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Hammer toes are a deformity of the middle joint of the toe that can cause pain, stiffness, restricted motion, and even blisters and calluses. If you’re afflicted with this condition, walking and wearing certain types of shoes can become very difficult, so finding the best shoes for hammer toes is a must. Saylee Tulpule, DPM, a podiatrist and physician spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association, says proper shoes can prevent how quickly hammer toes form and how painful they become.
Hammer toes often occur because the muscles and tendons around the toe get tight and shorten, pulling the joint into a bent position. If the toe stays in a bent position for too long, the tendons can become rigid and the toe no longer moves. Who’s most likely to deal with this common foot condition? People with flat feet, as well as those who regularly wear shoes that are too tight or too small are at risk. Footwear is an important way to stay comfortable with this foot condition and prevent foot pain from worsening, as untreated hammer toes can lead to muscular imbalances and other foot conditions like plantar fasciitis or bunions.
Supportive shoes that have a wide toe box and soft, flexible upper material can reduce rubbing on the toes and lighten the pressure on the joint. The right pair of shoes can also help keep hammer toes from worsening. Tight, unsupportive shoes like high heels are a no-no if you’re struggling with the pain and aggravation of hammer toes.
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There’s a wide range of shoe styles suitable for hammer toes, from slippers to hiking boots for men and women, so you can find exactly what you need for every occasion. Whether you need comfortable dress shoes or high-performance workout shoes, there are supportive options that can make hammer toes more comfortable. Comfortable sandals are a particularly good choice if you live in a warmer climate, since open shoes can prevent rubbing on a bent joint.
When shopping for the best shoes for hammer toes, first consider your shoe needs. Do you need something stylish to wear to work? Do you need comfortable travel shoes to wear on vacation? Once you know what you need, look for shoes with supportive insoles, and shoes that aren’t pointy or tight around the toes. Lower heels will keep pressure off the toe joints. With expert input, we researched shoes for a variety of situations and a range of styles.
Materials: Suede, foam, rubber
Special Features: Soft furry lining, full orthotic footbed
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “My doctor recommended that I not go barefoot because of my foot pain. I have Vionic shoes, sneakers and sandals so I was so happy to see Vionic had slippers too. These slippers are very well made. I love my slippers!!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $89.95
Materials: Leather, cork, foam
Special Features: Adjustable straps, large open toe area
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
Nordstrom Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What testers say: “Love these! After years of bunion and hammer toe issues, my feet are comfortable in Birkenstocks. There is some break-in time due to the thick leather upper, but it’s totally worth it. I wish I started wearing them 10 years ago.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $159.95
Materials: Leather, rubber
Special Features: Deep toe box, waterproof
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What testers say: “I purchased these a month before a 3-day backpacking trip. I was the only person without sore feet or blisters. They seem wider in the toe area then most boots but not in the way that makes them bulky.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $101.82
Materials: Mesh, rubber
Special Features: Heel-hugging padded cushion
What testers say: “The Atom is my favorite, all I buy is Kuru shoes, no pain when I exercise or walk. Life changer! I actually joined a gym and love to go now!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $160.00
Materials: Leather, foam, rubber
Special Features: Podiatrist-designed insole, adjustable strap
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Orthofeet Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.7/5
What testers say: “The comfort is superb. Feels great even on my first use. Equally important is that these shoes do not compromise on style. Could easily double up as elegant men’s shoes for evening wear and dining.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $99.95
Materials: Wool, foam
Special Features: Machine-washable design
What testers say: “My dad has had a bunion and hammer toe for many years. He’s found the most comfort now with Allbirds shoes.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $98.00
Materials: Sweater knit, faux fur, rubber
Special Features: Available in four widths, removable insole, antimicrobial lining
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “These clogs are SO comfortable….they have removable inner soles so that my orthotics fit right in; the heel base is deep enough so that the orthotics don’t slip out (has been a problem with other clogs), they are lined with furry warmth, and the soft body material is stretchy! I have barely taken them off since they arrived! Terrific!!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $159.95
Materials: Knit, rubber
Special Features: Machine washable, four-way stretchy knit upper
Vivaia Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.2/5
What testers say: “These shoes are remarkably comfortable and particularly for feet that have bunions and hammer toes. I have both and have worn these shoes for 10 hours straight and never felt any discomfort. And they look stylish too. I would recommend them to anyone.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $79.00
Materials: Leather, EVA foam, Rubber
Special Features: Fully adjustable, two-way strap system
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
What testers say: “I live in Florida and wear sandals daily. Orthofeet sandals reliably offer me foot comfort and support.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $104.95
Materials: Leather, Rubber
Special Features: Elasticized heel, Wide and deep toe box
Sole Bliss Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5 stars
What testers say: “I have had loads of problems with my feet and finding comfortable shoes. These are great. They fit well and look good but I can also wear them for hours without my feet hurting!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $99.95
What Are Hammer Toes and How Are They Treated?
