Let’s face it, plantar fasciitis is one of the biggest nightmares of every professional NBA athlete (source: SI). Most basketball players define its experience as a sharp needle-like pain under the foot.
You must have experienced this enigma—plantar fasciitis before if you play basketball indoors and outdoors regularly. It’s even worse when you have to manage the pain while you jump, run, and twist on the court. After all, your teammates will be counting on you.
But there’s good news! You can minimize the occurrence of plantar fasciitis by wearing the perfect supportive basketball shoes for your feet.
We found the best basketball shoes for plantar fasciitis on the market. And we’re going to show them to you. Plus, we’ll provide a comprehensive buying guide—listing the factors to consider before purchasing one.
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Who Should Get This
Basketball shoes made for players with plantar fasciitis usually have more room than regular shoes—which allows wider freedom of movement for your feet. It also means that the shoes can relieve swellings by giving your feet more support—which makes you flexible to run or jump during a game.
You’ll start experiencing relief from pain when you begin wearing plantar fasciitis shoes. The pain relief is possible because it gives your feet less strain and pressure from your inflamed plantar fascia.
Have you ever wondered why plantar fasciitis shoes have thicker soles?
The answer is simple! The thicker soles facilitate excellent absorption when your feet hit an obstruction. Plus, the manufacturer designed the soles to put little pressure on your feet as you run on the court. While running on the court, the shoe produces a knock-on effect that affects your entire body.
All the basketball shoes listed in this buying guide are not just ideal for players with plantar fasciitis; they are also great for players that have structural foot problems, poor running posture, and excessive body weight.
Top Basketball Shoe for Plantar Fasciitis 2022
The following are our top three picks. Hang in there to find out more.
Nike takes the lead with the KD 14 Men’s Basketball Shoes (
review). Most flat footers tend to fall in love with it when they get it for the first time. Thus, we aren’t surprised that it’s one of the best basketball shoes for plantar fasciitis.
Nike made the shoes with unique plastic-like fabric. Plus it comes with the amazing Nike’s fly-weave technology. Of course, Nike knew you would love to get shoes that provide enough support and strength for your feet. So, they made the upper segment of the shoes with plastic threads and plastic fabric.
The sole of the shoes has sufficient cushion to reduce the compressional pressures you might likely face on your heel and allow you to play with plantar fasciitis. It also provides adequate grip and traction on the court, protecting you from slipping.
The KD 14 provides ample padding and cushioning at the crucial areas of your feet to give you the comfort and protection your feet needs. Plus, the shoe cushion comes with zoom air technology. This provides the shoe support and makes it breathable; especially for feet that have plantar fasciitis.
You can still perform some Kobe or LeBron skills on the court, even with plantar fasciitis. The zoom air cushioning makes it possible by separating the midsole from the rear position.
What We Like:
Highly supportive and responsive
Sole has a fantastic traction
Ts plastic threads and fabric makes it sturdy
Awesome unmatchable cushion
What We Don’t Like:
It has a rigid construction
Difficulty to wear it in the first few times
Of course, you don’t need any introduction here—we all know Adidas. And if you’re a fan of the Houston Rockets or Brooklyn Nets, you’ll know James Harden.
There have been a lot of views about the Adidas Harden Vol. 5 (read our review), where many consumers have argued that it’s the best basketball shoe for players facing plantar fasciitis. From the first stare, the shoe looks light. Plus it’s super responsive. If you want to wear footwear that feels like you’re wearing nothing, then this is your lucky shoe.
The shoe has an impressive ventilation system that keeps the temperature from rising above its optimum and comfortable level. Adidas boasts of its sturdiness and strength, thanks to the TPU coded thread used in producing the upper body of the shoe. Plus, your feet will enjoy enough lateral support, because of the Adidas three stripes and TPU technology.
That’s not all. It has got fantastic traction that has a solid grip indoors and outdoors, court or dust. It has easy maintenance. Wiping dust from the sole is good enough. It also comes with soft cushioning that provides excellent comfort for your feet and heel. This cushioning helps to spread shocking momentum to every part of your feet and limits the risks of feet injuries.
What We Like:
Sturdy and Lightweight
Fantastic traction
Provides soft cushioning that limits stress/strain
Adequate lateral support to your feet
What We Don’t Like:
The heel is a bit stiff
Stephen Curry has his name linked to his shoe (
review), but it doesn’t end there. The shoe is synonymous with style and comfort. Made from synthetic material—Threadbone, the Under Armour Curry is one basketball shoe that is gradually becoming a household name for basket players with plantar fasciitis.
It comes with a sturdy and stable sole as well as a herringbone pattern. This sole provides a responsive grip suitable for any surface—indoors or outdoors. Plus, it gives enough sheer control and saves you from slipping while doing your thing on the court.
