Some of what you describe sounds as though it could be Morton's neuroma or at least the Morton's neuroma that I had. For me, it was pain that originated between my second and third toes at the rear of the ball of the foot when my forefoot was constricted by a too-tight shoe. The pain would get progressively worse as the day wore on and could get excruciating after a long day. The point of origin of the pain was sore to the touch for several days after an incident. I found that wearing sandals eliminated the problem and that wearing shoes (or boots) that are loose across the forefoot would bring the pain to manageable levels. I have always liked to wear my shoes snugly laced and had to get accustomed to wearing them loose. Try a hike in hiking sandals and see whether they help the problem. If so, you have a place to start. I hike in loose trail runners now, not sandles, and have to be careful with the lacing; I often loosen the lacing for long downhill stretches.