7 Best Women’s Running Shoes for Sesamoiditis Reviewed in [2022]

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Sesamoiditis is a painful condition that happens to your big toe.

It can be so painful that it can stop you from walking, running, and your regular day-to-day activity.

It may get aggravated by continuing to put stress on your feet.

If you still want to run with sesamoiditis, then make sure you have good running shoes.

Any running shoe which is low to zero-drop, shock absorbent, cushy, and has a wider toe box should be your go-to shoe.

If you are in dilemma pick Merrell Women’s Glove 6 Trail Runner.

This is your best option. Otherwise, feel free to choose any of these best women’s running shoes for sesamoiditis.

7 Best Women’s Running Shoes For Sesamoiditis

1. Merrell Trail Glove 6

2. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22

3. Brooks Ariel ’20

4. Altra Paradigm 6.0

5. New Balance 840v5

6. Vibram V Run

7. Hoka Bondi 7

Merrell Women’s Trail Glove 6 – Best Zero Drop Shoes For Sesamoiditis

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If you are suffering from sesamoiditis, you must have a running shoe that provides you support, should have a minimal drop, and doesn’t have a toe-spring.

Keeping all these in mind, we picked Merrell Women’s Trail Glove 6 which has a heel-to-toe drop of 0mm.

It is a minimalist shoe that has good support and will protect your feet from harsh terrains.

Also, since it is a minimal shoe it doesn’t have a toe-spring and will also help you to strengthen your feet and toes. This may be one of the best shoes for sesamoiditis.

This trail running shoe is a full-ground contact and will have an excellent grip. This is due to the Vibram outsole being sturdy enough to even stop rocks and sharp objects on the trails.

If you observe the outsole of Merrell Trail Glove, you will see that, there is a slightly additional cushioning just under the ball of the foot and the big toe. This is beneficial if you have sesamoiditis as this will act as an added support to it.

Also, it is perfect for running on roads or tracks.

The upper is made from mesh which is very breathable and will keep you cool and comfortable. Merrell Trail Glove has adopted a flat lace structure and it remains tied properly during your running session.

The heel slippage in this shoe is not there and you will not have to deal with falling down or unnecessary accidents.

Overall, running in these minimalist shoes for sesamoiditis, you will have a very comfortable experience. (However, it may not eliminate the pain completely but will be bearable enough that you should be able to run).

Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 22 Running Shoes

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This is not a zero-drop shoe. In fact, it has a drop of 12 mm and belongs to the high heel-drop running shoe category.

As per the criteria that we have set above, these shoes don’t fit any of them barring one.

Then why did we select these?

This is because of the level of cushioning on the forefoot and the comfort it offers. The level of cushioning that Brooks Adrenaline has is simply amazing.

It is excellent with shock absorption, which is very much required for sesamoiditis. Also, apart from the forefoot cushioning, the outsole also is a bit thicker under the big toe and the balls of the foot.

What I mean by this is, that the horizontal sections in between the grooves are aligned in such a way that they form a thicker layer under those areas of the foot. This further enhances the cushioning to a certain extent.

All of these are very much required to ease the pain of sesamoiditis during running. This may be one of the best sneakers for sesamoiditis.

The softness of the cushion comes from the DNA LOFT midsole which is a proprietary material from Brooks. This is the softest cushioning material from Brooks and the running shoes that belong to the cushion category actually belong to these shoes.

It also has GuideRails which protects your knees from any kind of impact and brings them back to the line of motion. This is perfect for runners with overpronation and keeps them comfortable while running.

The upper has mesh materials and is very breathable. It keeps you cool and fresh throughout your running session.

Also, the lace-up closure keeps these running shoes fastened securely to your feet all the time. Adrenaline also has a flat lacing structure now which keeps the shoes secured on your feet.

Brooks Women’s Ariel ’20 Running Shoes

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Ariel is one of the most cushioned running shoes when it comes to the comfort of your feet. Also, it is a motion control shoe that will help you with your overpronation.

However, due to the level of cushioning, this is also fantastic for helping you with sesamoiditis pain and probably the best stability running shoes for sesamoiditis.

Also, it has the APMA Seal of Acceptance which is a hallmark that this shoe promotes foot health.

It has got a wider toe-box and provides you with progressive support when you run or walk. A wider toe-box also doesn’t put pressure on your sesamoiditis and will keep you that much more comfortable.

Also, it is exceptionally good for people with flat to medium arch and comes with a heel clutching system to provide you with more stability.

This is a low drop shoe with a heel-drop of 5mm and this is perfect for runners with sesamoiditis. However, with all these, one thing that gets more strained is your Achilles and calf areas.

