Pickleball can be hard on joints and knee pain is pretty common in pickleball players. Excessive pressure on the joints and ligaments while stopping short can trigger the pain in knees and ankles. Changing direction quickly can cause issues like bunions, severe knee pain, and plantar fasciitis.
Therefore it’s crucial to wear highly supportive pickleball shoes to prevent injuries and chronic conditions. Solid support at the heel, middle, and region maintains the healthy biomechanical posture of the feet, improves blood flow, and reduces the chances of knee and ankle strains.
However, it’s quite challenging to figure out which shoes will help you if you have bad knees. To help you buy the best pickleball shoes for knee pain, we have reviewed the seven best options.
Related: Best Pickleball Shoes for Optimal Performance – Tested and Reviewed
Our Top Picks
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Shoes for Knee Pain
PREMIUM PICK
Adidas Men’s Adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis Shoe
BUDGET PICK
Adidas Men’s Barricade Club Tennis Shoe
Best Pickleball Shoes For Knee Pain Comparison Table
1. Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Shoes for Knee Pain
2. Adidas Men’s Adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis Shoe
3. Adidas Men’s Barricade Club Tennis Shoe
4. K-Swiss Men’s Court Express Tennis Shoe
5. New Balance Men’s 806 V1 Tennis Shoe
6. FitVille Women’s Wide Width Court Shoes for Pickleball Tennis
7. K-Swiss Women’s Express Light Pickleball Shoe
Top 7 Best Pickleball Shoes For Knee Pain in 2023
1. Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Shoes for Knee Pain
Gravity Defyer G-Defy shoes feature a high-performance design making them perfect for relieving knee pain. The shoes use a VersoShock Patented technology that lessens the stress on joints and helps with knee and ankle strains.
The shoes are specially designed to reduce the gravity effect and joint aging during rigorous physical activities like jumping, playing tennis, and pickleball.
Our Verdict:
Gravity Defyer G-Defy shoes are specially designed for people who have bad knees. The shoes feature targeted support and a highly breathable design making them perfect for knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and joint strains.
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What we loved most about these shoes is the spacious toe box. It prevents sliding without limiting the natural foot movement for improved blood circulation. Also, it prevents toe twisting and minimizes the chances of injuries. The front rolling design prevents the joints bones and muscles when you change direction quickly or stop at a very short distance.
The upper part of the shoes features synthetic and mesh construction. The mesh is highly breathable and keeps the feet dry and cool even during the extreme summers. Another good news is that the shoe comes with orthotic insoles. You can pair the shoes with orthotic insoles for additional support arch and midsole.
The rubberized sole with an extra thick profile makes the shoes highly responsive and bouncy on the cemented courts. The shoes are true to size and offer a perfect fit if you choose the size carefully.
The biggest issue with the shoes is that they are slightly expensive considering their build quality. The shoes wear out more quickly in the cemented courts and also the mesh part of the shoes is not built very well.
2. Adidas Men’s Adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis Shoe
Ubersonic Adizero 4 Tennis shoes with lightweight construction and customized fit are the best option you can pick if you have bad knees.
Pickleball involves short-distance stopping and quick movement, which can cause strain on the knees. We loved these shoes for being light and quick while moving without losing grip and traction.
Our Verdict:
Ubersonic Tennis 4 by Adidas are among the most comfortable shoes that you can buy for everyday practice and serious pickleball games. The reinforced targeted support at the heel, toe, and midsole helps them stand among the best shoes for knee pain.
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The upper part of Adidas Adizero Ubersonic shoes is composed of two layers. The inner layer is made with Primeknit material that offers a sock-like fit. The upper part is a Prmigreen woven layer that is rugged yet lightweight making the shoes super comfy and cozy. The shoes come with removable insoles.
A high-density foam padding is added to the arch region offering additional support for a healthy posture. The deep heel cup with solid toe support locks the feet in place and prevents unwanted sliding thus preventing the strains in the knees, ankle, and legs.
In addition to comfort, these shoes offer incredible stability. An Adiwaer rubber outsole with a deep tread pattern ensures stability on all terrain types. Also, its impact performance is impressive and it dissipates the impact energy for a comfortable experience.
The textile sock line in the shoes is super comfortable yet breathable making the shoes perfect for the summer season. The shoes are true to size and offer a snug fit right out of the box. The most notable downside of the shoes is the sub-par build quality. The outsole of the shoes wears out too quickly, which is pretty disappointing at this price point.
