Hallux Trainer Sport Insoles

Question:

I only have arthritis in one big toe, but I am a runner and I think these will work for me.  But do I need to wear both of them or can I use just the one?

Answer:

You can certainly use just the one.  It might take some getting used to and if you find it is not working out, then you can use the second one in your other shoe.  If it bothers your good foot than maybe you might want to think about a different product, such as the Turf Toe Plate Flat or Turf Toe Plate Molded.  Both of these are sold individually.

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Question:

If I receive my order and it's not the correct size can I return it?

Answer:

If the product meets the following requirements it can be returned or replaced. It must not show wear, it cannot be damaged use or modification. It needs to be in the original packaging and needs to be mailed with a copy of the original order receipt.

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Question:

Your website says to measure the length of my current insole for proper sizing.  However to be safe I measured both my foot and my current insole.  Which size should I order if my insole is 1/2 inch bigger than my foot?

Answer:

We still recommend buying the same length as your insole.  However if you are in doubt you could order the size in between your foot length and insole length.  If it doesn't work you can always exchange the product, as long as it meets our exchange guidelines.

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Question:

I will be traveling through airport security in the near future.  Will these insoles set off the alarms as I walk through the detector?

Answer:

We don't think so!  But if there is a problem with that or you are unsure then take the time to remove your shoes and put them in the basket.  We have not had any customers tell us that they did.

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Question:

The Hallux Trainer Sport Insoles just look like a regular insole, do they have a Morton's Extension in them?

Answer: 

They do! They are like an all in one. A finished insole with a Morton's extension and a built in met pad.

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Question:

I have been using these for a year. I use them two hours a day for exercise. Can you tell me when I would need to replace them?

Answer:

The only time that the Hallux Trainer Insoles need to be replaced is when you feel the padding in the upper has lost its cushion and is too flat or the carbon turf toe plate inside cracks or breaks.

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Question:

Dear Friends --

I received the Hallux Trainers that I ordered. (I ordered them to deal
with osteoarthritis in the big toes.)

I have tried them for about 2 hours of walking around and have noticed the
following: (1) afterwards, there was a place that was quite red and sore
on the bottom of each foot on that bulgy part of the foot roughly under the
big toe joint (on the protruding part of the foot -- I think it might be
called the metatarsal head) ; also (2) while walking around on harder
surfaces, I noticed a somewhat unpleasant discomfort roughly under the base
area of each big toe -- not under the joint, but forward of it -- it didn't
acutely hurt, but it felt like unpleasant pressure; and also (3) it also
felt like maybe the metatarsal pad was maybe pressing in not the best
place.

Are these sorts of things normal? Do they go away with time? Would some
other product be better for me?

I'm considering returning the trainers, but wanted to find out more first.

Thank you for your help.

Answer:

Sure, these certainly can be normal break-in issues.  Although we wish that we could supply a one size fits all solution for foot problems, feet just aren’t one size.  And when we combine feet with shoes we run into variables that often take time to ‘normalize’.  As you would expect with a new pair of shoes, inserts may also require a break in period.  We recommend that you wear your inserts for several hours the first day and slowly increase your wear time over a period of days.  You may find that the use of the hallux trainers work better in one pair of shoes compared to another.  Determining which shoes work best with your new inserts also may require a little trial an error on your part.  Most importantly, go slow and don’t be afraid of a little experimentation with shoes and the use of the inserts.

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Question: 

I have been diagnosed with functional hallux limitus. I have been looking at insoles on your website and believe that either the Hallux Trainer Insoles or the Vasyli Dananberg Insoles would be of help to me. Which of those products do you recommend? Or would you recommend something else? The insole that I think would be most helpful would provide a limited flexion during the toe off phase of walking or running, cushioning under the first metatarsophylangeal joint and mild arch support.  

Answer:

I’d pose two questions:

1. What is the primary use of the insert?  Day to day or for sports?

2. Truly functional, or is there a bump on the top of the great toe joint?  That’d make it structural.  Staging would be helpful – is it stage 1,2,3 or 4?  Please refer to our article on hallux limitus for more information on staging.

