Popular Q&A: Curiosities

At What Age Can Kids Start Wearing Correct Toes?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

At what age can kids start wearing Correct Toes?

This is a great question, and one that the team here at Natural Footgear often receives from curious parents. Quickly, though, before we dive into that topic, it’s important to note that long-term foot health is an incredible gift that parents can give to their children—a gift that will pay large quality of life dividends over time. It’s... Read more

Do Men Develop Bunions?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Do men develop bunions?

Bunions are often considered to be a female-specific foot problem, but the truth is, these deformities frequently occur in people of all genders and ages (apart from the very youngest in our society, at least until conventional footwear is adopted). For women who wear high-heeled footwear frequently throughout their life, the likelihood of developing a bunion is quite high. However, due... Read more


How Do I Put on Vibram FiveFingers?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

How do I put on Vibram Fivefingers?

Vibram FiveFingers are, for many, the ultimate minimalist shoe. Designed to fit your foot like a glove, these flexible-soled toe shoes enable a high degree of tactile feedback as you move about on varied terrain, and they allow your foot to act like a healthy bare foot inside your shoe. They meet our criteria for foot-healthy footwear—they are,... Read more

Is the Little Toe a Vestigial Structure? Why or Why Not?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Is the little toe a vestigial structure? Why or why not?

A vestigial structure is an organ or physical attribute that has lost some, most, or all of its original or ancestral function but yet is still retained by members of a given species. Examples of vestigial structures in humans may include the palmaris longus muscle, the pyramidalis muscle, wisdom teeth, and the plica semilunaris... Read more


What Are the Worst Types of Footwear?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

What are the worst types of footwear?

In a world filled with generally atrocious and injurious shoes, there are many possible contenders for “worst type of footwear.” In reality, though, there exists a continuum of footwear, ranging from models that are practically unwearable to models that let you realize your full foot potential. Still, some shoes ignominiously rise above the rest when it comes to... Read more

Why Do My Shoes Always Wear Out in the Same Spot?

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

Why do my shoes always wear out in the same spot?

The wear pattern you see on the soles of your shoes provides important clues about your gait and how your feet are interacting with the world. The specific wear pattern mentioned above (outside, or “lateral,” heel) is typical among pretty much all wearers of conventional footwear that incorporates heel elevation, rigid soles, and substantial... Read more


Why Do Some People Have a Longer Second Toe Than Big Toe?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Why do some people have a longer second toe than big toe?

Every set of feet is unique! Among the many possible foot characteristics that vary from person to person are: arch height, foot and toe width, and foot and toe length. Some people (probably somewhere between 20-30 percent of the population) possess an index toe (i.e., second toe) that is longer than the big... Read more

Why Has My Shoe Size Increased Since Switching to Wide Toe Box Minimalist Footwear?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Why has my shoe size increased since switching to wide toe box minimalist footwear?

This is a question that we commonly receive from customers and site visitors! The truth is, most folks who adopt foot-healthy footwear (i.e., shoes that stay out of the way of your feet) in combination with other helpful footgear (e.g., toe spacers, toe socks, metatarsal pads, sole-stimulating insoles, etc.) experience a... Read more


Why Is Correct Toes More Expensive Than Other Toe Spacers?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

Why Is Correct Toes More Expensive Than Other Toe Spacers?

It's true that Correct Toes costs more than other toe spacing devices, and people often wonder why this is so. Here's why: Correct Toes is more than just a premium product; it represents an entire approach to foot care that upends decades of conventional foot care treatments. As such, it's a product that requires extensive... Read more