Best Tennis Shoes For Plantar Fasciitis In 2020 – [Men & Women]

Plantar Fasciitis is a frustrating foot condition that ails many tennis athletes of today. It refers to a pain in the bottom of your foot, specifically in the “plantar fascia” ligament connecting your heel and foot front.

While there are several possible causes for this disease, the intense physical movements of tennis athletes quickly spur it, causing inflammation of the ligament and bringing an exasperating pain to your feet.

However, you don’t have to pause your exciting tennis season just because you were diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. There is an entire dimension of health-conscious sports shoes that is engineered to support your feet, you just need to know what to look for.

Our expert podiatrists recommend prioritizing comfort and fit above ability-focused features when looking for tennis shoes. A good tennis shoe for plantar fasciitis must possess a mighty arch support system, enhanced cushioning, and a reinforced heel to bring your feet into the right position for pain elimination.

Moreover, the right tennis shoe for your feet may vary depending on your gender.

Now of course, with the constantly evolving sports industry that spans the modern era, it can be difficult to determine exactly which shoes would be ideal for plantar fasciitis.

While some shoes boast brand new technologies, others pale with old school designs. But don’t worry, after extensive research and testing, our team of experts has produced for you the ultimate, gender-specific list of best tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Also Check: Best Tennis Shoes For Ankle Support In 2020

Best Tennis Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis for Men & Women

Here are the best tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis.

S.no	Best Tennis Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis for Men & Womens	Price
1	New Balance 990v3 Stability Shoes
2	K-Swiss Grancourt II Tennis Shoes
3	Wilson Men’s Rush Pro 2.0 Tennis Shoes
4	Prince Men’s T22 Mid Tennis Shoes
5	Asics Gel-Dedicate 5 Tennis Shoes
6	New Balance Women’s WC1005 Stability
7	Orthofeet Women’s Plantar Fasciitis Orthopaedic Diabetic
8	Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Women’s G-Defy Mighty Walk

1. New Balance 990v3 Stability Shoes

New Balance is an acclaimed US sports brand known for making some of the most comfortable shoes around. Their NB 990v3 Shoes are crafted from an innovative assortment of materials and designed to be ultra-comfortable while also boosting your tennis ability.

Athletes with plantar fasciitis are sure to find a snug, painless home for their feet within these shoes.

Design and Material

The 990v3 shoes host a resilient upper that is made from suede leather. Carven into the upper is window-like openings that expose the inner layer of US-produced, mesh fabric for breathability.

The soling of 990v3 is made from dual components, with a forefoot of Blown Rubber and supportive pads of Ndurance rubber. The shoe has a sturdy, thick heel for support and responsiveness. To maximize shock absorption, the shoe’s midsole has been integrated with ABZORB technology.

A generous amount of padding lines the shoe’s inner compartments, made from soft mesh textiles. The ankle collar is reinforced by two layers of foam with varying densities.

Structural support and integrity of the shoe are maintained by its roomy foot frame, and for upgraded support, the shoe’s sole declines from heel to foot by a 12mm drop.

The 990v3 shoes don a bold, rugged look of grey, black and burgundy skins, and their overall appearance is categorized by a polished, reflective upper design.

Performance

After weeks of testing, our team ranked the 990v3 shoes highest among the best shoes for plantar fasciitis. They provided well-rounded support, stability, and comfort while also enhancing tennis abilities.

The shoe upper was spacious and breathable due to its leather/mesh structure, which made the inside well ventilated. Players could easily install more padding in the shoe without it getting too tight, thus solving a major concern for plantar fasciitis patients.

In terms of cushioning, the shoe’s midsole performed exceptionally well. Its Abzorb technology inhaled the impact of tennis jumps and sprints, which made heel pain subside considerably.

The padded collar and soft inner design also helped to cushion sudden physical movements while maintaining the foot’s position.

Testers found the shoe’s heel to be sufficiently supportive. Not only did its outspreading model work to cushion steps, but it also extended lateral support to the shoes.

This was particularly beneficial for active tennis players since their playing styles involve constant lateral movement.

Moreover, the shoe’s engraved outsole pattern improved traction upon hard courts. Players found it provided yielding grip, while not downgrading friction.

