Best Toe Separators, Bunion Correctors and Toe Guards 2021

Bunions, overlapping toes, hammer toes and claw toes are all foot problems that can cause pain, inhibit everyday tasks, and limit the choice of shoes you can comfortably wear. Fortunately, there are a number of different products that can alleviate pain caused by these foot conditions, space out your toes to enable you to be more active.

What Are Bunions?

Bunions are bony lumps that form on the sides of the big toes (called hallux valgus) or the little toes (called a bunionette or tailor's bunion). Bunions typically cause pain on the side or bottom of the foot, and this is usually worse when you wear shoes – especially high heels, tight shoes and shoes with pointed toes. Over time, pressure placed on bunions by shoes can force the toes to bend inwards, causing friction, blisters and calluses. Below are the top recommendations from our insole experts:

Best Bunion Sleeve Socks

Winner: OrthoSleeve BR4 Bunion Relief Socks

Why We Love Them…

✔ Split-toe design gets rid of any friction or rubbing
✔ Cushioned, padded fabric wicks away moisture while protecting toes
✔ Easy to wear without the need to use underlying guards or separators

Not the Best For…

✘ Severe bunion issues requiring extra support under the toe

 

Editor's Verdict: Traditional bunion guards can provide lots of protection, but they tend to be rigid and uncomfortable. By incorporating bunion protection into the socks themselves, these cleverly-designed bunion sleeve socks help to eliminate the pain associated with bunions without requiring any additional guards, separators or toe crests.

Runner Up: GelSmart S-Gel Bunion Relief Sleeve with Gel Metatarsal Pad

Best Bunion Guard for Severe Hallux Bunions

Winner: GelSmart M2-Gel Toe Bunion Guard

Why We Love Them…

✔ Made from medical-grade viscoelastic compound to avoid irritation
✔ Can be trimmed to provide the ideal amount of coverage for each user
✔ Protects the area from pressure and friction to avoid 'hot spots'

Not the Best For…

✘ Those suffering from tailor's bunions or bunionettes

 

Editor's Verdict: For more severe hallux valgus bunions, you'll most likely need targeted support and protection on the inner side of your big toe. This bunion guard provides exactly that, and is made with medical-grade and dermatologically-tested materials to cushion to area and avoid irritation.

Best Toe Separators for Bunions

Winner: Pro11 Big and Little Toe Straighteners for Bunions

Why We Love Them…

✔ Help to straighten out bent toes to prevent any further deformity
✔ Gel pads cushion the outsides of both the big and little toes
✔ Thin, lightweight and breathable fabric is comfortable in most shoes

Not the Best For…

✘ Those suffering from minor bunions on only one area of the foot

 

Editor's Verdict: While most bunion sleeves and guards will focus on pain relief for a single area of the foot, these toe separators are suitable for both hallux and tailor's bunions. Instead of only focusing on pain relief, these separators will help to keep the toes straight to prevent any further deformity from occurring while additional treatment is sought.

Runner Up: Pro11 Bunion Toe Corrector and Spreader (Pair)

What Are Overlapping Toes, Claw Toes and Hammer Toes?

Overlapping toes are common and self-explanatory, but what are claw and hammer toes? Simply put, a hammer toe is a deformity where the first joint of the toe bends upwards and the middle joint bends downwards, while a claw toe refers to a deformity where the first joint cocks upwards and the middle and end joints of the toe curl downwards.

Best Toe Spreader for Claw Toes

Winner: Pro11 Yoga Toes Spreader and Corrector

Why We Love Them…

✔ Spread out the toes with soft gel to alleviate symptoms of claw toes
✔ Help to reduce pain and fatigue in toe while walking or running
✔ Can be safely worn at any time – whether during exercise or while relaxing

Not the Best For…

✘ Hammer toes only affecting only one or two toes

 

Editor's Verdict: Claw toes aren't only painful, they can negatively affect your balance, walking stride and even posture. By spreading out the toes, the toe spreaders provide a more natural contact with the ground, and can even help to correct certain foot deformities.

Runner Up: GelSmart M2-Gel Toe Crests

Best Toe Crest for Hammer Toes

Winner: Pro11 Triple Loop Toe Crest

Why We Love Them…

✔ Focuses on second, third and fourth toes to alleviate pressure
✔ Straightens toes to both relieve pain and help to improve balance
✔ Made with a soft silicone material that's easy on the skin

Not the Best For…

✘ Claw toes affecting all of your toes

 

Editor's Verdict: This Trip Loop Toe Crest is designed specifically to relieve the pain in the ball of the foot and blisters caused by hammer toes. Using soft silicone to reduce pressure without adding any extra friction, this product has actually been found to help straighten out hammer toes over time. Keep in mind that it's supplied as a single crest for one foot.

Runner Up: GelSmart M2-Gel Toe Crests

Best Toe Separators for Blisters

Winner: Pro11 Stay-Put Toe Separators (Pack of 2)

Why We Love Them…

✔ Space out single toes to provide a general blister-prevention solution
✔ Go over top of the toe for more stability and comfort than other single toe separators
✔ Help to reduce pressure, irritation and blisters with soft silicone materials

Not the Best For…

✘ Blisters that affect multiple gaps between toes

 

Editor's Verdict: While the other items we've listed are a better choice for conditions affecting multiple toes, the Stay-Put Toe Separators are ideal for when one toe in particular is giving you a blister problem.

Runner Up: Silipos Full Gel Toe Caps

Found What You're Looking For?

These are the top recommendations from our insole experts, but at ShoeInsoles.co.uk, we stock a huge range of solutions for all sorts of foot problems. If you'd like to see all of the options we have available, feel free to browse our:

• Insoles for Bunions
• Insoles for Claw Toes
• Insoles for Hammer Toes
• Insoles for Blisters
• or, you can browse our entire range by condition

Do you have a question, or something to add? Why not let us know in the comments, or find us on Twitter and Facebook!

Shop Related Products

Pro11 Triple Loop Toe Crest Toe crest for the second, third and fourth toes Reduces pressure caused by hammer toes Straightens hammer toes to relieve pain Washable for better hygiene    In stock now £4.99   (9) More info

Pro11 Yoga Toes Spreader and Corrector Device to spread out the toes Relieves foot pain and fatigue Corrects various foot deformities Available in red, green or blue    In stock now £6.99   (11) More info

GelSmart M2-Gel Toe Bunion Guard Cushions and protects hallux bunions Prevents friction and pressure sores Straightforward and easy to apply Comfortable to wear    In stock now £11.99 More info

Pro11 Big and Little Toe Straighteners for Bunions Lightweight and breathable bunion sleeves Cushion big and little toe bunions to relieve pain Straighten toes to prevent further deformity Can be worn with most closed toe shoes    In stock now £8.99   (3) More info

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