Seeing a good pair of shoes suffer from premature death is the worst thing ever. It’s alright if you wore the shoes for years, but the situation is different for some people. They need a foolproof solution to solve this problem.
How to prevent toe holes in shoes to Return? Proper shoe maintenance and foot hygiene are the keys to preventing toe holes in shoes. But then again, a top-notch sock can prevent damage from unintentionally overgrown nails. Although some people might still require shoe hole prevention inserts to solve the problem.
If you really want to fix your shoes, an explanation of 42 words is never enough. You need to have a good idea about each of the methods you can use to prevent toe holes in your shoes. That’s why I’ve prepared an in-detailed guide for you-
How to Prevent Toe Holes in Shoes? (6 Methods)
Let me clear out something before I start explaining the methods. Just because methods 5 and 6 are at the bottom of the list, doesn’t mean they don’t work.
Those two methods will cost you some extra dough, so I thought of going over the more affordable methods first. Let’s start-
Method 1: Proper Maintenance
There’s no alternative to maintenance if you want your shoes to last a long time. Sadly, not many of us think of using shoe conditioners. Most people have a misconception thinking these conditioners only give the shoes a shiny look.
Well, they couldn’t be any more wrong. Shoe conditioners protect the raw material of the shoes by strengthening them. The texture becomes more flexible, allowing the shoes to be moved with the least amount of tear and wear.
Other than that, don’t let dirt sit on the shoes for too long. The sooner you clean those out, the better it is for the material.
Method 2: Adequate Breathing Space for Your Toes(A Good Fit)
Getting a good fit won’t cost you a penny. But some people never seem to find the right fit. No matter what type of shoes you wear, be it sneakers or heels, you should always have the proper fit.
Otherwise, there will be an excessive amount of friction throughout different areas of the shoe. The problem is, you probably won’t even feel these frictions. But after a while, you’ll notice that the shoes are showing signs of damage out of nowhere.
That said, always go for the size. Depending on the type of shoe, it will break-in, to some extent. I’ll be talking more about the toe gap at the end. So, stick with me.
Method 3: Trimmed Toenails
If you’ve never noticed, all of us tend to move our toes upwards. It’s never sideways. Usually, it’s not that big of a deal. The real issue is when your toenails get bigger and start rubbing the upper mesh.
That’s why you should always keep your toenails trimmed. Sometimes, there aren’t any secrets, just plain hard facts. Thus, remember to cut your nails every week or two.
Method 4: A Good Pair of Running Socks
This might seem too obvious but wearing a good pair of socks can save your shoes in the long run. The thing is, quality socks reduce the friction inside the shoes, ensuring the movement doesn’t damage the upper part.
On top of that, a comfortable pair of shoes is hardly going to let your toenails do any damage. And there’s also the fact that these can save you from minor injuries.
Method 5: Shoe Hole Prevention Inserts
Some people always suffer from toe holes, no matter what they do. If this seems familiar to you, what you need is a pair of shoe hole prevention inserts.
Installing these is a piece of cake, so don’t worry about that. Apart from preventing toe holes, the inserts also offer a little cushioning. Meaning, the comfort is going to get a little better too.
Click here to buy Shoe Hole Prevention Inserts available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Method 6: Quality Insoles
If you have an irregular feet shape, you might’ve already heard about orthotics or corrective insoles. These things make your walking experience much better by filling in the gap that your feet can’t.
The overall weight distribution is fixed and you get to walk comfortably. As it turns out, the mismatched weight distribution can change how you walk, leading to problems such as toe holes.
A quality insole takes care of that problem for you. But the best part?
You can use the inserts for every pair of shoes you own. And eventually, you’ll train your feet to walk and move differently.
Why Do I Always Get Holes in the Toes of My Shoes? (6 reason)
You might’ve already guessed a few factors about why this happens. But let me elaborate on all the reasons so that you get a clear idea.
1. Less Movement Area for the Big Toe
A shorter shoe size is going to result in having less breathing space for your toes. But your biggest toe or hallux joint is what’s going to suffer the most. As a result, the distal phalanx extends too much.
And that’s when the toenails and mesh collide. It all sustains about one second. But the problem is it happens over a thousand times while you’re running or walking fast. Eventually, the mesh will wear away revealing holes.
