10 Best Insoles for Sesamoiditis: Ease Your Pain
Updated April 18, 2023
Suffering from sesamoiditis? Don't worry, we've got your back (or rather, your feet)! Discover the top 10 insoles specifically designed to offer relief and prevent further injury.
Sesamoiditis is an inflammation of the sesamoid bones in the ball of the foot and the tendons they are embedded in. Caused by overuse, activities that frequently transfer weight to the ball of the foot, and other foot pathologies like flat feet or plantar fasciitis, sesamoiditis is prevalent among ballet dancers, runners, baseball catchers, and high-heeled shoe enthusiasts. It comes with pain under the big toe, difficulty bending the big toe, swelling, redness, and difficulty walking.
One of the most effective non-surgical approaches to managing sesamoiditis is wearing appropriate orthotics. Here's our selection of the best insoles for sesamoiditis.
Our Top Picks for the Best Insoles for Sesamoiditis
- Best Overall Insoles for Sesamoiditis - Upstep Metatarsalgia Custom Orthotics
- Best Cushioning Insoles for Sesamoiditis - Protalus T-100 Elite
- Best Thick Insoles for Sesamoiditis - SOLE Active Thick with Met Pad
- Best Comfort Insoles for Sesamoiditis - Superfeet GREEN
- Best Thin Insoles for Sesamoiditis - Tread Labs Dash Thin
- Best Foam Insoles for Sesamoiditis - FitMyFoot - Red Gradient
- Best Stability Insoles for Sesamoiditis - Protalus T-75
- Best Wool Insoles for Sesamoiditis - SOLE Thermal Thick Wool
- Best Firm Insoles for Sesamoiditis - Tread Labs Pace Short
- Best Shock-Absorbing Insoles for Sesamoiditis - Superfeet ORANGE
A Closer Look at Our Top 10 Insoles for Sesamoiditis
1. Best Overall Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 9.8
- Intended use - Regular and athletic activities
- Material - EVA
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - Personalized cushioning
- Sizes - Custom-made
Upstep Custom Insoles are tailored to your individual needs, providing foot arch support and adequate cushioning for the ball of your foot, relieving pain caused by sesamoiditis. They're designed with your specific diagnosis and activity levels in mind, providing truly personalized support.
What We Love
- Custom support
- Adequate cushioning
- Customized construction
- Foot-pain relief
- Custom-fit
What to Consider
- Possible delay in delivery time
- Costlier than some alternatives
2. Best Cushioning Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 9.6
- Intended use - Regular shoes with removable insoles
- Material - High-rebound polyurethane and Nylon
- Support - Contour-shaped support
- Cushioning - 3mm forefoot and heel cushion
- Sizes - M5.5-15 / W5-12.5 / Youths 3-4
The 3mm forefoot cushioning of the Protalus T-100 Elite Insole makes it a top choice for relieving sesamoiditis-related pain. They shield the balls of your foot from impact forces during daily activities and come higher up on the sides to reduce pressure on your feet.
What We Love
- 3mm heel and forefoot cushioning
- Tri-planar alignment system
- Adequate arch support
- Fantastic comfort
What to Consider
- Cumbersome for some
3. Best Thick Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 9.6
- Intended use - Pain relief
- Material - EVA
- Support - Orthopedic support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - M3-14 / W5-16
All SOLE footbeds come with the same signature shape in three levels of cushioning—thin, medium, and thick, depending on your needs. SOLE Active Thick Insoles offer extra comfort and feature a metatarsal pad that supports your forefeet, offering relief from sesamoiditis-induced pain and allowing for proper foot biomechanics.
What We Love
- Suitable for any arch height
- Highly cushioned support
- Improves balance
- Supports natural spread of foot bones
- Promotes neutral alignment
What to Consider
- Too thick for some shoes
4. Best Comfort Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 9.2
- Intended use - High arches
- Material - Foam
- Support - Orthotic support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - M5.5-17 / W4.5-14 / Kids 2-4
The Superfeet GREEN Insoles provide professional-grade orthotic foot support and durable construction with professional-grade orthotic foot support, which offers reliable support and comfort. The closed-cell foam offers a firm foundation for long-lasting relief from sesamoiditis pain.
What We Love
- Trimmable
- Rearfoot support
- Long-lasting comfort
- Odor-control coating
What to Consider
- More forefoot padding may be required
5. Best Thin Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 8.8
- Intended use - Shoes with thin removable inserts
- Material - Polyurethane foam and Polyester fabric
- Support - Ultra-firm support.
