Overview

From damaged nerves to broken bones, there can be multiple reasons for ball of foot pain. Most often, this uncomfortable pain is a result of increased stress from high-impact activities, high BMI, and health issues such as arthritis or diabetes. Shoes that are too tight, or which compress the toes can also cause ball of foot pain. The atypical pain may sometimes feel like you are having a hard bony lump under the foot. If you are experiencing a numbing or shooting pain due to any of the above reasons, your podiatrist may recommend you with orthotics for ball of foot pain. 

A combination of pain treatments, comfortable insoles, and proper shoe fit reduces pressure from the ball of the foot and improves flexibility. For all mild to moderate cases, high-quality supportive insoles have been proven effective in easing the pain within 2-4 weeks of use. 

• Best Overall : Powerstep Pinnacle Plus Insoles on Amazon for $49.95. 

• Best Runner-Up : 10 Seconds Pressure Relief Insoles 3030 on Amazon for $39.99. 

• Best for Athletes: PowerStep PULSE Plus Insoles for $54.95. 

• Best for Heavy-weight individuals : Trustfeet Ball of Foot Pain Relief Insoles on Amazon for $36.99. 

• Best for High Comfort : Cushwork’s Metatarsalgia Insoles for Ball of Foot pain on Amazon for $39.99.

• Best in Thin Profile: Footlogics Orthotics Shoe Insoles for Ball of Foot Pain on Amazon for $39.95. 

• Best for Long-lasting Durability: Pedag Viva Arch Support Inserts with Metatarsal Pads on Amazon for $39.99. 

How We Test

To find the best orthotics for the ball of foot pain we tested - 30 pairs of insoles, for a total test time of 8,110 hours. The final 7 ones were approved by 3 leading podiatrists and 20 patients who were diagnosed with ball of foot pain. 

While assessing the performance of the insoles, the following parameters were taken into consideration: 

• Weight and activity levels of the individuals. 

• Materials used for ball of foot support and the level of cushioning. 

• Whether the shortlisted insoles came with Metatarsal padding. 

• The type of footwear and foot-shape support. 

• Pain-relieving abilities.

• Other factors such as pricing and durability.  

7 Best Orthotics for Ball of Foot Pain

PowerStep Pinnacle Plus Insoles

At the top of our list, we have the Powerstep Pinnacle Plus Insoles, which gave outstanding results in 85% of our testers within just 3-4 weeks of use. The insoles feature metatarsal padding and heel support. It also has premium dual-layer cushioning for effectively alleviating stress from the ball of foot area and eliminating pain. 

Pinnacle insoles offer the best combination of price, support, comfort, and durability. We love the fact that it's clinically proven and its dual-layer cushioning design makes your feet feel incredibly comfortable all day long. Not to mention, it is engineered with 5-layers of support (neutral arch support and heel cradle, EVA foam base,  top foam layer, semi-rigid support shell, and metatarsal pad) to provide ultimate shock absorption. 

What’s more? Besides treating ball of foot pain, the Pinnacle Plus insoles are also recommended for mild to moderate overpronation, arch or heel pain, Morton’s neuroma, and ankle or knee pain.  

10 Seconds 3030 Pressure Relief Insoles

With a moderate degree of firmness, the 10 Seconds 3030 Pressure Relief Insoles provide optimum comfort to the ball of the foot, at a decent price point. Unlike others in the list, these insoles have airflow channels to ensure all-day cooling comfort. It also has a Plastazote top to alleviate pain that’s specifically caused by diabetes or arthritis. 

We love that the 10 Seconds insoles come with heel and forefoot PORON cushion technology. These are proven effective for shock absorption, distributing pressure, and providing relief from the ball of foot pain and metatarsalgia. Its thin profile makes it suitable for wearing with most shoe types, including narrow dress shoes. 

It’s important to note that these insoles are best for feet with a low arch and for work, sports, and long periods of standing.   

PowerStep PULSE Plus Insoles

With an added metatarsal pad, the Powerstep PULSE Plus Insoles is specifically designed to alleviate metatarsal and ball of foot pain in athletes. 

But what makes it different from the Powerstep Pinnacle Plus insoles? 

Well, the PULSE Plus insoles have an additional layer of super cushioning (named ‘ShockAbsorb’ Premium foam layer), which provides enhanced comfort and a ‘bounce back’ feel with every step. The met pad is carefully sandwiched between the semi-rigid support shell and the dual foam layers. So when you run with these on, there’s better shock absorption at the point of impact along with reduced stress on your feet, ankles, and joints. 

Trustfeet Ball of Foot Pain Relief Insoles

Trustfeet Ball of Foot Pain Relief Insoles is dedicated to resolving issues such as ball of foot pain, metatarsalgia, heel pain, and plantar fasciitis. It has a full-length TLMC cushion foam, an extra support EVA support plate, metatarsal padding, and a semi-rigid arch plate for total support in the forefoot or the ball of foot area. Its U-shaped heel design provides relief from heel and ankle pain. A high-quality breathable top fabric also controls odor and moisture. 