When tested in low-light environments, the shoe’s reflective appearance made it clearly visible. This made playing tennis at night even more freeing. However, the shoes emitted a pungent odor when they were submerged in water, possibly due to the midsole’s materials. Therefore, you should avoid getting the 990v3 shoes wet.

Although some testers found the arch support limiting, the shoe’s soling dropped by 12mm, which set up a considerable posture for the feet and reduced pain. Alongside the shoe’s Blown rubber outsole, this feature gave players boosted responsiveness. Testers were able to sprint and accelerate with ease.

2. K-Swiss Grancourt II Tennis Shoes

K-Swiss’ incredibly popular Grancourt series is back with the new Grancourt II shoes, and with all the right upgrades! These shoes combine an impact-reducing sole with a guarded toe box to bring you all the comfort you need due to plantar fasciitis.

Design and Material

The Grancourt II shoes are a powerhouse of engineered leather comfort coming in a beautifully austere black or white design. They don a modified leather upper that has been strategically stitched to improve air currents and permeate the inside while multiplying durability.

Best Hardcourt Tennis Shoes For Men & Women

K-Swiss designers implanted a dual-layer rubber soling into the shoes. The midsole is spun from a K-EVA infused rubber for posture support, whereas the outsole is made from soft, shock-absorbent natural rubber. A herringbone pattern is engraved into the outsole for maximum traction on hard courts.

From the inside, the Grancourt II shoes are equipped with a removable foam insole for added comfort. The fixed plush tongue and rigid collar padding provide structural support and cushioning.

Most impressively, the Grancourt II shoes come with a spacious toe compartment that is reinforced by K-Swiss Guard technology. It promises alongside the thick, high-arch soling, to provide ultimate pain relief from plantar fasciitis.

Performance

We found the Grancourt II to be gracious in both comfort and breathability. Their leather upper, with its ventilated design, kept the shoes airy and cool. The upper was strong but flexible, so it was an instant fit for most testers and did not require a long adjustment period for the rest.

Due to the high arch and toe guard, the shoes kept players’ feet in a fixed position. This ensured that feet did not twist inappropriately during tennis movements, and prevented plantar fasciitis pain throbs.

Some of our testers reported that the shoe’s support system, stemming primarily from the collar and midsole, granted superior stability during tennis. Its heel worked as a device for multi-directional support, thereby making tennis’ lateral movements easier.

Cushioning in the Grancourt II was particularly lenient. The rubber outsole efficiently absorbed the impact from jumps and heavy landings, and some testers reported that it enabled their back-court playing style.

For players with plantar fasciitis, the heel was compatible and friendly to the under-foot inflammation and made sprinting easier.

Moreover, the shoe’s outsole pattern untethered the traction control for players. Testers reported that traction on hard courts was especially admirable.

However, for some players accustomed to light-weight shoes, the Grancourt II had a heavy feel and thus inhibited control initially.

The width was also a problem for several athletes, as some needed extra insoles but found the shoe to be too tight upon their installation. The Grancourt II shoes are not available in many width options, so if you have significantly wider feet, then it may take you some time to adjust to the inner foot frame of the Grancourt II.

The shoes proved to be exceptionally durable, and were clearly built to last. After extensive testing, we expect them to last at least 6 months without wear & tear.

3. Wilson Men’s Rush Pro 2.0 Tennis Shoes

Rush Pro 2.0 is an eccentric addition to Wilson’s tennis shoe arsenal. It upholds the spped enhancement of the previous Rush Pro series, but also manages to heighten comfort and fitness with a precise array of features, which is why it ranks among the best tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Design and Material

The Rush Pro 2.0 shoes radiate a modern, appealing look categorized by black and orange materials. The upper is purely synthetic and has a mesh structure engraved into it for breathability.

The Rush Pro 2.0 shoes implement the new Endofit technology within the shoe’s foot frame, serving to maximize fitness and comfort. The forefoot has a TPU insole modified with a 3D.FS injection boosts durability and support.

The shoes have a light-weight and streamlined design, with a DF1 forefoot technology for protection.
A-Pro Torque Chassis technology makes up the shoe’s foundation, making the soling strong, upright and arched. It is layered onto a Duralast outsole for further resilience.