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - M4-13.5 / W5-12.5 with 4 arch heights
Tread Labs Dash Thin Insoles boast 1.25mm thick, 100% carbon fiber arch support, improving biomechanics and boosting performance. These insoles help minimize injury risk and reduce forefoot pain and discomfort. Also, its recycled polyester fabric is antimicrobial-treated to keep your feet fresh all day.
What We Love
- 4 arch heights
- Ultra firm support
- Resilient materials
- Replaceable top cover
- Improves alignment
What to Consider
- No met pad
- Pricier than other similar insoles
- Not suitable for heavier individuals
6. Best Foam Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 8.6
- Intended use - Foot-pain relief
- Material - Foam
- Support - Custom arch support
- Cushioning - Deep contoured heel cushion
- Sizes - Custom-made
The premium foam material of the FitMyFoot insoles keeps your foot cushioned and supported over extended wear. They have consistent density throughout the entire footbed, providing balance and distributing support under all areas of the foot. This mitigates the pain and discomfort associated with sesamoiditis.
What We Love
- Custom arch support
- Durable premium footbed
- Breathable fabric
- Reduce the risk of injury
What to Consider
- Not enough forefoot padding
7. Best Stability Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 9.2
- Intended use - Comfort for performance athletes
- Material - ETC lining, VA mold, and Nylon fabric
- Support - Full-length and moderate arch support
- Cushioning - 3mm full-length cushioning and comfort
- Sizes - M5-15 / W5.5-11 / Youths 13.5-5
Stability is an essential feature to look out for in sesamoiditis insoles to prevent biomechanical alteration that might overload the balls of your feet. With a contoured design, Protalus T-75 Insoles enhance foot stability and reduce pressure on painful spots. Engineered ridges provide proper grip inside your shoe, preventing overload.
What We Love
- 3mm forefoot & heel cushioning
- Adequate arch support
- Superior shock absorption
- Anti-microbial protection
What to Consider
- May require trimming
8. Best Wool Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 9.3
- Intended use - Warmth for spacious shoes
- Material - Wool and EVA
- Support - Moldable orthopedic support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - M3-14 / W5-16
The SOLE Thermal Thick Wool Insoles feature a wool blend top sheet for insulation and cushioning. Great for footwear with a bit of room to spare, these insoles keep your feet warm and comfortable during high-impact activities. Even though you've got sesamoiditis, you'll be able to stay on your feet for an extended period of time without experiencing foot discomfort.
What We Love
- Suitable for any arch height
- Improves balance
- Promotes natural foot alignment
- Distributes weight and pressure equally
- Zero-drop from heel to forefoot
What to Consider
- Might be too thick
9. Best Firm Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 8.7
- Intended use - Painful feet and heavy gait
- Material - Open-cell polyurethane foam and polyester fabric
- Support - Extra firm arch support
- Cushioning - Deep heel cup
- Sizes - M4-13.5 / W5-12.5 with 4 arch heights
Tread Labs Pace Short Insoles combine firm arch support and a deep heel cup to decrease impact and reduce foot pain. These insoles protect the ball of the foot from sesamoiditis-related irritation and inflammation.
What We Love
- Extra firm support
- Deep heel cup
- 4 arch heights
- Suitable for tight-fitting shoes
What to Consider
- No met pad
- The 2/3 length version slides forward in shoes
10. Best Shock-Absorbing Insoles for Sesamoiditis
Footora Score: 9.2
- Intended use - High-impact activities
- Material - EVA foam
- Support - Reinforced stabilizer cap
- Cushioning - High-impact foam forefoot
- Sizes - M5.5-17 / W4.5-14 / Kids 13.5-4
Shock absorption is a fantastic feature that's a must for all sesamoiditis insoles. Superfeet ORANGE insoles have a shock-absorbing foam pad at the forefoot, redistributing impact forces away from that spot and reducing sesamoiditis pain. They also unload the forefoot, providing relief from discomfort and allowing for long periods of activity.
What We Love
- Trimmable
- High-impact foam forefoot
- Durable construction
- Organic odor-control coating
What to Consider
- May require trimming
How We Chose
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 product's overall usefulness. Do note that the score may vary depending on the specific purpose for which it's being reviewed.
Here are the factors we considered for sesamoiditis:
- Fit
- Support
- Comfort
- Moisture-wicking
- Durability
- Value for money
- Customer Reviews
Don't Let Sesamoiditis Hold You Back
Whether you are a ballet dancer, runner, or baseball player, sesamoiditis should not get you down. Get adequate rest, avoid high-heeled shoes, and invest in appropriate insoles to walk with proper gait without discomfort.
