The Best Metatarsal Pads In 2023

Top 5 Best Metatarsal Pads 2023:

1. Dr. Frederick’s Original Metatarsal Pads
2. Dr. Frederick’s Original Half Toe Sleeve Metatarsal Pads
3. ZenToes Metatarsal Pads for Women and Men
4. pedag HOLIDAY Orthotic Inserts
5. Hyjinx Ball of Foot Cushions Metatarsal Cushions

Foot pain or metatarsal pain is actually quite common amongst people who walk in high heeled shoes or exercise a lot. Runners, fashion models, and even ordinary people often suffer from metatarsal pain after activities.

While the causes for this foot pain can be quite varied, the one solution most people get recommended is metatarsal foot pads.

These foot pads are specially designed to help alleviate foot pain and allow you to enjoy your daily activities pain-free!

Unfortunately, setting out and buying the first metatarsal foot pad your run across isn’t the best idea. You have to consider a lot of factors such as material, shape, adhesiveness, and size.

This is why we decided to compile this nifty little article to teach you all you have to know about these wonderful products. We’ll give you a quick rundown of five best metatarsal foot pads you can find on the market as well as teach you how to pick the best metatarsal pad for your needs!

See Also: Best Knee Brace For Torn Meniscus

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5 Best Metatarsal Pads In 2023: Detailed Reviews

Before we go in-depth about what you should consider before buying a met pad, you can take a look at our top 5 picks of best metatarsal pads. 

Whether you like wearing high heeled shoes or running shoes, we’ve included something for everyone. So, let’s jump right into it!

1. Dr. Frederick’s Original Metatarsal Pads – Best Overall

Metatarsalgia is a common issue many people face. What’s more, this condition can get even worse if you don’t take necessary precautions. You don’t have to eat painkillers like they’re candy to relieve yourself of foot pain, there’s a much better solution.

Enter Dr. Frederic’s Original Metatarsal pads. These quality-made pads come in a pack of four and are designed to provide you with pain relief and superb comfort. These met pads are built out of thermoplastic elastomer, a super stretch material that is also incredibly soft and comfortable.

The thing we like the most about Dr. Frederic’s Original Metatarsal Pads is that they can fit all shoe sizes. It doesn’t matter what size shoes your wearing, you can rest assured these pads will fit them perfectly.

When walking, every step you make puts more pressure at the bottom of your foot. Dr. Frederic’s Original Metatarsal pads are designed to deliver instant soothing so you can continue doing your daily activities pain-free. 

The only thing we didn’t like about these met pads is that they might be too soft for some people. However, this is highly subjective and also depends on the shoes you’re wearing.

2. Dr. Frederick’s Original Half Toe Sleeve Metatarsal Pads – First Contender

Metatarsal pads don’t just offer pain relief. They also absorb shock and vibration when you’re walking and running. Not only that, but they also provide an even distribution of pressure for additional comfort.

And if you’re looking for pads that offer all of the above, look no further than Dr. Frederic’s Original Half Toe Sleeve Metatarsal Pads! These pads work for both men and women and are perfect for those with diabetic feet since they also prevent blisters and calluses.

Out of the box, you get two half sleeves that are built out of stretchy, soft thermoplastic elastomer. You don’t have to worry about these pads not fitting you since they’re designed to suit all types of feet and shoes.

Thanks to their half-sleeved design, these met pads can be worn with any type of footwear. You can wear them with both your open high heels and your running shoes. And, since they wrap around your foot, you don’t have to worry they’ll slip.

Just like with our first pick, the only thing we don’t like about Dr. Frederic’s Original Half Toe Sleeve Metatarsal Pads is that they can be too soft for some.

3. ZenToes Metatarsal Pads for Women and Men – Best Foot Support

If you spend a lot of time walking or standing, your feet balls will get sore, tired, and eventually painful. The best way to provide your feet balls with the right type of cushioning is by buying yourself ZenToes Fabric Metatarsal Pads.

The way these met pads provide pain relief is by offering superb support and gentle compression. The ZenToes also cushion your forefoot thanks to gel-infused pads and eliminate any kind of discomfort and friction around the balls of your feet.

The thing we like the most about these pads is that their superb weight distribution. With ZenToes, you’ll be able to stand for hours before without any pain or discomfort. We also like how they absorb shock while running or jogging.

