Table of Contents
Are you looking for the best shoes for turf toe? Running has great benefits for your entire body. Keeping fit, losing weight, and maintaining a healthy balance are some of these benefits. However, running does come with a couple of risks.
You need to know how to protect yourself just like with any other sport. Some runners may not be fans of protective shoes because they feel they negate barefoot shoes’ value.

If you are not a barefoot or minimalist runner, then you probably do not face this dilemma. Running is a high-impact sport and can pose a risk to your toes and the entire foot. Pain in the foot can be irritating whilst other pain can be debilitating and cause you to be unable to run totally.
Turf toe is a sprain of the big toe joint due to a sports injury. It is usually a result of excessively bending the toe joint upward. It can be caused by either jamming the toe or repetitive injury when repeatedly pushing off, running, or jumping.
A lot of soccer players have this injury. One of the reasons it has been called turf toe is because some less protective or supportive, flexible shoes are worn on artificial turf have been blamed.
Running Shoes for Turf Toe
This is where you come to appreciate shoes that can protect you and your toes. This article looks at the different shoes available on the market to help with this condition. Manufacturers have seen the need to make shoes that can specifically address athletes’ needs, and turf toe is one such injury that can be avoided, and one of the ways to do this is by wearing the right shoes.
In a Hurry
Do you need a quick guide to buying the best shoes for turf toe? The shoes you wear can help you recover quicker from turf toe. When you’re recovering from your turf toe, wear stiff-soled shoes throughout the day so your foot won’t bend too much and aggravate your condition. Stay away from soft soles or shoes that would put extra pressure on the ball of your foot.
There are features on some shoes that will offer you the right support for your big toe and allow you to heal. Make sure the shoes you get offer you the stability and support your foot needs.
Turf toe is not permanent, so it is important to get a shoe that you can wear when you are injured and after that. There is no point in getting a shoe you will wear for a little while and then have to toss it out when you are fully recovered.
Our Top Pick
We have done our research and found our top pick to be the Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 GTX Trail Running Shoes. They are 100% synthetic and have a gum rubber sole. They also have an aggressive sole that will offer you a great grip as you run. The shoe also has a precise foothold. They are comfortable, and they are made of stretch material that is weatherproof and also breathes. This allows you to run through all seasons. The shoe is also lightweight, which is a great feature to wear when you are injured in any way.
Running Shoes for Turf Toe Reviews
adidas Cloudfoam Ultimate
Whether looks are concerned, there is not much criticism that we could level at this lovely shoe. The design is quite a minimalistic approach to footwear. This is both on the upper part as well as when it comes to the scenes.
They’ve gone with keeping the seams minimal, which usually means that the shoes are better held together. You also be happy to find a wide array of shoes and colors that you could pick yours from. The upper part of the shoes is made out of a mixture of textile and synthetic materials.
It sits on soles is made out of rubber. The thickness of the soles is fairly usual, not too thin or thick. It has shafts that measure up to the lower top of your arches. This provides you with a good amount of arch support. The lining is designed to enhance the comfort that these shoes already provide.
This means that your feet are provided with a comfortable place to set themselves. The tongue is of a webbing pull variety. It means that your feet have the ease of slotting in and pulling out of the shoe. The cloud foam part of things is a combination of the midsole and a supersoft insert that gives you a little more comfort.
Pros
- The shoes are easy on the eyes.
- Their design is quite minimalistic.
- They are lightweight.
- You can get them in various colours.
- They are easy to get in and out of.
- They are very comfortable.
Cons
- They could provide a bit more support.
- Stability control leaves a bit to be desired.
Salomon Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoe
One of the key things that most people look for when it comes to shoes that they use outside is the lugs’ size. As a general principle, lugs work to provide you with good traction and ensure that there are fewer particles of debris stuck in the middle of them.
This is what they supervise. The soles are made out of rubber which is a really great indicator for great traction. The other part of the shoes is made out of synthetic material. They tend to provide you with a good amount of breathability.
