Do you suffer from little toe pain and find buying a pair of comfortable shoes a problem? Let’s talk about the best shoes for pinky-toe pain and why you might have been suffering in your old shoes.
Pinky toe pain is not unusual and is usually caused by either a medical issue or in most cases ill-fitting tight shoes. In most cases, a change of footwear can make a big difference in comfort levels and help to reduce any discomfort.
Here are some of the best shoes that you should be thinking of wearing if you have a problem with toe pain as well as some of the factors that might be causing pain in the first place.
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Vionic Spark Caroll Ballet Flat
Vionic makes great shoes and sneakers that are designed with foot health in mind. These ballet flats have excellent arch support and a rounded toe so your feet have plenty of space to move into their natural position.
Orthocomfoot Ergonomic Shoes
OrthoComfoot design a huge range of shoes that are designed to combat all types of foot pain. These have a wide-toe box, they look great and also they are designed with great arch support to help keep your feet in the right position when walking.
The Best Shoes For Toe Pain
Vionic Women’s Spark Caroll Classic Ballet Flat
My top pick for a smart shoe for women that has a wider toe box plus arch support in the form of an orthotic insole is these Vionic Caroll Ballet flats.
I actually own this shoe in a plain black design but there are plenty of other colors and designs that you can purchase in the range.
These are ultra-comfortable shoes to walk in. They are perfect for flat feet as the arch support helps to balance and support the foot and the wide toe box doesn’t make my feet feel cramped.
I bought these to help with plantar fasciitis and tendonitis but they are also hugely helpful for anyone who suffers from little toe pain.
Skechers USA Men’s Round Toe Lace Up Oxford
Yes, Sketchers are famous for their sneakers but they also sell some great shoes that can be used to help with little toe pain.
The round-toe lace-up Oxford shoes are a great example of a wider box shoe that can help with problems such as pinky toe pain or a tailors bunion.
These have air-cooled memory foam soles to keep your feet cool and give you maximum cushioning. They also include great arch support to help issues position your foot correctly and help flat feet and take pressure off the plantar fascia.
One of the most important factors when choosing a shoe for little toe pain is to buy footwear with a wider toe box.
A narrow toe box that squashes your toe area or restricts movement can lead to overlapping toes or cause rubbing or increased pressure on your feet.
Many types of shoes are not rounded but instead are shaped into a point which means that your big toe and little toes don’t get as much room as some of the other toes.
If the material of your shoes is also stiff or inflexible that can also cause a problem with friction and caused additional foot problems.
The best shoes for pinky toe pain, therefore, have a rounded toe box at the very least and a soft upper to stop shoes rubbing. Here are some examples of the types of shoes and sneakers that have a better toe box for maximum comfort.
OrthoComfoot Men’s Ergonomic Shoes for Pain Relief
OrthoComfoot is a brand that prides itself on manufacturing shoes that deal with all kinds of foot pain. These shoes help with everything from plantar fasciitis to bunions, flat feet and much more.
I like the design because not only are they nice and wide fitting to solve pinky toe pain but they also have arch support insoles to help you distribute foot pressure better.
They also have a deep heel cup which can help to keep your foot in the right position as you walk and the shoes are breathable to minimize sweating.
Veittes Women’s Slip-On Knitted Breathable Flat Shoes
Veittes shoes are another example of comfortable knitted shoes that are soft and comfortable on your feet.
These are a slip-on design so they are really easy to get on and off and they have a great wide toe box to help stop little toe pain.
They also have an EVA insole for comfort so these shoes are great for wearing every day without causing foot problems.
Xero Shoes Women’s Mary Jane Style Ballet Flat
These shoes have a heel that is low to the ground which helps with balance and comfort.
They also have a wide-toe box and a really simple design that is great for wearing when you are out and about. These aren’t dressing shoes but they are perfect if you want some casual shoes that are really easy to wear.
As a bonus, they are vegan-friendly and are made from materials that don’t contain any animal products.
Great Casual Shoes for Toe Pain – Hey Dude Women’s Wendy Sox
If you are looking for more casual shoes to help with toe pain then Hey Dude shoes are a good choice because of the materials that are used in their construction as well as the wider tox box and cushioning.
The great thing about these shoes is the wider toe box and the fact that the shoes are lightweight and incredibly flexible. This makes them really easy to walk in.
The wide widths in Hey Dude designs are great for a tailors bunion, pinky toe pain and other bony bumps.
The insoles are cushioned as well for comfort and another great bonus as these are machine washable in cold water which means they are super easy to keep clean.
Hey Dudes Wally Funk Shoes for Men
Hey dudes don’t just sell women’s shoes but men’s as well. This means that men can also benefit from their casual shoes with a wider toe box.
These lace-up loafers are perfect for milder weather and are the ultimate comfort shoes. Plus your pinky toes won’t be squashed inside the toe box or hurt by rubbing from the material.
Sneakers for Little Toe Pain – WHITIN Women’s Minimalist Barefoot Shoes | Zero Drop Sole
Whitin is a brand that specializes in rounded-toe sneakers that have enough room for your toes to spread out instead of being constricted and confined in narrow-toe box shoes.
These sneakers are noticeably wider at the front than most other brands which allows your foot to spread to its natural shape. They are also great if you have a tailors bunion.