Not only that, the outsole is traction-focused with a friction inducing pattern that is sure to grip all kinds of courts.

Performance

The Rush Pro 2.0 shoes exhibited a magnificent performance upon the court. Their Endofit inner allowed the shoe to warp around the players’ feet, making tennis movements more agile. For most testers, it was easy to adapt to shoes, and fitness was not a problem.

Recommended: BEST TENNIS SHOES FOR WOMEN

What made the Rush Pro 2.0 shoes stand out was their speed enhancement. Everything from the DF1 forefoot to Duralast outsole functioned to increase responsiveness.

Players could get instant replies from the soling upon little thrusts and throbs. This also made pacing the court much more risk-free, allowing testers to sprint quicker than ever before to catch a stray shot.

The shoes barely exerted any weight upon the feet. Testers reported that the shoe’s design hugged the feet and eliminated the feeling of pressure. This made plantar fasciitis inflammation easier to handle.
Support and stability were particularly noticeable for several testers.

Both the outsole pattern and Chassis soling provided reinforcements to the feet from below, so players found it easy to avoid toppling or foot inversion. Also, the soling cushioned each step by redistributing heel impact equally to all parts of the foot, thereby reducing pain.

The shoe’s TPU insole held the toes in a secure position and turned out to be highly durable. Despite being put through some rigorous test routines, the toe cap survived without any noticeable wear. However, some players felt there was insufficient cushioning around the toes.

The shoes also possess a sturdy arch. Its structural design prevented feet from torsion, while also caressing the sensitive underfoot skin of players. We found that this feature significantly improved ankle health for plantar fasciitis patients.

4. Prince Men’s T22 Mid Tennis Shoes

Prince T22 is one of the most distinctive products among the best tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis. They utilize an innovative new technology called Shock Eraser which integrates advanced cushioning into the durable shoe frame, making them ideal footwear for patients seeking health conscious shoes.

Design and Material

The Prince T22 shoes boast an intimidating silver-white look with a complex set of features equipped inside. Their upper is crafted from 100% synthetic textiles, stitched to provide flexibility and resilience. A mesh patch is sewn into the shoe front for added breathability.

From the inside, the shoes have been lined with TPU patches to provide stability. A thick rubber insole lies upon the shoe base, adding comfort and cushioning to the shoe. The toe box is designed to fit and carpeted with an abrasion-resistant layer.

For an efficient transitioning and impact distribution system, the forefoot is equipped with a SoftSpring PU panel.

The soling of T22 shoes are reinforced by the Shock eraser technology. It is installed into the heel and designed to absorb heavy impact during action-packed tennis plays. A Wyshbone shank extends from the heel and establishes multi-directional support.

The outsole of T22 shoes is made from PRC1000 rubber for enhanced friction upon clay courts. It is further upgraded by the herringbone tread pattern carved into it, which doubles the traction control for tennis athletes.

Performance

The T22 shoes provided uncompromised cushioning and stability throughout our playtesting.
Its Shock Eraser heel was the star of the shoe’s features.

Not only did it cushion all sorts of tennis movements, but it also enclosed the heel in a natural manner. Players with heel pain reported major relief and soothing from the heel.

Moreover, the heel worked with the SoftSpring PU forefoot to spread surface pressure throughout the feet. This helped ensure that no point of the feet took excessive direct impact from playing, and therefore relieved inflammatory pain from plantar fasciitis.

Players found the upper to be soft and steady. It fit easily around the foot while maintaining sufficient ventilation. However, some testers complained that the shoe was too narrow for their wide feet.

The shoe’s rubber insole and PU forefoot proved to be refreshingly comfortable for the toes. They merged with the Wyshbone shank in a smooth mix of stability and support.

Testers found that this feature granted superior lateral control and balance upon the court, and swerve movements were eased. Meanwhile, some testers disliked the shoe’s limited arch support but were reassured by the shank’s stable design.

In terms of traction, the shoe’s outsole emerged highly competitive. It served to grip both clay and hard courts equally well, so traction control was hiked for players. This helped to prevent slip-ups and slides and therefore protected plantar fasciitis patients from unintentional torsion.

