Morton’s neuroma can cause a sharp pain in the ball of the foot, specifically between the third and fourth toe. Your toes may also feel like they’re on fire or go numb when you’ve been wearing shoes for some time.
The best shoes for Morton’s neuroma won’t necessarily fix this condition but they can help reduce the pain and inflammation that come with the condition.
Our best choice is the Altra Torin 5. It has a sculpted footbed, a FootShape toe box, and has been given the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
We’ve reviewed ten shoes that would help relieve the pain and discomfort of Morton’s neuroma. Read on to find the one right for you.
Top 4 Best and Favorites
Best Overall | Best Overall |
Altra Torin 5
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Top Walking Shoe | Top Walking Shoe |
New Balance 840v2
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Best Men’s Dress Shoes | Best Men’s Dress Shoes |
Dunham Wade Slip-on
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Best Women’s Dress Shoes | Best Women’s Dress Shoes |
Dansko Franny
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Best Overall
1. Altra Torin 5
These are running shoes but they work just as well for walking, shopping, visiting friends, or just being around the house.
They’re zero-drop and have a wide toe box, both of which are helpful if you have Morton’s neuroma. The spacious FootShape toe box allows the toes to splay out naturally and prevents the metatarsals from being cramped and rubbing against each other.
A zero heel-to-toe drop means that your heel is not sitting higher than your toe like in most shoes. This drop can put extra pressure on the toes, so a zero-drop shoe removes that pressure.
The Quantic midsoles provide balanced cushioning and features InnerFlex grooves to create flexibility and comfort. It’s supplemented by a Perf-X insole and a 5mm sculpted footbed adds some more cushioning and support to every step. So whether you’re walking or running your feet will be supported and protected.
The women’s shoe has been enhanced with Fit4Her technology, which means the women’s shoe has a higher instep, a narrower heel, a longer arch, and different spacing between the metatarsal bones.
These shoes have also won the Seal of Acceptance from the APMA. This means the shoes are highly regarded as a shoe that promotes healthy feet.
PROS:
- Sculpted footbed
- Quantic foam midsole
- FootPod outsole technology
- Perf-X insoles
CONS:
- These shoes can run slightly bigger and you may have to order half a size smaller
Top Walking Shoe
2. New Balance 840v2
The New Balance 840v2 are great shoes for walking. Their cushioning will protect and propel you and make every walk a comfortable one.
The ABZORB foam midsole does a good job of absorbing shock with every step, which will reduce pain for you.
Because the toe box is wider than average, your toes will splay in a natural way and take pressure off your metatarsals. There’s also a cushioned foam insole that you can remove if you need to.
A polyurethane strobel board under the sock liner adds some extra support. The lining on top of it is a Lightning Dry lining that keeps you dry and cool.
The tongue and ankle collar are also very padded, which means that there’s little chance of chafing.
The heel-to-toe drop is 12mm, which is significantly larger than the previous shoe. Some individuals may find that this is slightly too high to be comfortable for their sore spot, but not everyone will feel that way.
PROS:
- ABZORB midsole
- Foam-cushioned insole
- Lightning Dry lining
- PU strobel board
CONS:
- The 12mm drop may be too high for some to be comfortable on the ball of the foot
Best Men’s Dress Shoes
3. Dunham Wade Slip-On
The Dunham Wade Slip-On is a dress shoe that would look professional at work or stylish at functions. But it also reduces pain related to Morton’s neuroma.
Full-grain leather is durable and comes in black or brown. There are stretch-material sections to make it easy to get the shoe on and off.
From the outside, it looks like a normal shoe, but on the inside, there are some features that make this an excellent shoe for Morton’s neuroma.
An EVA midsole takes all the shock from your feet and joints when you step. The wider toe box means your toes will naturally spread out, so your metatarsal bones won’t have to sit right against each other.
The heel cup and footbed are also made of EVA foam, so this shoe is very shock-absorbing.
An R-BAR stability shank in the midfoot and TPU posts on the lateral side help to keep the foot extremely stable. The soles are also non-marking.
PROS:
- Molded EVA and memory foam footbed
- Cushioned EVA heel cup
- R-BAR with medial and lateral TPU posts
- Stretch gore on the sides
CONS:
- Some people may find that the heel of the shoe is a bit wide, which leads to heel slippage
Best Women’s Dress Shoes
4. Dansko Franny
These women’s loafers are constructed from soft leather and have smooth linings for comfort. It has a unique elastic closure that allows you to get a perfect fit every time.
