If you don’t have time to read the entire review and just want to find out what Best Walking Shoes for Metatarsalgia is, then we recommend the Saucony Men’s Zealot ISO Running Shoes as the best choice.
The pain from metatarsalgia doesn’t just appear overnight, it develops over weeks and months. If you’re struggling with this condition, you’ll know all about how uncomfortable and painful it can be to run or even walk.
It’s the type of injury that affects people who love to stay active and are partial to high-impact sports.
Ultimately, it can be challenging to slow down or change your exercise routine. And that’s why having the best walking shoes for metatarsalgia, along with other treatments, is essential.
Here we’ve selected five amazing pairs of shoes that do a great job in protecting the balls of your feet from pain and inflammation.
In this post, we’ve reviewed the Best Walking Shoes for Metatarsalgia. These are:
- Best Overall: Saucony Men’s Zealot ISO Running Shoes
- Best Long-Distance: Brooks Men’s Ghost 11 Running Shoes
- Most Comfortable: New Balance Men’s MW928 Walking Shoes
- Most Durable: Skechers Women’s Shape Ups 2.0 Comfort Stride
Sneakers - Best Working Shoes: Reebok Work Men’s RB3500 Industrial and Construction Shoes
What Is Metatarsalgia?
Metatarsalgia is a condition that can have many different causes. Injuries from overexertion, irregular weight attribution, and continuous stress on your Achilles tendon are all known causes.
The pain from metatarsalgia is either located in one of your metatarsal bones or the ball of your foot. You can also experience some swelling and overall inflammation of the nerves.
Common Footwear Culprits
Metatarsalgia can also be caused by wearing shoes that either don’t fit properly or offer the support that your feet require.
To avoid this debilitating issue, it’s best to avoid high-heel shoes and shoes with a narrow toe box. Also, try to avoid shoes with very poor padding, like sandals or flip flops.
Picking the Right Shoes for Metatarsalgia
How do you know what type of walking shoe is good for your metatarsalgia? Well, a wide toe box is essential.
And so is cushioning like memory foam or EVA. It’s important that they have a soft lining that provide your feet with ample airflow. Also, shock absorption properties and motion control are crucial for shoes to alleviate symptoms of metatarsalgia.
Best Walking Shoes for Metatarsalgia
Best Overall Shoes for Metatarsalgia: Saucony Men’s Zealot ISO Running Shoes
If your metatarsalgia has demoted you from a runner to a walker, but you still want a pair of pro running shoes, the Saucony Men’s Zealot ISO could be exactly what you need.
Unlike many other mainstream brands, this company is highly focused on designing and producing the best possible running shoes.
And if you want to feel supported and comfortable while you stride, these lightweight and extremely well-cushioned shoes will help you walk longer distances.
Compared to the predecessor, the Zealot ISO 2, these are even lighter and softer. In many ways, this is a minimalistic shoe that focuses on a premium ISOFIT upper, which creates an attractive design that has a sleeve going from midfoot to forefoot.
These shoes are 100% synthetic and have a rubber sole, which are amazing for easy-paced walks and low-impact training.
They’re compatible with treadmills, but you can also wear them while walking on flat, hard soil. The quality of the rubber sole makes a lot of difference performance-wise because there’s more rubber under both forefoot and heel.
The Saucony Zealot ISO running shoes have anti-slip properties, which provides a smooth, secure fit.
In terms of toe-box space, which is very important for people suffering from metatarsalgia, there’s enough room for your toes, and no room for any discomfort.
When it comes to responsiveness, the Zealots are in the mid-range. The 4mm heel-to-toe offset along with the PWRGRID midsole ensures that no matter how your foot lands, it will feel cushioned.
These are truly one of the best walking shoes for metatarsalgia, shoes you can wear when you’re transitioning to running.
And when it comes to design, you can get them in several great color schemes, but the grey/slime/orange combination is particularly striking.
Pros
- Very cushioned sole
- Super lightweight
- Great value
- ISOFIT midfoot
Cons
- Only one width size
Best Long-Distance Walking Shoes for Metatarsalgia: Brooks Men’s Ghost 11 Running Shoes
It would be hard to overstate how beneficial walking is for your health. Apart from being the best tool to fight anxiety, it’s great for your blood pressure and back pain.
But what if your foot (or feet) hurts due to the metatarsalgia, and you’re not sure what kind of shoes would be good for you? The Men’s Ghost 11 running shoes by Brooks can be the shoes that get you back on your feet again.
Brooks is a company that is super-focused on creating the best possible shoes for runners.
That means that walking in these shoes is extra comfortable. It’s a neutral shoe that has a lot of cushioning. The company has added a new DNS loft foam just under the heel, which makes the shoes so much more responsive.
The rubber outsole offers a lot of grips and plenty of durability. It’s perfectly suitable for all kinds of terrains and weather conditions.
Even in the rain, there’ll be no slips and slides, which makes it superior to many average walking shoes. These fantastic-looking shoes are quite spacious, partly due to no inner sleeve.
And what keeps the tongue from sliding is the lace loop, which is another pretty neat feature.
The structured mesh does a wonderful job of wrapping your foot in a great fit. And when it comes to breathability, rest assured, there’s a lot of air circulation, eradicating the chances of sweaty feet and nasty odors.
Overall, the Ghost running and walking shoes are amazing for long-distance walks or if you have to stand on your feet all day. It’s the kind of shoe that simply doesn’t disappoint. These shoes are also affordable and come in ten different color options.