5. Asics Gel-Dedicate 5 Tennis Shoes

The ASICS Gel Dedicate 5 shoes are geared towards new women athletes, which makes them unique among the best tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis. Their beautiful design comes with an intricate arrangement of features that seeks to heighten cushioning and stability for your feet.

Design and Material

With an upper produced from a comfortable blend of leather and synthetic textile, these Asics shoes promise to impress. They come in a wide range of bright colors, encompassing silver, orange, and blue fabrics.

The upper is poked with a periodic mesh pattern that is only visible at strategic points where the leather skin recedes, creating a stylish look and enhancing breathability.

Soling of the Gel Dedicate 5 shoe is composed of pure rubber. There are two major technologies that occupy the soling. First, the midsole is equipped with the trademark gel-cushioning attribute. It is made from EVA and curved to provide optimal arch support.

The forefoot area of the midsole maintains the gel enforced element of the shoes for maximum comfort.

Secondly, a Trusstic System technology is integrated into the sturdy outsole. It supports the shoe’s skeletal features while dropping the weight component, making Gel Dedicate 5 a light yet strong pair of footwear.

Performance

These Asics shoes lived well up to their brand name and shone through all of our tests involving comfort, balance, traction, and durability.

Comfort in the Gel Dedicate 5 flows from every corner. The gel-based midsole and forefoot area absorbed much of the testers’ weight during jumps.

We found the soling to be soft and shock absorbent despite its rubber composition. This made swift tennis movements less damaging for the feet and thus eased heel pain.

The mesh upper also added to the comfort by allowing refreshing air circulation to be set up in the shoes. Some testers reported the shoe to be narrowly designed from the heel and midfoot, but the improved breathability definitely helped to overcome that.

Also, since the toe compartment turned out to be wide and roomy, this problem was eclipsed entirely and made plantar fasciitis patients particularly comfortable.

In regards to balance, the Gel Dedicate 5 shoes delivered satisfying results. The lightweight soling diminished the need for excessive balancing techniques, and also enhanced agility on the court. Women athletes with a preference for light-weight shoes are sure to benefit from this feature.

Moreover, the shoes provided excellent traction control upon all types of courts, but seemed only to wear slightly after intense plays. So if you are still a new or weekend player of tennis, you won’t have to worry about durability issues.

6. New Balance Women’s WC1005 Stability

New Balance brings an exciting edge to the court with the WC1005 shoes. They are integrated with an NB exclusive stability system that works alongside the cushion-focused design to pump your on-court balance to the skies.

Design and Material

The WC1005 shoes host a leather upper with mesh windows planted across strategic points. The upper is molded into a supportive, upright shape that cloaks the foot in a soft, synthetic cover.

The WC1005 shoes have a roomy inner with generous padding on collar and ankle-ring. The toe box is wide and lined with an abrasion-resistant chemical for added durability. The entire body of the shoes is designed to distribute impact and maximize fit.

The soling of WC1005 shoes is designed upon an S-Curve stability model. This technology provides extensive multi-directional support to maintain your balance at all times. The midsole is thickened with an industrially modified rubber layer for shock absorption.

For additional comfort, the shoes have a wide, spacious inner. A soft foam insole is glued to the shoe base with a dual-density design for ensuring foot health.

The outsole of WC1005 shoes is made from high-quality rubber and has a dual ring tread pattern carved into it for maximum traction. It is shaped to provide a steep heel to the mid-foot arch for posture correction.

Performance

These New Balance shoes rocked the court for players with plantar fasciitis. They delivered supreme comfort with their leather upper and inner padding and made foot pain vanish.

Most of our testers described the shoes as “a perfect fit”. Due to their fitness-centric design, they hugged the feet securely into the appropriate position.

Players with wide feet found the shoes incredibly accommodating, and the long-range of width options was a rare delight, even among the best tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis.

The shoes boosted stability to an unyielding advantage upon the court. This happened mainly due to the S-Curve technology in the soling, which would alternate as needed between cushioning and responsiveness.

Testers were able to change directions or turn at a split-second, without having to fear to topple over and hurting their feet.

