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Why Do People Wear Toe Spacers?

Posted By Robyn Hughes, ND

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The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read full disclaimer here.

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How Long Before I Feel the Benefits of Correct Toes Toe Spacers?

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We find that most people, most of the time, experience some immediate relief, with continued positive musculoskeletal health benefits occurring over months and years. Of course, results may be different for different people, and the direct and indirect health benefits of Correct Toes depends on many factors, including your age, your tissue mobility, how frequently you use your Correct Toes toe spacers, your physical activity level, and how often you... Read more

Can Minimalist Footwear & Toe Spacers Help When Hiking?

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The Natural Footgear team receives lots of messages each day from folks around the world who want to know more about natural foot health and the products we offer. One of the most common questions we receive involves hiking footwear. Specifically: “Can I benefit from minimalist footwear & toe spacers when hiking?” Giving serious consideration to your hiking footgear is crucial in ensuring a comfortable and injury-free trek. Indeed, the... Read more
Comments
June 23, 2025
Gina K

I love the whole concept of toe spacing, but I wonder how much space should be between the toes? Basically, is there an optimal amount? Is it possible to have too much spacing there?

June 23, 2025
Natural Footgear

Thank you for your questions, Gina! They get to the heart of something often overlooked in discussions about toe spacing. In a naturally shaped and properly functioning foot, the toes—particularly the big toe and little toe—splay away from the central digits to create a stable, tripod-like base of support. While there’s no single “optimal” millimeter measurement for toe spacing that applies to everyone, a healthy foot typically exhibits noticeable gaps between all toes when relaxed, especially between the big toe and second toe. These spaces should be wide enough to allow for independent toe movement, proper load distribution, and healthy circulation, but not so exaggerated that they compromise the foot’s cohesive function or integrity.

In rare cases, overcorrection—such as excessive or prolonged use of overly aggressive toe spacers—can create instability or discomfort, especially if the tissues haven’t had time to adapt. The key is to encourage gradual, natural splay that restores your foot’s intended architecture without forcing it into unnatural extremes. Basically, you want your toes to align with their corresponding metatarsal bones, and, in our experience, we have found that Correct Toes Original spacers and StableToe are the best tools for accomplishing this goal. We hope this info helps!

Yours in Foot Health,
Drs. Marty & Robyn Hughes

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