Q1) Will a gel crest pad feel bulky in tight shoes?
Short answer: It can. Gel adds lift and thickness under the toe tips, reducing toe-box space especially in ladies' dress shoes.
Workaround: Try a suede- fabric (thinner) crest pad or choose roomier footwear for the gel crest pad.

Q2) My adjustable crest pad rubs/slips. What am I doing wrong?
A) Likely loop tension or placement. The loop should be snug but not tight and should be at the base of the toe past the knuckle.

The pad sits just under the toe tips to lift and straighten. Refit while standing in the shoe, then take a short walk test. If it still migrates, try the elastic toe loop suede- fabric crest pad.

Q3) Is a suede crest pad cushioned enough?
A) It’s lower profile and less cushioned than gel. But it is still very effective. If you have sensitive skin or feet, gel is a better option. Good for dress shoes/tight toe boxes.

Q4) My gel toe cap feels warm or sweaty—is that normal?
A) Yes. Silicone is occlusive. Sprinkle a little talcum powder, air-dry the cap daily. If skin is becoming macerated, decrease time of use during the day and be sure to remove at bed time.

Q5) How do I pick the right size for toe caps?
A) Measure the circumference of the painful toe at the widest point and match to the size chart. If between sizes, go up. Too small = pressure/ feeling tight ; too big = rotation/rubbing.

Q6) Pain is on the tip of my toe—will a gel sleeve work?
A) Usually no. Sleeves protect the top at the knuckle /sides, not the tip. For tip pain/corns, use a toe cap or crest pad (to lift the tip off the shoe).

Q7) Will a Budin toe splint fix a rigid hammer toe?
A) No. Soft straps support and may realign flexible overlapping hammertoes. If the joint is fixed, a splint won’t straighten it. These work best for an early onset flexible overlapping toe
to prevent worsening and also may help healing after a toe injury. Focus on pressure relief (caps/sleeves/crests) or discuss other options with a clinician.

Q8) Which product should I use for my specific problem?

A) Corn on toe tip: Gel toe cap if hammer toe is rigid or better yet if hammer toe is flexible suede-fabric crest pad, adjustable gel pad or gel crest pad
Corn on top of toe: Gel sleeve or toe cap
Overlapping toes ( flexible): Budin splint (single/double) or toe spacer
Tip-of-toe pressure from curled toes: Crest pad (gel for cushion; suede for tight shoes)

Q9) Best choice for dress shoes or tight toe boxes?
A)Suede crest pad or thin gel sleeve or cap. Avoid bulky gels and thick caps unless the shoe is roomy.

Q10) Can I wear these in sandals?
A) Yes, but choose low-profile options (suede crest, thin sleeve). Caps may slip without a closed toe.

Q11) How long can I wear pads each day?
A) Usually they can be worn most of the day without a problem. But to start with 1–2 hours and increase as tolerated. Leave off for 4 hours daily and remove at bedtime. If you feel numbness, tingling, or new pain or worsening pain, stop and refit. If issue continues , stop using and contact your doctor/ healthcare provider.

Q12) Do you have video tutorials for how to apply the pads?

A) Yes. Many products include a video on our YouTube channel where Dr. Gaffney explains the pad's use and demonstrates how to apply and adjust the pad.

Question

Q1) Will a gel crest pad feel bulky in tight shoes?
Short answer: It can. Gel adds lift and thickness under the toe tips, reducing toe-box space especially in ladies' dress shoes.
Workaround: Try a suede- fabric (thinner) crest pad or choose roomier footwear for the gel crest pad.

Q2) My adjustable crest pad rubs/slips. What am I doing wrong?
A) Likely loop tension or placement. The loop should be snug but not tight and should be at the base of the toe past the knuckle.

The pad sits just under the toe tips to lift and straighten.  Refit while standing in the shoe, then take a short walk test. If it still migrates, try the elastic toe loop suede- fabric crest pad.

Q3) Is a suede crest pad cushioned enough?
A) It’s lower profile and less cushioned than gel. But it is still very effective. If you have sensitive skin or feet, gel is a better option. Good for dress shoes/tight toe boxes.

Q4) My gel toe cap feels warm or sweaty—is that normal?
A) Yes. Silicone is occlusive. Sprinkle a little talcum powder, air-dry the cap daily. If skin is becoming macerated, decrease time of use during the day and be sure to remove at bed time.

Q5) How do I pick the right size for toe caps?
A) Measure the circumference of the painful toe at the widest point and match to the size chart. If between sizes, go up. Too small = pressure/ feeling tight ; too big = rotation/rubbing.

Q6) Pain is on the tip of my toe—will a gel sleeve work?
A) Usually no. Sleeves protect the top at the knuckle /sides, not the tip. For tip pain/corns, use a toe cap or crest pad (to lift the tip off the shoe).

Q7) Will a Budin toe splint fix a rigid hammer toe?
A) No. Soft straps support and may realign flexible overlapping hammertoes. If the joint is fixed, a splint won’t straighten it. These work best for an early onset flexible overlapping toe 
to prevent worsening and also may help healing after a toe injury. Focus on pressure relief (caps/sleeves/crests) or discuss other options with a clinician.

Q8) Which product should I use for my specific problem?

A) Corn on toe tip: Gel toe cap if hammer toe is rigid or better yet if hammer toe is flexible suede-fabric crest pad, adjustable gel pad or gel crest pad
 Corn on top of toe: Gel sleeve or toe cap
Overlapping toes ( flexible): Budin splint (single/double) or toe spacer
Tip-of-toe pressure from curled toes: Crest pad (gel for cushion; suede for tight shoes)

Q9) Best choice for dress shoes or tight toe boxes?
A)Suede crest pad or thin gel sleeve or cap. Avoid bulky gels and thick caps unless the shoe is roomy.

Q10) Can I wear these in sandals?
A) Yes, but choose low-profile options (suede crest, thin sleeve). Caps may slip without a closed toe.

Q11) How long can I wear pads each day?
A) Usually they can be worn most of the day without a problem. But to start with 1–2 hours and increase as tolerated. Leave off for 4 hours daily and remove at bedtime. If you feel numbness, tingling, or new pain or worsening pain, stop and refit. If issue continues , stop using and contact your doctor/ healthcare provider.

Q12) Do you have video tutorials for how to apply the pads?

A) Yes. Many products include a video on our YouTube channel where Dr. Gaffney explains the pad's use and demonstrates how to apply and adjust the  pad.

Accepted Answer