Moreover, the shoe’s design kept the feet at a tilted, ready-to-sprint posture at all times. This made it easy to launch into sprints at sudden intervals. Players who tend to miss extreme veering shots are certain to find this feature helpful.

What makes the WC1005 so exceptional, however, is not just the stabilizing design, but also the strategic reinforcements installed into the shoe, including the padding and insole density variation. Testers found that their feet would automatically spring back from over inversion due to the elastic insole, preventing ankle injuries.

However, players with thin feet felt their feet would shift from the place during sprinting. Also, the WC1005 shoes tend to get hot on the inside despite the mesh upper.

This happens due to their leather upper, so it may take you some time to get accustomed to the shoes.

Also, even after hours of playing, testers reported that their feet felt little to no strain at all. This was due to the hilly nature of the soft insole, which relieved tension from the most pressurized points of the feet by being relatively more absorbent in those areas.

7. Orthofeet Women’s Plantar Fasciitis Orthopaedic Diabetic

The Orthofeet shoes are a brand of health-conscious footwear that’s recommended by podiatrists across the globe. They are purpose-built with comfort-enhancing features to ensure that your feet suffer no pain or injury at all, especially from plantar fasciitis.

Design and Material

The Orthofeet shoes host a natural fabric upper with a mesh design and soft layering. The upper is dotted with a soothing, non-binding thread pattern for fitness and ventilation.

The inside of the shoes is lined with a skin of flexible foam and reinforced with leather. For added support, the ankle is padded with a comfortable collar.

The insoles of the shoes are bioengineered Gel orthotic soles with 3 layers to provide the ultimate arch support, cushioning and comfort. The midsole is crafted from soft, durable leather that cushions steps and absorbs shock.

An amazing new feature of the Orthofeet shoes is their Air Pockets, which have been artfully inserted into the heel to double the cushioning and complete the transitioning system.

The soling is made from light-weight rubber that stretches from the forefoot to heel in a steady, low-top decline.

The shoes are available in a distinct brown color that radiates comfort and stability.

Performance

On the court, the Orthofeet shoes outperformed the competition in health benefits and stood proudly among the best tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis.

We brought a team of testers with foot pain to don the Orthofeet, and all of them gave fleetingly positive reviews about the shoes.

The orthotic insoles immediately relieved pain from plantar fasciitis patients and distributed tension surface evenly across the under-foot.

Players reported that the inner foam lining gripped their feet in a gentle embrace and made it easier to sprint. For players who had trouble with torsion, the shoe’s arch support, derived from its orthotic layers, was enough to prevent the feet from twisting when playing.

The shoes provided a solid grip upon hard courts, as their outsole pattern had friction inducing quality. This enabled Baseline-styled players to manage court length sprints without fearing slip-ups, and subsequently enhanced acceleration.

We discovered that the shoe’s Air Pocket technology was an exceptional cushioning feature. When testers performed lavish manoeuvres and stunts while playing tennis, including dives, the heels not only absorbed the impact but made it easier to spring up and keep moving.

This additional responsiveness came from the midsole’s elastic nature. Acceleration control was also improved.

Furthermore, the shoes helped in redistributing shocks that stemmed from drastic landings and steps. Testers found that the soling did not reverberate upon surface contact, but rather transferred the force of impact to forefoot, where the foam padding canceled out the shock effect. This was a blissful element for players with plantar fasciitis, as it granted them better stability and pain relief.

8. Gravity Defyer Proven Pain Relief Women’s G-Defy Mighty Walk

The Gravity Defyer Mighty Walk may sound superficial, but don’t be mistaken. They deliver what they promise: a truly gravity-defying shoe that’s both light-weight and comfortable for your feet, while also possessing a surprising wardrobe of modern performance-enhancing technologies.

Design and Material

The G-Defy shoes emit a beautiful, feminine aura with a palette of purple, black and orange skins. They are comprised of a resilient, fabric upper that cloaks the feet from all sides.

From the inside, the shoes have been masterfully sewn into seamless footwear. The inner walls are engineered to be smooth and even to prevent skin irritation and soothe the feet. Soft, foam insoles line the shoe base and have been modified to be removable for sufficient orthotic space.