Hammer toes typically occur in the second, third, and fourth toe and are characterized by a distinct upward bend in the middle joint. Hammer toes can be caused by a number of different foot conditions such as injury or health conditions like diabetes or arthritis. Hammer toes can also be caused by continuously wearing shoes that are too tight, like high heels, or shoes that don’t fit properly. People who are older or who have flat feet are at a higher risk for hammer toes. Your risk also goes up if you have long toe bones, i.e., if your second toe is longer than your big toe.
People suffering from hammer toes can have pain, stiffness, and swelling in the toes. You may also feel pain in the ball of the foot due to muscle imbalances at the toe joint, notes Tulpule. There are two types of hammer toes, but which type you suffer from doesn’t necessarily change the type of shoe you should look for.
Flexible hammer toes are a condition in which you can still move the affected joint. It’s considered a milder form of the hammer toes. There are usually several treatment options you have for these types of hammer toes, including inserts or pads that reposition your toes, taping or splinting to straighten your toes, applying ice to relieve pain and swelling, and wearing roomier shoes. Tulpule recommends Silipos digital toe caps to prevent painful corns or hammer toe crest pads to help straighten the toe. Rigid hammer toes occur when the tendons in your toes have become stiff and immovable, and they press the joint out of alignment. The usual treatment option for this form of hammer toe is surgery.
What to Look For in the Best Shoes for Hammer Toes
Comfort and support in your shoes are always going to be of utmost importance when you have foot conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. No matter what type of shoe you need, whether sneakers or sandals or something in between, experts recommend you look for shoes with the following features.
- Roomy toe box: Shoes with a wide toe box area will relieve pain and pressure and allow the toes to fully splay. A deep toe box will minimize rubbing and irritation on the tops of hammer toes. An even better option would be sandals that have no toe box at all. Tulpule recommends a round or square toe box rather than a narrow or pointed toe.
- Arch support: Shoes with built-in arch support, or shoes that allow for inserts, keep your foot aligned and in the proper position. Giving your foot the support it needs minimizes pressure points, especially on hammer toes.
- Stretchy materials: Uppers made of soft, stretchy material won’t irritate hammer toes and other foot ailments like bunions, blisters, and calluses. Look for shoes with softer, stretchy fabrics like mesh or canvas shoes, or ones with soft linings.
- Low heel: Shoes with a lower heel elevation will keep pressure off your toes. If you’re sliding into heels for special occasions, prioritize shoes with stretchy upper materials, rounded or square toe boxes, and a non-constricting fit.
How We Chose the Best Shoes for Hammer Toes
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 choose the best shoes for hammer toes for our list, we relied on expert input to understand the needs of those suffering with both flexible and rigid hammer toes. Our experts suggested features to look for, and brands they like and recommend. We researched products that fit a variety of categories such as sandals, hiking boots, and dress shoes and found styles for both men and women. We looked for shoes that provided style and structure, as well as comfort and room for toes to move. We also considered special features like adjustable straps and stretchy uppers that make it a little easier for those with pain or irritation. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Expert
Saylee Tulpule, DPM is a podiatrist practicing in Maryland and Washington, DC. She specializes in general podiatric medicine, sports medicine, biomechanics, and elective forefoot surgery. She is a physician spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Meet the Author
Jen Zeltwanger, ACSM-EP, is a freelance writer and editor specializing in health and fitness topics and product reviews. As a fitness professional and someone who has worked with clients and family members suffering with hammer toes and other foot conditions, Zeltwanger knows how all types of shoes can affect your feet and knows what to look for when shopping for quality shoes for hammer toes.
