Hammer toes can make wearing shoes a real challenge—especially if the top of your toes rub uncomfortably against the inside of the shoe. I have had a similar experience with toe rubbing because my toes are quite chunky (for want of a better term)
One of the simplest and most effective solutions is increasing the height of the toe box with a shoe toe box stretcher.
This stretching can make a huge difference to comfort and mobility, giving your toes some much-needed breathing room without splashing out on custom made shoes.
If you have quite a few pairs of shoes, it is definitely worth buying a toe box stretcher / raiser, I say this because to be honest the shoe toe box stretcher / raiser devices are not cheap, nor are they easy to find.
Today, finding a genuine toe box stretcher can be more difficult than it was when I first wrote this article. They’re no longer commonly available through Amazon in the UK, so you may need to buy direct from the manufacturer or a specialist supplier if stock is available.
The good news is that they still do exactly what they were designed to do—create extra headroom above your toes rather than simply making the shoe wider.
What Is the Toe Box and Why Does Height Matter?
The toe box is the part of the shoe that houses your toes. While width is often talked about—especially on our site—height is just as critical for those dealing with foot conditions like hammer toes, claw toes, or mallet toes. These conditions cause the toes to bend abnormally, often upwards, leading to painful pressure points against the top of the shoe and sometimes wearing orthotics can push toes up towards the top of your shoes.
Many people search for a “toe box stretcher” when what they’re really looking for is a way to create more room above their toes. A toe box stretcher (sometimes called a toe box raiser) works differently from an ordinary shoe stretcher because it increases the height of the shoe rather than its width.
How Does a Taller Toe Box Help Hammer Toes?
When the toe box is too shallow, it compresses the raised joints of hammer toes, causing:
- Skin irritation and corns on the knuckles of your toes
- Inflammation or swelling
- Difficulty walking or standing for long periods
Stretching the height of the toe box relieves this pressure, allowing the toes to sit more naturally inside the shoe. This improves comfort, reduces rubbing, and makes footwear wearable again—without pain or resorting to sandals in winter.
If your shoes are generally comfortable but only feel tight over the tops of your toes, a toe box stretcher can be an excellent solution. If the whole shoe feels tight, however, stretching may not be enough and choosing footwear with a naturally higher volume toe box is often the better long-term answer.
If bunion pressure is also a problem, wider toe boxes and stretchers can help reduce rubbing — see our bunion guide for more tips.
For general tightness or forefoot squeeze, start with a standard toe box stretcher before moving to condition-specific designs.
How to Stretch a Shoe’s Toe Box
Unlike traditional shoe stretching (which usually focuses on width or length), stretching the height of the toe box requires a specific tool and method. Here’s how to do it:
1. Use a Toe Raiser or High Toe Box Stretcher
These specialist devices are shaped to fit the forefoot of a shoe and are adjustable vertically. They lift the top of the toe box area gently over time. Look for wooden or metal models for durability, and make sure they are designed for vertical toe clearance, not just width, (they typically look like a beak).
Some shoes may need two, or even three goes depending on the amount of extra room required. Don’t be disappointed if the first attempt isn’t quite enough. Slow and steady gets the best results.
2. Apply Shoe Stretching Spray
A good quality stretching spray softens the material of the shoe (especially leather), making it more pliable. Spray the inside top of the toe box generously before inserting the stretcher, and leave it in for 6–12 hours. This combination works wonders, especially on leather or suede footwear.
Check out my article on Shoe Stretcher Spray
3. The Damp Cloth and Spoon Method (DIY Alternative)
If you don’t have a shoe toe box stretcher, wrap a metal spoon in a damp cloth, then use the curved end to gently push upwards on the inside of the toe box. Pack out the underside of the spoon with a cloth to hold it in place, and again, leave overnight. While this is less precise than a shoe stretcher, it can sometimes be as effective and can provide mild relief in softer shoes.
4. Use Heat With Caution
Heating the shoe with a hairdryer while stretching can help soften the material. But beware: too much heat may cause leather to crack or synthetic materials to warp. Always test first and keep the heat source moving.
Best Types of Shoes to Stretch
Shoes that respond best to vertical toe box stretching include:
- Leather dress shoes and boots
- Canvas trainers
- Soft suede or nubuck shoes
Avoid trying to stretch plastic, stiff synthetics, or shoes with a hard internal cap over the toe box, as they won’t give and could crack, split or crease. Certainly do NOT attempt steel toe capped footwear as you are likely to damage the shoe stretcher.
Worth being clear on one distinction: “work shoes” isn’t automatically off-limits. If your work shoes are genuine leather without a steel or composite safety cap, they can generally be stretched the same way as any other leather shoe. It’s specifically the reinforced protective toe cap that can’t give, not the fact that they’re work shoes.
After stretching, compression socks can help reduce swelling that worsens hammer toe pain.
When a Toe Box Stretcher Isn’t Enough
In those situations, you’re usually better off choosing shoes with enough width and internal depth from the start. Modern high-volume toe boxes often provide the extra toe clearance many people need without modifying the shoe at all.
Sometimes, even a specialist toe box stretcher can’t completely solve the problem. If your shoes are too narrow, too shallow or simply the wrong shape for your feet, stretching can only achieve so much.
Additional Tips for Hammer Toe Comfort
- Use silicone toe caps or soft sleeves to cushion toe knuckles
- Choose shoes with adjustable closures to reduce pressure
- Alternate shoes daily to allow stretched pairs to “rest”
- Stretch slowly over several days for the best results
Increasing the toe box height is one of the simplest hacks for dealing with hammer toe discomfort—and often saves shoes you’d otherwise discard. It’s relatively affordable, practical, and it works. Your toes will thank you!
For a deeper understanding of foot pain and relief options, read our Complete Guide to Foot Pain Relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I stretch the height of any shoe?
A: Not all shoes respond well. Leather, canvas, and suede work best. Shoes with hard synthetic uppers or reinforced toe caps are usually not stretchable vertically.
Q: How long should I leave the toe box stretcher in?
A: For best results, leave it in overnight or for at least 6–8 hours. Repeat the process over a few days if you need more height.
Q: Will a toe box stretcher fix my hammer toe?
A: No, it won’t fix the underlying condition, but it will relieve symptoms by reducing pressure and improving comfort inside your shoes.
Q: Do I need to use shoe stretch spray?
A: It’s highly recommended, especially for leather shoes, as it softens the material and makes the stretching more effective and longer-lasting.
In Summary
I would usually provide reviews for items that I recommend, but at the moment there are only two devices available, one of which is considerably more expensive and more suited for commercial use.
Update: my usual recommendation, the FootFitter Professional, is currently out of stock everywhere I can find it — including FootFitter’s own site, where they’ve confirmed a genuine supply issue. I’ve written more about the situation, including what I’d suggest instead, in my full FootFitter review. I’ll update both pages and relink as soon as stock returns.
Please note that I always use Foot Matters shoe stretcher spray. I particularly like this one as it is very effective and it has never left any water marks on either my suede or nubuck shoes, and is often available in multipacks.