Best Pickleball Shoes For Knee Pain [2023 Picks]

With an estimated 15 million pickleball players in the U.S. as of 2021, pickleball has become a popular sport that’s rapidly sweeping the nation. It’s an ideal sport for active seniors, singles, couples and seniors’ groups, and casual players and athletes alike.

Like many sports, pickleball can be painful for your knees, especially during the first couple of rounds. To prevent knee pain and injury, it’s important to have the right footwear for pickleball.

In the Pickleball Spots Lab, we test footwear for performance, comfort, and durability. Our footwear experts evaluate the footwear for stability, padding, arch support, ankle support, breathability, and traction. We score each shoe on overall impression, including fit, weight, and materials.

Our top pick is the Gravity Defyer Athletic Shoe. The shoe’s rubber sole provides traction and the lightweight material is breathable, making them comfortable for pickleball.

Our picks for the best pickleball shoes are based on our testing in the Pickleball Spots Lab. While this category isn’t as developed as other product categories, we’re confident that our testers can evaluate each shoe’s performance, durability, comfort and fit. These are the best pickleball shoes to buy in 2024.

Pickleball Shoes For Knee Pain – Our List

We have listed some shoes which are recommended by various Pickleball Experts. Their choice will mostly depend upon their playing style and footwork for sure, but here are our picks based on the knowledge provided by these experts.

• Top Picks For Women With Knee Pain
  • Gravity Defyer Athletic Shoe
  • ASICS Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes
  • ASICS Upcourt 4 Court Shoes
• Top Picks For Men With Knee Pain
  • Gravity Defyer Men’s Shoes
  • New Balance Men’s 806 V1 Shoe
  • New Balance Men’s 877 V1 Shoe

• Are Cross Trainers Good for Pickleball?
• How to Choose the Best Pickleball Shoes for Achilles Protection?
• Pickleball 101: Your Ultimate Guide to Mastering the Game

Top Picks For Women With Knee Pain

Gravity Defyer Athletic Shoe

Designed to isolate and absorb the impact of every step, improve the gait, and reduce pressure on the knees. Gravity Defyer shoes cushion your feet and reduce impact shock. They also help to reduce strain on the lower body joints and improve alignment for better posture.

The VersoShock insole is made of a flexible rubber material that is very durable and comfortable. These insoles are available in a large range of sizes to fit just about any foot.

These shoes have a roomy toe box that accommodates any type of foot and provides ample room for better blood circulation. What’s more, they are designed with a front rolling design to reduce stress on your feet, ankles, and knees.

The breathable mesh on the Gravity Defyer shoe is very durable and flexible. It will provide proper ventilation for your feet, keeping them dry and comfortable. In addition, the mesh is stretchy, making these shoes easy to put on and take off.

The shoes are constructed in a wide range of sizes so that you can get the perfect fit. In addition, the Defyer shoes come with free corrective insoles in every box that helps to alleviate–and even eliminate–problems with plantar fasciitis.

Benefits:

• Keeps your feet dry and comfortable
• Breathable mesh for ventilation
• Rolling design for stress reduction
• Built-in insole for plantar fasciitis

Drawbacks:

• The shoes run small

How It Performs in Our Test:

The Gravity Defyer shoes provide superior comfort and support. They are made with a material designed to cushion feet and reduce impact shock. They have a spacious toe box that accommodates any type of foot and provides ample room for better blood circulation.

Our testers found the VersoShock insole very comfortable and durable. The Gravity Defyer shoes also have a roomy toe box design that allows your feet to breathe. The front rolling design helps to reduce stress on your toes, feet, and ankles.

Who Should Buy This:

These shoes are great at relieving pain from plantar fasciitis. They also have an outsole design that aids with alignment.

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ASICS Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes

For this particular shoe, ASICS has decades of experience in running shoe manufacturing, and this shoe is the result of their experience.

This shoe has a fairly low stack height, and this allows you to move quickly from one spot to another on the court. You won’t have much trouble seeing where you hit the ball.

The shoes have a patented Trusstic System, and this means your movements, both lateral and longitudinal, will not feel restrained.

The outsoles are also perfectly designed for court surfaces that are sometimes tricky to navigate.

Another reason why we like this shoe so much is because it offers lots of toe room. You can easily move your feet to play any pickleball shot.

The outsoles feature Flex Grooves, and this means that you can quickly change direction, quickly pivot on your toes, and shift your weight in different directions.

The shoe has a low weight, and this also makes it easier to run on hard surfaces.

