Metatarsal pads are an excellent way to relieve pain and discomfort in the forefoot, or the balls of your feet. Metatarsal pads are especially effective against conditions like metatarsalgia and Morton’s neuroma.
But how does a metatarsal pad actually work? And what is the best metatarsal foot pad for your feet? Should you look for a metatarsal insole? Or a do-it-yourself, stick-in metatarsal pad?
In this article we’ll discuss why SOLE insoles with a built-in metatarsal pad are the best and easiest-to-use metatarsal pad products on the market.
How does a metatarsal pad work?
A metatarsal pad is a small bump or pad that supports the natural position and spread of your foot’s bones, the metatarsals. You probably know that your foot has an arch that runs down the length of it, but you may not know that your foot also has a transverse arch. This less obvious arch runs across your foot from one side to the other, almost like the hollow of your hand’s palm.
A metatarsal pad supports the foot’s transverse arch from beneath, ensuring the foot’s bones have a healthy spread and positioning. This spread and positioning of the bones helps the foot’s many muscles, bones and ligaments to function efficiently and optimally, preventing pain and promoting recovery from injury.
A metatarsal pad is especially effective for: pain in the balls of your feet, numbness in your toes, Morton’s neuroma, metatarsalgia and other ailments of the forefoot.
The best metatarsal pad placement.
Where does the metatarsal pad go? It can be tricky to know exactly how to position the metatarsal foot pad within your shoe for maximum relief. The first thing you need to know is that the metatarsal pad shouldn’t be placed directly underneath the balls of your feet. Instead, it should be placed behind the balls of your feet.
It can be difficult to place the pad correctly, and what’s worse, many metatarsal pads will shift in the shoe during wear, or after multiple wears. Some metatarsal pads are designed to be stuck to your insole with adhesive, but get the placement slightly wrong and you have a problem. Others rely on velcro to keep the pad in place, but these can lead to the metatarsal pad shifting in your shoe during the day.
That’s where a metatarsal insole can really help. SOLE with Met Pad footbeds have a metatarsal pad built right into the structure of the insole. This makes it incredibly easy to get perfect metatarsal pad placement.
Simply buy an insole in a size that fits your shoe, slip the insole into your shoe, and the metatarsal pad will be properly positioned to support your foot’s bones and transverse arch.
The best metatarsal pad with arch support.
A healthy longitudinal arch (the arch that runs the length of your foot) is crucial to overall foot health. Combining regular arch support with metatarsal-specific support is the most effective way to reduce excess pressure on your metatarsals, and in the balls of your feet.
This is because the foot is an intricate mechanism that works best when all aspects of its physiology are working efficiently. A healthy arch in your foot helps control and direct energy transfer through each step. This helps to ensure energy, weight and pressure are being distributed evenly and efficiently in your foot.
SOLE footbeds feature a Signature Supportive Shape, with arch support that’s clinically proven to reduce strain in the arch by an average of 34%. This arch support is excellent for promoting neutral alignment in the feet, and dealing with a range of ailments (plantar fasciitis, overpronation, supination, and more).
The arch support in SOLE with Met Pad footbeds also means that the metatarsal pad doesn’t need to be as big and bulbous as other options on the market. A small bump in just the right place combines with the supportive arch to promote healthy physiology throughout the foot.
While most metatarsal pads can feel awkward or difficult to get used to, SOLE with Met Pad footbeds feel totally natural and comfortable. In fact you barely notice the metatarsal pad at all, you just notice the relief it brings you from your pain or discomfort.
A metatarsal pad that’s guaranteed to work.
SOLE insoles with metatarsal pads come with a 90 day satisfaction guarantee. That means that if these metatarsal pads don’t help you get relief from pain or discomfort, you can simply return them within 90 days of purchase for an exchange or refund.
The best metatarsal pad is one you can try risk-free, with the knowledge that if it doesn’t work for you, you can get your money back.
The best metatarsal pad for every shoe.
Need a metatarsal pad in your work boots? And another one in your running shoes? And another in your casual sneakers? Choosing a metatarsal pad insert that can easily be swapped from shoe to shoe is the way to go.
SOLE with Met Pad footbeds come in three thicknesses to fit any footwear. The Active Medium with Met Pad has a medium layer of cushioning to offer some impact absorption that’s still thin enough to offer a versatile fit in a wide range of footwear. This means you can rely on one pair of insoles in your shoe size to add comfort to most of your footwear.
By choosing a metatarsal pad insole you also avoid the hassle and stress of calculating the perfect placement for adding metatarsal pads to all of your various footwear.
The best metatarsal pad will bring relief to your feet, increase comfort in the forefoot, and end pain from Morton’s neuroma, metatarsalgia and other ailments. A supportive insole with a built-in metatarsal pad is the best option for convenient comfort, that makes placement of the metatarsal pad easy and makes it easy to swap the metatarsal pad from shoe to shoe.