Best Sandals For Metatarsalgia

Best Sandals For Metatarsalgia 

You may think that the best sandals for metatarsalgia are those with maximal forefoot cushioning. But in reality, there’s a lot more to picking the right footwear to heal your metatarsal pain.

This article will review, list and explain; the best sandals for your metatarsal/forefoot pain.

Top Rated Sandals For Metatarsalgia (For Men And Women) 2018

KEEN Men's Newport H2

BEST MEN’S SANDAL FOR METATARSALGIA

Editor Rating

KEEN Women's Whisper

BEST WOMEN’S SANDAL FOR METATARSALGIA

Editor Rating

OOFOS Unisex OOahh

BEST UNISEX SANDAL FOR METATARSALGIA

Editor Rating

Best Men's Sandals For Metatarsalgia

1. KEEN Men's Newport H2 Sandal

Comfort
95%
Style
100%
Features
100%

The KEEN Newport H2 is a legend of a sandal. It is made this United States and is what made the KEEN brand world famous!

What makes these sandals great for metatarsalgia is the built-in metatarsal arch support. This keeps your feet in a neutral position, thus diverting and redirecting pressure away from the metatarsals.

The wide toe-box also allows the toe to splay out, providing further pressure redistribution through the toes. While helping with balance and stability.

The iconic feature of this sandal is the KEEN-protect bumpers in the front. This rigid rubber bumper was made to protect your toes from stubbing it on anything heavy or sharp.

This rugged outdoor sandal is designed for a variety of terrains. Ranging from light-hiking to canoeing, boating or sailing.

They run true to size and allow your foot to move in it’s natural gait cycle.

The upper on this sandal is made of a machine-washable polyester fabric. This hydrophobic lining will not only keep your feet dry, but will keep them odor free as well. Odor protection being courtesy of KEEN’s probiotic technology.

A major drawback of hiking sandals is the lack of ankle support. But these sandals provide some stability by securing your feet is through an easy-to-use bungee cord system.

The traction on the bottom of this sandal is impeccable, they stick extremely well on most terrain.

2. KEEN Men's Rialto 3 Point Sandal For The Outdoors

Comfort
100%
Style
95%
Features
95%

The Keen Rialto 3 Point is a classic men’s sandal from Keen. This rugged outdoor sandal is manufactured in the USA and built to last.

The upper is made of a full grain leather and is lined on the inside with a hydrophobic material. This hydrophobic material will keep your feet dry on long days out in the sun.

It uses probiotic technology which provides natural odor protection to your feet. The inner is also super soft and feels great against the skin.

The Keen Rialto 3 Point sandal stays true to it’s name with a 3-point hook-and-loop system that holds the foot firmly in place.

What makes this one of the best sandals for metarsalgia, is the anatomically shaped foot-bed. This foot-bed consists of a contoured arch that will help take the pressure off the ball of the foot.

It also has one of the lowest heel-to-toe drops of all the sandals mentioned on this list. This means the foot is able to redistribute weight away from the balls of the feet and across all points of the foot-tripod.

The in-built layer of Keen Zorb provides a much required additional layer of cushioning under the heel and the ball of the foot. Thus easing any impact received by the foot.

Another feature that makes these sandals excellent for those suffering from metatarsalgia is the open-toe design. This allows the toes enough wiggle room so they can splay out and redirect further pressure away from the metatarsal joint.

3. Dunham Men's St. Johnsbury Sandal

Comfort
100%
Style
95%
Features
95%

Dunham has been in the footwear industry since 1885. They partnered with New Balance to create the Dunham Men’s St. Johnsbury Sandal.

The Dunham St. Johnsbury is a versatile sandal that can be worn in several different scenarios.

This sandal comes with an extremely adjustable 3 point strapping system. This holds the foot securely in place, while the back strap is also removable, turning this sandal into a slip-on.

The upper is made of full grain leather, with a quick-dry inner lining that will keep your feet cool and dry.

What makes this sandal an excellent option for metatarsalgia is the open toe design. This allows the toes to splay out properly, allowing the redistribution of excess pressure away from the forefoot.

The mid-sole is made of EVA which is what makes the Dunham St. Johnsbury lightweight as well. Add to this the ample cushioning and a low-drop foot-bed, and the Dunham St. Johnsbury is an excellent option for metatarsalgia.

4. Teva Men's Omnium Sandal

Comfort
95%
Style
90%
Features
95%

The Teva Men’s Omnium is made of a waterproof leather upper than can be taken just about anywhere.

This is a closed toe design with plenty of open ports throughout. Thus, giving your feet more than enough air to breathe.

The 2 adjustable straps on the front and back of the sandal make it easy to fine tune the fit to your feet. The front strap also comes with a quick release clip for easy on and off.

