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Toe-Box

The toe-box is the most forward portion of the shoe's upper that provides space and protection for the toes. The shape of the toe-box itself can be rounded or pointed, determined by the style of the shoe. The width of the toe-box determines the amount of space the toes have inside of the shoe and whether or not they are jammed together, which can prove to be very uncomfortable for the wearer. In a pointed toe shoe like a woman's high heel or even a cowboy boot, the toe-box is relatively small. A small toe-box can cause calluses and blisters to develop on the feet if one does not take the proper precautions.

Pointed toed shoes often cause pain in the toe area due to the limited amount of space inside of the shoe. On the contrary, if the wearer has room to shift their toes within the toe-box then they are less likely to experience pain in their forefoot. A toe-box is found mainly on close-toed shoes because there is a substantial upper to contend with and design.