Pickleball lovers, listen up! If plantar fasciitis has you questioning whether this fast-paced sport is right for you, don’t worry—a good pair of shoes can make all the difference.
With all the sprinting, stopping, and quick movements, pickleball puts pressure on your feet, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit this one out. The right shoes will provide support, reduce strain, and keep you comfortable on the court.
Consider consulting your doctor and looking into custom orthotics for extra relief. In the meantime, we’ve rounded up the best pickleball shoes for plantar fasciitis to help you play pain-free!
1. Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 5
Let’s kick off with Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 5. These shoes are not just stylish but provide excellent support for plantar fasciitis. The cushioning system is designed to absorb shock, making each step feel like walking on clouds.
The breathable material keeps your feet cool during long matches, while the wave pattern adds a touch of flair. Mizuno has truly outdone themselves with this design.
Whether you’re an amateur or a seasoned player, these shoes offer the comfort and stability you need to perform at your best.
2. New Balance Fresh Foam Lav V2
Say hello to New Balance Fresh Foam Lav V2. These shoes are designed with comfort in mind, featuring fresh foam cushioning that cradles your foot.
The vibrant colors add a fun element to your game, making you stand out on the court. New Balance has created a shoe that’s not only functional but also fashionable.
Whether playing outdoors or indoors, these shoes adapt to any surface, providing excellent traction and support.
3. Nike Court Air Zoom Vapor Pro
These aren’t your ordinary shoes; they are a masterpiece of technology. The air zoom feature provides responsive cushioning for those quick pivots on the court.
Crafted with lightweight materials, these shoes allow for swift movements, giving you an edge over your opponents. The sleek design is not just for looks; it enhances your performance.
Nike continues to innovate, ensuring that you not only play well but also look good doing it.
4. Asics Gel-Resolution 9
Asics Gel-Resolution 9 steps up the game with its gel cushioning system. Perfect for those with plantar fasciitis, it provides unmatched comfort during long matches.
The durable outsole ensures longevity, making it a great investment for regular players. With a classic design, these shoes never go out of style.
Asics has a reputation for quality, and the Gel-Resolution 9 is no exception. Feel the difference with every step you take.
5. Babolat Propulse Fury 3
These shoes scream durability with their reinforced structure, perfect for the adventurous player.
The design focuses on stability, ensuring your foot is well-supported during intense games. The rugged look matches its performance on the court.
Babolat has engineered these shoes to withstand the toughest conditions, making them a reliable choice for serious players.
6. Hoka Bondi 8
Maximalist, chunky, fashion-forward, oversized. Need we say anything other than that to describe one of the best pickleball shoes for plantar fasciitis on the market?
We do need to say more, obviously, but we wanted to take a moment to appreciate the design, the craftsmanship, and the thought behind these shoes.
Hoka Bondi 8 sneakers are what a pickleball player’s dreams are made of! They’re cushioned for comfort, made with breathable, lightweight fabrics, and equipped with the widest toe box you’ve ever seen.
Hoka sneakers are great for walking, running, and playing different sports, but we do recommend going for chunkier styles such as Bondi 8 because they’re much more supportive and protective.
7. Acacia Sports Tyler Loong Signature Edition Pro
Acacia Sports Tyler Loong Signature Edition Pro sneakers have pickleball written all over them – quite literally. And, these bad boys were designed to fit the standards of an official USA Pickleball game which means they’re equipped with pretty much everything you need and more.
With water-resistant midsoles, antimicrobial, silicone insoles, layers upon layers of foam, and great heel stability, they’re guaranteed to get you through the game free of pressure. Acacia Sports happen to be a favorite among professional pickleball players and footwear experts – which must mean something, right?
We do need to mention that these sneakers don’t offer different widths and players with narrow feet might not like them at all.
8. Skechers Viper Court Pro
So, a brand we know and trust, Skechers came out with Skechers Viper Court Pro sneakers specifically for pickleball players – and that’s how you know these sneakers mean business.
Where do we even start? Skechers Viper Court Pro sneakers are made with responsive, lightweight cushioning, arch support, rubber outsoles, and shock-absorbing insoles.
