If you are feeling pain in the ball of your foot, the area just behind your toes, when you stand or walk you might have metatarsalgia. It is a type of pain resulting from the inflammation of nerves between metatarsal bones (bones joining the toes to the foot).
If you spend a lot of time on your feet or participate in vigorous activities such as sports, heads of metatarsal bones may get pressed against each other. Wearing ill-fitting or unsupportive footwear can also cause this.
As the nerves between the bones get squeezed, they become inflamed. This is what causes pain in the metatarsal, better known as the ball of the foot.
Metatarsalgia is rarely a serious condition. In most cases, you don’t need medication or anything as extreme as surgery. But it can be quite painful and make walking or standing really uncomfortable. If you are involved in sports, you will not be able to participate at full capacity.
Simple home treatments and lifestyle changes can help reduce the pain. One of the most important changes you should make is in your footwear. Just changing the kind of shoes you wear can eliminate the pain.
We searched for online for shoes that can help reduce the pain associated with metatarsalgia. We looked at several design factors to pick the right shoes, the most important ones being support, comfort and shock-absorption.
The right footwear should provide support to your entire foot, ensuring that the affected area is not taking on too much body weight. It should also absorb shock when you are walking or running, which will reduce the pain and help your foot heal.
Here are the best ones we found.
Table of Contents
1. Vionic Women’s Kea Orthotic Trainers
- Textile & Man-Made Upper
- Removable Mesh Covered EVA Footbed
- Durable Rubber Outsole
- APMA Seal of Acceptance
- Vionic offers innovative biomechanical technology concealed in every style, so you can enjoy all life’s occasions with confidence and comfort –...
If you love going jogging, these orthotic trainers are perfect. You can also wear them to the gym or even when going shopping.
The shoes’ flat profile, soft padding and slopping front provide a pain-reducing combination of support and shock-absorption. A roomy toe box gives plenty of space for your toes to spread out, reducing stress on the ball of your foot.
A soft mesh upper adds more comfort to the shoe and ensures full breathability no matter the weather. The sole is made from gum rubber for durability and traction.
What we like about it:
- Simple and convenient slip-on design.
- More than a dozen styles to choose from including navy, black, rainbow, silver and grey.
- Great design that promotes natural movement and provides support and comfort.
2. Vionic Larrun Loafer
- Printed Leather or Haircalf
- Removable Microfiber Wrapped EVA Footbed
- Rubber Outsole.
- APMA Seal of Acceptance
- Vionic offers innovative biomechanical technology concealed in every style, so you can enjoy all life’s occasions with confidence and comfort –...
If you want something a bit more formal to wear to the office, this pair of Larrun loafers from Vionic is great.
The shoes use FMT (Foot Motion Technology) to provide proper foot alignment, which reduces pains and aches in the foot.
Whether you are standing or walking, your feet are positioned in a way that does not put too much pressure on the metatarsal area.
The toe box is wide enough to prevent further inflammation. The leather upper and removable microfiber footbed provide soft comfort.
What we like about it:
- FMT technology that naturally aligns your feet.
- Convenient slip-on design.
- Available in several styles including black, bronze, gunmetal and ivory.
- Tough gum rubber sole to provide traction on all kinds of surfaces and ensure durability.
3. Vionic Women’s Sar Orthotic Trainers
Another great set of Vionic trainers. These are more sporty than the Kea Orthotic trainers above. I recommend them for those in sports and those who work out frequently.
The trainers come in five colours including ocean, blue, pink and purple. So you can pick your favourite one.
But the most important part is their design. The heel is flat, which ensures your foot is well supported. This is not only helpful for metatarsalgia but also other foot conditions like overpronation.
An EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) midsole adds stability to the shoe, helpful when you are running or playing. The upper is a stretchy textile that provides plenty of room to your toes and reduces pressure on your metatarsal.
A gum rubber sole provides traction when you are on the move and keeps the shoes in good shape for years.
What we like about it:
- Great design with several colours to choose from.
- Stretchy and breathable fabric for added comfort.
- Roomy toe box and soft innersole to protect your bones and joints from pressure and shock.
4. Vionic Womens 322 Serena Joy Suede Boots
- Weather Resistant Suede Upper. Removable Microfiber Wrapped EVA Footbed. TR Outsole. 1.8" Heel Height.
- Received APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance
- YOUR NEW FAVORITE BOOTS: Boho-chic is the essence of Joy Serena's low-heeled ankle boot, featuring premium upper suede, zipper tassel detail and seam...
- VIO MOTION SUPPORT is concealed within every Vionic shoe, supporting every step from the ground up so you can confidently move in unmatched comfort....
- Vionic supports you, so you can Walk. Move. Live.
We have recommended two trainers and a stylish pair of office flats. But if you are looking for something casual yet stylish, check out these Vionic boots.
Women’s boots are not always known for their comfort but these are different. They maintain a cool party style without compromising on support and comfort.
The heel is just 4 cm high, ensuring there isn’t too much pressure at the front of your feet. The front slopes upward slightly to keep your foot in a natural position and balance the heel height. An inner moisture-wicking textile material and soft padding wrap your feet in soft comfort.
Even if you wear them for hours, they don’t feel at all uncomfortable.
What we like about it:
- Simple and convenient zip closure.
- Stylish suede outer available in black and greige (a colour combo of grey and beige).
- Durable gum rubber sole.
5. Vionic Women’s Hope Kanela Boot
- The Vionic® Kanela bootie is a stylish cold-weather staple for your wardrobe.
- Weather-resistant suede upper features a slouched collar for added appeal.
- Side zipper closure for easy on and off.
- Soft textile linings.
- Removable microfiber-covered EVA footbed provides optimal comfort. Stacked block heel. Durable TR outsole. Imported. Measurements: Heel Height: 1...
You love exploring the great outdoors but your painful feet keep you from hiking as much as you’d love. Try on a pair of Vionic Cypress boots and see if it helps.
These boots – available in taupe pink, black and brown purple – are not only designed to withstand the tough outdoor conditions but also to provided extra support and comfort to your feet.
They use FMT technology to keep your feet naturally aligned. This ensures there is no undue pressure on any single part of your feet. A wide toe box protects your metatarsal from pressure, thus reducing inflammation and the resulting pain.
What we like about it:
- Durable gum rubber sole. The sole also provides strong traction when walking.
- Removable orthotic footbed, meaning you can use your own orthotic insole if you want.
- Stylish suede and textile upper with weather-proof protective coating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What causes metatarsalgia?
High-impact sports activities, ill-fitting footwear, bunions and being overweight can contribute to the development of metatarsalgia.
Certain diseases including arthritis and gout are also linked to metatarsalgia.
Q: Can changing shoes cure metatarsalgia?
Wearing shoes that fit you well and have good arch support can greatly reduce the pain from metatarsalgia and even eliminate it.
However, it’s important that you pinpoint the cause of the pain and work from there to solve the problem. If you do a lot of high-impact activities like running and jumping, changing shoes may not help much.
If your weight seems to be making the pain worse, you’ll need to reduce it to notice an improvement.
Q: Which are the best shoes for metatarsalgia?
Look for shoes that offer good arch and heel support. The shoes should also be a perfect fit and provide adequate cushioning to protect your foot from further injury.
Make sure the toe box is wide enough. If your toes are cramped tightly, it’ll worsen the pain and cause more injury.