The Teva Men’s Omnium provides decent ankle support for light hikes or long walks. While the pull-cord lacing system gives you additional  control over the fit at the mid-foot.

This ensures that your foot doesn’t move around within the sandal.

What makes closed-toe athletic sandals like the Teva Omnium good for metatarsalgia is; you can easily place a metatarsal pad with the sandal itself. This provides additional pressure relief from the forefoot, thus providing pain relief to the metatarsals.

Not to mention; the foot-bed is contoured to fit the foot well.

The outsole on the Teva Omnium provides aggressive traction on wet and dry surfaces due to the outdoor tread.

This is an excellent light-hiking sandal for those with forefoot pain.

5. Dunham Men's Nolan-Dun Fisherman Sandal

Comfort
95%
Style
90%
Features
90%

Not many people know that Dunham partnered with New Balance to bring out the Nolan-Dun.

What makes the Dunham Nolan-Dun special is the comfort and support of New Balance’s foot-bed technology.

This is what makes the Noaln-Dun great for metatarsalgia. The extra cuhsioning provided by the memory foam footbed adds a layer of protection between your metatarsals and the ground.

This reduce the pressure experienced by the forefoot during impact.

The low drop on this sandal also allows for even pressure redistribution away from the ball of the foot. While the open toe design reduces cramping and excessive pressure build-up in the forefoot.

New Balance’s EVA midsole makes this athletic sandal ultra-lightweight and flexible. The outsole is made of a highly durable rubber that provides excellent traction on uneven surfaces.

The hook-in loops 3 strap adjustability system allows you to fine-tune the sandal for the right fit. The front loop also comes with a quick-release tab for easy on and off.

The inner liner is made of neoprene, which is a quick dry material that is light and soft on the skin. It will also leave your feet feeling dry and fresh.

The upper on the Nolan-Dun is made of a premium full grain waterproof leather. A smart open-toe sandal for men with metatarsalgia.

6. Vionic Mens Boyes With Orthaheel Technology

Comfort
90%
Style
90%
Features
90%

The Vionic Boyes provides excellent adjust-ability due to it’s 3-point hook-and-loop strapping system. The inner lining is soft and comes with ample padding.

An  EVA mid-sole provides excellent shock-absorption while making these sandals very lightweight.

The Vibram rubber outsole is durable. While the wave pattern lugs offer excellent stability on a variety of different surfaces.

What makes the Vionic Boyes great for metatarsalgia is it’s built-in full length bio-mechanical othrotic foot-bed. While that’s a mouthful to say, it ticks many of the boxes required to provide pain relief from metatarsalgia.

The deep heel cup and arch support helps take pressure away from the metatarsals and redistributes it throughout the foot.

The triple density foot-bed also provides extra cushioning at the ball of the foot as well as the heel. Making this sandal extremely comfortable.

The Vionic Boyes is an excellent sandal for a variety of foot problems and even carries the American Pediatric Medical Association seal of approval.

The upper is made of a premium leather that lends itself very nicely to the look.

7. Rockport Men's Get Your Kicks Quarter Strap Flat Sandal

Comfort
95%
Style
85%
Features
95%

The Rockport Men’s Get Your Kicks Quarter Strap Flat Sandal is made of a good-looking premium leather upper.

It comes with a 3-point strapping system that allows for maximum comfort and adjust ability.

The inner lining is breathable, comfortable and moisture wicking. This will ensure that your feet remain dry and cool at the same time.

An EVA footbed makes this sandal lightweight and well cushioned. This also makes it a firm yet flexible sandal at the same time.

What makes the Rockport Get Your Kicks Sandal great for ball of the foot pain is it’s foot-bed. It comes with a low heel-to-toe drop that is perfect for redistributing pressure away from the balls of the feet.

This means that the metatarsals don’t get overloaded, thus reducing pain in the area. The open-toe design allows the toes to move in natural alignment thus negating any pressure caused due to overcrowding.

Using this sandal in combination with a metatarsal pad will do your feet wonders.

Best Women's Sandals For Metatarsalgia

1. KEEN Women's Whisper Sandal

Comfort
100%
Style
95%
Features
95%

The KEEN Women’s Whisper Sandal is lightweight, waterproof and extremely durable.

What we love about this sandal is the wide foot-bed that it offers. This aids in even weight distribution throughout the foot and will help you recover from your metatarsalgia.

Add to this the low heel-to-toe drop and you have yourself an excellent women’s hiking sandal.

The front of the sandal features KEEN’s patented toe-box technology that provides protection to the toes while keeping the sandal extremely lightweight.

