It’s easy to underestimate the impact that foot pain can have on your running. Just a slight discomfort in the toes can slow you down massively over time.
There’s a great deal of friction in the shoe when running, so it’s natural that our bodies aren’t always able to keep up with it.
Toe protectors might not be the solution for everybody but they’re a relatively inexpensive item to try. They work by surrounding and cushioning your toes in a soft material, usually silicon gel, to protect the toes from stress, pressure and friction.
We’ve scoured the market and found the toe caps we think will work best for running based on their designs, the materials used and user reviews. Read on for our top picks.
Best toe protectors for running
Sumiwish Silicone Toe Caps
!["Sumiwish]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2022/02/Sumiwish-Silicone-Toe-Caps-518c877.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Sumiwish")
Sumiwish toe protectors are made from silicone gel to help absorb pressure and friction. This cushioning can provide protection from calluses, blisters, irritation and injury to help get you back on your feet again. The toe caps are also cuttable, so you can trim them down with scissors to adjust how they fit.
The material is said to be lightweight and flexible, with the toe caps designed to relieve pain and provide extra comfort. The covers are reusable and washable with water and soap, while baby powder is said to help them retain their grip.
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Ultimate Performance Toe Protector
- Buy now from Runners Need
!["Ultimate]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2022/02/Ultimate-Performance-Toe-Protector-a67a59d.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Ultimate")
Made from soft silicon, these Ultimate Performance Toe Protectors are designed to help alleviate pain from corns and blisters by surrounding and cushioning the toes.
They’re also said to be stretchy enough to fit the size of any toe. They come in a pack of two and can be reused and washed by hand.
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Bukihome 12 Pack Toe Protectors
!["Bukihome]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2022/02/Bukihome-Toe-Protectors-5e44fae.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Bukihome")
These toe protectors have a simple design and are made from an elastic silicone gel. Said to be usable for physical sports, they’re designed to fit most shoes, including sports and hiking shoes. They’re available in different sizes and the big size has holes along the side to allow for ventilation.
If they’re too large, they can be cut down with scissors to better fit the shape of your toe. The toe caps are said to protect you from different pains and conditions, like blisters, calluses and missing nails. The soft gel material is latex-free and the brand claims it can easily stretch and slip onto your toes.
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Pro-Tec Athletics Toe Caps
- Buy now from Road Runner Sports
!["Pro-Tec]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2022/02/ProTec-Athletics-Toe-Caps-94c8cd9.jpg?quality=90&resize=600%2C400" "\"Pro-Tec")
These Pro-Tec Athletics Toe Caps can be used to protect yourself from blisters, rubbing irritation and toenail loss. Soft silicone surrounds the toe to cushion it from friction and pressure from the shoe. Available in a pack of four.
Nuoshen Toe Protectors
!["Nuoshen]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2022/02/Nuoshen-Toe-Protectors-414a869.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"Nuoshen")
If you only need protection on the sides of your toes, these sleeves wrap round while leaving the end of the toe exposed. They’re said to be easily cut and adjusted to fit different sizes, and the soft silicon material should help you achieve a personalised fit.
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DYKOOK Cuttable Toe Tubes
!["DYKOOK]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/34/2022/02/DYKOOK-Toe-Tubes-84847f3.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413" "\"DYKOOK")
Cut your own covers with this pack of five toe protector sleeves. Made from a combination of silicon and cotton, these stretchable sleeves are designed to help reduce discomfort in the feet from toe-related problems. They’re also washable, allowing you to reuse them over time.