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Small but mighty, toes are one of the most overlooked parts of human body. Not only do toes support your body weight in every stance and stride, but they’re also key to your balance and posture. They launch us from small steps to sprints and jumps, and are essential for many of our automatic functions. All that hard work comes with wear and tear, which is why it’s important to show your toes some love with the best toe spacers and separators.
If you suffer from regular foot pain, whether due to a common foot condition or tight-fitting, fashionable footwear, toe spacers offer immediate relief. Like any other part of the body, it’s hard to discern how tight your muscles have gotten until you indulge in a big, practically cathartic stretch. The muscles in your foot and toes are no different. As the name suggests, toe spacers slide between the toes to spread the muscles, release tension, and promote a healthy splay. They can be worn in 15 minute shifts or throughout an entire day, and, with consistent use, toe spacers can help correct common causes of foot pain.
Toe spacers act as a soft barrier between to toes to block painful rubbing and irritation, while also returning crooked or crowded toes to their natural form. “Toe spacers can help align your toes and add protection from corns, calluses, and blisters, which often occur for people with conditions such as bunions and hammertoes,” explains New York podiatrist Dr. Scott Whitney, DPM. “There are different types of toe spacers. They come in small, medium, large, or extra large sizes and different materials such as gel toe spacers, silicone toe spacers, and foam and felt options.”
Choosing the best toe spacer will depend on your needs and how you intend to wear it. Some toe spacers can be worn under socks and everyday shoes to make steps more comfortable, while other orthopedic toe separators act as foot exercisers and massagers that can be used while you lounge at home with your slippers on standby. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to hone in on foot health, especially if you experience discomfort in your joints, posture, or feet, and toe spacers are an easy and affordable place to start.
Below, view the six best podiatrist-approved toe spacers and separators to shop for optimal foot health.
Sizes: One size
Materials: Gel
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I was having a lot of discomfort in my foot. The pain was a burning sensation between the little toe and the one next to it. I went to the orthopedic surgeon and he found that there was a small bunion that was caused by rubbing. He removed it right then and there and told me that the best thing to buy was these little silicone toe separators. They work great. So easy to use. You just hold onto each end and slightly pull, slide them between the toes that bother you, and that’s it. I have had no problem with them staying in place. I can just pull my socks off and they are still between the toes. I also put one between my big toe and the next to help with a slight hammer toe. Well worth the small investment.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $14.99
Sizes: Small, medium, and large
Materials: Foam
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I really like these toe separators. I have long toes and flat feet, so these work better for me than gel separators. You can easily fit three on each foot inside a normal sneaker. I really think that the use of these separators (plus some new cushioned sneakers and insoles) is responsible for finally starting to straighten out my hammertoes after only about three weeks of use. I’m really happy with this product.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $6.25
Sizes: One size
Materials: Gel
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “My feet and toes are always aching after wearing dress shoes all day at work and years of tight-fitting shoes. I was amazed at how good the stretch felt when I put these on. Depending on your feet, the bands feel a little tight after wearing them for a while, but nothing painful. They feel good when I am wearing them.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99
Sizes: Small, medium, large
Materials: Cotton, polyester, elastane
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I have had knee pain and foot pain for about five years. I have been wearing these for less than a month and I feel the difference! I don’t creak and pop as I get out of bed or my chair. I am under 50 years old and felt like I was in my 70’s. My husband is also wearing a pair and says he is amazed by the relief from his plantar fasciitis foot pain. I highly recommend — these work wonders for us!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $26.95
Sizes: One size
Materials: Gel
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Target Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.6/5 stars
What testers say: “This is the best product I have ever used. My podiatrist told me about them and they saved me from having a third, very invasive foot surgery. I have used them for two years and they completely prevent me horrible, taser-like nerve shoots through my foot. They have also straightened out my bunion. I also love that they hire people with disabilities. Bravo Zentoes!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $6.99
Sizes: One size
Materials: Polypropylene
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “These take a bit of getting used to as they really spread the toes. The round ball part the foot sits on feels good after a while. Probably not the sort you’d want to sleep in, but after a long day of feet in cramped shoes, a short stretch does wonders.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $$15.99
Do Toe Spacers Work?
Yes, they do. Toe spacers won’t heal all your foot concerns over night, but they will make a noticeable difference in your foot health with consistent use. “Toe spacers absorb pressure and friction between toes,” says Dr. Whitney. “They cushion, divide, and align crooked and overlapping toes.” They also work to stretch and exercise the toes to improve foot flexibility and muscle strength.
Dr. Whitney explains that toe spacers or separators should be inserted between your toes where you feel the most discomfort. “It should be snug but not too tight. They can be worn for extended periods of time, but I don’t recommend wearing them while sleeping,” he explains.
The Benefits of Toe Spacers
Toe spacers are a simple practice to incorporate in your daily routine that can improve an array of foot issues you may face. Nearly everyone can benefit from the use of toe spacers because they stretch overworked muscles that often get overlooked. In fact, according to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, about 70 percent of people own ill-fitting shoes that don’t properly accommodate the width and length of their feet. This results in a common slew of foot pains and concerns, such as overcrowded toes, bunions, corns, and plantar fasciitis, which can all be adjusted with the help of toe spacers.
“Toe spacers are important for foot health because they can help alleviate foot pain and discomfort,” says Dr. Whitney. “They can be helpful for athletes that experience a lot of strain, people with foot conditions, and those who wear tight or uncomfortable shoes.” Additionally, toe spacers stimulate blood circulation to the toes and help to reform toe alignment, which could even help soothe joint pain in the knees, hips, and back over time. They can also improve overall balance and posture, particularly if your big toe is misaligned.
Dr. Whitney adds that toe spacers also aid in comfort under shoes and socks by providing space and separation between cramped toes. Whether you often opt for fashion over function, log a lot of miles in your running shoes, or manage conditions like flat feet, rheumatoid arthritis, hammertoes, or bunions, toe spacers are a worthwhile investment to treat concerns before they get worse.
How We Chose the Best Toe Spacers
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To select the best toe spacers and separators, we spoke to expert podiatrist Dr. Scott M. Whitney, DPM for important insight regarding the benefits of toe spacers, including notes about what foot types and conditions they’re best for, how to wear them and for how long, and why they’re important for foot health. Our expert also provided recommendations on the best brands available to shop for different foot pains and concerns. We also enlisted product testers and sifted through honest customer reviews to compare and curate the most effective and comfortable toe spacers on the market. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Scott Whitney, DPM is a podiatry specialist in New York City with over 40 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from New York College of Podiatric Medicine.
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. As someone who manages mild bunions and hammertoes, Cigliano wrote this story with invested interest and genuine recommendations.