The straps are made of a water resistant material that will make liquids bead off the top. This leaves you with a much dryer sandal, if you decide to take it into water or in the rain.

A bungee strap closure system lends itself extremely well to the framework, giving you a nice and secure fit.

The footbed is also covered in anti-bacterial layer that will help keep your feet odor free. While the sole hosts deep bi-directional grooves that will provide excellent traction on multiple surfaces.

2. Birkenstock Women's Mayari Sandal

Comfort
100%
Style
90%
Features
100%

The Birkenstock Women’s Mayari Sandal is one of the better looking sandals in the Birkenstock line. The updated feminine design hosts crisscross straps at the toe with another strap running over the instep of the foot.

Two of these three straps are adjustable with the help of buckles which help to customize the fit.

Birkenstocks are known to come in a variety of different colors and are extremely good for the feet. The anatomically designed cork and latex foot-bed has features that are excellent for metatarsalgia.

These features include a deep heel cup to help lock the feet in place, while also providing a low heel-to-toe drop to help take pressure off your forefoot and metatarsals.

The arch support will help redistribute some of the excess pressure being experienced by your metatarsals. And the open toe design makes it easy for the toes to splay out, thus redistributing pressure more evenly across the foot.

This is an excellent open-toe sandal for women with metatarsalgia.

3. KEEN Women's Rose Sandal

Comfort
95%
Style
95%
Features
95%

KEEN is known for making some of the most lightweight and comfortable sandals in the United States. And the KEEN Women’s Rose Sandals make no compromise on any of these features.

This athletic sandal comes in a slim overall package while accommodating all foot sizes.

The straps help keep your feet well ventilated with their polyester lined inner.

This quick dry material will help keep your feet cool, dry and odor free all the time. The liner material is soft to the touch and feels comfortable on the skin.

Being an athletic sandal, the KEEN Women’s Rose comes with a wide toe-box and a rubber toe-bumper that helps keep your toes comfortable and protected. The toe-bumper is KEEN’s patented technology, which is an extension of the sole which comes up and wraps around the toes.

This makes the sandals as lightweight as possible when compared to other protective outdoor sandals. The wide toe box also helps with metatarsalgia by helping the toes splay out into their natural alignment.

KEEN’s anatomical foot-bed also helps tremendously by supporting your foot in it’s natural shape. Thus redistributing unnecessary pressure build-up at the ball of the foot where metatarsalgia occurs.

The KEEN Women’s Rose is by far one of the best women’s sandals for metatarsalgia. The outsole is made of a durable non-marking rubber with a multi-directional lug pattern. This provides excellent traction on any surface. What’s more; it comes in a variety of vibrant as well as dark colors.

4. Rockport Cobb Hill Women's Fiona Sandal

Comfort
95%
Style
90%
Features
85%

The Rockport Cobb Hill Women’s Fiona Sandal comes in a svelte package that accommodates all types of feet.

This athletic sandal comes with a 3 point hook and loop closure system that is both efficient and comfortable. It allows you to easily adjust your sandal from 3 different point for a snug and secure fit.

The durable rubber outsole helps maintain a stable ride whilst providing ample shock absorption for those of you who stand and walk all day.

What makes the Rockport Cobb Hill Fiona one of the best women’s sandals for metatarsalgia is it’s contoured footbed.

It provides ample cushioning while supporting the arches of the feet. This helps give a stable ride, although the heel-to-toe drop can be closer to a more traditional sandal.

Best Flip-Flops For Metatarsalgia

Best Men's Flip-Flops For Metatarsalgia

1. Olukai Ohana Sandal

Comfort
95%
Style
100%
Features
85%

The Olukai Ohana Sandal is a classic in Olukai’s line-up. These are a durable pair of flip flops that are water friendly due to their quick drying and breathable materials.

The outsole is made of a durable non marking rubber. It comes with a coral reef lug pattern that provides ample grip, even on uneven surfaces.

What makes these flip flops great for metatarsalgia is the ample cushioning and anatomically designed footbed.

The heel-to-toe drop on these flip-flops help take pressure away from the ball of the foot. The deep heel cup holds the foot in place while the contoured arch support helps redistribute uneven pressure further.

These flip flops are made in the USA without using any animal products, making them vegan friendly as well.

2. OluKai Nui Slipper - Men's

Comfort
95%
Style
100%
Features
85%

The OluKai Nui Slipper is another vegan friendly offering from the American shoe manufacturer.

Like all Olukai offerings the footbed on this slipper is what makes it one of the best slippers for metatarsalgia.

An EVA midsole provides ample cushioning while the durable rubber outsole provides sufficient traction. The liners are made of durable quick-dry materials that will help keep your feet cool and dry at the same time.

