I don't have any advice on the toenail, but when my feet are acting up (which happens more frequently now that I'm older!), I alternate Altras and Hokas. I'm now kind of sharing them between work and treadmill which is not ideal, so I may buy another pair of Altras just for work. Somehow my old standby Danskos are just not viable anymore.
I also find Superstars very comfortable but I wouldn't do those with a busted toenail because of the hard clamshell toe.
DS- 8/11
DD- 5/14
Well timed thread. I have lymphedema (swelling) in one leg and foot. I just walked 13k steps Saturday in new-ish shoes with no foot pain and no problems as my leg expanded - and as an added bonus the shoe worked like a good compression sock so the swelling didn't extend to my foot/toes which becomes really uncomfortable. They are *not* all that cute but also not offensive and did I mention how comfortable? I came home and ordered in another color. Ryka Echo Good luck!