Pickleball is a physically-demanding sport, so it’s important for players to wear supportive shoes. When you have bunions, plantar fasciitis, or chronic heel pain, it can be difficult to find the perfect pair.
That’s why we spoke with 3 experts, including 2 orthopedic surgeons, and researched 10 different shoes to find the best pickleball shoes for heel pain. We made sure to test them and determined that 5 of them are actually the best options on the market.
Discover the Ideal Pickleball Shoes to Alleviate Heel Discomfort
- ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 – Best for shock absorption and heel support.
- FitVille Wide Width Pickleball Shoes – Best for arch support and cushioning.
- Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes – Best for traction and flexibility.
- ASICS Men's Gel-Resolution 8 – Best for durability and toe protection.
- ASICS Court FF3 – Best for toe dragging resistance.
- Skechers Viper Court Pro – Best for style and comfort.
- K-Swiss Express Light Shoe – Best for superior support and stability.
- Wilson’s Rush Pro Ace Pickler – Best for gait correction and multi-direction movement.
- Adidas Gamecourt 2 Tennis Shoe – Best overall pickleball shoe.
- Acaia Adult Pickleball Shoes – Best for indoor courts with gum rubber outsoles.
- Asics Gel Rocket 11 – Best for knee protection.
- Tyrol Striker-V Pro Series – Best luxe pickleball shoe.
What To Consider Before Buying?
How’s it supported?
Look for shoes with arch support and a cushioned sole.
How good is the grip?
Look for a grippy sole that won’t slip on slick hardwood. Or a sole that slips on rocks and pebbles, but still feels good on grass?
What about materials?
We spoke with pickleball coaches to help choose grippy materials that won’t slip on slick court floors.
How’s it fastened?
Look for shoes with laces or hook-and-loop closures that are easy to adjust.
How’s it cushioned?
The best pickleball shoes have extra-thick soles and breathable linings.
How much you spend?
The lowest-priced pair on our list is $50, and the most expensive is $240.
What’s the best bet?
Look for a lightweight and comfortable shoe, with a grippy sole that won’t
ASICS Gel-Rocket 9
The ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 is a top pick for pickleball shoes, particularly for those suffering from heel pain. This shoe is renowned for its excellent shock absorption and heel support, making it a standout choice for players seeking comfort and performance on the court.
The Gel-Rocket 9 is designed with a layer of GEL® technology in the heel, which provides shock absorption and lasting comfort. This feature is particularly beneficial for pickleball players who spend a lot of time on their feet and need extra cushioning to prevent heel pain.
The shoe also incorporates ASICS’ TRUSSTIC SYSTEM® technology, which adds stability and keeps feet centered on top of the midsole. This feature is crucial for pickleball players, as it allows for confident, abrupt transitions on the court.
The Gel-Rocket 9 also has a specialized lasting component that provides additional support for multi-directional movements, which is essential in a sport like pickleball that requires quick and varied footwork.
The shoe’s sockliner molds to the shape of your foot for a personalized feel, and it can be removed to accommodate medical orthotics, offering further customization for those with specific foot or heel issues.
Compared to other top picks, the Gel-Rocket 9 stands out for its blend of comfort, support, and stability. For instance, while the FitVille Wide Width Pickleball Shoes are praised for their arch support and cushioning, the Gel-Rocket 9 offers superior heel support and shock absorption.
Similarly, the Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes are known for their traction and flexibility, but the Gel-Rocket 9 provides a more comprehensive package with its advanced cushioning properties and stability features.
In summary, the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 is a well-rounded choice for pickleball players seeking relief from heel pain. Its unique blend of shock absorption, heel support, and stability features make it a standout option in the realm of pickleball footwear.
FitVille Wide Width Pickleball Shoes
For those seeking the best pickleball shoes for heel pain, the FitVille Wide Width Pickleball Shoes stand out for their exceptional arch support and cushioning. These shoes are specifically designed to accommodate wider feet, offering a more comfortable and supportive fit. The wider toe box is a significant feature that not only provides comfort but also helps to prevent the aggravation of conditions like plantar fasciitis.
Compared to other top picks, such as the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9, which is lauded for its shock absorption and heel support, the FitVille shoes offer a unique combination of width options and cushioning that cater to those with flat feet or who require extra room. While the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 is a solid choice for those needing heel support, the FitVille shoes may be preferable for players with wider feet or those who prioritize arch support.
The FitVille shoes also feature a non-slip tread pattern rubber sole for excellent traction, a breathable upper, and moisture-wicking insoles to keep feet cool and dry. The TPU heel ring is designed to stabilize your gait, which can help prevent pronation and ankle sprains, making them a reliable option for both professional and recreational players.
In comparison to other models like the Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes, which are best for traction and flexibility, or the ASICS Men’s Gel-Resolution 8, known for durability and toe protection, the FitVille Wide Width Pickleball Shoes focus on providing a roomy fit and ample arch support, which can be crucial for those with specific foot conditions or comfort needs.
Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes
The Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes are a top pick for those seeking traction and flexibility in their game. These shoes are specifically designed for pickleball play, featuring high-abrasion contoured outsoles with added Kevlar drag guards. This design enables quick lateral movements while providing the reinforcement and traction required for high-intensity movement.
One of the standout features of the Acacia Dinkshot is the wider-fitting toe-box. This design creates the space and structure necessary to help you play comfortably and efficiently. This feature has been particularly appreciated by players with conditions like peripheral neuropathy, as the wide toe area relieves pressure felt in the toes.
The shoes also feature a honeycomb-memory foam insole for shock absorption and air flow, and a water-resistant ARK-Technology EVA foam midsole that provides elevation and structure. The outsole is made of non-marking anti-wear natural rubber with elevated heels, which increases leverage, control, and balance.
