What to Look for When Choosing Shoes for Hammer Toes

Hammer toes can make even short walks uncomfortable, particularly when raised toe joints rub against the inside of a shoe. This friction can contribute to corns, calluses and blisters. Choosing shoes with enough width and, importantly, enough depth around the toes can help reduce pressure and rubbing.

The right footwear can make a big difference to comfort. Look for shoes that give raised or bent toes enough room without rubbing against the top or sides. In this guide, we’ll look at the shoe features worth considering, why poorly fitting shoes can cause problems, and some practical ways to keep your feet more comfortable.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Why a Deep Toe Box Matters for Hammer Toes

Hammer toes usually affect one or more of the smaller toes, causing the middle joint to bend so that the toe sits higher than normal. If that raised joint rubs against the top of a shoe, it can become sore and may develop corns or calluses.

That’s why depth matters just as much as width. A shoe can be wide enough across the forefoot but still be too shallow over the toes. Look for a roomy, deep toe box and a soft upper that doesn’t press or rub against raised joints.

If you’re not quite sure what extra toe depth means, I’ve explained the difference between width and height in my guide to high volume toe boxes.

When shopping for shoes that ease hammer toe discomfort, focus on these features:

• Wide and deep toe box – gives your toes space to rest without rubbing against the top or sides.
• Soft, flexible uppers – materials like leather or mesh adapt to toe shape and reduce pressure.
• Low heels – higher heels can push the foot forwards and increase pressure on the toes.
• Cushioned insoles – reduce impact under the ball of the foot, where hammer toe pain often builds.
• Adjustable fastenings – laces, straps or Velcro can help you adjust the fit if your feet swell or change during the day.
• Removable insoles – useful if you need extra room or wear orthotics or other inserts.

👉 Wide-fit trainers, sandals with adjustable straps, and stretch-top casual shoes are often the most forgiving.

If trainers are your preferred footwear, I’ve also compared four soft-top trainers for hammer toes, including a Waldläufer pair I’ve worn myself. The guide looks at stretchy uppers, toe depth and what to check before buying.

For help with pressure across the knuckles, see how a shoe toe box stretcher can help create more height and comfort.

Causes of Hammer Toes

Hammer toes can develop for several reasons, and there isn’t always one obvious cause. Factors that may contribute include the shape and structure of your feet, muscle imbalance, arthritis or injury, and wearing shoes that put the toes under pressure. Tight, narrow or high-heeled shoes can also make symptoms such as rubbing and soreness worse.

Bunions can sometimes be associated with lesser-toe deformities too, particularly when the big toe pushes towards the smaller toes.

If bunions are also causing problems with shoe fit, you can read my guide to bunions here.

Common Signs and Symptoms

Hammer toes can look and feel different from person to person, but common signs and symptoms can include:

• Toes bent at the middle joint.
• Pain or irritation when wearing shoes.
• Corns and calluses on the tops of toes or under the ball of the foot.
• Swelling or redness around the affected joint.
• Difficulty straightening the toes fully.

At-Home Care and Relief

Well-fitting shoes are one of the simplest ways to reduce pressure and rubbing, but there are a few other things that may help with comfort:

• Gentle toe exercises – may help maintain movement and flexibility, particularly if your toes are still flexible.
• Soft pads or cushioning – can help protect areas that rub against your shoes.
• Shoe stretching – if a shoe fits well everywhere else but presses slightly over a raised toe, a toe-box stretcher may sometimes create a little extra room. Don’t use stretching to try to make an obviously unsuitable shoe fit.

When to Seek Professional Help

It’s worth speaking to your GP or a podiatrist if your toes are painful, the problem is getting worse, you’re having difficulty walking, or corns and calluses keep returning despite changing your footwear.

You should also seek professional advice if a toe has become increasingly rigid or difficult to straighten. If you have diabetes or problems with circulation, get advice about foot problems rather than trying to treat corns or damaged skin yourself.

