A Podiatrist Says This Top Shoe Trend Is Killing Your Feet

We all know this feeling. You slip into a new pair of shoes, walk a few minutes, and immediately regret the decision. But beauty, er, style is pain, right? Um, no. The whole concept of enduring anything uncomfortable in the "name of fashion” is not only an age-old concept but flat-out ridiculous at this point. To that, it’s smart to err on the side of caution when it comes to many footwear styles—yes, even the most gorgeous pairs out there. Sure, some silhouettes may be fun to look at, but if they’re ultimately a pain culprit, it’s just not worth it. And believe it or not, there’s currently one It shoe trend we all might need to reconsider, despite its popularity.
We touched base with podiatrist Miguel Cunha, founder of Gotham Footcare in NYC, to fill us in on the popular shoes that could be killing your feet. The offender? Sorry, but it’s Western boots. "The problem is the narrow toe box,” Cunha says. "This is not the natural shape of the foot so the big toe is going to exacerbate a bunion, causing hammertoes and irritate neuromas.” These can become long-term issues that could ultimately make wearing any of your favorite booties or heels feel cumbersome, he tells us, to which we say woof.
But don’t totally freak out if you’re feeling the cowboy boot trend. "If you must purchase a Western shoe, search for one with a square or wider to box,” he explains. To that, we rounded up silhouettes to fit the bill, along with other wider-toe boots to consider. This way, you can achieve that of-the-moment look without sacrificing comfort. Score.
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated by Allyson Payer.

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 years atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers likeReplica Store, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront ofBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
-
Everyone in Paris Just Ditched Ankle Boots for This Boot Style That’s Way More Elegant
And super sexy.
-
*Not* Suede Boots: The Rich-Looking Boot Trend Fashion People Everywhere Are Wearing With Jeans and Skirts for Fall 2025
You'll want to add a pair to your rotation.
-
*Not* Ankle Boots—The Rich-Looking Shoe Trend That’s Quietly Taking Over for Fall 2025
Shop the style inside.
-
Black Boots Are Fine, But *This* Fall Shoe Color Trend Looks Rich as Hell
Lily James is a fan.
-
I Spent Over an Hour BrowsingReplica Store's New Arrivals—34 Standout Fall Finds I Can't Stop Thinking About
You'll want to see these.
-
This Dated Denim Pairing Is Suddenly the Chicest Way to Wear Jeans for Fall 2025
Easy and stylish.
-
The Specific Way Everyone Stylish in NYC Will Be Wearing Boots With Jeans This Fall
It's all about this styling trick.
-
Here They Are: The 6 Biggest Boot Trends of Fall 2025
Exotic finishes! Sock boots! Western motifs!