The toe box in the G-Defy shoes is also purposefully widened to improve breathability and toe health.

The most impressive feature of the G-Defy shoes is their trademark VersoShock Technology that has been implanted into the soling. It comprises a rubber spring system placed into the heel for ultimate shock absorption.

The G-Defy shoes are also equipped with a front rocker sole that functions to strengthen arch support and alleviate plantar fasciitis pain. Yet despite the array of features, the shoes are overall light-weight footwear.

Performance

The G-defy shoes aced the performance testing modules we put them through, especially in the fitness and weight categories. Testers found the shoes to have a snug, non-rigid design that enveloped the feet in a dreamy feeling of comfort.

Due to the shoe’s fabric upper and removable insole, the shoes fit the last curve on all of our testers. Even players with wider feet found the spacious toe box perfectly accommodating.

Testers reported that there was no itching or rubbing sensation when they slipped on the shoes, although it’s a common drawback of modern shoes.

This element of the shoes came from their seamless inner fabric. Players with plantar fasciitis found they could wear the shoes all day long without exaggerating their inflammation.

Moreover, tennis athletes who needed to wear orthotics were particularly impressed by the shoe’s removable insoles, which allowed orthotic soles to be easily slipped in and adjusted without overcrowding the interior. This made it easy to play tennis for consecutive hours.

The G-defy shoe’s VersoShock technology was brilliant when it came to providing adequate cushioning. Most testers had found the integrated spring system a brilliant shock absorber and could do intensive tennis gymnastics without compressing or endangering the feet. It also served to improve responsiveness for newer/casual athletes with its elastic quality.

Not only did this feature significantly downgrade the impact of heavy movements, but it also contributed to stabilize acceleration while sprinting.

However, the front rubber patch on the upper rubbed out quickly during testing, which made the appeal decline. Also, some testers experienced a slight increase in foot pain upon first wearing the shoes, but the pain vanished completely after a few days of wearing.

But don’t worry, Gravity Defyer gives 1-month money-back guarantee with the G-defy shoes, so any durability issues can be cured.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What are the best shoes for walking with plantar fasciitis?

Vionic Walker Classic Shoes
Saucony ProGrid Integrity ST2
New Balance Women's WW928 Health Walking Laced Shoe
Saucony Women's ProGrid Integrity ST2 Walking Shoe
ASICS Women's GEL-Tech Neo 4
Saucony ProGrid Integrity ST2 Walking Shoe
Orthofeet Verve Orthopedic Shoes
New Balance 998 Women's Walking Shoe
Brooks Ghost Running Shoe
Dansko Ema Work Shoe

Q. What are the best tennis shoes for arch support?

Vans SK8 -Hi Core Classic Shoes
Danner Men’s Kinetic 8” GTX Uniform Boot
Under Armour Lockdown 2 Men’s Shoe
KEEN Men’s Target II Hiking Boots
ASICS Men’s GT-2000 4 Running Shoe
New Balance Women’s Fresh Foam Arishi V1
New Balance Women’s WR905 NBX Running Shoe
RYKA Women’s Tenacity Cross-Trainer Shoe

Q. What shoes do doctors recommend for arch support?

KEEN Utility Men's Work Shoe
Brooks Women's Ghost 10
Dansko Women's Patti Flat
ASICS Gel-Kayano 24
ECCO Men's Helsinki Slip-On
Brooks Addiction Walker for Men
Merrell Men's Encore Gust Slip-On
Grasshoppers Women's Stretch Sneaker

Q. What shoes help with plantar fasciitis?

Vionic Kona Women's Orthotic Athletic Shoes
OrthoFeet Sprint Comfort Men's Sneakers
Saucony Women's Guide 9 Running Shoe
Gravity Defyer Men's G-Defy Galaxy Blue Athletic Shoes
Z-CoiL Pain Relief Shoes
Dansko Professional ClogsZ-CoiL Pain Relief Shoes
Vionic Sandals with Arch Support
Mephisto Casual and Dress Shoes.
MBT Sneaker with Rocker Bottoms
Aetrex Comfort Shoes and Sandals