Locations:
Search IconSearch
September 20, 2022/Health Conditions/Orthopaedics

3 Reasons To Try Toe Separators or Spacers

Toe spacers and separators can add some comfort, but they’re not a fix-all

Person wearing toe separators.

If your little piggies are less “wee-wee-wee” and more “ow-ow-ow” all the way home, you may be wondering how to give your toes a break. After all, those little phalanges have a big job to do.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Your toes help support your whole body and give you balance to stand, walk and run. So, when your toes are hurting from blisters, corns, calluses, bunions, crowding or toe deformities, your whole body can feel out of whack.

You’ve probably heard that wearing proper footwear is the first step (pun intended) to happy, healthy feet. But … well … life happens, and maybe you chose fashion over function in your footwear (it happens). Or maybe you’ve suffered an injury like a broken toe. Or you may be living with conditions like flat feet, rheumatoid arthritis or other issues that affect your feet.

There are entire displays at your local drug store dedicated to devices that promise to protect your toes. Search it out on an online retailer and you’ll find pages and pages of results and reviews for devices that claim to cure your aching toes.

But what’s the deal with all those different kinds of toe-spacing and toe-separating apparatuses? Are they the cure-all for your tootsie troubles?

We talked with podiatrist Georgeanne Botek, DPM, about toe spacers and separators and what they can — and can’t — do for you.

What are toe separators and spacers?

There is a wide range of toe spacing and separating fixes out there. Some are similar to those separators you use between your toes during a pedicure — essentially, a row of foam with cut-outs for your tootsies. Others look more like individual pillows that you place between your toes. And then there are the others that wrap around each individual toe.

Advertisement

And they come in different materials, too — they can be made from felt, foam, silicone and other substances.

It’s enough choices to knock you off your feet.

Dr. Botek says choosing a toe spacer or toe separator comes down to comfort and the problem you’re looking to fix.

“In general, I like the pads that are made of silicone because they’re spongy but keep their shape well. Most of the time, those are reusable, too, so you’re not throwing them out every time you use them,” Dr. Botek says. “I also usually recommend an open-toe pad. Anything that closes over your toes won’t let your toes breathe as much.”

If your toes are close together, the spacers that you place between each toe can work well. But for people with more flexibility and movement in their toes, they’re liable to slip out of position and wind up bunched up in your socks. No one wants that.

A trip to a specialty shoe store or a talk with a healthcare provider can help you navigate your options and find the best solution for you.

The thing to remember is that most toe spacers aren’t going to reverse any damage that’s been done, Dr. Botek notes. The exception: A specialized device that’s worn outside of shoes, while resting your feet. A common example is the brand Yoga Toes®.

“Toe spacers that are meant to be worn in your shoes are like eyeglasses,” Dr. Botek says. “These devices will work while they’re on, but they’re not correcting a problem at its root. When you take your glasses off, your vision hasn’t changed. It’s the same with toe separators and spacers. They won’t have a lasting effect on your feet.”

Benefits of toe spacers and separators

While they won’t permanently alter your toes or heal bunions, spacers and separators can help give your piggies some temporary relief and prevent some of the most common concerns. Dr. Botek shares these three reasons to give spacers and separators a try.

1. Straighten out your toes

If you find that your toes are crowding together, overlapping or bending upward (also known as hammertoe), or if you have bunions, you might consider toe spacers to give them some breathing space. Toes that have been scrunched up in socks and shoes can benefit from a good stretch.

Again: Spacers and separators you wear in your shoes aren’t going to provide lasting results (despite what their packaging may claim). For lasting relief from these issues, talk with a healthcare provider about your options.

2. Lessen friction

Toe spacers and separators can be a good choice for preventing some of the most common (and annoying) concerns. Spacers can be used to keep your toes from rubbing on your shoes. Repeated friction between your toes and your shoes can cause:

Advertisement

Keep in mind, though, that adding spacers or separators can change the way your shoes fit, particularly if your shoes are narrow at the toes. So, if you plan on wearing separators with your footwear, be sure to try on your shoes with the device on and take a good walk in those shoes to make sure you’re actually fixing the issue and not making it worse.

3. Add some cushioning

Yes, your best bet is to wear well-fitted, low-heeled, well-padded shoes. All the time. But when you have one of those occasions when your footwear isn’t quite up to that standard, toe spacers can give you some added comfort.

Are toe spacers and separators safe?

Dr. Botek says toe spacers and separators can be used without much risk for many people, but that doesn’t mean they’re right for everyone. Talk with your doctor about your options if you:

  • Are living with diabetes or diabetic foot complications.
  • Are living with neuropathy (numbness, tingling, muscle weakness and pain) in your feet.
  • Experience frequent or repeated sores, blisters or other problems with your feet.

Should I wear toe spacers every day?

If you find yourself needing to cushion your tootsies on the regular, you’d probably benefit from talking with a healthcare provider about other options, Dr. Botek advises.

“If you find that you’re having pain despite wearing accommodative padding or toe spacers, you’d probably want to get checked out. Or if it’s a problem that isn’t going away, there may be other things that can and should be done,” Dr. Botek adds.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Hand massaging foot with bunion
November 29, 2024/Orthopaedics
Can You Shrink Bunions Naturally?

Wearing shoe inserts, maintaining a healthy weight and using cold or heat therapy may give you relief

Person elevating broken and bruised toe on pillow.
December 6, 2021/Orthopaedics
Suspect a Broken Toe? How To Tell – and What Not To Do

Injuring a toe is painful, but is it a serious problem? Find out when to see a doctor and what to do to help your toe heal at home.

bunion surgery on foot
January 8, 2021/Orthopaedics
When Should I Have Surgery for My Bunions?

The short answer from an orthopaedic surgeon

athletes foot fungus
November 25, 2020/Skin Care & Beauty
How You Can Stop Foot and Toenail Fungus In Its Tracks

Treat them fast to stop spread and avoid serious problems

feet with hammertoe affliction
February 11, 2020/Orthopaedics
5 Things You Should Know About Hammertoe and Other Painful Toe Deformities

Understanding hammertoe, mallet toe and claw toe

Vitamin D supplement capsules scattered in the sunlight on a table
May 1, 2025/Orthopaedics
Breaking Down Vitamin D, D2 and D3

Vitamin D is an umbrella term for both D2 and D3 — both help keep your bones and immune system strong

Hand squeezing cream from a tube onto a finger
April 24, 2025/Orthopaedics
Are Topical Anti-Inflammatory Creams Worth the Rub?

These creams that you apply to your skin can actually help reduce localized pain, swelling and inflammation

Person sitting up in bed, yawning and stretching at the same time
April 10, 2025/Primary Care
What Is Pandiculation, and Why Does It Feel So Good?

This satisfying, involuntary act of yawning and stretching helps release tight muscles

Trending Topics

Person in bed sleeping on their side, covers off
Breathing Problems? Try These Sleep Positions

If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help

A couple looking at skyline, with one person slightly behind the other, head bent down
What Is Anxious Attachment Style — and Do You Have It?

If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style

Glasses and bottle of yellow-colored prebiotic soda, with mint, lemon and ginger garnish
Are Prebiotic Sodas Good for You?

If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods

Ad