Benefits:

• Great on hard surfaces
• Flex Grooves for shifting weight
• Good toe room

Drawbacks:

• No padding

How It Performs in Our Test:

ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 Tennis Shoe performed well in our test. The shoe was lightweight and had a comfortable fit. It provided good support during quick movements, and the outsoles provided good traction.

Who Should Buy This:

This ASICS Gel-Resolution 7 Tennis Shoe is a great choice for competitive players who need a shoe that can provide support and stability during quick movements.

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ASICS Upcourt 4 Court Shoes

Being one of the most comfortable and lightweight court shoes, the ASICS Upcourt 4 Shoe gives you an excellent fit for any outdoor court games. It works great for a lightweight game.

This shoe is lightweight and suitable for any outdoor games. The shoe’s upper mesh material provides excellent breathability. This will keep you cool and comfortable during your game.

Trekking around the court is hassle-free, and you won’t feel tired of it. The cushion is firm, and it doesn’t absorb or retain heat. The cushioning mechanism is well designed, so it doesn’t wear out quickly.

Due to being well-designed, this shoe minimizes the amount of painful impact on the shin and knee. The stability is better, so it helps you get through the game without twisting your ankle.

This shoe comes in a stylish design with appealing color selections. The footwear is stylish, lightweight, and breathable. Moreover, the ASICS Upcourt 4 Shoes provide plenty of stability.

Benefits:

• Lightweight and comfortable shoe
• Ideal for trekking around the court
• Firm cushion
• Stylish design
• Highly breathable
• Suitable for summer outdoor game

Drawbacks:

• It’s a little pricey.

How It Performs in Our Test:

To our surprise, the ASICS Upcourt 4 Shoes are very comfortable. They’re lightweight and breathable. The shoe’s upper mesh material provides excellent breathability. This will keep you cool and comfortable during your game.

The cushion is firm and it doesn’t absorb or retain heat. The cushioning mechanism is well designed, so it doesn’t wear out quickly. The stability is better, so it helps you get through the game without twisting your ankle.

We would recommend this product for athletes because of its durability. This is the kind of shoe you’ll use for a long time.

Who Should Buy This:

The ASICS Upcourt 4 Shoes provides plenty of stability, and it’s ideal for any outdoor games.

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Top Picks For Men With Knee Pain

Gravity Defyer Men’s Shoes

The first thing you are going to notice is the look of these shoes. They look a little awkward, I must say, but when you put them on, you are going to feel comfortable.

It comes with a roomy toe box, which is totally perfect for people who suffer from toe pain or have wide toes. It provides plenty of room for your feet, and you won’t feel any discomfort at all.

Like other shoes, the Gravity Defyer comes with a sole. It’s made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. Durability and comfortability are never compromised with ethylene vinyl acetate.

The VersoShock System is a patented technology to reduce foot stress & pain. It reduces all of the shocks that your feet take while walking in your daily journey.

The Gravity Defyer shoes are manufactured in China. It’s a huge plus because these shoes are really affordable and you can save quite a significant amount of money.

As far as comfortability is concerned, these shoes are really great. They are really comfortable to wear, and you can walk and run for miles without feeling any knee pain.

Benefits:

• Roomy toe box
• Durable sole
• Eases knee pain

Drawbacks:

• The shoes look very awkward.

How It Performs in Our Test:

Initially, we thought these shoes look really awkward and weird. And it’s true that these shoes have a weird look. But after wearing these shoes for a couple of weeks, we really like them. They are really comfortable to wear, and you can walk and run for miles without feeling any knee pain.

Who Should Buy This:

The Gravity Defyer shoes are great for those who have wide feet, suffer from toe pain, or have high arches. You can also wear it if you have knee pain.

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New Balance Men’s 806 V1 Shoe

This shoe is a mainstay in the New Balance lineup. The shoes upper is constructed from 90% leather upper and 10% synthetic. This makes the shoe extremely durable while at the same time offering support to the player.

The herringbone outsole offers plenty of grips. The traction pattern is unique as the pattern travels through the outsole. This offers added traction during lateral movements.

The midsole of the New Balance 806 is comprised of both XRD® foam and ABZORB® foam. The XRD® foam provides cushioning while the ABZORB® foam supports and cushions the arch of the foot.

The shoe weighs 11.5 ounces. This makes it less heavy than the typical tennis shoe. This lack of weight reduces the overall weight of the player. This, in turn, offers the player better mobility on the court.

There are three color options. The color options include gunmetal/black, navy/white, and black. The shoe is offered in sizes ranging from 4-15.

