For younger people they might be able to get away with a more minimalist shoe, but with more midfoot arthritis and top of the foot pain a more stable and cushioned shoe may be necessary.
Change your Laces:
One of the best tips for top-of-the-foot pain relief is changing your laces.
We go over this in the video above, which we highly recommend watching.
One of the best modifications you can make to your shoes is skipping the holes in the shoe, which may be pressing against the top of your foot and causing pain.
Best Walking Shoes for the top of the foot pain:
The best components of a walking shoe for the top of the foot pain are:
A deep heel cup in the 10-12mm range.
A heel-to-toe lift in the 8-12mm range.
A strong and soft midsole.
A stronger rocker bottom to take pressure off of the midfoot.
The best men’s walking shoes for the top of the foot pain:
We go over our favorite podiatrist-recommended men’s walking shoes for the top of the foot pain in this list.
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The best running shoes for the top of the foot pain:
The podiatrist recommended that the best running shoes for the top of the foot pain are a little more sleek and athletic than the walking shoes.
This may include a little less weight to the shoe.
We still want to see features like a deep heel cup combined with the orthotics around 10-16mm.
We want to see a slight heel-to-toe lift in the 10-12 mm range.
We want a stiffer back to the shoe.
We want a stiffer midsole with more cushion.
The best men’s running shoes for the top of the foot pain:
Here we go over the podiatrist’s recommended best men’s running shoes for the top of the foot pain.
Best Men's Racing Running Shoes
Best Overall Racing Shoe
Solid & Cost Effective Racing Shoe
Best Shoe for Older or Bigger Men
Best Nike Trail Running Shoe
Lower Cost Version of the Premier Nike Running Shoes
Price:
Price not available
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Title:
Nike Zoomx Vaporfly Next% Men Running Shoess Ao4568-600 Size 12
adidas Men's Adizero Boston 8 Athletic Shoe, Black/White/Grey, 6.5 M US
HOKA ONE ONE Rincon
Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Running Shoes (9.5 D US, Black/White/Gunsmoke/Oil Grey)
Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes, Black (Black/White/Thunder Grey 002), 8.5 UK
Overview:
Price Range: $250+! These are the best reviewed and hottest shoes on the market. Marathoners are setting records with these. The downside is they are VERY expensive and can only last on shoes. DO not wear these outside of good road conditions or they will break down FAST!
Price Range: $69+ This was a shoe that previous records were set in. This is a more durable and minimal overall running shoe. It is more of a lightweight minimal shoe. It is build for speed and not durability.
Price Range: $130+ This is about the maximum amount of cushion you can get in a running shoe. This is better reserved for bigger or more arthritic runners. Like the other shoes it is not durability focused!
Price Range: $130+ High level racing trail shoe. This is not specifically built for durability. It is more of a racing shoe for offroad conditions. Like all of these racing shoes they are not the most durable!
Price Range: $120+ These are meant only for race day! These can help tremendously with speed, but durability wise they will break down over time quicker than other types of shoes.
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Nike Zoomx Vaporfly Next% Men Running Shoess Ao4568-600 Size 12
Overview:
Price Range: $250+! These are the best reviewed and hottest shoes on the market. Marathoners are setting records with these. The downside is they are VERY expensive and can only last on shoes. DO not wear these outside of good road conditions or they will break down FAST!
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
adidas Men's Adizero Boston 8 Athletic Shoe, Black/White/Grey, 6.5 M US
Overview:
Price Range: $69+ This was a shoe that previous records were set in. This is a more durable and minimal overall running shoe. It is more of a lightweight minimal shoe. It is build for speed and not durability.
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
Price Range: $130+ This is about the maximum amount of cushion you can get in a running shoe. This is better reserved for bigger or more arthritic runners. Like the other shoes it is not durability focused!
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Running Shoes (9.5 D US, Black/White/Gunsmoke/Oil Grey)
Overview:
Price Range: $130+ High level racing trail shoe. This is not specifically built for durability. It is more of a racing shoe for offroad conditions. Like all of these racing shoes they are not the most durable!
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
Lower Cost Version of the Premier Nike Running Shoes
Price:
Price not available
Title:
Nike Men's Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Running Shoes, Black (Black/White/Thunder Grey 002), 8.5 UK
Overview:
Price Range: $120+ These are meant only for race day! These can help tremendously with speed, but durability wise they will break down over time quicker than other types of shoes.
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
on Running Womens Cloud X Road Shoes Red/Flash SZ 5
On Women's Cloud Terry Sneakers, Silver, 7 Medium US
Overview:
Price Range: $69+ This was a shoe that previous records were set in. This is a more durable and minimal overall running shoe. It is more of a lightweight minimal shoe. It is build for speed and not durability.
Price Range: $175+! These are great reviewed and one of the hottest shoes on the market.
Price Range: $130+ This is about the maximum amount of cushion you can get in a running shoe. This is better reserved for bigger or more arthritic runners. Like the other shoes it is not durability focused!
Price Range: $130+ High level racing trail shoe. This is not specifically built for durability. It is more of a racing shoe for offroad conditions. Like all of these racing shoes they are not the most durable!
Price Range: $130+. The people who use these swear by them! A very unique light feel. Like the other lightweight ones, these are built for speed not durability!
Very comfortable cloth sneaker. Very lightweight and comfortable!
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
Price Range: $69+ This was a shoe that previous records were set in. This is a more durable and minimal overall running shoe. It is more of a lightweight minimal shoe. It is build for speed and not durability.
