How to Choose the Best Crest Pad for Your Flexible Claw/Hammer Toes
Best Crest Pad for Flexible Claw/Hammer Toe (Complete Guide)
Crest pads are my go-to pad for a flexible claw toe deformity with pain or a corn at the tip of the toe.
I would make these for patients in the office out of tube gauze, dental cotton and tape as commercialized crest pads are not readily available in stores. Surprisingly, these DIY crest pads would last for a month or 2.
Luckily, there are a few choices for a more durable reusable crest pad that I carry in my store. All of which do a very good job offloading the tip of the toe and straightening a bent, flexible claw toe.
Quick Picks (What to choose at a glance)
| Option | Use When | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Gel Crest Pad (Multiple Toes) | Flexible claw toe with need to offload tip; loop around most deformed toe (often 2nd) | Loop not adjustable (avoid if feet swell); bulkier in tight toe boxes; gel moisture |
| Single Toe Gel Crest Pad | Just one bent/curled flexible claw toe; can double as stay-put spacer | Loop not adjustable (avoid if feet swell); gel moisture |
| Suede-fabric Crest Pad | Lower profile; less moisture build-up; secure elastic band | May lift less; edge may irritate sensitive skin; elastic may dig if swelling |
| Adjustable Gel Crest Pad | Softer gel feel; wider, softer adjustable band | May be thick in toe box (2.5" × 0.75"); gel moisture; over-tightening risk |
| Gel Toe Separators or Hammer Toe Straightener | Align multiple lesser toes (2–5); reduce corns at multiple toe tips | May be bulky; may slip out of place |
Gel Crest Pad for Multiple Toes (Right & Left)
- 3 sizes, small medium and large
- Has a loop that secures to the toe
- Hypoallergenic, non-toxic, non-latex
- Washable and reusable
Pros
- soft against skin
- Durable
Cons
- loop is not adjustable so avoid this crest pad if your feet swell.
- Must be careful not to overstretch the loop to increase lifespan of product
- Bulkier in shoes and therefore may be a problem in certain dress shoes with a limited toe box.
- Gel against skin may cause excessive moisture
Tips for Use
- The thicker and wider part of the crest pad goes toward the big toe.
- The loop usually goes around the toe with the greatest deformity which is usually the 2nd toe. Crest pads normally work best when the loop is around the 2nd toe
- Avoid if diabetic , have poor circulation or neuropathy ( numbness tingling of feet) and one should avoid anything that goes around the toe with these conditions.
Single Toe Gel Crest Pad
Made for just a single bent/ curled flexible claw toe
- 3 sizes, small medium and large
- Has a loop that secures to the toe
Pros
- soft against skin
- Durable
- Dual use as a stay put spacer to keep toes apart.
- Washable and reusable
Cons
- loop is not adjustable so avoid this crest pad if your feet swell.
- Gel against skin may cause excessive moisture
Suede-fabric Crest Pad
- Right and left sides
- 3 sizes: small, medium, large
Pros
- Lower profile so will take up less room in shoes
- Elastic band secures the pad to the toe very well
- Will not cause as much moisture build-up against the skin as the gel crest pads.
Cons
- Lower profile may not give as much lift to the toes to do the job. ( However , I have never seen this in practice)
- Edge of the crest pad may irritate those with sensitive skin. (But most of my patients have not had this problem)
- The elastic pad may dig into the toe as the day goes on, if your feet swell.
Size Guide
| Size | Shoe Size | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Small | women’s 4–7 | 60mm long × 7mm thick, tapering to 3mm |
| Medium | women’s 8–10, men’s 6–8 | 60mm long × 10mm thick, tapering to 3mm |
| Large | women’s 11+, men’s 9+ | 70mm long × 10mm thick, tapering to 3mm |
Adjustable Gel Crest Pad
This is my favorite.
One size—right and left
Pros
- very soft nice silicone gel . This gel has a little more give than the other gel crest and feels so nice against the skin.
- Washable and reusable
- Adjustable band secures the pad to the toe. The band is wider and softer maker it more comfortable than the elastic band on the suede-fabric crest pad.
Cons
- may be too thick and take up too much room in the toe box. Measurements: 2 1/2 inches by 3/4 inch. can be trimmed to fit.
- Gel may cause too much moisture against the skin
- Careful with feet that swell throughout the day as the loop may overconstrict at that point.
- Care must be taken to not overly pull the adjustable loop to extend the lifespan of the product.
Gel Toe Separators | Toe Straightener & Cushion Support
This very soft comfortable gel device can be used as multi-toe crest pad to help align claw toes of all the lessor toes /toes2-5 . Many of my patients have had this problem and suffered from corns on tips of multiple toes. This device can help alleviate the pressure on all the lessor toes.
Pros
- Straightens & separates toes – Helps reduce overlapping and provides support for bent or hammer toes
- Dual-use design – Can be worn upright as a toe separator and crest/buttress pad to lift and cushion toe tips or flipped to offload sore knuckles at the toes.
- Eases pain from corns, calluses & friction – Ideal for reducing irritation at the knuckles or between toes
- Durable & long-lasting – Made of soft but durable gel that outlasts foam alternatives
- Reusable & washable – Easy to clean with mild soap and air dry for extended use. Sprinkle with powder if gel gets tacky,
- Latex-free & universal fit – Safe for sensitive skin and fits either foot
Cons
- This may be too bulky and it may slip out of place
I hope this guide helps you pick the best crest pad for your flexible claw/hammer toe to get your Best Foot Forward.
--Dr. Gaffney
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