If you have some Achilles issues or stiff calf muscles and you still want to run with your sesamoiditis, then go for something with a higher drop but with lots of cushioning in the forefoot.

Otherwise, the other problems that you have with your feet and legs may increase.

Now back to Ariel…

The mid-sole is made from BioMoGo DNA and is great for shock absorption and is very impact resistant. The level of cushioning that Ariel provides is of the maximal category and is great for even long-distance running.

It comes with no-sew material and keeps your feet irritation-free. This is perfect as this will not create unnecessary blisters and cause you pain.

Also, due to the breathable top mesh, you get a very healthier in-shoe environment.

The out-sole has blown rubber which gives you proper grip and increases the longevity of this running shoe.

Altra Women’s Paradigm 6.0 Running Shoes – Best Altra Running Shoes For Sesamoiditis

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Altra Paradigm 6.0 has changed considerably throughout the years. It has implemented new technologies and has discarded some of the old things that it was using.

Overall, with all these changes, Altra Paradigm has become more comfortable than its previous versions.

The main magic of Altra Paradigm is in its midsole. From Altra EGO, Altra Paradigm has graduated to Altra EGO Max. This is a very lightweight material and provides you with excellent cushioning and performance.

It is also a bit more responsive than the previous version and provides you with added durability.

It has retained the FootShape that allows you to spread the toes out naturally. Also, this keeps the big toe in a straight position.

If you are suffering from sesamoiditis, this will bring slightly more relief as the toe will remain in its natural position and there will not be a lot of moving around for the big toe, which can aggravate the pain of sesamoiditis.

Also, with foot pod technology the out-sole actually maps the bones and tendons of your foot to help it flex more naturally.

Altra Paradigm comes with GuideRail. It acts as a barrier against wrong foot placements and encourages the right one. This helps you to take more natural footsteps with every step.

The new term that Altra has coined for its cushioning is Balanced. Essentially this is another way of telling you that your forefoot and rearfoot are at an equal distance from the ground. According to Altra, this improves your alignment and posture.

This will also help with your sesamoiditis as it will put lesser stress on your forefoot due to the wrong alignment and will keep you somewhat more comfortable.

To improve the flexibility of the midsole, Altra Paradigm has InnerFlex. This is a grid-like structure on the midsole. This improves the flexibility of the midsole and helps you with ease of movement.

Even with the arch, Altra Paradigm has done something different. It has implemented Innovarch which is innovative arch support that encourages natural foot placement with each step.

This feature is also beneficial for sesamoiditis as it encourages natural placement of the toes, thus helping to reduce the pain to some extent.

Overall, you have a good running experience with this shoe and you will be able to run even with sesamoiditis and with much-reduced discomfort. Also, this may be one of the best shoes for sesamoid fracture or broken sesamoid, due to the kind of cushioning that it provides.

New Balance Women’s 840v5  – Best New Balance Sesamoiditis Running Shoes

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This running shoe comes with great shock absorption and this helps you to be comfortable while running even if you have sesamoiditis.

This extra shock absorption comes from an additional top on the mid-sole called ABZORB. This is the technology that New Balance has retained even with 840v5. 

This ABZORB midsole is plush and provides you with excellent cushioning. It also is great for long-distance running as it keeps your feet fresh even in the longer runs.

Due to the shock absorption capabilities of this midsole, it doesn’t let the impact travel upwards on your feet. This provides some relief to your sesamoiditis fracture as additional stress will only aggravate the condition.

However, this is not a low-drop running shoe and has a significant drop of around 12mm. This makes it comfortable for runners who are heel strikers. Also, it is comfortable for people who are suffering from heel bursitis or Achilles tendonitis.

The outsole is made from blown rubber which is very durable. It has deep grooves on it so that the flexibility of the shoe is maintained.

These horizontal and vertical grooves give this the appearance of lugs which is very interesting. It protects the mid-sole from wear and tear and lends extra longevity to the shoe.

Also, this is the reason that you have a stable grip on the ground even with wet surfaces. Overall the grip of this shoe is excellent and you will have a very stable running experience.

The flex grooves that we talked about in the above section also extend to the forefoot. Due to this segmentation, you have additional flexibility and your heel-to-toe movement becomes easy.

Also, the upper has engineered mesh and this keeps your feet cool and dry during your workout session. This is a stretchy material that stretches when and where needed.

This is a good running shoe for sesamoiditis and will keep you comfortable while running with it.

Vibram Women’s V-Run Running Shoes

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This is the true barefoot running shoe. You have separate slots to keep each of your toes.