We also liked the fact that these pads are reusable. When they get dirty, you can simply wash them with some warm water and mild soap.

The only thing we didn’t like about these met pads is that they’re not unisize. The ZenToes fit men’s size 6-9 and women’s size 8-11. This is really sad since you get two pairs of pads.

4. pedag HOLIDAY Orthotic Inserts – Best Leather Metatarsal Pad

Running, hiking, walking, and other activities can bring several issues on your feet. You could suffer from blisters, corns, calluses, and even post-surgery pain. Did you know there are metatarsal pads that can help you reduce all types of pain and much more?

The pedag HOLIDAY Orthotic Inserts are an excellent choice for you if you want more coverage. These rigid pads offer your feet support and cushioning that can reduce fatigue induced by standing and walking for many hours.

The pedag med pads are especially useful for people who are suffering from metatarsalgia and planar fasciitis. Their unique semi-rigid design of arch, heel cushion, metatarsal pad, and planar vault ensure your feet get the support they need!

These met pads are built out of natural leather and cotton and are washable. And, they’ll need washing because the upper part is made out of cotton that is known to dry very slowly.

The pedag HOLIDAY Orthotic Inserts are not unisize. However, they are available in almost every adult shoe size.

5. Hyjinx Ball of Foot Cushions Metatarsal Cushions – Best Met Pads for High Heels

Several things can cause foot pain. It could be walking, prolonged standing, running, and even wearing high heels. Since we want to look at our best when wearing all kinds of shoes, sometimes your feet can experience a bit too much pressure.

If you want to avoid any discomfort and still look good, look no further than Hyjinx Ball of Foot Cushions! These self-sticking pads are an ideal choice if you like wearing high heels. Thanks to them, you will still achieve that sexy, high-heeled look, but without foot-pain!

The Hyjinx pads are designed to give your feet much-needed support and reduce foot pain. They are made out of soft gel that provides cushioning for your feet balls and reduces foot-pain.

These metatarsal pads are an excellent pick for anyone that suffers from fat pad atrophy, metatarsalgia, neuromas, and burning sensation at the balls of their feet.

The Hyjinx Ball of Foot Cushions are long-lasting because they’re reusable and washable. They are compatible with most types of shoes. They are also made out of safe materials, so you don’t have to worry about allergies.

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What Are Metatarsal Foot Pads And What You Should Consider Before Buying A Metatarsal Foot Pad

Now that you’ve seen what our top five picks for the best metatarsal pad on the market are, it’s time to go a bit more in-in depth about them. 

For starters, we’ve never actually told you what met pads are.

So, what are met pads?  Metatarsal pads are shoe inserts that help spread the transverse arch of your foot. The transverse arch is the part of your foot that runs horizontally across your foot and behind the ball.

Not only that, but met pads also help reduce overextension of your toes. They also help the forefoot pad to move back to its correct position of supporting the heads of your metatarsal bones.

Does all this sound like a bunch of medical mumbo-jumbo to you? Worry not, there is a more straightforward answer! Basically, metatarsal pads work from behind the ball of your foot to push everything forward into its correct place. They also realign the metatarsal heads and the fat beneath them.

But why is this necessary we hear you ask? The answer is quite simple and lies in your shoes and the passage of time. 

Unfortunately, the design of most shoes doesn’t lend itself to foot health. Wearing shoes can often lead to heel elevation, toe spring, and toe taper. These are the conditions that negatively impact your feet and, over time, can cause quite a lot of pain.

This pain can become quite uncomfortable, which is why many people turn to met pads to help them alleviate it and set things straight. Wearing a metatarsal pad is an excellent choice that will provide a plethora of benefits, including:

• Realignment of your metatarsal heads,
• Level chronically extended toes,
• Align transverse arch of your foot,
• Lengthen the tissue on the top of your feet,
• Offset body weight you put on the balls of your feet
• Reconfigure your whole foot to its natural position

Before we go into things you should consider before buying the best metatarsal pad for your needs, you need to learn how to place them correctly.

While these orthopedic aids can be more than helpful for eliminating foot pain, you can’t reap their full benefits if you don’t place them correctly. This may seem like a pretty simple task, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can insert the met pads improperly and miss out on their benefits.