Surgery may sometimes be considered when hammer toes are causing significant problems and other treatments haven’t helped, but whether it’s appropriate depends on the individual.

Living Well With Hammer Toes

Having hammer toes doesn’t mean you have to give up on shoes that look good. There are styles available with wider, deeper toe boxes, softer uppers and adjustable fastenings, so comfort doesn’t necessarily have to mean compromising on appearance.

If a shoe presses or rubs against your toes, don’t rely on it eventually becoming comfortable. For occasional dress shoes, look for the same basic principles: enough room around your toes and no pressure over raised joints.

Many retailers provide fitting guides or sizing charts to help when buying online. Check the measurements and fitting information for the individual style rather than automatically going up a shoe size to gain more room. If the shoe is too shallow or narrow, a different width, depth or toe-box shape may be a better solution than extra length.

For overall advice on easing foot discomfort and improving mobility, visit our Complete Guide to Foot Pain Relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hammer Toes

What are hammer toes?
Hammer toes are deformities of the smaller toes in which one or more toe joints become bent, causing the toe to sit in a raised or curled position.

Are hammer toes always painful?
No. Some people have hammer toes without pain. Problems are more likely when raised or bent toes rub against footwear, causing soreness, corns or calluses.

What shoes are best for hammer toes?
Look for shoes with a wide and deep toe box, soft or flexible uppers and enough room so the raised joints aren’t rubbing against the shoe. Adjustable fastenings can also make it easier to get a comfortable fit.

Do I need wide-fit shoes for hammer toes?
Not necessarily. Depth can be just as important as width. You may need more room above the toes even if your foot isn’t particularly wide, so concentrate on the overall shape and volume of the toe box rather than the width label alone.

Can insoles or orthotics help?
They may be useful for some people, depending on the reason they’re being used. If you already wear orthotics, make sure your shoes have enough width and depth to accommodate them without creating extra pressure on your toes.

Can exercises help hammer toes?
Gentle exercises may help maintain movement and flexibility, particularly while the toes are still flexible, but they won’t necessarily straighten a hammer toe. If you’re unsure which exercises are suitable for you, ask a podiatrist or physiotherapist.

Can hammer toes get worse over time?
They can become more rigid over time in some people. If your toes are becoming increasingly painful, difficult to straighten or are causing recurring corns or other skin problems, it’s worth getting professional advice.

When might surgery be considered?
Surgery may sometimes be considered when hammer toes are causing significant pain or difficulty and other measures haven’t helped. A healthcare professional can assess whether surgery is appropriate for your individual situation.

📌 Summary

Hammer toes can make finding comfortable shoes more difficult, but the right fit can help reduce pressure and rubbing. Look for enough width and depth around the toes, soft or flexible uppers and a secure overall fit. Remember that a shoe doesn’t necessarily need to be labelled “wide” — for raised toes, extra depth can be just as important.

If you’re still experiencing pain, recurring corns or calluses, or your toes are becoming increasingly rigid, it’s worth speaking to your GP or a podiatrist for individual advice.

If you’re unsure how different width fittings work, my Wide Fit Shoes Guide explains what to look for.

Sources and further reading

• NHS Bexley MSK – Digital Deformities — specifically covers hammer/claw-type toe deformities, deep/wide toe boxes, soft uppers, exercises, pressure-relieving pads and when surgery may be considered.
• Bradford District Care NHS – Footwear Advice — particularly useful because it explicitly says hammer/claw toes need enough depth, and explains how inadequate depth can cause rubbing, redness, swelling, blistering and thickened skin over prominent joints.
  

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you have persistent foot pain, new or worsening symptoms, or you’re unsure what footwear is suitable for you, speak to your GP, podiatrist or physiotherapist.

About Sue Holland
Sue writes WiderFittingShoes.com from first-hand experience of finding footwear for wide and difficult-to-fit feet. After two hip replacements, two ankle replacements and years of dealing with arthritis, swelling and feet that don’t always behave the same from one day to the next, she shares the practical things she’s learned about shoe fit, width and comfort.