The Vasily Dannenbergs would be great for functional hallux limitus.  The Vasily Dannenberg is actually used to create a pocket sub 1 to increase the range of motion of the great toe joint.  But that can only be used in stages 1&2 which are both functional stages.

If we’re a late stage 2 up to stage 4, I’d go with either the turf toe plate, spring plate or the hallux trainers.  Each one has some pros and cons regarding what type of shoes they can fit into, so the determining factor for choosing one product over the other becomes the intended use.

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Question:

Both feet are affected by hallux limitus. I purchased turf toe plates last year and have success with them. However, when I use them in my tennis shoes, I have to remove the insole since having the plate and insole together push my upper foot against the top of the shoe which causes more pain. I have read that the plates may be flattened a little. I believe that it is the arch in the plate that lifts my foot a little. Don't want to mess with re shaping what I have, so wondering if these insole trainers take the place of the toe plate AND insole? I was going to order the spring plate inserts until I came across these insole trainers. There is no side view for the insole trainers, so I cannot tell if has the shape of the turf toe plate or is more like the spring plate? Ultimately, with the condition I have, the question is to go with the insole trainers, the spring plates, or the flat plates? I appreciate the help as my foot doctor has no opinion.

Answer:

Our Hallux Trainers are designed to take the place of both the simple Turf Toe Plates and your own insole since they have a fully styled upper, arch, heel cup, etc. Thanks for the suggestion to add a side view of the hallux trainer insole.  We added a side view for you.

The Spring Plates have less arch than the Turf Toe Plates or Hallux Trainers, and of course the Flat Plates are completely flat. The Flat Plates are the hardest to get used to, since their flatness hinders natural gait, so I would suggest you try the Hallux Trainers or Spring Plates to see if you like them better than the Turf Toe Plates.

Question:

Do these run small? My current insoles are a M12 and measure 12 inches in length. Per the sizing list a M13 measures 12 inches. Which should I order to fit a M 12.5 size boot? Also, does the toe plate run the full area of the insole or is it just over the big toe area?

Answer:

Shoe sizes do vary (unfortunately). Some Men's 12's run 11.25", some run 11.5" and some run 12"! This is why we include the length of each insole, and why we advise you to chose the insole according to length rather than shoe size. I would suggest you order the 12" (size 13).

The carbon fiber toe extension runs only under the big toe, rather than the full insole. Take a peek at our Turf Toe Plates to see what shape the toe plate is in the Hallux Trainer.

Question:

These look interesting. I'm looking for an orthotic with a turf toe plate. It's for my Merrell size 8.5 Encore Clogs. I purchased the regular turf toe plate. It works in my runners but is wide for my clogs. I'm afraid if I go for a small TT plate, it will be too short. Can you provide width at arch measurements so I can determine the best way to go. Do you think this model would be better as I might be able to cut it down?

Answer:

The Hallux Trainer measurements in sizes that might work for you are as follows: Euro size 37: 9 3/4" long x 3 1/2" at widest point. Euro size 38: 10 " long x 3 1/2" at widest point. Euro size 39: 10 3/8" long x 3 1/2" at widest point. Euro size 40: 10 7/16" long x 3 5/8" at widest point. I hope this helps.

Question:

What are the widths of each size?

Answer:

The complete measurements are:

Euro 36: 9 3/8" long x 3 1/2" wide
Euro 37: 9 3/4" long x 3 1/2" wide
Euro 38: 9 7/8" long x 3 1/2" wide
Euro 39: 10 1/8" long x 3 1/2" wide
Euro 40: 10 1/5" long x 3 5/8" wide
Euro 41: 10 3/4" long x 3 3/4" wide
Euro 42: 11" long x 3 7/8" wide
Euro 43: 11 1/4" long x 3 7/8" wide
Euro 44: 11 1/2" long x 3 15/16" wide
Euro 45: 12" long x 4" wide

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