What are the things that put everything together is the leasing system on the issues. The leasing system makes them easy to put on and to remove. Beyond this, they also allow you to get a snug fit around your foot by providing you with a lot of room to adjust. The fuse is slightly elevated. There is a bit more cushioning on that end.
The natural shape of the foot is such that we need more support on the rear end. The ability of this and to absorb shock is of utmost importance. You’ll also be pleased to find that they are several colors and designs that you can choose your favorite one from, whether you fancy a subtle look or one that’s a bit more colorful.
Pros
- They provide you with good cushioning
- We love the lacing system.
- They have a protective toe cap.
- You have several colours to choose from.
- They provide good arch support.
Cons
- They are not water-resistant.
- Sizes sometimes run small.
Salomon Speedcross 4 GTX Trail Running Shoes
Not that we would expect any less from this amazing brand. These shoes were quite impressive in many ways. The first thing that we should probably mention is that the upper part of the shoes is made out of synthetic material.
This is always a great indicator for breathability and lightweight. They sit on rubber soles—the shaft measure just up to the lower top of your arches. There is a reasonable amount of support provided.
The design of the issues is made for the trails. Considering that it should take on all of the crazy things and incredible conditions that usually come with real running, you’ll be happy to know that it is more than prepared to take on the easier conditions that are usually attached to regular use.
You also noticed that the material is designed to withstand cleaning repeatedly. This also ensures that your shoe looks good even after having been used and cleaned several times. The listing system makes it easy to get into the shoes and remove them when you’re done using them. It is off a tap system. There is no time of laces involved; it’s a matter of just pulling it and releasing it.
We’re not gonna say much about the brand except that they have been around since 1947. There are one of the most popular brands when it comes to outdoor sports. They are known for their innovation which is part of what we see with this product.
Pros
- They are built to go the distance.
- The lacing system makes life easier.
- There are several colours to choose from.
- The soles provide great traction.
- There is good arch support provided.
- They are lightweight.
- Their traction is very good.
Cons
- The lacing system can pick up debris.
- They tend to run narrow.
ASICS Gel-Kahana 8 Trail Runner
Suppose you like ASICs; here is another impressive pair for you to consider. The shoes are made out of textile and synthetic material. For the most part, they are imported into the US from other parts of the world where they are manufactured. The soles are made out of rubber.
They have a good amount of traction due to the shape of the logs underneath the foot. To provide you with good support for arches, these shoes have a low-top shaft. On the foot range is a gel cushioning system known to absorb shock on impact. This allows you to make smooth transitions from your mid-stance as you move.
One of the surprising features that we did not expect to encounter was the SP EVA midsole. This is a material that is designed to provide you with a bounceback as you run.
This ensures that the midsole of the shoe does not break down easily. There is also the DUO max support system. This is a dual-density midsole system that enhances the support of the shoe.
To ensure that the shoe’s weight is kept to a minimum, the manufacturers used what they refer to as the trustee system technology.
This system keeps the weight of the source to a minimum without compromising on the structural integrity of the shoe. The lugs of the shoes are reversed, which gives more traction.
Pros
- These shoes provide good arch support.
- They have a good amount of room in the toe box.
- They are available in half sizes.
- You can choose from several colours.
- The soles provide great traction.
- The Gel cushioning absorbs shock.
Cons
- Some users found them to run narrow.
- There are some issues with the soles for some users.
New Balance MT10V1 Minimus Trail Running Shoe
Our final pick is a shoe that is also made out of synthetic and mesh material. Based on what we’ve already mentioned, you will already know that the presence of mesh means that the shoe is highly breathable without issues. In this case, the mesh makes up most of the front region around the toes and upper foot.
The tongue of the shoe also has some mesh material in it. This is one of the areas where a lot of friction occurs. So, one could say that the placement of mesh material in this region is absolutely critical. The sole of the shoe is made out of rubber. This ensures that you get a good amount of traction as you get around.
The shaft of the shoes measured low top from the arches. You also be happy to find that the shoes have Acteva midsoles. The shoes are quite minimal. You probably don’t need to be told, as you can see from how they are designed. They provide you with just enough support without adding much weight to the structure of the shoe.
To get in and out of the shoe, there is a pool tap that is well placed on the shoes’ rating. There is a tiny 4 mm drop between the 4 foot and the hindfoot. I mention this because most people would have assumed that the issues with zero drop would be inaccurate.
There is also some odor-resistant treatment within the shoes. This ensures that your feet remain fresh the entire time that you are using the shoes. The only two colors that you can choose from. The difference between these colors is quite subtle. I am not saying that you would not notice it, but you would not miss out on much by going with one instead of the other.
Pros
- These shoes are lightweight.
- The design is quite minimalistic.
- They have a tiny 4 mm drop.
- There is odour resistant treatment.
- The soles are very flexible.
- There are two colours to choose from.
- They are designed to be durable.
Cons
- There are no bright colours.
- Some users found theirs to run narrow.
Buyer’s Guide
Now that we’ve covered everything that goes into our top picks. The only thing that we would’ve left out that may be of interest is how we have arrived at some of these choices. To do this, we have included a buyer’s guide.
This guide provides you with some information regarding some of the questions that you would have either had before reading the reviews or come up with while reading the reviews. The goal is to ensure that by the time you finish reading the reviews and guide, you are ready to make a wise decision confidently.
Can turf toe affect other toes?
Turf toe is an injury that is normally associated with the spraining of the big toe. It usually is a result of high-impact sports like running, especially on artificial turf. It usually happens when the toe is overextended, and the joint is injured. This can occur on the lesser toes as well.
Do you need a boot for turf toe?
Treating turf toe depends on how severe the injury is. Medical experts grade them from 1 to 3 according to the extent of the damage to the MTP joint, sesamoids, surrounding tissues, ligaments, and tendons. This part of the foot is called the plantar complex.
With grade 2 turf toe, there is partial tearing of the plantar complex, resulting in tenderness, swelling, and bruising that is more widespread. The toe is painful, and its movement is restricted.
The different grades have different forms of treatment that are suggested. Grade 2 turf toe may need you to wear a special walking boot to keep the plantar complex together while it heals. You will probably need to wear them for about a week.
How do you tape turf toe with KT Tape?
You will need to cut the tape lengthwise to create 1 inch-wide strip. Round each of the corners for a better application than sit with the affected toe closest to you. Keep your ankle bent at about 90 degrees to you throughout the application.
Twist and tear the backing paper about an inch to create a base. Then remove the paper at the top of the base and apply to the top of the toe with no stretch.
Remove the backing paper until you have about an inch left to hold. Extend the toe, then stretch the tape to 50 percent. Now apply under the toe and along the arch of the foot. Remove the backing paper, and lay the tape down.
You can now repeat these steps to add coverage and support. Make sure to curve the strip and lay the end on the skin with no stretch. You can use KT tape to provide you with comfortable support, pain relief, and as a preventative measure when engaging in sports that put you at risk of turf toe.
Can turf toe be healed?
Turf toe injuries that are addressed early typically heal fairly well.
A wide range of mild to moderate but persistent symptoms — such as pain and joint stiffness — are the most common complications.
Potential long-term complications include lack of push-off strength, stiffness, bunion, and cocking up of the big toe.
Can turf toe cause bunions?
Bunions are foot deformities characterized by a lateral deviation of the big toe. Turf toe is the straining of the big toe when it is pushed beyond its normal limit. One can result from the other even though it is not the sole cause.
Conclusion
The risks and injuries related to running can get serious pretty quickly if you are not on top of your game. You could find yourself off your feet for longer if you ignore your feet’ importance and the shoes you wear. Your running shoes have a profound impact on your foot health.
We have reviewed the best running shoes on the market that are made for turf toes. We hope that amongst these, you find the perfect fit for you. Happy shopping!
- How wide should the toe box of a shoe be? - January 7, 2022
- Can you run a marathon in trail shoes? - January 7, 2022
- What running shoes do ultra runners use? - January 7, 2022