6 Best Insoles for Metatarsalgia in 2023
Updated March 30, 2023
Metatarsalgia, also known as forefoot pain, is a painful condition that affects about 10% of the population, mostly women.
The condition occurs when the metatarsal bones, located in the forefoot behind the toes, become inflamed and painful. Overuse, foot deformities, obesity, and systemic conditions are common causes of metatarsalgia. Fortunately, insoles can provide significant relief from this condition by redistributing pressure from the affected area to other parts of the foot.
However, since there are hundreds of custom and over-the-counter insoles available, making the right choice can be difficult. To help you make an informed decision and find the best option to alleviate your foot pain, we have done the research and compiled a list of the top six insoles for metatarsalgia in 2023.
Our Top Picks of Insoles for Metatarsalgia
- Best for Overall Pain Relief - Upstep Metatarsalgia Custom Orthotics
- Best for Running - Superfeet RUN Pain Relief
- Best for Shoes With Non-Removable Factory Insoles - Protalus T-75
- Best for Preventing Foot Fatigue - FitMyFoot Full-Length Red Gradient
- Best for Tight-Fitting Shoes - SOLE Performance Thin with Met Pad
- Best for Added Comfort - URthotics Comfort+
A Closer Look at Our Top 6 Insoles for Metatarsalgia
1. Best Insoles for Overall Pain Relief
Footora Score: 9.5/10
- Intended use - Pain relief
- Material - Individualized using acrylic propylene, fiberglass, cork, or foam
- Support - Custom transverse arch support, metatarsals
- Cushioning - Entire foot, varying thicknesses
- Sizes - Custom-made
Upstep Metatarsalgia Custom Orthotics offer excellent relief for overall foot pain by providing cushioning and targeted pressure relief. These custom-made insoles are designed to specifically address metatarsalgia with increased padding directly behind the metatarsal heads. This allows the balls of your feet to settle into a supportive cup, reducing pressure on the affected area. This results in more even pressure distribution throughout the foot with every step you take.
To get started, simply complete a short quiz online, and Upstep will send you a kit to make an impression of your feet. Once you've shipped the kit back to them, you can expect to receive your custom-made inserts within 18 days.
What We Love
- Custom-made
- 180-day money-back guarantee
- Free returns and shipping
- FSA/HSA eligible
- Podiatrist-designed
- Long-lasting
What to Consider
- Expensive
2. Best Insoles for Running
Footora Score: 9.1/10
- Intended use - Pain relief for runners
- Material - EVOlyte, a proprietary carbon fiber-polymer blend
- Support - Medium to high arch support
- Cushioning - Entire foot, medium thickness
- Sizes - Kids 2.5-4 / W4.5-14 / M5.5-13
We've found that Superfeet's RUN Pain Relief Insoles are the most popular insoles used by runners. These insoles offer overall cushioning with a major emphasis on arch support. They come in different styles to accommodate medium to high arches, and the added support helps reduce pressure on the balls of the feet, alleviating metatarsalgia pain. These insoles are an excellent choice for people who are on their feet all day or who regularly run for exercise. Another great feature of these insoles is the removable heel cup, which allows for a better fit when wearing different shoes or if you're performing different activities.
What We Love
- Reinforced, removable heel cup
- Women-specific insoles
- Multiple styles
- 60-day satisfaction guarantee
What to Consider
- Custom designs only available in certain stores
3. Best Insoles for Shoes With Non-Removable Factory Insoles
Footora Score:8.7/10
- Intended use - Alignment and arch support
- Material - Blend of moisture-wicking lining, molded Rogers poron foam, and nylon
- Support - Moderate medial arch support
- Cushioning - Thin front, 3mm cushioning on heel
- Sizes - Youth 13.5-4 / W4.5-12-5 / M5.5-15
Overpronation occurs when the subtalar joint at the back of the foot is misaligned, causing problems that can lead to metatarsalgia. If you've been told that you have overpronation, the Protalus T-75 Insoles may be just what you need. Correcting the alignment of your ankle joint can help alleviate the pain.
The Protalus T-75 insoles are designed specifically to address this issue. These 3/4 length insoles stop at the balls of the feet, relieving pressure on the metatarsal heads and reducing metatarsalgia pain. They're also an excellent choice for shoes with non-removable factory insoles.