This shoe is great for players who require support and stability. This shoe in particular is recommended by pro tennis coach Rick Macci.

Benefits:

• Durable shoe with 90% leather upper and 10% synthetic
• 11.5 ounces in weight making it less heavy than a typical tennis shoe
• Three color options including gunmetal/black, navy/white, and black
• XRD® foam and ABZORB® foam for cushioning and support
• Lightweight, breathable mesh

Drawbacks:

• Lacks the grip of a Nike Tennis shoe

How It Performs in Our Test:

This shoe is great for players who require support and stability. This shoe in particular is recommended by pro tennis coach Rick Macci.

Our testers also loved the shoe because it offers comfort and support. The shoe is extremely lightweight making it easy to move.

Who Should Buy This:

The New Balance 806 is perfect for players who require extra support and cushioning. We recommend the shoe to players who suffer from back pain, as the shoe offers proper support and comfort.

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New Balance Men’s 877 V1 Shoe

The New Balance Men’s 877 V1 Shoe is a sturdy shoe for men who value comfort, cushioning, and stability. The shoe is also a good choice for men with knee problems.

The shoe has an attractive design and offers a breathable mesh upper. It provides adequate cushioning, though not enough for those who need extra cushioning.

The shoe is also water-resistant. That means you can use it for playing a wide variety of outdoor games.

The shoe comes with a rubber outsole that helps grip on different surfaces. At the same time, it stays flexible, so the shoe can flex with your foot.

The shoe has an 11-mm drop, and that makes it suitable for people with flat feet.

The shoe fits relatively true to size, though you may prefer ordering one size larger if you have wide feet.

The shoe doesn’t offer enough arch support, making it unsuitable for men who have high arches.

If you play squash, you may want to try other shoes, as the sport requires extra arch support.

Benefits:

• Athletic design
• Breathable mesh upper
• Good cushioning for lateral moves

Drawbacks:

• Lacks arch support

How It Performs in Our Test:

The New Balance Men’s 877 V1 Shoe is a reliable pair of shoes that look good and feel comfortable. It performs well in the gym and during outdoor activities.

Who Should Buy This:

The New Balance Men’s 877 V1 Shoe is a good shoe for men who value comfort, stability and cushioning. It’s also a good choice for men with knee problems.

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• The Benefits of Wearing Wide Toe Box Pickleball Shoes
• Can I Use Achilles Support Straps or Braces with My Pickleball Shoes for Added Protection?
• 7 Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing Pickleball Shoes

How did Pickleball Shoes Help In Relieving Knee Pain?

Pickleball is a sport that requires more of your lower body as compared to other sports. It needs you to run more, lunge forward and backward, etc. All this motion puts a lot of pressure on your knees and can lead to serious knee problems if not taken care of.

If you have bad shoes, it will definitely create knee problems as the shoes will not have proper cushioning or support. The weight of your shoe also matters a lot in Pickleball, as a heavy shoe with no proper ventilation will lead to a lot of heat during play and can be dangerous for your health as well as performance.

How To Buy The Best Pickleball Shoes For Knee Pain & Stabilization?

Pickleball shoes should be lightweight, comfortable, and provide good support to your feet. You can get all this by buying the right shoe. The shoes you buy should have the proper cushioning and ventilation so that you do not get hurt during play and also avoid any knee problems due to bad shoes. The wrong movement, pressure on the wrong areas while playing can lead to major knee problems.

Pickleball shoes should also have a good grip while you are playing on the court. If the shoes come with a 5 or 6 year warranty, it is a big plus point as this means that the makers of the shoe trust their product and they know how long people play Pickleball for years.

Pickleball shoes are different from normal sports shoes. It is mostly recommended that you buy a separate pair for playing Pickleball. If you use your regular sports shoe which you use while running, it will damage faster and the wrong move can lead to bad knee problems in the future even if your knee does not pry now.

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• Pickleball Court Shoes: How To Choose Pickleball Shoes?
• 10 Best Outdoor Pickleball Shoes For Men That Grip Any Court Surface

Final Words

The shoes will mostly depend on the surface you are playing on. If you are playing indoors, almost any pickleball shoe with good ventilation and ankle support should be sufficient for your knee pain problems.

If you are playing outdoors or at a dusty court, then make sure you have good waterproof shoes. The ones with proper ventilation are also recommended because they will not let the feet inside get drenched in sweat.

Apart from that, if you are playing Pickleball for long hours, make sure your shoes are comfortable enough to keep you running throughout the game!

We hope this article helped you find the best pickleball shoes for knee pain. If you like this article, please leave us a comment below!