Metatarsalgia is an excruciating condition that affects the ball of the foot. This condition is characterized by the ball of the feet becoming inflamed and painful.
Even though metatarsalgia is not a severe condition, it can sideline you. This condition can make walking and standing excruciatingly painful experiences.
Metatarsalgia can develop if you participate in activities that involve jumping and running. It is triggered by an imbalance in your feet’s long bone.
The imbalance can be caused by improper biometrics or genetic conditions. The pain associated with metatarsalgia is exacerbated by wearing shoes that are either too loose or too tight.
Luckily, this condition can be treated or even prevented by wearing the right pair of shoes. There are several shoes for Metatarsalgia that will reduce the symptoms of this condition by cushioning your feet. But, I bet you already are aware of that!
What you might not know is the best metatarsalgia shoes for you. This unique review will help you get the right footwear for your needs.
Table of Contents
The Best Shoes for Metatarsalgia Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Brooks Ghost 11 Shoes |  Top Pick |
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| 2. Hoka One One Bondi 5 |  |
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| 3. Altra Paradigm 4.0 Shoes |  |
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| 4. HOKA One One Bondi 6 |  |
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| 5. Brooks Men's Adrenaline GTS 19 |  |
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1. Brooks Ghost 11 Shoes — Best Shoes for Ball of Foot Pain
Brooks Ghost 11 is a fashionable and elegant shoe that is ideal for almost every runner. It is an excellent option for anyone going to the gym or a new runner.
This shoe provides sufficient cushioning for people doing a marathon or half a marathon. And at its price, it can even be a great option for high school runners.
This shoe comes with an updated jacquard upper that guarantees a great fit and is highly breathable. The jacquard upper is highly flexible, so you will never have to worry about blisters.
Ghost 11 is available in a wide range of widths and colors. So, you can get a pair that fits both your style and feet. One of the greatest updates to this Ghost 11 is the addition of DNA-Loft foam to the heel.
The DNA-Loft foam works perfectly with the BioMogo DNA to give you an adaptive and soft underfoot experience. Certainly the best running shoes for ball of the foot pain.
Your forefoot will benefit from this shoe unique shock-absorbing system that features DNA Loft foam. The shock-absorbing system disperses the stress and impact of running and and softens the contact on your foot.
The front part of Ghost 11 has some crash pads that distribute the landing impact over the entire foot evenly. However, many people have complained that it has short laces and is quite costly.
Specs
- Sole: rubber
- Material: synthetic
- Size: 5-13 (US)
Pros
- It is well-cushioned
- Durable
- It comes with a removable insole
- The DNA Loft technology helps disperse the impact of running
- Padded tongue and collar
- Flexible and breathable mesh upper
- It is designed to alleviate the pain associated with metatarsalgia
Cons
- It can be quite costly
- It comes with short laces
Overall rating – 4.7 out of 5
Conclusion
Other than being comfortable and well-cushioned, Brook Ghost 11 is ideal for almost all runners. It is an excellent shoe that protects your feet while making it possible for you even to do a marathon.
2. Hoka One One Bondi 5 — Best Running Shoes for Metatarsalgia
Bondi is an original shoe line from Hoka that was designed for providing maximum comfort for people with feet issues. And Bondi 5 continues to represent this line’s primary goal.
Bondi 5 is the most cushioned Hoka shoe, and this makes it the best option for dealing with metatarsalgia. Bondi 5 is lighter than its predecessor since it features a lightweight engineered upper mesh.
The padded tongue and active foot frame provide a secure and comfortable feel. Hoka is known for producing well-cushioned shoes for unparalleled shock absorption and comfort.
The midsole of Bondi 5 is made using EVA, which is softer and provides better cushioning. For a smooth transition from toe to heel and vice versa, this shoe uses a meta-rocker design.
The meta-rocker design reduces impact while encouraging a comfortable and efficient foot strike. The mesh upper provides maximum breathability and flexibility. However, its midsole is a tad stiffer than that of other Bondi shoes.
Specs
- Material: synthetic
- Sole: rubber
- Size: 4-15 (US)
Pros
- It provides a stable, smooth and comfortable ride
- Its breathable mesh can help keep your feet dry and cool
- Lightweight
- Provides maximum cushioning
Cons
- The midsole is a tad stiffer
Overall rating – 4.4 out of 5
Conclusion
Bondi 5 is a great shoe that provides maximum cushioning for metatarsalgia sufferers. It is an excellent shoe for people recovering from an injury or people looking for comfortable walking shoes.
3. Altra Paradigm 4.0 Shoes
Altra Paradigm 4 is a well-cushioned shoe that takes comfort to another level in terms of features and cushioning. Paradigm 4 features a unique quick-drying upper that provides breathability and durability.
It has a wide toe box that offers your toes more room to splay out. Thanks to Ego technology, its midsole is responsive and soft. It has an ultra-grippy sole that provides enough traction irrespective of where you are jogging.
Paradigm 4 has a unique guide rail system that wraps the medial part of your foot and protects you from overpronation. This guide rails provide additional support when jogging. Altra added stabilipods in the shoe to ensure stability.
For extra comfort for metatarsalgia sufferers, it has foot-shaped toe boxes and a zero-drop platform. However, Zero-drop technology takes time to get used to, especially if you have been using high-drop shoes.
