I didn't expect my feet to become "a thing."
For years, I could run, walk, train, whatever, and never think twice about my feet. But somewhere along the way (hello, menopause), that changed. After my Parkruns, I started noticing foot pain after running. Not an injury, just that stiff, tired, slightly sore feeling that lingered longer than it used to.
The next morning, I'd wake up with cramped feet, waddling to the kitchen for my coffee like a 100-year-old.
It was frustrating more than anything. I felt fit. I do Parkruns every Saturday, usually under 30 minutes. I do Pilates. But my feet? They clearly hadn't got the memo.
That's when I came across toe spacers and decided to give them a go.
I'll be honest I didn't expect much. They seemed almost too simple. But that's actually what appealed to me. No big routine, no time commitment, no "program" to follow.
I started wearing them most days for 5–10 minutes at a time. Usually while watching TV at night. Sometimes I'd potter around the house with them on while cooking or doing bits and pieces. Nothing dramatic, just weaving them into what I was already doing.
And that's where things shifted.
After a couple of weeks, my feet started to feel… different. Less cramped. More relaxed. That post-run ache? Still there occasionally, but noticeably reduced. My feet didn't feel as fatigued after activity, and I wasn't as aware of them in that annoying "something's not quite right" way.
The spacers themselves became more comfortable too, I guess my feet slowly adjusted, and I could wear them for longer.
What I didn't realise before is how much modern shoes narrow and compress our toes over time. Add to that the changes that come with getting older and for me, menopause and it's no surprise things like foot pain and stiffness start to creep in. We lose a bit of natural strength and mobility, and suddenly things that never used to bother us start showing up.
Airtoes™ Toe Spacers are designed to gently improve foot alignment by restoring natural spacing between the toes. For me, it felt like I was undoing years of compression in the simplest possible way.
No effort. No intensity. Just consistency.
That's been the biggest win. It's not another thing I have to fit in. It's something that fits into my life already. A few minutes here and there, while I'm doing things I'd be doing anyway.
If you are active, and especially if you are noticing changes in your body as you get older, it's worth paying attention to your feet. They play a huge role in how we move, recover, and feel day to day.
For me, toe spacers have become a simple, consistent part of my running recovery routine. I didn't set out looking for a "solution" I just wanted my feet to feel a bit better after my runs.
But sometimes the simplest things end up making the biggest difference.
Along the way, I tried a few different options and realised not all toe spacers are created equal. Some have spacing that's too wide, which feels unnatural. Others are too stiff and uncomfortable to wear for more than a few minutes.
That's what led me to create AirToes™, a more flexible option with a natural level of spacing that actually feels comfortable on your feet. Something you can wear easily around the house, without it feeling like a chore.