This system is ingenious. Soft gel, by itself, it acts both to protect the hallux valgus and maintaining the large thumb in its axis. This is not nothing. After investigating, it is the only product that allows this and more cheaply. It is quite bearable in a normal shoe and more resistant seems that some comments left him hear. After it is a question of size of the foot and thumb which makes it appropriate or not. I highly recommend it, it does not cost much to try.