Whether you are 110 lbs or 280 lbs, the Trustfeet insoles perform exceptionally well at this price point. The versatile orthotic was tried and tested on all moderate terrains and is testified to being highly compatible with walking, running, hiking, or all-day standing. Nevertheless, we wish that the brand could make the metatarsal pads a bit larger for some added comfort. 

Cushwork Metatarsalgia Insoles for Ball of Foot Pain

If you want both metatarsal/ ball of foot support + rear foot control, then Cushwork’s Metatarsalgia Insoles for Ball of Foot Pain shall be your ideal choice. It provides targeted pain relief and our testers could feel the difference within a week of use. It is also helpful in treating Morton’s Neuroma, overpronation, and supination. 

The Cushwork Metatarsal insoles have 6 built-in layers, consisting of - Heavy Duty Fabric, a Metatarsal Pad, a Full-length Memory Foam Cushion, Heavy Duty Semi-rigid plate for arch support, an EVA foam base, and an extra support plate. 

What really makes this one different from the others is the “Extra Support Plate” which provides ultimate support for heavy-duty users. It also has a stabilizing heel cup for rear foot control. The shock absorption capabilities of these insoles protect the ball of the foot from excessive strain and future injuries. 

Footlogics Orthotics Shoe Insoles

Designed for people who have both flat feet and ball of foot pain, the Footlogics Orthotics Shoe Insoles for Ball of Foot Pain has a great combination of comfort and arch support. The soft metatarsal pads brace the transverse arch, while the built-in raise realigns an abnormal gait.  

We really love the fact that despite being so simple in its construction, Footlogics Orthotics provides an amazing level of comfort, especially in the ball of foot area. Unlike others, these insoles do not have a true fabric cover. Instead, the faux suede cover keeps your feet feeling fresh and dry all day long. Footlogics insoles also provide relief from heel pain, heel spurs, Morton’s neuroma, Achilles tendonitis, and other foot issues.  

Pedag Viva Arch Support Insoles with Metatarsal Pads

The Pedag Viva Arch Support Inserts with Metatarsal Pads is handmade in Germany and feature exquisite leather arch support. We found that these insoles worked best for preventing ball of foot pain while running, walking, cycling, dancing, golf, and soccer. The orthotics are engineered with an anatomically shaped footbed, comfortable metatarsal padding, and a deep heel cup for supporting the entire foot. 

A special thing about the Pedag Viva Arch Support insoles? Well, it’s made with skin and environment-friendly materials like cotton, vegetable leather, and carbon. Since most insoles usually lose their strength within 6-12 months of use, we found this feature to be innovative as it promotes a balance between sustainability and well-being. 

The Pedag insoles also provide pain relief from bunion, flat feet and fallen arches, metatarsalgia, forefoot pain, shin splints, and plantar fasciitis. 

Things to Consider Before Buying Orthotics for Ball of Foot Pain

The padded section of your forefoot is called the ‘ball of foot’. It has to bear a lot of strain throughout the day and when affected, it can rapidly restrict your mobility and cause discomfort. To prevent pain and reduce stress on the pressure points, here are some of the things you should consider before buying orthotics for the ball of foot pain: 

1. Metatarsal Padding: Needless to say, your insoles should have optimum metatarsal padding. This reduces friction and relieves pressure from the ball of the foot/ metatarsal area. 

2. Shape of Your Feet: You are more likely to have a ball of foot injury when you have smaller toes along with high arches as this exerts extra pressure on the forefoot area. Therefore, always make sure you choose the correct arch type and compatible footwear for the right support. Shoes with wide-toe boxes should ideally be preferred. 

3. Cushioning: Orthotics for the ball of foot pain should ideally be curved upwards, and have multiple layers of shock-absorption/ cushioning system. This protects from high-impact forces and enables adequate cushioning to the ball of the foot (or toe box) area. 

4. Consult your Podiatrist: Learning about the real cause behind your ball of foot pain is important before proceeding with the orthotic treatment. For instance, ball of foot pain caused by arthritis and diabetes would need a completely different approach compared to those contracted due to sprain, injury, or Morton’s neuroma. 

Bottomline

Besides wearing compatible orthotics for the ball of foot pain, you should also take plenty of rest and undergo stretching exercises for faster recovery. As the pain persists, refrain from doing heavy sports activities or standing for longer periods. Also, do not wear high heels or shoes that jam the toe areas. 

If ready-made insoles don’t work, consult your podiatrist and get professional custom orthotics. In general, ball of foot pain may take up to 6-8 weeks for complete healing.