I have a couple of pair of shoes that do that, especially my Rothy’s points. Drives me nuts. I think I look like Buddy the Elf!!! Reading that it is a design feature, makes me feel a tiny bit better about it.

I don't care for how it looks ... and I don't find the ones I've tried on comfortable. The brand that comes to mind is Born. I think a lot of their styles have the turned up toe.

Then I looked at the photo again and now I realize they are talking about the exact toe on my fitflops. Hmm. I can't say I notice it while walking .. they are very comfortable but I think it is mostly because of the supportive/shock absorbing foot bed. Interesting though-- I'll check out the article a little later but hoping it isn't going to tell me to throw my 32 pairs out! (kidding.. i am fairly certain I am not into double digits)

Aww, come on. Why are you calling out the very shoes that I just posted in another thread that I said I wear ALL the time? ;)

I'm pretty sure if they looked elf-y the kids at school would have let me know.

In all seriousness, the toe box on these is a lot wider than most of my other shoes. The actual toe box doesn't point up. If you look closely, it just looks that way because the sole is so much thinner under the toe than the rest of the shoe.

I usually avoid those - but then I also avoid sneakers with huge white sidewalls. I don't think I've ever outgrown the Keds we wore as kids.

Dee, oh sorry I noticed it when i clicked on them, so it was easy to post. Plus I misunderstood and thought yours were hot pink. But it is also true of 3 of the 4 pairs I posted the other day! Bizarrely , all of a sudden, Houzz is not letting me post a pic, but they are on my Shoe Shame thread.

I don't buy that the tips don't look that way IRL, but it seems everyone is ok with it. If you read the article, the degree of the angle can vary. I know I have rejected shoes that flipped up too much, just dont like it. But I think most shoes do.

BTW, again, this feature can be bad for you! Esp if you have plantar fascitis.

https://www.footankleinstitute.com/blog/toe-spring-and-plantar-fasciitis/

I suspect toe spring is helpful for shoes with very hard soles that don't bend in terms of ease of walking. I typically buy shoes that do bend. My faves are my Lems with soles so flexible you can roll them in a ball. They also have no heel rise at all. They are as close to walking barefoot as I can get.

IAC, I suspect the damage done to the foot from high heels is far worse than that from toe spring. And even the article posted says a moderate toe spring won't cause issues: "A moderate amount of toe spring, especially in athletic shoes with firm soles, arch support, and adequate cushioning, will continue to make walking both easier and more comfortable, without appreciably increasing the risk of plantar fasciitis."

I also suspect that, especially as we age and lose flexibility, a lot of plantar fasciitis issues arise from pronation and lack of proper arch support.

So for me, the bottom line here is to be aware of shoes that have excess toe spring especially if you are going to do a lot of walking in them.

Mtn, is that shoe you included in your post a Sorel (Out About?) by chance? I saw a woman wearing a similar shoe the other day, and I asked her about them because I thought they were so cute. She swore they are the most comfortable sneakers she's ever worn.

As of today (knock on wood), I do not have any issues with plantar fasciitis ... my most worn shoes are a mix of those with and without toe spring. I was surprised how many do have ... including keds champion which I consider the flattest of shoes.

Most of my slippers (I am embarrassed to say get more wear than anything) do not have a toe spring-- and my ugg slipons do not. Pretty much every other shoe other than flip flops have a toe spring of varying degree.

Thankfully per the article linked above, a moderate toe spring seems to be ok and doesn't significantly increase the risk of plantar fasciitis.. with a few exceptions, all my shoes have what I consider to be a small to moderate toe spring.

" A moderate amount of toe spring, especially in athletic shoes with firm soles, arch support, and adequate cushioning, will continue to make walking both easier and more comfortable, without appreciably increasing the risk of plantar fasciitis. "

bestyears, they are the Sorel out and about. I posted about them in Funky's other shoe thread because I like them so much and get so many compliments about them. FWIW, my PF went away after I started wearing them.

I had a bout of PF years ago, but thank goodness no more. Now that I know what toe spring is, I cannot stop seeing it! Still don't like it, especially the more exaggerated examples.

I can't post photos again all of a sudden.

I have these and I have walked a xillion miles in them. They are so comfortable and cute as well.

They look better in real life. I actually tie mine like a regular shoe lace. Great for hot summers!

Edit to add here they are on my feet (foot)