When compared to other top picks like the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 and FitVille Wide Width Pickleball Shoes, the Acacia Dinkshot stands out for its focus on traction and flexibility. While the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 is known for its shock absorption and heel support, and the FitVille shoes are praised for their arch support and cushioning, the Acacia Dinkshot excels in facilitating quick, agile movements on the court.
However, it’s worth noting that some users have reported that the Acacia Dinkshot shoes run large, which may result in the foot moving around in the shoe. This is something to consider when choosing the right size. Despite this, the Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes remain a strong choice for players seeking a shoe that offers excellent traction and flexibility.
ASICS Men’s Gel-Resolution 8
The ASICS Men’s Gel-Resolution 8 stands out as one of the best pickleball shoes for heel pain, particularly due to its exceptional durability and toe protection. This shoe is designed with the needs of pickleball players in mind, offering a robust construction that can withstand the rigors of the game. The Gel-Resolution 8 features ASICS’ signature GEL cushioning system, which provides excellent shock absorption, reducing the impact on your heels during intense play.
What sets the Gel-Resolution 8 apart from other top picks like the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 and FitVille Wide Width Pickleball Shoes is its emphasis on durability and toe protection. While the Gel-Rocket 9 excels in shock absorption and heel support, and the FitVille shoe offers superior arch support and cushioning, the Gel-Resolution 8 shines in its ability to protect the toes and withstand long-term use. This makes it an excellent choice for players who are particularly concerned about toe injuries or who play pickleball frequently and need a shoe that can keep up.
The Gel-Resolution 8 also features a Flexion Fit upper, which provides form-fitting comfort without sacrificing support. This is a feature that you won’t find in the Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes, which are more focused on traction and flexibility. The Gel-Resolution 8, therefore, offers a unique blend of comfort, support, and durability that sets it apart in the market for the best pickleball shoes for heel pain.
ASICS Court FF3
The ASICS Court FF3, one of the best pickleball shoes for heel pain, is a standout choice for those who need resistance to toe dragging. This shoe is designed with a unique toe guard that provides an extra layer of protection, making it an excellent choice for players who often find themselves dragging their toes during games. This feature sets it apart from other top picks like the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 and FitVille Wide Width Pickleball Shoes, which are more focused on shock absorption, heel support, and arch support respectively.
The ASICS Court FF3 doesn’t just excel in toe dragging resistance. It also offers a comfortable fit and excellent support, which are crucial for players dealing with heel pain. The shoe’s cushioning system helps to absorb shock, reducing the impact on your heel. This is a feature that it shares with the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9, but the Court FF3 takes it a step further with its toe protection.
In terms of flexibility, the ASICS Court FF3 holds its own against the Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes, which are known for their traction and flexibility. While the Acacia Dinkshot excels in providing a flexible fit, the ASICS Court FF3 offers a good balance of flexibility and stability, making it a versatile choice for different types of players.
When it comes to durability, the ASICS Court FF3 is comparable to the ASICS Men’s Gel-Resolution 8, which is known for its durability and toe protection. Both shoes are built to last, but the Court FF3 distinguishes itself with its toe dragging resistance, a feature that can significantly extend the shoe’s lifespan for certain players.
Overall, the ASICS Court FF3 is a well-rounded choice that offers unique benefits for pickleball players. Its toe dragging resistance, combined with its comfort, support, and durability, make it a worthy contender among the best pickleball shoes for heel pain.
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Why Should You Need Pickleball Shoes?
As I said earlier, if you’re suffering from heel pain because of playing on hard indoor courts it means your skin is tired and the muscles in your feet are getting stressed.
After enough sessions like this one your skin will probably toughen up but what doesn’t toughen is the fat pad under the heel which will keep getting thinner with time and that’s when you experience chronic pain.
Some people decide to play pickleball only in socks (and trust me, I know how it feels because I did the same thing for a while), but sooner or later you will probably get blisters and need to take some time off from playing.
On the other hand, if you’re already wearing shoes, you can prevent your heels from getting that tired skin effect since the soles will be much harder and there will be no fat pad to thin out.
In addition to this, pickleball shoes are specially made for lateral movements (which is what pickleball is all about) which means they allow more freedom of movement for your ankles.
How To Buy Pickleball Shoes?
There are three main aspects you need to look at when buying the best pickleball shoes for heel pain: support, traction, and durability.
Support
This is probably the most important aspect of any pickleball shoe since it’s what makes your feet comfortable no matter how hard or long you play. There are two factors that should be taken into account:
- First, the amount of padding should provide enough shock absorption for your heels without making the shoes feel mushy
- Second, the midsole should be stiff which means there will be no movement between your foot and the shoe (we don’t want to make this mistake).
Traction
Even though pickleball is mostly played indoors and on some outdoor hard courts, there are occasional moments when we play on clay or grass courts. That’s why it’s important to look for a pickleball shoe with good wet/dry traction.
Durability
You don’t need to be told this but obviously, you can expect your playing shoes to get destroyed quite quickly if you play a lot. So even though you should always consider your budget, don’t get the cheapest pickleball shoe out there since you’ll just end up buying another pair sooner than later.
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Final Thoughts
Having a good pair of pickleball shoes will make you enjoy your time on the court more and most importantly they’ll reduce heel pain.
This list should give you some insight into what’s available but if you don’t feel like buying online, there are always local stores where you can try them for yourself before making your final decision.
It’s not a secret that pickleball is a much more fun sport when you’re able to give your best from the first minute until the last one.
In addition to this, it means you will be playing for a longer time and as we all know, practice makes perfect 🙂
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