Here are four simple steps you need to follow to place your metatarsal pads correctly:

1. Use the shoe liner for placement help – What you need to do is take the liner out of your shoes and put it where it should go before returning the liner back into the shoe.
2. Learn where the ball of your foot sits – This is the most critical step since the pad works best if it adheres to the balls of your feet perfectly. Don’t just put the met pad where you think the ball of your foot is supposed to be. Take your time and measure where the balls of your feet sit in the shoe. The best way to do this is to take a pair of your old shoes and see the imprint on the liner.
3. Place the pad – Once you’ve located where the balls of your feet sit in the shoe, place the metatarsal pad just behind that spot. It would be best if you centered it, so it’s not too close to either the inside or outside of your feet.
4. Try out your shoes – once you’ve placed the met pads, you need to make sure you put them correctly by trying out your shoes. You should feel the pads gently pushing into your sole and behind the ball. This sensation might feel weird at first, but you will get used to it quickly. If you feel uncomfortable, you should readjust the pad and try out the shoes again.

Now that you know how to place metatarsal pads correctly, it’s time to learn what are the factors you should consider before you buy a pair. Here are six things you need to consider before setting out and buying the best metatarsal pads for your needs.

1. Material

The material the metatarsal pad is built out of is the most essential factor you need to consider. The material affects both the comfort and durability of the pad.

Metatarsal pads are built out of a wide variety of materials. Still, all are designed to reduce your foot pain effectively. The pads are commonly made out of these three materials:

• Open-cell polyurethane foam – which is quite durable and delivers resilient cushioning
• Wool or polyester felt – which is less durable than polyurethane, but is excellent if you need firm support. Unfortunately, these materials dry very slowly, which can be a negative if you have sweaty feet.
• Latex and leather – are used in combination to offer comfort and durability. If you are allergic to latex, you should avoid this type of met pads.

All these materials have their pros and cons. We recommend you choose the material based on your personal preference.

2. Adhesiveness

Adhesiveness is another factor you should consider when looking for a metatarsal pad. The stronger the adhesiveness, the better.

The pad should have a sticky surface such that it will hold on firmly to the shoe liner. After all, wearing met pads that constantly slip will cause even more pain to your feet.

There are a couple of different ways in which pads stick to your shoes. You can go for self-sticking pads that have an adhesive that sticks at the bottom of your feet. Some pads stick to the top of the insole, and some feature an insole Velcro attachment.

3. Odor Resistance

Since metatarsal pads are fixed to your shoes, there is a high chance you will be wearing the shoes every day to ensure your feet are pain-free and comfortable. We recommend you look for pads that absorb sweat and eliminate bad smell.

Open-cell polyurethane foam met pads, and those that are built out of latex and leather are excellent at eliminating unpleasant odors.

4. Type

Metatarsal pads come in many different forms:

• Athletic pads – feature a thicker design and are more flexible. They also have no-slip grips at the bottom, which makes them ideal for active people or for everyday use.
• Pure Gel Pads – are very soft. They commonly fit right under the balls of your feet. This is why they’re perfect for people who wear high heels since they’re not directly under your toes.
• Self-Adhesive Pads – feature a sticky side that adheres to your foot. They are excellent for joggers and runners since they stick directly to the bottom of the feet and don’t need adjustment.
•  Sleeve Met Pads – slip around your feet. They cushion the front of your feet and help relieve pressure points.

5. Size

Finally, you have to consider the size. Met pads come in different sizes, and you should buy the met pad that fits your feet perfectly. By selecting the right sized met pad, you are ensuring your feet will stay comfortable and that there won’t be any rubbing and slipping.

Read More: The Best Socks For Sweaty Feet

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Conclusion & Our Recommendation

It’s time to declare the winner. We had real trouble determining which one of the met pads we reviewed is the best one, but after a couple of hours of debate we came to a conclusion.

• If you’re looking for a met pad that offers superb comfort and can also fit any type of shoe, look no further than Dr. Frederick’s Original Metatarsal Pads.
• If you’re looking for met sleeved met pads that also offer superb comfort and support for your metatarsal bones, Dr. Frederick’s Original Half Toe Sleeve Metatarsal Pads.
• If you lead a very active life and you like wearing both high heels and running shoes, the support the ZenToes Metatarsal Pads for Women and Men can offer is unprecedented.

Ultimately, the final decision is up to you. We hope you learned something, and if you did, we urge you to share it with your friends so they can learn something new too!