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
Great Shoe For Arthritis & Increased Height/Weight.
Price:
Price not available
Title:
HOKA ONE ONE Women's Clifton 6 Running Shoes, Antigua Sand/Wan Blue, 5 US
Overview:
Price Range: $130+ This is about the maximum amount of cushion you can get in a running shoe. This is better reserved for bigger or more arthritic runners. Like the other shoes it is not durability focused!
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
Price Range: $130+ High level racing trail shoe. This is not specifically built for durability. It is more of a racing shoe for offroad conditions. Like all of these racing shoes they are not the most durable!
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
on Running Womens Cloud X Road Shoes Red/Flash SZ 5
Overview:
Price Range: $130+. The people who use these swear by them! A very unique light feel. Like the other lightweight ones, these are built for speed not durability!
Affiliate Link (This means we may earn a commission):
In a perfect world all of the shoes listed above would have a good supportive shoe insole for top of the foot pain:
Best Medium to Heavy Duty Heel Pain Orthotics:
Best Overall Orthotic For Everything (Medium Thick Fit)
Best Heavy Duty Orthotic (Thickest Fit)
Best SOFTER Choice For Sensitive Feet (Medium Thick Fit)
Best Women's Orthotics
Price:
$44.99
$54.12
Price not available
Price not available
Overview:
These work best in shoes with laces and running shoes. Not good for dress shoes or women's cute shoes.
Biggest and most corrective option. Only use for running shoes or work boots. Not cute shoes.
These are full length inserts, but softer. Great if you can't tolerate the firmer ones. Best for very sore and sensitive feet.
Great Support & Better Fit
Pros:
Pretty much guaranteed to help you if it fits in your shoes and you give it 2 weeks to get used to. 5,000+ amazon reviews, great track record.
My personal favorite, but not for everyone. Amazing reviews over 3,500. But not for everyone. Only for bigger shoes that can fit them
They are softer and the initial break in time is AMAZING. But longer term benefits are less. >500 Almost 5 star amazon rating.
Sleek, supportive and have a better fit than the orthotics above.
Cons:
Do not wear these in cute or dress shoes!
Bigger and bulkier than all the other ones. You will be disappointed if you have a cute women's shoe or dress shoe. This is meant for running shoes and boots.
Great to start with, but don't correct long term as much as the other ones.
A little bit more expensive.
Crucial Tips:
Ease in to these, 1-2hrs a day. They are like braces for your teeth, they suck at the beginning! But they will make your feet pain free as 1-2 weeks go by. Don't give up on them after 1 or 2 days. Everyone feels off at the beginning!
This has the most correction, but hardest break in time! IF SENSITIVE, USE A SOFTER PAIR FIRST! But if you get these, you must break them in. Give it 1-2 hours a day, but then you will start to have excellent results. The bad reviews are all people who couldn't fit it into their shoes and gave up too quickly. You have been WARNED!
If you are very sore, TRY THESE FIRST! These are easiest to break in with initially. If you are very sore and rigid, don't use the heavy duty ones to start with.
These will have a harder time fitting in flats and pointed shoes.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Overall Orthotic For Everything (Medium Thick Fit)
Price:
$44.99
Overview:
These work best in shoes with laces and running shoes. Not good for dress shoes or women's cute shoes.
Pros:
Pretty much guaranteed to help you if it fits in your shoes and you give it 2 weeks to get used to. 5,000+ amazon reviews, great track record.
Cons:
Do not wear these in cute or dress shoes!
Crucial Tips:
Ease in to these, 1-2hrs a day. They are like braces for your teeth, they suck at the beginning! But they will make your feet pain free as 1-2 weeks go by. Don't give up on them after 1 or 2 days. Everyone feels off at the beginning!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Biggest and most corrective option. Only use for running shoes or work boots. Not cute shoes.
Pros:
My personal favorite, but not for everyone. Amazing reviews over 3,500. But not for everyone. Only for bigger shoes that can fit them
Cons:
Bigger and bulkier than all the other ones. You will be disappointed if you have a cute women's shoe or dress shoe. This is meant for running shoes and boots.
Crucial Tips:
This has the most correction, but hardest break in time! IF SENSITIVE, USE A SOFTER PAIR FIRST! But if you get these, you must break them in. Give it 1-2 hours a day, but then you will start to have excellent results. The bad reviews are all people who couldn't fit it into their shoes and gave up too quickly. You have been WARNED!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best SOFTER Choice For Sensitive Feet (Medium Thick Fit)
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
These are full length inserts, but softer. Great if you can't tolerate the firmer ones. Best for very sore and sensitive feet.
Pros:
They are softer and the initial break in time is AMAZING. But longer term benefits are less. >500 Almost 5 star amazon rating.
Cons:
Great to start with, but don't correct long term as much as the other ones.
Crucial Tips:
If you are very sore, TRY THESE FIRST! These are easiest to break in with initially. If you are very sore and rigid, don't use the heavy duty ones to start with.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Wilder RP, Sethi S. “Overuse injuries: tendinopathies, stress fractures, compartment syndrome, and shin splints.” Clinics in Sports Medicine. 2004;23(1):55-81.
Rao S, et al. “Shoe inserts alter plantar loading and function in patients with midfoot arthritis.” Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2009;39(7):522-531.
Soprano JV. “Musculoskeletal injuries in the pediatric and adolescent athlete.” Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2005;4(6):329-334.
Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.