Metatarsal Support Insoles

What do metatarsal support insoles do?

Metatarsal support insoles are designed to provide extra support for the metatarsals and ball-of-foot versus what a standard arch support insole would provide. This is done through the addition of a metatarsal pad, cushion, or other support piece that is built directly into the insole.

This metatarsal support serves two primary purposes:

1. It helps to elevate the metatarsal bones of the foot, which will help alleviate pressure and strain on not only the metatarsals, but also the ball-of-foot and even the toes. This is especially important for those who already experience pain or soreness in the forefoot, including foot conditions such as Morton’s neuroma, sesamoiditis, and metatarsalgia.
2. It helps to provide additional cushioning under the metatarsal bones, which is helpful for those who experience soreness between the midfoot and forefoot, such as those who stand for long periods of time, those who perform manual labor, and those who wear heeled footwear for extended periods of time.

Do I need metatarsal support?

The answer to this question largely depends on both your reason for shopping new insoles and personal preference.

If you suffer from forefoot pain (metatarsals and/or ball-of-foot), we do recommend that your insole include metatarsal support. This ensures that your forefoot gets that little bit of extra support, which can make all the difference in achieving complete comfort and relief. If you prefer a metatarsal pad simply due to comfort or preference, there's certainly no harm in choosing a metatarsal support insole, either! Many people wear insoles with metatarsal support who have had no history with forefoot discomfort simply because they find the metatarsal pad more comfortable than insoles without.

That said, if metatarsal support isn't a concern you have, or if you don't suffer from forefoot discomfort, or if you simply don't like the feel of a metatarsal pad based on past experience, you certainly don't need a metatarsal pad for your insoles. A standard arch support insole is the preference for many arch support users.

Do all metatarsal support insoles have arch support?

Nearly all metatarsal support insoles will have arch support, too. This is simply because in order for the metatarsal support to be most effective, the insole must also support the midfoot as well.

If you want the best support for your metatarsals and forefoot, we absolutely recommend choosing a metatarsal support insole with arch support. This will ensure that you have the midfoot support necessary in order for the metatarsal support of the insole to be most effective.

Alternatively, if you would prefer metatarsal cushioning only, there are a select number of metatarsal support insoles without arch support, or you could instead consider simply adding a standalone metatarsal pad to your existing shoes/insoles to provide a little extra support & cushioning.

What are the differences between metatarsal supports?

Metatarsal support insoles with arch support have all of the same considerations that go into choosing the best arch support insole: support firmness, arch height, cushioning, materials, etc. For more on these differences, check out our Insole Guide or Arch Support Insoles info.

As for the metatarsal pad itself, the major difference comes down to its design. Popular metatarsal support insoles such as the PowerStep Pinnacle Plus Met Insole or the New Balance Metatarsal Support Insole use what we call a "traditional metatarsal pad," where the support is a raised pad positioned directly under the metatarsals of the foot (similar to if you simply attached a standalone metatarsal pad to a standard arch support insole). The other major design is a complete arch & metatarsal cushion, such as that found on the 10 Seconds 3030 Insole or the Sof Sole Work Performance Insole. This design uses a thick cushioned pad that runs from the base of the arch at the heel all the way through the forefoot, providing cushioned midfoot support as well as metatarsal support & cushioning. Which design you should choose is ultimately a matter of preference.