2. Excessive Heel Movement
It might seem that your heel isn’t directly related to how toe holes are appearing. But what if I say it is?
A properly fitted shoe is supposed to have a specific amount of gap for comfort and fit. But when that balance goes away, you start to see all sorts of problems.
If there’s too much heel movement, the friction on the toe area will rise too along with the heel area. And as the repeated movement on the heels is something you need to move around, you can’t risk having a longer or shorter gap. It either has to be just right or there are going to be problems.
3. Ankle Dorsiflexion
Every time you put down a step and prepare your feet for another lift-off, a calculated pressure goes inside your feet. But when that calculation goes wrong, your feet try to compensate by extending your feet a bit too upwards.
That, eventually, leads to toe holes. Could you follow through? The foot is moved upwards, meaning the toenails move too. The worst part is this is out of your control.
Unless you do corrective exercises, it’s only going to get worse. A little exercise on your leg muscles can fix ankle dorsiflexion in no time.
4. Poor Maintenance
This one’s a given. Some people never seem to take care of their shoes. Came from a muddy forest? No problem, I’ll wash it next month.
If this sounds like you, then I feel sorry for your shoes. Always consider your shoes as investments. A good pair of shoes can last you for years. So, why not give it the care it deserves?
5. Thin Upper Mesh
Manufacturers already know about this problem. But sadly, not all of them can do much about it. You need to thin fabric for the upper mesh. Otherwise, there won’t be sufficient airflow.
They can give thicker fabric. But that’s surely going to ruin the overall comfort. This becomes even more crucial for running shoes as they need to be as lightweight as possible.
The good thing is, technology is improving day by day. Maybe we’ll have much better material in the near future.
6. Overgrown Toenails
Who would’ve known that your very own toenails would betray you? Well, after everything I’ve discussed it goes without saying your toenails can be the biggest culprit when they’re overgrown. So, remember to cut down your nails every week or two.
Handy Hints: If you interested to know more guides about crocs shoes, visit our other article about How To Clean The Bottom Of Shoes To Return Them?.
How Much Space Should You Give Your Toes in Shoes?
Even if you’ve measured your shoe size a number of times, it’s always better to try out different sizes. The fit can change depending on the type of shoe it is.
And you’re paying your hard-earned money, so you better do some thorough checking. Although make sure you go buy shoes in the afternoon when your feet are swelled up.
1. Keep a ⅕-inch Gap at the Toe Area
Look at your biggest toe and measure the distance to the edge of the front part. But there’s no need to take out a ruler and start measuring. Instead, use the tip of your pinky(large hand) or index finger(small hand).
2. Keep a ⅛-inch Gap at the Heel Area
As I’ve said before, the gap at the heel area plays a crucial part too. Although it needs a shorter gap. The measuring method is almost the same except you insert the finger inside. If it’s a snug fit, you know it’s the right size.
FAQ about How to Prevent Toe Holes in Shoes to Return
You need to take good care of your shoes to prevent any friction damage. You might also consider changing your socks into a better pair. But most importantly, you should keep your toenails small to prevent the continuous friction that occurs while running or any fast movement.
No matter how well-made your new pair of socks are, they aren’t going to last long. With enough wear, the fabric becomes thin and starts developing tiny holes. When they’re tiny, you can wear them. But the holes are going to get bigger in no time. So, be ready to buy another pair.
If there’s less breathing space for your toes, the distal phalanx extends to make up for it. And it turns upwards, your toes start poking the upper part of your shoes. It might seem insignificant at first, but keep in mind it’s going to rub off hundreds of times or even more depending on your activity.
Our verdict on How to Prevent Toe Holes in Shoes to Return
Well, that’s a wrap on how to prevent toe holes in shoes. At the end of the day, it all boils down to how well you take care of your shoes. If there’s always dirt inside your shoes, the frictions are going to do more damage than usual. You can’t avoid the friction but there’s no point in enhancing it.
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Meet Bryen, a true aficionado in the world of fashion, with a special knack for footwear. From an early age, Bryen’s passion for style and shoes was undeniable. He’s dedicated his life to becoming a footwear and fashion expert, immersing himself in trends, craftsmanship, and the cultural nuances of fashion.