Morton’s neuroma is an abnormal growth of nerve tissue in the ball of the foot (a benign tumor), commonly affecting the area between the third and fourth toes. But neuroma may also occur between the second and third toes depending on where you put much pressure on the ball of the foot.
Regardless of the location, Morton’s neuroma starts to occur when you have a collapsed transversal arch, which irritates the nerve in the ball of the foot. The transversal arch starts to give way when there is a collapse in the medial or lateral sides of the foot.
There are signs of inflammation and numbness, and movement is limited. This condition is more common in women than in men where the top culprits that aggravate the issue are shoes with narrow toe boxes like high heels, intense physical activity, and weight gain.
RELATED: Best Shoes for Metatarsalgia
While one of the best home remedies that work fast in alleviating the pain is rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), getting back to your feet will require the right shoes that can take the pressure off the affected area.
What are the best shoes for Morton’s neuroma?
The best shoes for Morton’s neuroma have lower heel-to-toe drop, roomy toe box, soft upper material, and comfortable and supportive midsole with higher stack height and excellent cushioning. While there may not be a one-shoe solution to all the problems, the list below is very popular with patients suffering from Morton’s neuroma. And we hope they will work for you.
The Best Shoes for Morton’s Neuroma
Here’s a list of the best shoes for Morton’s neuroma (in no particular order):
Hoka Clifton 9
Hoka Clifton 9 is the go-to shoe of the Hoka brand. It’s an APMA-accepted neutral running shoe known for its roomy toe box and soft, balanced cushioning that makes the foot feel natural when walking or running. It’s a durable shoe with a soft and breathable engineered knit upper, which helps reduce the compression of the forefoot.
The Clifton 9 ticks all the boxes of an excellent shoe for Morton’s neuroma and may work well if you have mild to moderate symptoms. This shoe has the famous 5mm heel-to-toe drop, which helps divert the pressure away from the ball of the foot. It is lighter than its predecessor but with an added 3mm stack height of new, responsive foam with an early-stage MetaRocker, which helps prevent the shoe from bending too much on the front.
Shop On ZapposHoka Bondi 8
The Bondi 8 is Hoka’s most cushioned neutral running shoe with a wide base and padding in the right places, offering more support and stability. It has a higher stack height than the Clifton 9 but has a lower heel-to-toe drop of 4mm. This shoe provides plush cushioning and feels softer than its predecessor. But it is not squishier than the Clifton 9.
The new engineered mesh construction is super comfortable and offers more room in the forefoot. The Bondi 8 is Hoka’s top recommended shoe for super wide feet. But it has a slick, modern design that doesn’t feel bulky when you run. It is well cushioned and padded and is very popular among people who stay on their feet all day.
Shop On ZapposAsics Gel-Cumulus 26
Asics Gel-Cumulus 26 is a soft, reliable neutral daily trainer with stability features in it. It has an 8mm heel-to-toe drop, which falls in the same category of mid-drop running shoes as the Hoka Clifton 9. Mid-drop shoes usually have higher stack heights, which make them excellent at absorbing shock.
The Gel-Cumulus 26 may work well with moderate to severe symptoms of Morton’s neuroma. This shoe has a soft and breathable one-piece engineered mesh upper (with a medium-sized toe box), which wraps around the foot without compressing the toes against each other. It is light and well-cushioned with a great rocker ride, which provides smooth transitions from heel to toe. The rockered midsole also helps prevent too much bending on the front.
Shop On ZapposNew Balance Fresh Foam X More V4
If you are looking for comfort, this shoe is one of your best options. The Fresh Foam X More V4 is New Balance’s plushest and softest neutral running shoe. Offering only a 4mm heel-to-toe drop, this shoe belongs to the upper end of low-drop running shoes, which means it will also provide low impact to the knees and hips.
The stack height of pure Fresh Foam X midsole is much higher than the Clifton 9, which means you have more cushioning and support between the ground and your feet. The Fresh Foam X also feels stable underfoot even on uneven surfaces. And it has a highly efficient rocker for super smooth transitions.