The Under Armour gives Nike and Adidas a good run for their money with its fantastic inner sole produced from a dual-density midsole. A charged cushioning and trademark Micro G form make up the midsole.
The combination of both components helps to absorb shock from getting to your feet and limits the danger of plantar fasciitis. So, combining your training, skills and the boost you get from the great features of the midsole, you become UNSTOPPABLE.
What We Like:
Superb Traction
Threadbone feature that adds to its sturdiness
Its broad shoe base provides excellent stability
Dual-density midsole absorbs shocks and gives your feet comfort
What We Don’t Like:
It’s pretty expensive
Limited sizes available
How to Choose Basketball Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis in 2022
Since you’re buying the shoe to help your foot condition, here are the things you should keep in mind:
The Shape
Before you buy any shoe, ensure that you find out how supportive they are and how well they fit. The check is essential when you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis.
The Upper
Most people pay less attention to the upper—but it’s as important as others. You have to tick three boxes when looking out for shoes with the ideal upper:
Sufficiently high—for people with a high arch,
Wideness
Flexibility
Stay away from shoes that push your feet down excessively—it affects your feet negatively. Instead, opt for shallow shoes that are, at most, ankle-high. That way, your feet won’t be constricting too much or placing extra strain on your plantar fascia.
The Outsole
If the sole of your shoe isn’t thick, avoid it—because it may not absorb a lot of pressure on the ground. The outsole should be flexible as well to aid the proper movement of your feet. It should also be significant to allow adequate distribution of shock. What’s more? The heel must have a balance—not too small or elevated to avoid excessive pressure on your feet.
The Insole
The middle part of your insole should be a significant concern because it supports your arch. If you have a low arch, a flatter midsole is ideal. But, players with high arch need an elevated midsole. To reduce the pressure and stress on your heel, go for a deep heel cup with thick cushioning. A deep heel cup also allows your feet to expand when it’s swollen—making it less painful.
The Toe Box
Do you hate the pain you feel from plantar fasciitis? Then, you need enough room in the toe box of your shoe to allow you to move your feet in a way that doesn’t strain your plantar fascia.
Purpose for the Shoe
For basketball, you’ll need a highly flexible shoe that’s light with thick soles great for shock absorption—since the game involves a lot of high-impact movement. If you plan to do other activities, you’ll need a different pair of shoes that suits the purpose.
The Shoe Inserts
The shoe inserts are useful for support and the overall feeling of the shoe. Therefore, the shoe inserts should have three things if you have plantar fascia:
The shape that conforms to your arch
Adequate support
Enough cushioning
You can buy one if your shoes don’t come with them. But, it’s a waste of time to fix a bad shoe with a good insert.
The Material
Players with plantar fasciitis have to consider the material of the shoe from the upper to the sole. For instance, the upper of your shoe should be flexible and breathable—to allow your feet to stay in good shape throughout a game.
Synthetic or cloth materials are excellent. But, synthetic may not give you the breathability you need. Avoid leather—as it’s too rigid and stuffy for the game of basketball.
Adequate cushioning and breathable fabric should grace the inner part of your shoe. Having insoles made from foam is great, but silicon is a better option. If you must go for rubber insoles, make sure it’s EVA rubber.
Accessories like metal studs are not necessary—since your goal is to keep your shoe as light as possible—to avoid strain on your feet.
3 Tips on How to Care for Your Plantar Fasciitis Shoe
It’s not an easy job to get the proper shoes for plantar fasciitis. It’s even harder when you can’t afford to buy multiple pairs at once. So, where does that leave you? Taking proper care of the one you have. Here’s how:
Avoid Wearing Your Shoes after a Game
It’s normal for you to hit the road with your basketball shoes after a game—blame it on the exhaustion. But, it’s best to remove your shoes after a game to prevent wear and tear in the long run. You can take extra shoes to change into after a game.
Unlace Your Shoes Before You Wear Them or Take Them Off
It feels good to snap your feet in and out of the shoe as you please. But the only problem here is: The shoe feels the heat of your action—reducing the lifespan over time. So, don’t ignore your laces; they are there for a reason. Interestingly, lacing your shoes properly improves your shoe fit, deals with your plantar fasciitis, and supports your feet well.
Avoid the Dryer
As long as you want to increase the longevity of your plantar fasciitis shoe, avoid the dryer—because the heat shrinks and damages it. Your best option is to air dry the shoe. If you must use a dryer, a gentle cycle is ideal.
Final Words
We decided to list our top three picks in this article to save you the stress and time of surfing the internet tirelessly for the best choice. Our buying guide also supported our claims—as the selected three met every prerequisite. Now, it all boils down to you, making the right choice.
What do you think about our top three picks? Did they meet your requirements for the best basketball shoes for plantar fasciitis? Please, let us know what you think; we’re looking forward to your suggestions and comments.
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