Women who have their third toe longer than their big or second toe have the hardest time finding shoes that are comfortable to wear. The issue is that most shoes aren’t designed for women with a longer third toe. After having fitted shoes for many women with this condition, I noticed that the shoes that work best are the ones that provide extra depth and rounded toe-boxes instead of pointier ones. Shoes that provide those two key features will help prevent your third toe from rubbing against the front part of the shoes. I will show you a list that I have put together that describes the best shoes for women who have their third toe as their longest toe.
Women who have their third toe as their longest toe are very limited in the type of shoes that they can wear. The main issue that they face is that when they buy a bigger shoe size to prevent their third toe from rubbing against the front part of the shoes, the shoes become too big and their feet tend to slip off the shoes.
What Shoes Work Best for Women with a Longer Third Toe?
I work for a shoe store that specializes in helping women with “complicated” foot shapes as well as foot and leg problems. I have been lucky to help hundreds of women with foot problems find the perfect pair of shoes for their feet, and I am confident that I will be able to help you too.
I am going to help you find shoes that provide these 2 key features:
☑️ Rounded Toe-Boxes: A shoe with a round toe-box means that the front part of the shoe has a rounder shape instead of being pointier, which means that it allows extra space for the toes to move around and don’t overlap each other or rub against the side or the top of the shoe. This feature helps prevent women from having to buy longer shoes to prevent their third toe from rubbing against the front part of the shoes. Take a look at the picture below for clarification:
These are two shoes that are the same size in length and width but look at how different the toe-boxes are. The shoe made by New Balance (image on the right) has a much rounder toe-box than the shoe made by Asics which has a much pointier toe-box.
In summary, if you have the third toe longer than the big or second toe you will always choose the shoe that has the roundest toe-box, and in this particular case, it will be the New Balance style.
☑️ Extra Depth: Shoes that provide extra depth allow your feet to fit deeply and more comfortably inside the shoe and prevent the toes from rubbing against the top or front part of the shoes. Deep shoes also prevent you from having the impression that your feet are coming out of the shoe since your feet are sitting deep inside the shoe. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
You are probably wondering how can you tell which shoes provide extra depth and rounded toe-boxes? The only way to figure this out is by trying and testing different shoe styles. I know which shoes provide these 2 features from having fitted them before.
Would It Help to Order Shoes in Wide or Extra Wide Widths?
It would as long as you have medium, wide, or extra wide feet. If you happen to have narrow feet I don’t suggest ordering shoes that are labeled as wide or extra wide as they will feel too big on your feet.
Risks of Wearing Shoes that Don’t Accommodate Your Long Third Toe
If your third toe constantly rubs against the front part of the shoes, you might develop several foot issues such as blisters, calluses, and corns.
You will notice that the list I have put together of the best shoes for women who have their third toe as their longest toe is New Balance-heavy, as this shoe brand consistently offers the most diverse options in the wide segment. It’s a fact that New Balance tops the list of brands that specialize in shoes with round toe-boxes and extra depth.
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodate high insteps
- An ENCAP midsole combines lightweight foam with a durable polyurethane rim to deliver all-day support
- Dual-density collar foam that offers support and comfort for your heels and ankles
- Suede and mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Cushioning outsole with a mild rocker adds spring to your step.
- Multiple cushioning layers provide pillow-like support that works wonders to enhance comfort and help ease pain on the foot and heel
- Soft, stretchable knit fabric uppers with extra foam padding ease pressure on the foot and provide superior comfort and protection for sensitive feet.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Cushioning outsole with a mild rocker adds spring to your step.
- Multiple cushioning layers provide pillow-like support that works wonders to enhance comfort and help ease pain on the foot and heel
- Soft, stretchable knit fabric uppers with extra foam padding ease pressure on the foot and provide superior comfort and protection for sensitive feet.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- The DNA LOFT cushioning provides a soft, luxurious feeling underfoot without losing responsiveness or durability
- GuideRails support keeps you moving comfortably by keeping excess movement in check
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet and also accommodates high insteps
- VERSARUN cushioning absorbs impact and reduces pressure for comfortable strides at every level of walking and running
- Added heel support for a more comfortable, secure hold.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- DNA LOFT offers incredibly soft cushioning that now extends beyond the heel, allowing for an easy transition from landing to toe-off.
- Removable foam insole for excellent underfoot comfort and support.
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Medial post helps control pronation
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths and also accommodates high insteps
- CMEVA (Compression Molded EVA) midsole delivers lightweight, durable, responsive cushioning
- Strategic high-abrasion rubber zones to reduce weight
- Soft, stretchable knit fabric uppers with extra foam padding ease pressure on the foot and provide superior comfort and protection for sensitive feet
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your longest foot size
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
Take a look at the description below the shoes that I recommended to find out what shoe size you should order. Ordering your shoes too small or too big can defeat most of the benefits that the shoes have to offer, and might lead you to develop foot issues.
Buying shoes online can be a challenge. If you are unsure of your current foot shape or foot length, I suggest that you take a look at a different resource I created where I help women determine their exact foot shape from home:
How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
If you are having a hard time finding a specific pair of shoes to accommodate your long third toe I suggest that you ask your question in the comment section below or send me an email at: comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Do you have a child with the third toe longer than the big toe? I actually wrote an article where I describe the best kids’ shoes for the third toe longer than the big toe. Just click on the link below:
Kids with Long Toes – The Best Shoes for Kids with the Middle Toe Longer Than the Big Toe
Final Thoughts!
The number of shoe brands and models can be overwhelming. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a universal shoe brand for a woman who has the third toe longer than the big and second toe. I hope I made things easier for you by showing you a list of shoes that have worked well for many women who have their middle toe as their longest toe.
What about men with a long third toe, please!
Hello Gene,
I specialize in women’s shoes, but I am happy to help you look.
Are you looking for a men’s shoe for walking or running? Do you know if the guy has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet?