Do "Correct Toes" work for Bunions?

I use them with Altras (torin4). I had orthotics when running in college for BYU to deal with hallux valgus. i took some time off from running in grad school, and then got started again without orthotics using the Correct Toes. I've not missed the orthotics at all. No more foot pain.

I had always felt that orthotics were a crutch and did not address the root cause of my foot pain. My experience suggests that proper toe splay and a roomy toe box helped to address the underlying cause. I still wear the Correct Toes most every run. For what they are, they are definitely overpriced, but they work. A lot cheaper than custom orthotics too. :)

To be clear, I am in no way affiliated with Altras or the makers of Correct Toes, they have just worked for me.

I'm planning on surgery....doctor told me that I would be walking in a day, and get full recovery.

As an aside, how did Naperville become so good in running?

Was it demographics? Large increase on population.

Students weren't bused away from the school(s)?

Not all of the Naperville area high schools have strong programs. Naperville North and Neugua Valley (Chris Derrick's alma mater) are good, Waubonsie and Matea not so much. All of these are large high schools with several thousand students each - that certainly helps. In Naperville we have North Central College with one of the most successful NCAA Division 3 track/cross country programs in the US and where until quite recently Al Carius was the coach. The "Naperville Running Company" is one of several local running stores and it has been voted the best in the US a number of years. My guess is that at the successful high schools both track and cross country are main stream sports which attract some of the top athletes. If you have 75 or 100 students show up on the first day of cross country practice / tryouts and competent / modern coaching that balances the risk of injury with progressively more volume and quality workouts. When you start with this many athletes and at least some top athletes want to run cross country instead of play football, you are going to end up with 7 that are good and maybe a superstar every few years. Some of the neighboring towns are also pretty exceptional. If you can find it, watch "The Long Green Line" documentary about Elmhurst high school's program and it's former coach Joe Newton.

Thanks Dan! I've noticed that they do seem to help and wondered if it was a placebo effect. I have only worn them around the house. I'm not sure if any of my shoes have enough room in the toe box. I don't think I can wear Altras as I seem to need a fair bit of heel lift

Wrong! Almost no one “needs” heel lift. Modem shoes that are stiff, overly cushioned, with narrow toe box, heel lift, toe spring are the primary reason for all the foot, ankle, and knee problems. Do yourself a world of good and wean yourself off these foot coffins. See xeroshoes.com for some decent explanatory information. Northwestfootankle.com is another.

Thanks...

I didn't know Naperville had such a turnout.

I know Newton did at York.

I was hit by a car and have one leg shorter than the other by about 0.7” from knee to ground. So I need a heel lift on that side. The running shoes I wore from 1975 to 1985 or so had no more than 3 or 4 mm lift. I’m not opposed to trying zero lift shoes but doing away with cushioning seems a bit extreme.