Pros
- Very responsive
- Great breathability
- No slippage
- Spacious
Cons
- A bit heavy
Most Comfortable Walking Shoes for Metatarsalgia: New Balance Men’s MW928 Walking Shoes
Here’s the thing. Metatarsalgia isn’t the only foot condition that requires you to think about your footwear. Along with this often frustrating condition, you might have bunions, or flat feet, or your weight is causing extra strain on your ankles.
The New Balance MW928 might be the pair you’ll consider buying if you’re having issues with these or any other foot problems.
For good reason, their shoes are recommended by Medicare. They truly are one of the most comfortable walking shoes out there.
With a lightweight design, they have a deep and broad toe box, making them one of the best walking shoes for metatarsalgia and other foot conditions.
Made entirely from leather, except for the heavy-duty rubber material used to make the sole, they also incorporate stabilizing ROLLBAR technology and feature fantastic ABZRORB midfoot cushioning.
This is a foam-based material with great shock absorption properties.
Plus, they have a removable PU bed, which means that you can use your custom-made orthotics if you need to.
You can purchase these walking shoes in five different styles, all of which are classic and excellent for everyday wear. You can also buy them with Velcro, which is really great for senior citizens who might struggle with laces.
These New Balance classics are available in wide and extra wide sizes, so there’ll be no pinching or squeezing when you put them on. The Lightning Dry Lining will keep your feet dry and ensure that the shoes stay odorless and that your feet don’t sweat.
Pros
- Great for many foot conditions
- Comes with Velcro option
- Removable footbed
- Ultra-comfortable
Cons
- Not enough color options
Most Durable Walking Shoes for Metatarsalgia: Skechers Women’s Shape Ups 2.0 Comfort Stride Sneakers
Skechers is one of the most trusted shoe brands in the world. In their range, they have some amazing walking and running shoes.
And even though they made some controversial decisions about what their shoes can offer in terms of toning and weight loss, they still remain a truly amazing choice when it comes to walking.
Over the years, the company has created some groundbreaking technology when it comes to comfortable shoes. In fact, they’ve almost become synonymous with the term.
These Shape Ups 2.0 could be the shoes you need to help manage your foot pain. Many users insist that these are the shoes to go with if you need to stand or walk all day, especially if you’re a teacher, nurse, or sales attendant. The shape of these very cool-looking shoes is what strikes you first.
They have a sculpted rubber rocker bottom outsole and a very smooth trubuck leather upper. The mesh fabric that you see at the front and the sides are there to give you the cooling effect your feet need when you’re walking all day.
The collar and tongue are padded, and you can feel the very soft fabric shoe lining too. But are they really that comfortable?
The memory foam inside is air-cooled and there’s also a cushioned comfort insole. In addition, you can expect fantastic shock absorption due to the Kinetic Wedge soft foam. But here’s the thing, these Skechers aren’t lightweight. In fact, they’re quite heavy for walking shoes.
Therefore, they might not be the best solution for distance walking, and for people with knee pain issues. However, for metatarsalgia they’ll be just great. All of the padding and comfort will help that foot pain subside.
You can purchase these walking shoes in four different designs, all of which will feature the trademarked “S” on the side. When it comes to rubber rock bottom walking shoes, these are one of the best-looking ones on the market.
Pros
- Memory foam insole
- Rocker bottom outsole
- Trubuck leather upper
- Great for standing
Cons
- A bit heavy
- Pricey
Best Working Shoes for Metatarsalgia: Reebok Work Men’s RB3500 Industrial and Construction Shoes
If you have a foot condition like metatarsalgia, and your job requires you to be on your feet all day, life can get challenging.
And if you really want to find the right work shoe that can double as walking or running shoe, Reebok’s RB3500’s just might do the trick. These are the shoes you want to wear if your job is in an industrial environment.
They’re designed for a hard-working professional that means business and cares about their health. These shoes feature all the safety standards and are 100% metal-free. They also have electrical hazard protection and are anti-slip.
When you put these on and go to work, your feet will be comfortable and safe.
Material wise, they’re made from leather, with a sturdy rubber sole. They also have a Memory Tech footbed that does an amazing job when it comes to adapting to your foot, and providing you with instant cushioning.
The Reebok Work Men’s RB3500 are the ultimate work shoes, but they will deliver performance-wise in the gym too. It’s a shoe to go with if you like to go on long walks over any kind of terrain.
When it comes to design, Reebok has kept things minimalistic – and in a good way.
They come in black, are sleek, and go with pretty much any item of clothing. Picking out the right footwear for work can be complicated if your work is strenuous on your feet. Even more so, if you already suffer from foot pain.
If you want a really good, reliable, and comfortable shoe to go about your daily tasks, this is the pair for you.
Pros
- Safety and hazard protection standards
- Anti-slip outsole
- Extra cushioning
- 100% leather
Cons
- No insulation
Final Thoughts on Best Walking Shoes for Metatarsalgia
This article has covered the five best walking shoes for metatarsalgia. All of which are an excellent choice if you’re suffering from this or any other foot issue. But the Saucony Men’s Zealot ISO Running Shoes are the clear winner.
One of the reasons is that Saucony makes excellent running and walking shoes, but they have gone the extra mile with this model.
They have the perfect amount of responsiveness a walking shoe needs, and also feature an incredibly cushioned sole. They’re very light, meaning that your ankles or knees won’t be in any pain either.
They’re also a soft and fantastic choice for all low-impact fitness routines. On top of that, they come with a reasonable price tag that reflects the quality. Style-wise, they’re fun and fresh looking. All in all, a more than worthy winner.
