Shoes for Ball of Foot Pain (Metatarsalgia): 6 Current Options with Underfoot Cushioning and Support

Here we take on a reader question about shoes for ball of foot pain:

Hi Kirsten:

Four doctors have acknowledged that I have lost the fat pad from the balls of my feet.  The bones in my forefoot have nothing but skin between them and the floor. To compound matters, I have other foot problems that have misaligned these bones. The result is that I need lots of padding in the forefoot of my shoes.  Right now, the only brand I know of that I can walk all day in is Fitflop.  My question is whether or not you are aware of another brand that makes a sole as thick and cushy as Fitflop? 

Dear reader,

In the past I’ve addressed best shoes for metatarsalgia (ball-of-foot pain as a result of Morton’s neuroma, inflammatory arthritis, synovitis and other conditions), but it’s been a while. I understand that fat pad atrophy of the forefoot is often caused by one of the aforementioned conditions along with the aging process and subsequent break down of the fat pad (read more here).  It’s a difficult task to find footwear that offers as much forefoot cushioning as FitFlop (at least their original styles), but I have a few ideas of shoes for ball of foot pain that will hopefully put a cushiony barrier between your feet and the ground. Thanks to our active Facebook group, I’ve recently added their suggestions based on this post. Let’s dive in!

Oofos are made from Oofoam. What? Yes, that’s right, it’s a thing. Oofoam is a proprietary closed-cell foam that offers 37% more impact absorption than traditional EVA foam–the perfect shoes for ball of foot pain. In laymen’s terms (my own because I have a pair), they feel like bouncy houses for my soles. They’re lightweight, airy, marshmallowy soft yet supportive and restore the spring to my step. I think it would be difficult for achy metatarsals to even mildly complain when wearing Oofos recovery footwear. And what’s even better–they offer enhanced arch support and a rocker sole-type movement through the stride. Find the Oofos OOah slide pictured above in sizes up to 13  for under $59.95 from Oofos,  Zappos and Amazon. See my review of the original Oofos thong sandal here.

We love this contemporary fashion sneaker by Fitflop that carries APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) Seal of Acceptance.  The Rally’s cushioning is amazing, the support is moderate. The toe box is roomy enough to accommodate a wider forefoot due to bunions, plus you can find a Rally style to fit your lifestyle from sneakers to slip-ons to boots.  If your painful forefoot craves dense cushioning, give Fitflop sandals and shoes a try. Find the whole collection of Fitflop sneakers in sizes 5-11 for around $100 from Fitflop.com, Zappos, Nordstrom and Amazon.

We’re huge fans of Topo Athletic footwear and love sharing about them with our readers. Read my complete review of the Topo Athletic Ultrafly shoes here. The foot-shaped toe box allows for other foot maladies like bunions and hammertoes yet the fit is snug at the heel. While not completely zero drop like Altra, the 5mm differential between heel and toe means less pressure on forefoot. Topo Athletic shoes feature a ZIP FOAM™ midsole compound that is springier than EVA and provides more rebound over the life of the shoe. Find the Topo Athletic footwear in sizes 6-12 for around $135-160 from Zappos. If you prefer a rocker-sole sneaker, check out my review of the Topo Atmos.

A favorite of our Barking Dog Shoes Facebook community, the Bondi series is Hoka’s most cushioned road-running shoe. Even if you’re not a runner, the Hoka Bondi offers a thick EVA midsole for superior shock-absorption for walking or standing on hard surfaces. A mild rocker outsole helps propel the foot through the stride taking pressure off the sensitive ball-of-foot area. Find the Hoka Bondi in sizes 5-12, medium and wide widths for $170 from Hoka.com and Zappos.

If foam footbeds don’t work for your metatarsalgia, you’ll probably do well in a cork/latex footbed with metatarsal support like Birkenstock offers. The Birkenstock Bend footbed feels as supportive as any Birkenstock sandal–see my review here! Find the Birkenstock Bend in euro sizes 36-46, regular (fits wider) and narrow/medium (fits medium) for $88-160 from Birkenstock, Nordstrom and Zappos.

ABEO footwear offers a metatarsal orthotic footbed in every style. The built-in metatarsal pad is ideal for those with metatarsalgia and ball of foot pain. The footbed is removable if you should need to use custom orthotics. Find the ABEO Jumpstreet slip-on sneaker in sizes 5-11, medium width for $109-129 from AbeoFootwear.com, Nordstrom and Amazon.

“I’ve got some foot problems—plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia—and have always been a hiking boot kinda person and I literally had no idea shoes could feel this good. Very springy and soft, like sneakers, with built-in arch support and a perfect fit.” – Zappos customer

The Bzees Charlie features a dynamic and breathable stretch upper, air-infused outsoles and a free-foam footbed (a specially blended, micro-cellular polymer foam) that provides bounce to your step. Available in sizes 5-11, medium and wide widths for $59.95-69 from Lifestride, Zappos and Nordstrom.

Do you have  favorite shoes for ball of foot pain? We learn from each other, so feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you kindly.