The company’s Natural Arch Technology makes these shoes more supportive than usual for dress shoes. The removable footbed allows you the space to insert a custom orthotic if necessary.
The EVA footbed is well-cushioned to support the ball of the foot. The collar is lightly cushioned, enough to reduce the chance of friction but not so much that the shoe isn’t supportive.
Some ladies may find that the shoes are too narrow, and pinch their feet when they’re wearing them.
PROS:
- Molded EVA footbed
- Dansko Natural Arch support and cushioning
- Elastic closure
- Textile linings
CONS:
- Some people may find that these shoes are too narrow to fit without pinching their foot
Top Men’s Work Shoes
5. Orthofeet Lava
If you need a pair of comfortable shoes to wear to work that won’t aggravate your Morton’s neuroma pain, these ones might be the right thing for you. These are orthotic shoes and they can accommodate custom insoles.
The Ortho-Cushion System comes with premium insoles, which have excellent arch support. You will also get two spacers when you buy this shoe; one that’s 1/16 inches thick and one that’s ⅛ inches thick. You can use these to create an almost custom fit, along with the ¼ inch insoles.
Along with this cushioning, a wide toe box and protective foam-padded interior make it comfortable and reduce the pressure on the ball of the foot. Ergonomic soles provide great energy return and absorb shock, preventing joints from being jarred.
If you need more support, the Orthofeet Arch Booster can help to take more pressure off the ball of the foot.
PROS:
- Removable spacers
- Seam-free interior
- Anatomical orthotic insole
- Designed with extra depth
CONS:
- The insoles may take a long time to break in
Top Women’s Work Shoes
6. Orthofeet Springfield
Ladies, these soft and comfortable shoes may feel like casual sneakers but they’re smart enough to wear to work. Orthofeet shoes are podiatrist-recommended and very customizable.
The upper is soft and stretchy, so it can fit feet of all shapes. The toe box is nice and spacious, so even if you’re on your feet all day your toes should feel comfortable and not strained.
Adjustable straps allow you to customize your fit so your feet are never uncomfortable. Another thing that helps with comfort is the Ortho-Cushion System. It features a ¼-inch insole, plus two extra sets of spacers—1/16-inch and ⅛-inch—so you can create a cushion in your shoe that works best for you.
The anatomical orthotic ¼-inch insole can be removed if you want to replace it with a podiatrist-recommended one. A gel-cushioned heel pad also dampens the impact every time you take a step.
Some ladies may find that the strap sits too close to their ankles and rubs against it when they walk.
PROS:
- Adjustable hook and loop strap
- Anatomical orthotic insole
- Stretchable upper
- Gel-cushioned heel pad
CONS:
- Some people may find that the strap on the shoe sits too close to the ankle bone and may cause some irritation
Best Stability Running Shoes
7. Brooks Addiction 15 GTS
If you’re a runner who overpronates (your arch collapses and your foot rolls inwards), Morton’s neuroma could be made worse by this, especially if you aren’t wearing the right shoes.
You will need a pair of stability shoes that also offer support and protection for your metatarsals. These shoes have a lot of cushioning as well as a wide toe box.
The cushioning is designed to prevent overpronation, and gives good arch support while being soft enough to stay comfortable while running.
Brooks’ BioMoGo DNA midsole material is long-lasting and provides enough support to the foot to absorb shock when you’re running. The removable insole also adds some padding and a little more impact-absorption. There’s also a crash pad on the heel to allow for easier heel-to-toe transitions.
The GuideRail technology helps to keep the foot in place, preventing the toes and ball of the foot from rolling in and creating extra pressure.
Some individuals may find that the sole is a little too rigid to be comfortable when they run.
PROS:
- Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar
- Heel Segmented Crash Pad
- Removable foam insole
- BioMoGo DNA
CONS:
- Some people may find that the platform is a little stiff
Top Summer Shoes for Women
8. Naot Kata
With a wide toe box and padded heel cup, this summer shoe will have you looking and feeling great on those summer days.
The combination leather upper is a good mix of firm and supportive and comfortable.
The footbed is made from cork and latex, which makes it quite easy on the feet as long as you don’t have an allergy to latex. It conforms to your foot the more you wear it, and also features a strobel board for strength and flexibility.
