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The cheapest way to release stress, realign toes, and beat foot pain.

Though you may not think much about your feet until they start to give you problems, they're among our most frequently used body parts, and keeping them in good shape can significantly affect your quality of life, especially if you're a runner. Although most of us wear shoes throughout the day, our feet were built to spread and bend as we walk barefoot. Over time, this type of motion can cause our toes to begin shifting closer together, which can cause some serious issues like hammertoes, bunions, and severe callusing.

One of the best and cheapest ways to keep your toes from crowding and keep your feet comfortable is by using toe spacers. Toe spacers or toe separators are usually made from gel, and come in options that can either be worn all day, or for a short period of time. Used properly, they can help spread your toes out to a more natural and comfortable distance, and can help prevent or even reverse damage to your feet. Since there are quite a few options out there with different use cases, we've rounded up our favorites to help you choose.

If you have not been to a podiatrist, or are new to toe separators and spacers, you may not know where to start your search. If you're just looking to spread your toes a bit more and release some tension in your feet, you will want to opt for a five-toe spreader. These come in options that you can wear all day, which are best for alleviating chronic pain and more severe foot issues, and those that help adjust and spread your toes when worn for just a short period of time.

If you have a more specific issue, like bunions or hammertoes, you may want to opt for a single toe spacer that focuses on your big toe. These are generally worn around the second toe and push the big toe out while leaving the rest of your toes as they are. Spacers also come in a few different materials, but the most popular ones are made of gel, which is not only comfortable, but won't rub or chafe during the day. There are also options on the market that come in sock form, which are great for activities like yoga.

To find the best toe separators among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular models available and considered their materials, comfort, design, efficacy, and price. We then looked at both expert reviews and customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these toe spacers on sites like Amazon, to settle on the products you'll find below, all of which have average user ratings of four stars or higher.

Looking for more ways to keep your feet happy this summer? Check out these supportive sandals.

If you want a toe spacer that you can wear all day, it will have to be one that will also fit inside your shoes. These spacers are not only comfortable and effective, but they're also super low-profile, so you won't have to worry about trying to shove them inside your favorite pair of sneakers. They are made from a soft, comfortable gel that will not rub or blister, and they come with both a 30-day trial period and a 90-day warranty.

This glitzy option may not be made from real gems, but they can be a girl’s—or guy’s—best friend. These separators are meant to be worn for 15 minutes to an hour at a time, so don’t worry about trying to shove them into your shoes for all-day wear. Because of this, they are a bit thicker than models designed to be worn with shoes, and they will give your toes a bit more of a stretch than those you’re meant to wear all day. However, since they’re made of a soft squishy gel, they are still plenty comfortable.

If your issue is a hammer toe or bunion, you probably only need to create space between your big and second toes. This separator encircles the second toe and has a pad that extends towards the big toe, forcing space. It's made from a soft gel that's comfortable enough to wear all day, and it is low-profile enough that it will fit in most shoes.

It also comes in five different colors, including some designed for darker skin tones, which make it less noticeable if you're wearing it with sandals.

If you don't like the feeling of gel in between your toes, you may prefer this sock option. It has plush pads that sit in between each toe and help to gently separate them. These can be worn in shoes—though your toes will not be covered—and while they do work to separate your toes, they will not be as aggressive as a gel option. They also are machine washable and one-size-fits-all.

If only one toe is doing the crowding, you may be fine opting for a single toe spacer like this one—though it does come in a pack of four if you decide to use more. These washable, reusable gel pads are designed for use between your big and second toe. The gel is also enriched with mineral oil, which it releases when in use to prevent any rubbing, chafing, or blistering.

These toe separators come in a four-pack with both a looped and open option. They are both made from a soft, comfortable gel, and are great for stretching out your toes at home. The looped option will give you a bit of extra stability, while the open option is great for yoga or stretching.

Customers also loved that the open option separated their toes when applying nail polish, and didn't risk messing up the polish when removed.