This makes it very comfortable for you as you get that barefoot running feel.

The upper of this running shoe is made from compression material and will not let you have tired feet.

Also, it comes with traditional lace closure and that makes it easier to secure it in place.

There is a pull tab near the Achilles area and this makes it easier or you to wear and take off these five fingers.

The out-sole is of Vibram type and is very tough. This protects you from rocks and sharp objects on your track.

Also, it is very easy to clean these shoes. You just need to machine wash and air dry it. 

Hoka Bondi 7 – Best Hoka Shoes For Sesamoiditis

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Hoka Bondi is a low-drop running shoe with a lot of cushioning. It is comfortable, and stable and will provide you with a cushy ride.

It has a wideish fit, that will ensure that your toes have ample amount of space for toe-splay. This helps your toes not get crowded and they will not put additional pressure on your sesamoiditis.

The upper of this shoe has an engineered mesh that will provide good ventilation. Your feet will remain cool and comfortable while running.

The stack height of Hoka Bondi is very high for both forefoot and rearfoot. This ensures that any shock will not get transferred to the feet.

This is good for runners with sesamoiditis as any additional shock or pressure will aggravate the pain and your condition.

The outsole of Hoka Bondi has durable rubber. This will grip the ground firmly and will help you run in a stable way.

You will also not have to deal with tripping or falling due to the bad grip of the shoe.

Overall, this is a comfortable running shoe for Sesamoiditis and will help you to run with a considerable amount of comfort.

FAQs

Can you run with sesamoiditis?

You can run with sesamoiditis but you should focus on shorter runs. Your sesamoid injury is not strong enough to deal with long exhausting runs. It will put too much pressure on it and will only aggravate your condition.

If you have sesamoiditis, it is better to take a rest rather than put more stress on your feet. This means it is good to take a break from running.

However, if you don’t want to take a break, then go for shorter runs.

Are Zero Drop shoes good for sesamoiditis?

Yes, zero-drop shoes are good for sesamoiditis. However, along with being a zero-drop, it should also be cushy and has a wider toe-box.

This is one of the primary requirements for any running shoe for sesamoiditis. This doesn’t put additional load on the forefoot and your sesamoid injury doesn’t have to suffer.

What is the fastest way to cure sesamoiditis?

The fastest way to cure sesamoiditis is to put as much less pressure as possible on your sesamoid bone. For that, you have to take as much rest as possible.

Activities that put a lot of pressure on your forefoot like running, jogging, walking, etc. can aggravate your sesamoiditis.

Once you have a sesamoid injury, you should try to avoid putting more stress on your foot. However, if that is not possible try to use a cane or something like that, to support you temporarily, while you are healing.

This will take some stress away from your toes and you may have a faster recovery. Also, invest in a good shock-absorbing shoe if you have to keep moving around. This can also help to avoid further injury to your sesamoid bone.

[NOTE: Whatever things you implement while trying to recover from sesamoiditis, consult with your physician. Also, follow their advice to the ‘T’, if you want to recover faster and have a strong comeback.]

How do you strengthen your sesamoid?

To strengthen your sesamoid, you need to do toe curls, toe stretches, and foot raises. If you do this consistently for a couple of weeks, you will be able to feel the difference.

Toe Curls

• Spead a towel under your feet.
• Now, with your toes try to do a push and pull movement.
• Do this 20 times, 3 sets.

Toe stretches

• Anchor your big toe on the floor.
• Spread the toes as much as possible.
• Return to a neutral position.
• Do this 20 times, 3 sets.

Foot Raises

You can do this exercise by sitting or standing.

• Place your feet on the ground.
• Raise the front of your feet as much as possible.
• Hold it for a couple of seconds, and return to the neutral position.
• Do this 20 times, 3 sets.

How long does it take for a sesamoid bone to heal?

It takes 4 to 8 weeks for a sesamoid bone to heal. However, if the injury is severe, then it may take 6 to 12 months to heal completely.

Conclusion

Sesamoiditis can be very painful.

If you don’t take precautions while running, it can cause you serious problem.

Your first and most important line of defense during running is your shoes.

It should be good shock absorbent, low to zero drop and should have a wide toe box.

Based on these criteria, we think Merrell Women’s Glove 6 Trail Runneris the best.

Also, any other shoes from the “best women’s running shoes for sesamoiditis” will also help.

References

https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=8909373

https://www.docontherun.com/sesamoid-injuries-are-risky-for-runners/

https://www.runningshoesguru.com/sesamoiditis-and-shoes-a-quick-guide-to-finding-the-right-pair/