Specs
- Material: knit upper
- Sole: rubber
- Size: 8-16 (US)
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Well-cushioned
- Sufficient arch support
- Zero-drop platform
- It has an ultra-grippy outer sole
Cons
- The zero-drop platform takes some used to especially for people who were using high-drop footwear
Overall rating – 4.3 out of 5
Conclusion
Paradigm 4 is lightweight footwear and thanks to its unique design and reliable technologies, this shoe can help alleviate metatarsalgia pain.
4. HOKA One One Bondi 6 — Best Walking Shoes for Metatarsalgia
Just like its predecessor, Bondi 6 was designed for maximum comfort, which is ideal for metatarsalgia sufferers. This shoe merges a rubber outsole and a mesh upper.
The mesh upper promotes breathability and comfort. The rubber sole provides overall durability and reliable traction. The midsole is the heart of most footwear. And the EVA midsole in Bondi 6 can support a wide range of conditions and foot shapes.
This shoe’s midsole has a long-term compression rate that makes it possible for this shoe to retain your foot’s shape. The rubber outsole of Bondi 6 is designed to provide extra metatarsal support and guide your foot to proper gait. Bondi 6 comes in a wide range of colors.
However, some users have complained that even though it does provide enough support, it is too spongy.
Specs
- Sole: rubber
- Materials: mesh
- Size: 4-13.5 (US)
Pros
- It is well-cushioned
- It comes with a full-sized EVA midsole that offers a balanced and smooth ride
- It has a breathable upper mesh
- It has a durable outsole
Cons
- Some wearers have complained that even though it’s comfortable, it does feel too spongy
Overall rating – 4.6 out of 5
Conclusion
Bondi 6 is a modest update of Bondi 5. This shoe is designed to provide comfort and additional support for your metatarsals.
5. Brooks Men’s Adrenaline GTS 19
The GTS 19 is a lightweight pair of shoes that are designed to provide maximum comfort to metatarsalgia sufferers. This shoe can provide support for runners of all arches.
It has a unique Guiderail system that focuses on the most injury-prone parts of your feet. It gives just the right amount of cushioning for every step and lets you glide through your everyday life.
GTS 19 features both the DNA loft and BioMoGo DNA cushioning systems. These two cushioning systems work perfectly together to provide the right amount of support.
It comes with a well-engineered mesh that provides the needed fit and structure. The breathable mesh upper helps keep your feet dry and prevents chafing. Therefore, it feels comfortable to wear for an extended period.
GTS 19 is designed to support your arches while its well-cushioned footbed protects your pressure points. This footwear is designed to prevent injury while reducing pain when running or walking.
Luckily, it is available in a wide of colors, so you can get a pair that fits your style. However, it is a tad heavy for some users.
Specs
- Sole: rubber
- Material: mesh-and-synthetic
- Size: 3.5-16 (US)
Pros
- It has a well-cushioned footbed
- Comfortable
- It has breathable upper
- It is made using high-quality material
Cons
- It can be a tad heavy for some users
Overall rating – 4.7 out of 5
Conclusion
GTS 19 is designed to reduce injury and the pain associated with metatarsalgia. It is well-cushioned and provides the needed support for metatarsalgia sufferers.
Buyer Guide: Factors To Consider When Purchasing The Best Shoes For Metatarsal Pain
Metatarsalgia is a common condition among runners that is characterized by an inflamed and painful ball of the feet. Metatarsalgia can be caused by wearing loose or tight-fitting shoes.
It is quite common among people doing activities that involve too much jumping and running. Therefore, one of the best solutions for this condition is wearing the right pair of shoes.
However, choosing the best running shoes for metatarsalgia can be quite tricky. Some of the key features to consider going shopping for this type of footwear include:
Cushioning
One of the critical things to consider when looking for metatarsalgia footwear is cushioning. Remember, people with metatarsalgia who need to be on their feet require well-cushioned shoes.
So, irrespective of the style of footwear you choose, make sure it is well-cushioned.
A well-cushioned insole will reduce the pressure that you experience by supporting all your feet’s pressure points. And this will make sure you feel comfortable when walking while reducing pain.
Accurate Fit
It’s crucial that when looking for metatarsalgia shoes or any other pair of shoes, you get accurate fitting footwear. Remember, shoes that don’t fit you well can trigger more foot issues and or worsen your situation.
So, make sure your shoe has enough room for your toes to wiggle freely. Look for a pair of shoes with a roomier toe box that can accommodate specialized inserts or orthotics.
Breathability
Even with metatarsalgia, you should also pay attention to other conditions that can cause foot pain. Some of them include chafing and blisters.
Therefore, you should look for footwear that is made using breathable and lightweight materials.
Shoes with proper ventilation can keep your feet dry and cool the entire day. These shoes are comfortable to wear and can keep your feet odor-free.
Smooth Traction
The best metatarsalgia shoes should have a well-textured and durable sole. Shoes with smooth traction can reduce pressure when walking.
Final Thoughts
Metatarsalgia is a painful condition that demands a long-term solution if you want to walk and run comfortably. And the best solution for metatarsalgia is wearing breathable, supportive, and well-cushioned shoes.
Remember, the best shoes for metatarsalgia pain should offer excellent grip and proper cushioning. The best metatarsalgia shoes incorporate a wide range of properties that help alleviate pain.
However, the most crucial thing to look out for is comfort. Therefore, we have created this list of the best metatarsalgia shoes. For our research, we have concluded that Brooks Ghost 11 is the best running shoes for metatarsalgia.
It is an excellent option for anyone who plans on running or going to the gym. Brooks Ghost 11 is available in a wide range of colors and widths.