The contoured footbed offers arch support as well as a deep heel cup to hold the foot in place. While the low heel-to-toe drop helps keep the foot in the same plane. Thus reducing pressure on the balls of your feet.

Another advantage to flip-flops like these is the open toe-box that allows the toes to splay. This allows for a more even weight distribution while aiding balance and stability.

Best Women's Flip-Flops For Metatarsalgia

1. Teva Women's Olowahu Flip-Flop

Comfort
95%
Style
90%
Features
85%

The Teva Women’s Olowahu Flip-Flop is super lightweight and comfortable. It comes with an easy slip-on design that hosts colorful decorative straps.

The cushioning on this flip-flop is what makes it excellent for metatarsalgia. It is super soft and squishy to the touch, which means that it will absorb any impact to the front of the foot.

It also features a low heel-to-toe drop ratio that is excellent for those with metatarsalgia. This is because it will help keep your foot in a more ergonomic position, thus reducing pressure to the forefoot.

There’s also plenty of room for the toes to splay out in natural alignment. Thus making the Teva Women’s Olowahu Flip-Flop one of the best women’s flip-flops for meratarsalgia.

2. Clarks Women's Breeze Sea Flip-Flop

Comfort
95%
Style
95%
Features
80%

The Clarks Women’s Breeze Sea Flip-Flop is one of the best women’s flip-flops for metatarsalgia. They are casual, comfortable and come in a variety of different colors.

The upper features an adjustable hook-and-loop closure strap for a snug and secure fit. The footbed is highly cuhsioned and extremely comfortable. This will help cushion any impact the forefoot expreiences, thus helping with metatarsalgia.

There’s also plenty of room for the toes to splay out, thus allowing to redistribute any excess pressure in the forefoot area.

The low heel-to-toe drop is another feature that will help reduce any pain and pressure in the forefoot, thus allowing it to heal better over time.

Best Unisex Sandal For Metatarsalgia

OOFOS Unisex OOahh Slide Sandal

Comfort
95%
Style
80%
Features
90%

The OOFOS Unisex OOahh Slide Sandal is another great option for men and women with metatarsalgia.

This slip-on offering from OOFOS features an anatomically shaped footbed that hugs the arches of the feet. This helps to reduce pressure at the metatarsals.

The low heel-to-toe drop on the sandal keeps the heel and forefoot closer to the same plane. Thus reducing pressure on the forefoot that would otherwise be caused in conventional footwear.

The slip-on feature is easy to put on and take off. And the OOFOAM technology helps abrorb shock on impact 37% better than other conventional materials.

All this makes from a stable platform that will keep your foot protected and properly aligned at all  times. Thus making it goof for those suffering from metatarsalgia.

 

Why Wear Sandals For Metatarsalgia/Ball Of Foot Pain

Wearing wide and open toe box sandals is probably one of the best things you can do to recover from metatarsalgia.

This is because ball of the foot pain/metatarsalgia is caused due to 2 major contributing factors:

  1. Bio-mechanical problems
  2. Footwear

Bio-mechanical problems in individuals like tight calf muscles, flat feet, forefoot varus, forefoot valgus and so on, can all contribute to this condition.

Tight calf muscles for instance; place the forefoot in a sub optimal load bearing position.

Tight calf muscles pull the heel upward, forcing the balls of your feet downward, thus making them bear more weight than necessary.

This increased pressure on the balls of your feet are the cause of your metatarsalgia.

Other conditions such as flat feet, bunions and forefoot varus or valgus can also place the foot out of proper alignment. This diminishes the weight bearing capabilities of the foot-tripod thus causing pain in the balls of your feet.

But for someone with a healthy foot structure, the main cause for your pain is improper footwear.

By conforming to the latest fashion trends, conventional footwear is placing the foot in highly compromised position. High heels and constricted toe boxes, cause the heel to sit in an elevated position thus causing the forefoot to bear most of the body’s weight.

This is where sandals come into the picture, not all of them are created equally.

By virtue of their design, sandals usually have flat footbeds and an open-toe construction. This not only makes them fashionable and comfortable, but an excellent choice for those suffering from metatarsalgia.

How To Choose The Best Sandals For Metatarsalgia?

Simply look for sandals with the following features and you are good to go.

  1. Wide Toe-Box
  2. Low heel-to-toe drop
  3. Some sort of arch support or ability to use a metatarsal pad

Conclusion:

Sandals and flip-flops do lend themselves well to healing form metatarsalgia. Each design comes with their own share of benefits and features.

Closed-toe designs will not allow your toes to splay out as much as the open-toed ones. But they will allow you to wear a metatarsal pad that the open toed designs might not.

Either way, choosing any of the aforementioned options means that you will have on of the best sandals for metarsalgia.

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