Moreover, they’re made with a breathable upper that allows airflow and keeps your feet dry throughout the game. Because they’re so light, these sneakers will have you bouncing around the court like it’s nothing. But you might want to try them on before you commit because they’re quite narrow and stiff.
9. Saucony Echelon 9
Saucony Echelon 9 sneakers are one of the best pickleball shoes for plantar fasciitis, and here’s why. Right off the bat, they’re the most comfortable sneakers you’re ever going to put on your feet! They’re made with lightweight, breathable fabrics, plenty of padding, a thick footbed, and a snug, comfy midfoot.
Rather than having a stiff and sturdy frame (which seems to be common among sneakers aimed at people with plantar fasciitis and similar conditions), they’re super soft, comfortable, and plush. And, they’re compatible with orthotics which means you can count on added support, too.
10. Asics Gel-Renma
When you play pickleball, you move around the court a lot and you need footwear that supports your movements.
When you add plantar fasciitis to that equation, though, strong and stable footwear becomes a must-have. Worry not, though, because the Asics Gel-Renma sneakers come with a Trusstic technology that promises to enhance stability and control movement.
Add some rubber outsoles, cushioned, comfy insoles, and a gel base, and you get the perfect pair of pickleball shoes. And, they’re a great affordable alternative when you don’t have hundreds and hundreds of dollars to spend on a sport.
11. Adidas Gamecourt 2
We’re swooning over the Adidas Gamecourt 2 sneakers because they’re that cute.
A wide range of super fun colors, an attractive, on-trend design, and a bunch of positive reviews guarantee you’re spending your money on a sneaker that’s going to turn some heads on the court. Even if that’s not something that gets you going, you might end up distracting the opponent and scoring a point.
What makes these sneakers everyone’s favorite Adidas purchase, though? With a comfortable frame, lightweight fabrics, a mesh upper, and supportive padding, not much can go wrong. We suggest trying them on beforehand, though, because they’re rumored to be inconsistent with sizing.
12. Brooks Ghost 15
Plantar fasciitis doesn’t affect anyone who wears the Brooks Ghost 15 sneakers – at least that’s what the reviewers argue. We were drawn to them because of the great range of colors and widths, as well as the favorable features that make them perfect for pickleball.
Brooks Ghost 15 sneakers are made with DNA LOFT v2 midsoles, rubber outsoles, a plush heel and ankle collar, and a refined 3D fit print technology.
They’re breathable and lightweight which means they’re great for the summer. They’re easy to slip on and off, too. They’re a little more expensive than some of the other sneakers we mentioned beforehand, though.
13. Wilson Rush Pro Ace Pickler
Wilson seems to have thought “You want support? We’ll give you support!” when the brand created these sneakers. With the 4D Support Chassis, these are some of the most supportive sneakers on the market which makes them perfect for people who suffer from plantar fasciitis.
Other than the remarkable support, you can count on comfort, stability, safety, and protection. Of course, they’re made with lightweight fabrics and a mesh upper to ensure you’re dry and chilly even on the hottest of days.
On the other hand, we do need to mention that there aren’t that many colors available at the moment which means you might not be able to choose a style that works for you.
14. New Balance 696 V4
When you’re on the hunt for the best pickleball shoes for plantar fasciitis, you might want to opt for something you can wear outside the court, too.
New Balance 696 V4 sneakers are super simple and sleek which means you can get away with wearing them when you’re running errands, grabbing a cup of coffee with friends, or walking to work.
But that doesn’t mean that these sneakers don’t belong on the court. They’re made with high-quality, hard-wearing fabrics, a mesh upper that allows airflow, and herringbone-patterned outsoles that prevent slipping and falling.
Before you bite the bullet and get them, though, know that they’re prone to wearing out sooner than some of the other sneakers we’ve mentioned beforehand.
15. Kuru Quantum
We can’t forget about the most fashion-forward sneakers out there, though. We’re ending the article with the Kuru Quantum sneakers that were designed to alleviate pressure off of your feet, whether that’s from plantar fasciitis or other feet-related problems.
Of course, they’re perfect for pickleball, too, because they’re made with Kurusole technology that provides you with enough arch and ankle support.