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The 5 Best Toe Separators for Maximizing Your Foot Health
Your feet work hard for you. Here’s an affordable way to show them some love in return.
Though you may not think much about your feet until they start to give you problems, they're among our most frequently used body parts, and keeping them in good shape can significantly affect your quality of life, especially if you're a runner. Although most of us wear shoes throughout the day, our feet were built to spread and bend as we walk barefoot. Over time, this type of motion can cause our toes to begin shifting closer together, which can cause some serious issues like hammer toes, bunions, and severe callusing.
One of the best and cheapest ways to keep your toes from crowding and keep your feet comfortable is by using toe spacers. Toe spacers or toe separators are usually made from gel, and come in options that can either be worn all day, or for a short period of time. Used properly, they can help spread your toes out to a more natural and comfortable distance, and can help prevent or even reverse damage to your feet. Since there are quite a few options out there with different use cases, we've rounded up our favorites to help you choose.
Looking for more ways to keep your feet happy this summer? Check out these supportive sandals.
The Best Toe Separators
How to Choose Toe Spacers
If you have not been to a podiatrist, or are new to toe separators and spacers, you may not know where to start your search. If you're just looking to spread your toes a bit more and release some tension in your feet, you will want to opt for a five-toe spreader. These come in options that you can wear all day, which are best for alleviating chronic pain and more severe foot issues, and those that help adjust and spread your toes when worn for just a short period of time.
If you have a more specific issue, like bunions or hammer toes, you may want to opt for a single toe spacer that focuses on your big toe. These are generally worn around the second toe and push the big toe out while leaving the rest of your toes as they are. Spacers also come in a few different materials, but the most popular ones are made of gel, which is not only comfortable, but won't rub or chafe during the day. There are also options on the market that come in sock form, which are great for activities like yoga.
How We Selected
To find the best toe separators among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular models available and considered their materials, comfort, design, efficacy, and price. We then looked at both expert reviews and customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these toe spacers on sites like Amazon, to settle on the products you'll find below, all of which have average user ratings of four stars or higher.
Yoga Toes GEMS Gel Toe Stretcher & Toe Separator
Yoga Toes GEMS Gel Toe Stretcher & Toe Separator
Pros
- Soft and comfortable
- Only have to be worn for a short time
Cons
- Very bulky
This glitzy option may not be made from real gems, but they can be your best friend. These separators are meant to be worn for 15 minutes to an hour at a time, so don’t worry about trying to shove them into your shoes for all-day wear. Because of this, they are a bit thicker than models designed to be worn with shoes, and they will give your toes a bit more of a stretch than those you’re meant to wear all day. However, since they’re made of a soft squishy gel, they are still plenty comfortable.
Key Specs
| Sizes | One size |
|---|---|
| Can Wear with Shoes | No |
| Can Wear with Socks | No |
Pedifix Gel Smart Visco-Gel Toe Spacers
Pedifix Gel Smart Visco-Gel Toe Spacers
Pros
- Will not rub or blister
- Can be worn all day
Cons
- May be too large for any besides big toe
If only one toe is doing the crowding, you may be fine opting for a single toe spacer like this one—though it does come in a pack of four if you decide to use more. These washable, reusable gel pads are designed for use between your big and second toe. The gel is also enriched with mineral oil, which it releases when in use to prevent any rubbing, chafing, or blistering.
Key Specs
| Sizes | One size |
|---|---|
| Can Wear with Shoes | Yes |
| Can Wear with Socks | Yes |
Correct Toes Toe Separators
Correct Toes Toe Separators
Pros
- Lots of size options
- Wearable all day
Cons
- There are cheaper options out there
If you want a toe spacer that you can wear all day, it will have to be one that will also fit inside your shoes. These spacers are not only comfortable and effective, but they're also super low-profile, so you won't have to worry about trying to shove them inside your favorite pair of sneakers. They are made from a soft, comfortable gel that will not rub or blister, and they come with both a 30-day trial period and a 90-day warranty.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS–L |
|---|---|
| Can Wear with Shoes | Yes |
| Can Wear with Socks | Yes |
DR JK Original ToePal Toe Separators
DR JK Original ToePal Toe Separators
Pros
- Two wear options
- Soft, comfortable gel
Cons
- May be too small for large feet
These toe separators come in a four-pack with both a looped and open option. They are both made from a soft, comfortable gel, and are great for stretching out your toes at home. The looped option will give you a bit of extra stability, while the open option is great for yoga or stretching.
Customers also loved that the open option separated their toes when applying nail polish, and didn't risk messing up the polish when removed.
Key Specs
| Sizes | One Size |
|---|---|
| Can Wear with Shoes | No |
| Can Wear with Socks | Yes |
5 STARS UNITED Toe Separators Hammer Toe Straightener
5 STARS UNITED Toe Separators Hammer Toe Straightener
Pros
- Skin-toned options for wearing with sandals
- Can wear with shoes and socks
Cons
- Only for big toe
If your issue is a hammer toe or bunion, you probably only need to create space between your big and second toes. This separator encircles the second toe and has a pad that extends towards the big toe, forcing space. It's made from a soft gel that's comfortable enough to wear all day, and it is low-profile enough that it will fit in most shoes.
It also comes in five different colors, including some designed for darker skin tones, which make it less noticeable if you’re wearing it with sandals.
Key Specs
| Sizes | Big and small |
|---|---|
| Can Wear with Shoes | Yes |
| Can Wear with Socks | Yes |
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
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