Best Tennis Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis-Men & Women
Plantar Fasciitis; is a term that every tennis player is aware of. It is a condition where you feel pain, usually in your heel or the areas surrounding it. Non-athletes may have Plantar Fasciitis; however, it is scarce in them.
As for athletes such as runners or tennis players, it is widespread. There are many reasons for it, but there is only one solution for tennis players. Wear the best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis!
How do I know it is Plantar Fasciitis and what causes it?
As a tennis player with a heavy build, I have been a victim of Plantar Fasciitis for a few years. So that you know it is not a permanent sickness and there is no permanent cure for this one. Just how it starts with different things that I will explain below can calm down if we note them.
For a tennis player, you have to jump, run, and force your feet to balance your body on surfaces. If you are playing on a rough court, practicing on an abrupt surface, or perhaps you are running on a rocky road.
All these places can be a factor for Plantar Fasciitis. Secondly, the most crucial factor is the shoes. If you are wearing plain shoes, hard shoes, or perhaps shoes that lack heel support will result in Plantar Fasciitis. Usually, players don’t even think they have this thing even when they feel the pain.
It is widespread among players with heavy built, flat arches, and high arches. Even standing for all day long would also cause it for ordinary people. Plus, as I said, shoe matters.
How can you determine if it is just chronic pain or Plantar Fasciitis? There is not much difference; for a tennis player, I would say, if you feel pain in your heels, then it is time to focus your attention on it.
It starts from heel pain and extends toward the arches. It is a pain that will make you hate the thought of walking, let alone standing. As a tennis player, the main reason for developing it is not wearing the best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis.
How to avoid/treat Plantar Fasciitis?
Technically for athletes, there is no way they can avoid it. Once in a lifetime, you will face this pain, and the reasons can vary. However, you can try your best to avoid them with these;
- Maintain your weight as per your physique
- Control your walking pattern
- Avoid stiff soles and plain shoes on rough surfaces
- Wear shoes that support your heel and arches in a balance.
- Do specific and minimal exercises to keep your feet comfortable
- Rest after intervals
- Don’t let the pain increase. Once you notice it, try to minimize it
- Having foot massages also help
11. Diadora Speed Blushield 4
It is one of my top picks from my list of the best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis. There are many reasons. These shoes are perfect for players with a heavy build or height. Diadora Speed Blushield shoes are moderately soft, such that you don’t feel your body sunken in a cushiony carpet.
They balance your feet and body perfectly so that you forget entirely about the pain. The support at the forefoot and heels is the best. They are made specifically for people with a slightly high arch and wide feet.
It is also one of the reasons that I recommend these shoes that they accommodate various sorts of players. The sole is made for rough surfaces. You would not feel the bumps and hitches when moving at speed, no matter your weight.
10. K-Swiss Ultrashort 2 (For Men & Women)
Plantar Fasciitis causes pain not only in your heels but at your arches. The higher the arch, the sharper the pain is. For people with narrow feet or high arches, K-Swiss Ultrashort is the best tennis shoe. I did a playtest with them, and I was amazed at the arch support.
I don’t have that much of a high arch; however, these shoes do wonders for high arches. They provide midfoot support via midsole and a tight grip. It leads to a perfectly balanced posture that a tennis player should maintain for hours.
They are long-lasting shoes. For players with a good height, finding durable and reliable shoes is challenging. However, Ultrashort 2 helps you ease your worries. I just loved that it is unisex, and women can also enjoy the comfort and support with this one.
9. Orthofeet Coral Stretch Knit
One of my colleagues is a trainer for beginner girls at tennis. She has a solid build with flat feet. I have been practicing with her for a few years. For about two and a half months, she complained about feeling tired while playing.
She felt this needle-like pain in her heels leading to her arches and thus causing her whole body to feel the sensations. In conditions like this, your lower limbs are the first to get affected. She felt like being in the sky when she found Orthofeet Coral Knit.
These shoes are made specifically for women. They cater to players of all heights, and these shoes come in a wide range of sizes. The level of comfort and support you feel is just too perfect for flat feet.
Coral Knit is highly recommended as one of the best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis by many professionals. The durability and comfort are just above level.
8. New Balance 410 Trail Running Shoe
As a tennis player, I have agreed. Wear the shoes that make you comfortable, be them running shoes or shoes for hiking, as long as they give you the support and comfort they are best. Balance 410 Trail shoes are made for runners.
They are highly durable, flexible, comfy design, and utterly supportive shoes for Plantar Fasciitis. Because of the durability and comfort factor for Plantar Fasciitis, these shoes are very famous among tennis players.
These shoes did not gain much popularity among women as compared to men. However, they are among the top of the best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis.
