
- Width as listed
- Bunion model, no width figure
- Cut
- Low
- Upper
- Leather
- Membrane
- Gore-Tex
In its favour
- Bunion is part of the model name, pointing to extra room at the joint.
- Leather upper and leather lining are both listed, with Gore-Tex in the title.
- Hiking, trekking and mountaineering are named as sport types in the listing.
Good to know
- The listing gives no width figure, so confirm how roomy the last is with Hanwag.
- This listing is a women's model only; men need the Torsby or the La Sportiva.
Our take
From the Amazon page
The title names it a Gore-Tex women's leather hiking shoe. Leather is listed for the outer and the lining, and the shoe is described as waterproof and comfortable. Hiking, mountaineering and trekking are named as sport types, which is ambitious for a low shoe but shows its outdoor intent.
The listed weight is 950 g, without saying whether that is per pair. Country of origin is listed as the United Kingdom, and the sole material field reads leather and suede, which looks like an error for a walking shoe sole.
What a bunion-friendly shoe needs
A shoe for bunions needs space where the big toe joint bulges, a soft enough upper at that point to avoid pressure, and a heel that still holds firmly. Leather can stretch a little over the joint with wear, which helps. Lacing also matters: loosening the lower eyelets can ease pressure across the forefoot while the upper laces keep the heel snug.
Because the listing cannot confirm the exact shape, try the shoe with your walking socks and walk on a slope if the shop allows it.
Other roomy options
Meindl's Mondello GTX describes a Comfort fit sole with more forefoot space and a suede and mesh upper. The Hanwag Torsby Low SF Extra GTX lists a wide model number but is the men's version in our guide. For women with bunions, the Banks Low Bunion Lady is the most targeted choice of the three.
Whichever model you choose, keep leather walking shoes supple with a suitable wax or cream. A dry, cracked upper presses harder on a bunion than soft, well-kept leather that has moulded to the foot over time.
Verdict
The Banks Low Bunion Lady GTX is worth trying if you are a woman with bunions or a broad big-toe joint and want a waterproof leather walking shoe. If your feet are broad all across the forefoot rather than at one joint, Meindl's Mondello GTX is another roomy option to compare.
Compared with alternatives in: Best wide fit walking shoes
Amazon listing title: W Banks Low Bunion Lady GTX Grey - Gore-Tex Comfortable Elegant Women's Leather Hiking Shoes Size EU