If you look at a lot of modern athletic shoes from the side, you’ll notice the front of the shoe curves upward. That feature is called toe spring. It’s meant to make walking and running feel smooth by letting the shoe “roll” you forward. The catch? That same curve holds your toes in a lifted position and reduces how much your toes actually contribute to propulsion and balance.
What toe spring really does to your foot
In healthy, barefoot movement, your toes bend downward against the ground to help you stabilize, grip, and push off. When toe spring keeps your toes lifted, the joint where your toes meet your foot the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, does less mechanical work. In controlled lab experiments, increasing the amount of toe spring reduced the work demands at the MTP joints during walking. In plain terms: the shoe does more, your toes do less.
Over time, putting your toes on the sidelines can mean:
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Less engagement of toe flexor muscles (the “foot core”)
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Reduced contribution to push-off
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A drift toward weaker, less coordinated toe function that can ripple upward to balance and gait
Why strong, active toes matter
Toes aren’t decoration, they’re part of your balance and propulsion system. Studies consistently connect toe flexor strength with better mobility and steadier balance, especially in older adults; stronger toes are associated with better functional performance and fewer falls. Targeted “foot core” exercise programs also improve balance metrics and foot function.
Can footwear help toes get stronger again?
There’s growing evidence that daily time in minimal or foot-centric footwear—shoes that let toes move naturally can increase foot strength (measured at the MTP joints) over months of normal wear. A 6-month intervention found meaningful gains in isometric plantar flexion (a proxy for toe and arch strength). More recent reviews conclude that minimalist shoes and foot-core exercise improve foot strength, even if changes in muscle size or every gait variable are mixed (which is normal in human movement research).
How ONDAY helps restore natural toe function
At ONDAY, we design from the toes up.
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Built-in toe spacers keep toes aligned so they can actually spread and press instead of being bunched and lifted. Aligned toes can generate force and give you a wider, more stable base.
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Toe-function–first geometry: Our approach prioritizes letting the toes meet the ground and participate in push-off rather than propping them up with a rigid rocker. That keeps work where nature intended it...in your toes, not just your shoe.
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A platform for strength, not just comfort: By keeping the toes engaged during everyday movement, ONDAY aims to support the same mechanisms that research links to stronger “foot core” and better balance over time.
Who benefits?
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Runners and walkers who want more natural propulsion and foot control.
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People on their feet all day who need stable, reliable balance.
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Anyone retraining foot mechanics after years in narrow, highly curved footwear.
How to transition smartly
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Ease in: Start with short walks in ONDAY shoes and add time every few days.
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Wake up the toes: Simple drills like short foot, towel curls, or controlled toe presses can speed adaptation.
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Listen to your feet: Mild fatigue is normal; sharp pain isn’t. Progress gradually to let tissues adapt.
Key Takeaways
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Toe spring makes gait feel easy but reduces your toes’ workload at the MTP joints.
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Strong, active toes are tied to better balance and mobility.
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Time in foot-centric footwear can increase foot strength with everyday use.
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ONDAY’s toe-first design helps your toes grip, stabilize, and propel the way they were built to.