7. ASICS GEL-Resolution 8 (For Men & Women)
Who does not knows about Asics? It is a brand worthy of praise when providing tennis shoes. Gel-Resolution 8 became trendy among tennis players in a short time. Their unique gel-filled forefoot, midsole, and heels are the main reason for their popularity.
They vow to make the most comfortable shoes for tennis players. And with Gel Resolution 8 for both men and women, Asics have proven their goal once again. The ultimate support and balance on volleys is just the gig you want.
The baseliners and aggressive players find Gel Resolution one of the best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis. They provide a specific push and solid grip with balance, all at one time. Plus, these shoes are made to cater to both men and women, so they are available in various sizes.
6. Nike Vapor Cage 4 Tennis Shoes
Nike Vapor Cage 4 is one of a kind. Many players highly recommended it for lateral support and balance at sudden changes. I did a playtest with it and found it impressive. I have a habit of jumping over the court with short steps.
It causes my heels and forefoot to suffer more. However, Nike Cage 4 is embedded with zoom technology over the sole, and high cushioning is guaranteed. The level of comfort and balance to complete sole is just excellent.
I never felt pain in my ankles, heels, or arches once I got used to Cage 4. It is famous among tennis players are one of the best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis for its durability and comfort.
5. Adidas Barricade 18 (For Men & Women)
Players fall in love with the features of Adidas Barricade. Barricade 18 is made for one reason that is to protect your feet. The upper portion of the shoe is highly breathable and protective of the feet.
Adidas is designed so that people with high arched suffering from Plantar Fasciitis get extreme support at the ankle collar and midsole. These shoes provide you with a grip and high support at your arches.
This one thing leads to comfy heels and a balanced posture. When I did the playtest with Barricade 18, I just loved the cushiony heels and support. It has many features, but for me, along with the design, these two features make it perfect.
4. Wilson Rush Pro 3.0
Stability is a huge concern for tennis players when selecting shoes. The case becomes severe when you are suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. So, for players focused on stability, durability, and comfort, Wilson Rush Pro 3.0 is the best choice.
It comes with a lot of cushioning. Both male and female players just loved the feel and relaxation they found after wearing these shoes. I adore the fresh feeling that I get when playing in the summers.
The upper mesh of Rush Pro 3.0 is made with a texture that keeps your feet cold and fresh. It kept my feet relaxed and comfortable, along with the heel support. Wilson Rush Pro 3.0 shoes are highly recommended for players suffering from Plantar Fasciitis.
3. Babolat SFX 3 (For Men & Women)
It is very rare to find a pair of shoes equally famous among male and female players for the same reason. Babolat SFX 3 is one such pair. A player suffering from Plantar Fasciitis found SFX 3 a highly comfortable and durable pair.
This pair takes the lead in all, whether durability, breathability, cushioning, support, or comfy toe box. The unique layer upon layer cushioning of the inner sole is the key to its popularity. It is made especially for players with wide feet.
You will hardly feel the pain in heels, arches, or ankles. This pair became famous among players as the best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis.
2. Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 4 (For Men & Women)
Players who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis are often concerned about their performance. It is natural as suffering from pain and playing would alter your moves and make you feel insecure about your performance. It happened to me.
With Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 4, I can guarantee you that your performance won’t be affected. Instead, it enhances a player’s performance by adding support and stability. Tour 4 is highly popular among female players compared to male tennis players.
Not only among tennis players, but these shoes have gained popularity among runners. All for the same reason; that they ease the pain in the heels and arches.
The durability of this pair is just on another level. The toe cap is cushioned with rubber that allows the players to keep up with the jumpy and rocky roads.
1. New Balance FuelCell Tennis Shoes (For Men & Women)
One of the lightest pairs I found for players suffering from Plantar Fasciitis. Usually, a slightly heavy pair would do the deed. However, players with pain in the heel and arches often look for a light pair.
Their striking color and comfort are their popularity among men and women. These shoes are fully loaded with high Torsional stability and comfort at heels, forefoot, and arches. Players with flat feet, low arches, or high arches felt the same with 996v4.
The toe box may look narrow, but once you place your feet in this shoe, you will notice how wide and comfy it is for the toe box.
Since New Balance Fuel Cell 996v4 focused on providing relief to male and female players, it is available in various sizes and widths. It is one of the most famous pairs in the list of best tennis shoes for Plantar Fasciitis.
Conclusion:
The list mentioned above was accumulated based on a few suggestions from my fellow players. And also, it is deducted from my playtests with these shoes. I also did playtest with a few other shoes; however, the results were not up to the mark.
I hope you find what you are looking for through this list.
If you have any questions, please ask in the comment section below.