What We Love
- Styles for nearly any shoe, even heels
- Can be used over sewn-in factory insoles
- Focus on heel alignment
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- Free shipping and returns
What to Consider
- Not custom-made
- Need to be replaced about every 6 months
- Only one arch support size
4. Best Insoles for Preventing Foot Fatigue
Footora Score: 8.2/10
- Intended use - Reducing pronation
- Material - Nylon 12 plastic, polyurethane foam, poly-cotton blend mesh
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - Overall with shock-absorbing deep heel cushion
- Sizes - Custom-made
If you're looking for insoles to prevent foot fatigue, the FitMyFoot Full-Length Insoles are an excellent option. These insoles are custom-made based on photos of your feet, which are digitally analyzed via the app at over 200 points to ensure a perfect fit.
The unique feature of these insoles is their focus on overpronation, a common issue that affects over 65% of the population. Overpronation can lead to low arches or flat feet, which can cause problems throughout the body, including the metatarsals. The FitMyFoot Full-Length Insoles provide excellent arch support to help prevent foot fatigue and reduce the risk of metatarsalgia.
What We Love
- Customized and 3D-printed
- Option to add pictures
- Several different colors and patterns
- 100% online
- HSA/FSA Approved
What to Consider
- Not as accurate as insoles made using a mold of your foot
- Only a 30-day money-back guarantee
5. Best Insoles for Tight-Fitting Shoes
Footora Score: 8/10
- Intended use - Pain relief
- Material - Recycled wine corks
- Support - Lightweight support for all arch heights
- Cushioning - 1.6mm
- Sizes - W5-16 / M3-14
If you are trying to decrease your carbon footprint (no pun intended), these are the insoles for you. They are eco-friendly and made from recycled materials. The insoles are designed to mold to your feet over time for a customized fit. You can even heat them in a conventional oven to speed up the process. The thin MET pad included in this insole provides extra padding behind the toe to allow the metatarsal heads to "sink," relieving pressure on the affected area and alleviating metatarsalgia.
What We Love
- Made of recycled materials
- Carbon-negative
- Lightweight
- Can re-mold them up to 5 times
- 90-day guarantee
What to Consider
- Very thin
6. Best Insoles for Added Comfort
Footora Score: 7.9/10
- Intended use - Comfort
- Material - Polypropylene, EVA, and poron
- Support - Customized to your needs
- Cushioning - 3-5mm
- Sizes - Custom-made
Custom-made insoles like these are designed to provide added comfort, particularly for people who experience pain while walking. They come in three different options: everyday, active, and comfort.
A MET pad addition is also available to offset pressure from the metatarsal heads and relieve metatarsalgia. To get started, simply order an impression kit and questionnaire from the company. Once you've completed these and shipped them back, the impression is digitally analyzed, and you can expect your custom orthotics in three weeks or less. Just be aware that the questionnaire can be confusing for some people, as it requires detailed information about your specific foot condition.
What We Love
- Custom-designed
- 6-month money-back guarantee
- Free adjustments, shipping, and returns
- Lifetime warranty
- Long-lasting
- 3/4 length, heel lift, and MET pad available
- HSA/FSA eligible
What to Consider
- Can be pricey
- Not the best option if you need more rigid support
- Paperwork can be frustrating
How We Choose
Drawing upon our extensive experience treating patients and evaluating the benefits of various insoles, our team has established a set of criteria to help identify the most effective solutions for individuals with foot issues. We rate a number of factors on a weighted scale and aggregate them to create a single metric called the Footora Score, which reflects the overall usefulness of the product. Do note that the score may vary depending on the specific purpose it’s being reviewed for.
Here are the factors we considered for metatarsalgia:
- Pain Relief
- Comfort
- Fit
- Support
- Quality
- Value for Money
Pain-Free Feet Are One Step Away
Your feet play a crucial role in your overall health, and taking care of them is essential. Wearing insoles regularly can help relieve pain and prevent further injury and complications. By supporting your feet with the right insoles, you'll be supporting your overall health and well-being. Support your feet, and they will support you!
