Shoes for Problem Feet

Published on May 3rd, 2024 | by Kirsten Borrink

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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 Fitflops.  I have many pair and enjoy wearing them, but the company has apparently discovered that they sell more shoes if they have a sleeker thinner sole.  They are, therefore, no longer offering anything other than boots, clogs, and thong sandals with the original sole I can walk in. The flats I have in that brand will eventually wear out and cannot be replaced. I can wear some athletic shoes in other brands, but not to a wedding.

My question is whether or not you are aware of another brand that makes a sole as thick and cushy as Fitflop?  I rarely see this feature mentioned in your reviews, though what would be great for many other people does not please my feet.  I need to be separated from whatever I am walking on so that, as one sales person put it, I “cannot feel the ground”.

Dear reader,

In the past I’ve addressed footwear 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. So what are the best shoes for ball of foot pain? Let’s dive in.

Oofos OOahh slide

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 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 Oofos footwear in sandals and closed toe options, sizes up to 13  for under $60-120 from Oofos.com,  Zappos and Amazon.

Fitflop Rally sneaker

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.

Topo Athletic Ultrafly

We’re huge fans of Topo Athletic footwear and love sharing about them with our readers. Read Kirsten’s complete review of her 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 $125 from Zappos.

Hoka Bondi

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 $160 from Hoka.com and Zappos.

Naot Terehu

Israeli brand Naot makes some of the most comfortable shoes on the market today. Superb craftsmanship, fit and support are their hallmarks. The Terehu bootie features a roomy toe box with good fit at the heel and elastic goring for easy on and off. A cork and latex footbed offers enhanced arch support and it’s removable to accommodate your own orthotic. Find the Naot Terehu in euro sizes 35-43 (4-12) for $189.95 from Naot.com, and Zappos.If an ankle boot isn’t your style, take a look at Naot’s complete Koru collection of supportive sandals and shoes.

Alegria Brigid

No article on comfortable shoes for ball of foot pain would be complete without mentioning Alegria footwear. The combination of roomy toe box, removable ergonomic footbed with arch support and rocker sole make Alegria shoes a win-win for problem feet. The Brigid is one of their newer styles featuring a cozy sherpa lining and adjustable instep strap for a secure fit. If you’re not a fan of sherpa lining, the Brigid comes in solid black unlined leather also. Find the Alegria Brigid in sizes 5.5-11.5 for $119.95 from Zappos and Amazon.  If you have an extra wide foot, consider Alegria’s wide replacement footbed which is slightly thinner than the standard issue footbed creating more room for wider feet.

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.

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