The engineered mesh upper is breathable and comfortable and provides a supportive locked-in sensation. It is also durable and can maintain its original condition even if you already covered many miles of walking or running. The toe box also feels roomy and comfortable for the toes.
Shop On ZapposNew Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13
The Fresh Foam X 1080V13 is New Balance’s best daily trainer. It is soft, comfortable, and has a rocker profile that offers a smoother, natural transition from heel to toe. It feels more agile than the Fresh Foam X More V4 and lighter by 51 grams.
The Fresh Foam X midsole is very protective and cushioned underfoot. Having a 6mm heel-to-toe drop, it belongs to the mid-drop running shoes, which means it often has more stack height. Indeed, it has a total stack of 38mm/36mm with an added 4mm of midsole foam from the previous generation.
The mesh upper also feels premium and luxurious and provides a softer experience. Moreover, the toe box is roomy, which allows the toes to splay and move naturally.
Shop On ZapposAltra Paradigm 7
Altra Paradigm 7 is a stable, max-cushioned running shoe with a roomy toe box and the Altra EGO MAX midsole foam that offers excellent support. This new midsole feels lighter, more cushioned, and more responsive than its predecessor. It has a heel-to-toe drop of 0mm and a stack height of 30mm, which is ideal for midfoot and forefoot strikers.
Having a zero differential, this shoe will require more calf flexibility and ankle mobility. But you can always raise your heel by using an insole. The Paradigm 7 also has GuideRail technology, which offers medial support and foot alignment for those who crave guidance. But GuideRail is a support that will only be there if you need it.
The redesigned engineered mesh upper provides all-day breathability and a secure, comfortable fit that doesn’t irritate the forefoot.
Shop On ZapposAltra Escalante 4
Altra Escalante 4 is one of the most comfortable mid-cushioned Altra running shoes. It’s an APMA-accepted neutral shoe that offers a soft, responsive ride through the Altra EGO midsole foam. It has a stretchy new engineered mesh upper that fits much better than its predecessor.
The toe box is roomy and has Altra’s signature FootShape fit, allowing natural movement and space through the midfoot. Like the Paradigm 7, this shoe has a 0mm heel-to-toe drop but has a lower stack height of 24mm. It is lighter than the Paradigm 7 by 24 grams, which makes it ideal for road running, speedwork, and walking.
Shop On ZapposSkechers Max Cushioning Elite 2
Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2 offers maximum cushioning from a very comfortable, supportive, and responsive midsole foam called ULTRA GO. This midsole is also excellent at absorbing shock especially because of the added cushioned comfort from its high-rebounding insole called Goga Mat.
The Max Cushioning Elite 2 has a 6mm heel-to-toe drop with a Natural Rocker Technology (NRT), which helps in smooth heel-to-toe transitions. It has a spacious and breathable mesh upper, which provides comfort and lockdown that doesn’t irritate the toes.
Note: Another very popular Skechers midsole foam among patients of Morton’s neuroma is the Memory Foam.
Shop On ZapposBrooks Addiction Walker 2
Brooks Addiction Walker 2 is one of the most popular modern walking shoes for people with foot problems. It is slip-resistant and now offers BioMoGo DNA midsole, which is an enhanced version of the MoGo midsole from the previous version of the Addiction Walker. Although BioMoGo DNA is not as soft as the DNA LOFT, Brooks’ softest and plushes foam, it provides long-lasting cushioning.
It also has an Extended Progressive Diagonal Rollbar (PDRB), which provides progressive pronation control. The leather upper is supple and has a breathable mesh lining and a roomier fit that conforms to the shape of your foot over time.
Shop On ZapposFinal Thoughts
Having reviewed the most popular shoes for patients with Morton’s neuroma, it is now easier to spot all the similar features that these shoes offer. The best shoes for Morton’s neuroma have a soft midsole with a higher stack height (but lower heel-to-toe drop) that provides long-lasting cushioning, a rocker ride, a roomy toe box that allows the toes to splay comfortably, and a soft upper that doesn’t compress the toes against each other.