Ball-of-Foot Cushions

What are ball-of-foot cushions?

Simply enough, ball-of-foot cushions are standalone shoe insert pieces designed to add additional padding under the ball of your foot (located centrally under your forefoot). This extra padding will help provide additional pressure relief for the forefoot, elevate the forefoot and toes for additional strain relief, and absorb impact shock under the forefoot. These come in a large variety of shapes, materials, thicknesses, and more, but all have the ultimate intent of providing your forefoot with additional cushioning and shock absorption.

Are ball-of-foot cushions worn underneath or on top of my insoles?

This really depends on both the ball-of-foot cushion and the insole, but more often than not the ball-of-foot cushion will be worn on top of the insole:

• If your shoes do not have removable insoles, then the ball-of-foot cushion will always go on top.
• If the ball-of-foot cushion is thick, place the ball-of-foot cushion on top of the insole. Placing it underneath will cause the forefoot of the insole to not lay properly inside the shoe (it'll buckle over the thick insert).
• If the ball-of-foot cushion is thin, it's ultimately a matter of personal preference. We always recommend trying the ball-of-foot cushion in both positions to see which is the most comfortable before deciding on one or the other.

Where do I place my ball-of-foot cushions?

You'll want to place your ball-of-foot cushions in the forefoot of your shoes, under the center of your forefoot, with the ideal spot being wherever it feels the most comfortable.

Ball-of-foot cushions are almost always sold as a pair, but be sure to check the product details to be certain; you’ll definitely want a pair to ensure that you have the same cushioning and fit in both of your shoes.

Some ball-of-foot cushions come with a pre-applied adhesive backing. Before removing the protective covers, simply place the cushions in your shoes and try them on. Make any adjustments you want until you've found the most comfortable location. Then, simply remove the adhesive covers are adhere the cushions in the same location that you had identified.

Other ball-of-foot cushions don't have an adhesive back. Some of these may have a "grippy" backing material that helps prevent them from sliding (without permanently sticking), while others rely on the pressure from your foot to keep the ball-of-foot cushion in place. For these types of inserts, simply add them to your shoes and make any adjustments to the position as desired.