They also have a knitted upper which is going to be softer and more flexible that leather sneakers. Plus they have zero-drop heels which means they will improve your posture.
Running Shoes With a Wide Toe Box – Brooks Men’s Ghost 14 Neutral Running Shoe
To assess what would work best for him we went to a specialized running shop where he tried on a number of sneakers before settling on the Brooks Ghost trainers.
Since then he has stuck with the brand and bought new versions as they come out. So far so good the square box style running shoes have caused him no problems or injuries and have been incredibly comfortable. Therefore I can say with confidence that the toe boxes of these shoes are great if you have very wide feet that need room.
Brooks Women’s Glycerin GTS 20 Supportive Running Shoe
Brooks also do women’s running shoes so you can get the benefit of their wider fit if you need it.
Just note that you may need to buy a size up with these as some people found that this was nearer to their real size.
Best Budget Choice For Men – Deer Stags Black Leather Shoes
If you are looking to find the best shoes for pinky toe pain at the budget end of the market then these Deer Stags black shoes have a wide toe box plus you can buy the shoes in a wide size as well.
These are made from leather but don’t have a metallic shank allowing a little more flexibility.
These also have an orthotic sock made from EVA inside the shoe which helps heel cushioning which is great if you have plantar fasciitis and also helps to offer that much-needed arch support.
Why Does My Little Toe Hurt When I Wear Shoes?
Why Do Shoes Make Your Pinky Toe Hurt? Well, the answer is it will depend on what the underlying problem is.
There are a number of different reasons why people experience problems with their little toe hurting and these are just some of the most common reasons why you may have an issue.
Shoe Size and Friction
As I said earlier the most obvious reason for most people is that they have bought a pair of tight shoes with a narrow-toe box.
Fashion may dictate that pointy-toe or narrow-toed shoes are all the rage but the reality is that not everyone can wear them.
You need to make sure that you buy shoes that have enough room for your feet to spread naturally without rubbing up against the insides. This means you may need wide shoes or ones with wide-toe boxes.
If you don’t take this into account when you are purchasing your shoes you are going to find that the fifth toe is going to hurt.
No Arch Support
Choosing shoes with superior arch support is also important for some people with pinky-toe pain. This is because without it their feet can move out of the optimal position in their shoes and cause them to start to hit the shoe material.
When the arch support is in the shoe the foot can stay in the right position and the problem stops.
If a shoe hasn’t got the right arch support you can buy custom orthotics instead to help.
Toe Injury
An obvious cause of pinky-toe pain can be a toe injury. If you have broken or stubbed your toe then clearly the toe is going to hurt. So will an ingrowing toenail on that fifth toe.
In these cases, the problem is usually temporary but you may have difficulty wearing shoes while the foot mends. Therefore you may need to buy an adjustable walking boot that you can use to help with the problem.
A Tailor’s Bunion
A Tailor’s Bunion is a bony lump that can appear on the base of the little toe on the fifth metatarsal bone. If you have one and it sticks out then it is likely that it will hit the side of your shoes unless you have a wide tox box.
Tailor’s bunions can be corrected with toe surgery or you can cushion that part of your foot with various pads. Preventing blisters is usually the first and less drastic option. This means that choosing the right shoes is really important to stop any pinky-toe pain.
Corns
I remember my dad had a corn on his pinky toe when I was a child and he was always yelping in pain when he stubbed it. I have no idea why he didn’t go to a podiatrist to remove it but he lived with it for years.
Corns are troublesome and are usually caused by friction from wearing the wrong shoes so buying wide shoes would have made sense for him to help alleviate the problem.
If you have corns go to a professional to get them removed and then buy shoes that don’t rub the problem area.
What To Do If You Have Pinky Toe Pain From Shoes
If you believe that your shoes are causing you pain in that pinky toe then there are four main things that you can do to stop the problem.
- Pick rounded-toe shoes with a wide-toe box.
- Wear shoes with arch support and comfortable insoles to keep your feet in the correct position.
- Choose made from softer materials so they are less likely to hurt if there is friction.
- Buy orthotics to help reposition your foot.
The solution isn’t always to buy a new pair of shoes. Sometimes orthotics that are bought off the shelf or ones that are custom-made can help.
Orthotics like these Power Step Insoles can be easily placed inside your shoes and help make sure your foot stays in the right position when you are walking.
Pinky Toe Pain When Walking
If you have pinky toe pain when you are walking you can also do a number of things to help cushion your toes and feet from any painful friction.
I have written an article on how to stop your pinky toe hurting in shoes which has some great home treatments that you can use to stop any pain or rubbing.
Solutions can be as simple as stretching your shoes or using cushioning to help protect your foot from further damage.
How to Stop Your Little Toe Rubbing Against Shoes
If you want to stop your little toe rubbing against your shoes then it is time to throw your tight shoes away and embrace a wider toe box to prevent pain.
Yes, you can stretch shoes but if the design of the shoe is wrong no shoe stretcher will be able to help you resolve the problem.
Orthotics can help especially if you have flat feet or suffer from pronation. Cushioning can also be a quick fix but it won’t solve the root cause of the problem.
Instead, use my list showing you the best shoes for pinky toe pain to make more informed choices when you are next buying some shoes to make sure that your footwear is comfortable, cushioned, and avoids friction or rubbing.
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