The footbed is quite cushioned, so the 1-inch heel height shouldn’t place any extra pressure on the toes. Be aware that these shoes may run small, so you may need to order a size up.
PROS:
- Anatomical cork and latex footbed
- Hand-sewn strobel
- Lace-up closure
- Non-slip polyurethane outsole
CONS:
- These shoes can run small, so you may need to order a size up
Best Athletic Shoes
9. New Balance 813
If you’re planning on taking part in some athletics or exercise, then these New Balance shoes could be the ones that keep your feet safe and pain-free.
Like most NB shoes, they’re slightly wider than average, and this extends to the toe box.
They’re durable enough for vigorous use, with a leather upper and rubber outsole. You can create a comfortable fit on your own foot using the traditional lace-up system.
The wide toe box will help your toes to be comfortable, but the 13mm drop may still place some slight pressure on the metatarsals.
ROLLBAR technology uses TPU posts on the medial and lateral sides of the foot for better control. The foam midsole makes every step soft, and the insole can be taken out if necessary.
The shoes can run slightly wide so you may want to buy a narrow size. They are Medicare-approved as a diabetic shoe.
PROS:
- Foam midsole
- ROLLBAR technology posting system
- Medicare/HCPCS code = A5500
- Cushioned collar
CONS:
- These shoes can run a bit wide so you may need to get the shoes in a narrow size
Top Hiking Boots
10. Hoka One One Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX
Morton’s neuroma can prevent you from enjoying experiences such as hiking, where you need to be on your feet for extended periods of time.
These hiking boots have features that should help to relieve the pain and allow you to have a good experience.
Hoka’s wide forefoot offers plenty of space for your toes to lie comfortably. This can also help to improve your balance on hikes when you’re traversing some rough terrain.
A waterproof GORE-TEX liner keeps your feet dry in all weather, and a Vibram MegaGrip Hi-Traction outsole keeps you stable.
The lightweight midsole foam and 3D-printed overlays make it both comfortable and supportive. The shoes run small and you may need to order half a size up if you want a less tight fit.
PROS:
- Wider forefoot
- Midsole cushioning
- Water-resistant mesh upper
- Vibram MegaGrip Hi-Traction outsole
CONS:
- The shoes run small and you may need to order half a size up
FAQs
What is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma occurs when the tissue around the nerve becomes thick. This will affect the ball of your foot between the toes and the foot bones—metatarsals—as they may become inflamed and swollen.
When you walk, you may feel as though you have a small stone stuck in your shoe, but more towards the base of your third and fourth toes.
You may also experience a burning sensation, tingling, or even numbness at the base of these toes. This can make walking difficult or even painful.
What are possible preventions and treatments?
There are a number of steps you can take to either prevent or treat Morton’s neuroma.
The first step would be to change your shoes to a pair that caters for Morton’s neuroma. These shoes would have a wider toe box, which will allow your foot and toes to align back to their natural foot position.
Make sure that you give your foot time to rest and apply ice for about 15 to 20 minutes. This will help reduce inflammation and pain. You can take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications—Motrin IB, Aleve or Advil—to help relieve the pain and inflammation as well.
Once the inflammation and pain has gone down, try some gentle stretching and strength exercises. This will also increase the strength in the arch of the foot, which will help to relieve the pressure on the ball of the foot.
Do exercises that help to gently stretch the Achilles and calf muscles. This will help to relieve the pressure and tension of the plantar fascia tissue as well. You can do the following exercises:
- Standing calf stretch
- Plantar fascia stretch
What Should You Look For When Buying Shoes For Morton’s Neuroma?
Look for shoes that allow you to adjust the fit, either with an adjustable strap or laces, as you don’t want your shoe to be too roomy. This way, you can also control the amount of pressure that’s applied to the forefoot of the shoe.
Make sure that the upper is stretchable and allows for flexibility so that your foot is still able to move naturally.
The shoe has to have a wide toe box, to eliminate direct pressure on the forefoot and prevent the metatarsal bones from rubbing against each other.
It may take some getting used to, but look at getting shoes that have zero-drop or a low drop—around 4 millimeters will be best—as you won’t be placing any pressure on the ball of your foot. The arch support of the shoe is important, as this will help relieve the pressure on the rest of the foot. It can help to realign the foot to its natural position, as well as help absorb the impact of the foot strike.
You may have to invest in a pair of orthotic insoles that have anatomical arch support, as this will help to control overpronation, which can place pressure on the ball of the foot.