As a runner you place a lot of stress and strain on your big toe joint. Occasionally this can result in a condition termed Hallux Limitus, Hallux Rigidus or Big Toe Arthritis. All the terms basically describe the same thing. You have limited and painful motion at your big toe joint when you run or ambulate in any way. There is no magic pill or cure to get rid of it (though I recommend seeing a Podiatrist because there are some surgical procedures that can greatly help). Now one thing you can do that requires no real change is to get some orthotics specifically designed for hallux limitus or rigidus. These orthotics will help reduce excess motion at the joint and can also help you reduce your pain, so consider giving them a try.
But you are probably asking “what about shoes?”. What you want in a running shoe when you have hallux limitus or rigidus is a stiff soled shoe. Basically if you can make a U by squeezing the sneaker that is not the running shoe you want. So you want a shoe or sneaker with a stiff sole and ideally a rocker bottom sneaker. The rocker bottom will help reduce stress on the big toe joint during running, and almost aid the sneaker in running. Below I have included a couple of suggestions in running shoes for people with hallux limitus that might help:
Ryn X Sport athletic shoes– These shoes are great for hallux limitus runner. Just look at them and you can see that rocker bottom that will reduce stress on the big toe joint. Additionally, the shoes feature an EVA embedded graphite shank. EVA is the same material that orthotics are made from. The shank will help reduce stress and strain on the big toe joint.
MBT Endurance running sneaker- As you can by the construction we have a nice rocker bottom feature that should take pressure off the 1st MTP joint. If one is a Hallux Rigidus runner this is the type of sneaker you should be looking for.
Skecher Resistance Runners– If you are looking for a brand you have probably heard of that creates running shoes for people with hallux limitus or rigidus then you probably want Skechers. A large percentage of Skechers running shoes have a rocker bottom to the construction which is unique for the Skechers brand.