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The right shoes make a difference.

No one likes to be in pain when they walk, and that’s especially true for folks with hammertoes. This is a condition where “toes become clawed or flexed and cannot return to a flat neutral position. It can be painful, affect walking and impact what shoes work for the individual who has them,” says Milica McDowell, D.P.T., PT, MSPTco-author of “Walk,” a book that discusses walking and its benefits for optimal foot health.

If you have this toe shape, having the right pair of shoes is extremely important. “All people with hammertoe deformities would benefit from an extra-depth shoe to alleviate symptoms caused by hammertoes rubbing in the shoes,” says Sharone Stern, D.P.M. An extra-depth shoe gives you a larger toe box to accommodate both rigid and flexible hammertoes. When I asked doctors for the best shoe, one brand came up multiple times: Altra, specifically the Altra Tor's Sneaker.

Altra Torin 8 Shoes

$160 $144 at Zappos

$160 $115 at Amazon

“This shoe has one of the widest toe boxes on the market, and has a mesh upper to prevent toes rubbing against the top portion of the shoe,” says Daniel Stewart, D.P.M. “They also have a moldable ‘heel collar’ which helps keep the foot locked in place while walking.” McDowell agrees, saying that the wide toe box and wide sizes are key for people with hammertoes. “This gives them space to let their toes spread out and be less cramped,” she says. They’re available on sale in both women’s sizes and men’s sizes.

Whitin Unisex Wide Toe Box Shoes, S25

$60 $46 at Amazon

If you want a more affordable running shoe option, McDowell recommends shoes from Whitin. “These have a wide toe box; many of the uppers are stretchy, some with mesh, which creates more room for those with hammertoe issues.” Like the Altra shoes, these are zero-drop, so your feet lay flat and pressure is distributed throughout your foot—not exclusively on your toes.

Ill-fitting shoes are a leading cause of hammertoes, according to Stewart. Folks “who have a long second toe might also be at risk for hammertoes,” he adds. Getting a shoe with more toe room isn’t just an ideal solution for those who have hammertoes, but also to prevent them from forming. Comfortable daily walks, here you come!

Both the Altra Torin 8 sneaker and the Whitin sneaker are excellent picks for hammertoes. We also rounded up more shoes from both brands to peruse, each available in wide widths, too.

Shop More Altra and Whitin Shoes for Hammertoes

Whitin Wide Toe Box Shoes, S885

$60 $44 at Amazon

Altra Torin ST Shoes

$160 $144 at Zappos

Whitin Wide Toe Box Shoes, S881

$52 $40 at Amazon

Altra Paradigm 8 Shoes

$170 $153 at Zappos

Altra Torin 9 Shoes

$160 at Zappos

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