3. Adidas Men’s Barricade Club Tennis Shoe
Adidas Men’s Barricade Club tennis shoes are loved by the pickleball enthusiast for their responsiveness on the cemented courts and surprisingly lightweight structure.
The shoes stand among the top-rated athlete’s shoes since they equally perform well in running, workouts, tennis, and pickleball.
Our Verdict:
If you are looking for a pair of pickleball shoes for extreme summer, Barricade Tennis Club shoes by Adidas are the perfect option. The shoes are flexible yet supportive that maintain a healthy posture without being restrictive making them perfect for athletes with knee pain.
Related: What is My Pickleball Skill Ratings: Understanding the Levels
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The shoes feature 100% systems textile construction making them highly breathable and comfy. The upper part of the shoes is also flexible and offers a snug fit without additional customizations. Also, it doesn’t limit the natural muscular movements while jumping and landing and promotes the blood flow of a healthy and untiring experience.
In addition to that, the shoes have got a reinforced heel support system. It balances the leg-feet structure and reduces knee and heel pain. The padding under the heel makes the shoes highly responsive during the shortcuts and turns.
Plus an anti-torsion full-length support system from toe to heel ensures that you remain safe and comfortable even during the most demanding activities.
In addition to class-leading cushion and bounce, we loved the shoes’ impact performance. The shock energy can cause stains on the ankle, feet, and knees. The sturdy base structure with reinforced support neutralizes the shock energy for a smooth and flowy experience.
The biggest issue with the shoes is their narrow profile. If you have wider feet they may hurt. Also, the shoes are not true to size and it’s pretty hard to choose a perfect size from the size chart.
4. K-Swiss Men’s Court Express Tennis Shoe
K-swiss Men’s Court Express shoes feature a tough rubberized sole and textile upper making them perfect for most demanding physical activities like tennis, and pickleball. The shoes are highly comfortable yet supportive making them a great choice for newbies.
Our Verdict:
If you are looking for a super comfy pair of shoes for your big feet, K-Swiss Men’s Express shoes are the best option you can have. The shoes with best-in-class full-length support and excellent ground grip are the best shoes for knee pain that you can buy in 2023.
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The shoes are designed to offer a snug fit without being restrictive. We loved the targeted support at high-stress areas like heels and ankles offered by K-Swiss express shoes.
These shoes have a deep heel counter that reduces the pressure from the back side of the foot. It improves blood circulation in the legs and reduces the effect of gravity while jumping.
The middle part of the insoles is padded with gel making the shoes highly responsive. The wider profile of the shoes accommodates the wide feet and reduces the chances of bruises and rashes.
The tight lacing techniques help you get a snug fit for maximum stability. The size guide is available for the shoes but it is not clear and straightforward. Since the shoes have a wide profile, you may need to consider one size down for a sung and trouble-free fit. It is advised to contact customer service to get clear guidelines about the shoe sizes.
5. New Balance Men’s 806 V1 Tennis Shoe
New Balance shoes are among the most expensive and premium-grade tennis shoes designed with the needs of serious athletes in mind.
The shoes have a solid base with multiple support areas making them highly bouncy and responsive on all types of surfaces. What sets them apart from regular tennis and pickleball shoes is the ROLLBAR technology.
Our Verdict:
New Balance 806 V1 tennis shoes with a high-performance design and incredible support are the best shoes that you can buy if you have bad knees. The shoes offer controlled motion and maximum support in the heel region making them perfect for pickleball and tennis players.
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This technology offers controlled motion and supports quick lateral movements during the game. Its lightweight structure helps you move faster and offer an untiring strain-free experience. The full-length upper leather makes it exceptionally rugged. The shoes offer a safe and hugging fit from the top without being extra limiting.
Related: Pickleball Rules
For excellent ground grip and traction, these shoes feature a herringbone tread pattern at the outsole. It enhances the traction for maximum stability and prevents the toe twisting and unwanted sliding. The moisture-wicking properties of these shoes are also impressive.
The sock-line material quickly dries up keeping your feet cool, fresh, and dry even in the extreme summer seasons. The shoes are positively reviewed on all selling platforms for their high-performance design and excellent build quality. However, these shoes are expensive. The shoes are true to size and it is advised to choose the right size for a perfect fit.
6. FitVille Women’s Wide Width Court Shoes for Pickleball Tennis
Next on the list of best pickleball shoes for knee pains are FitVille Wide Width shoes. These pickleball shoes combine a clever design with top-notch build quality making them perfect for cemented courts.
The shoes are designed for everyday leisure activities and come with all those features that you may look for maximum support in the court.
Our Verdict:
Comfort and stability are the two crucial features you must consider if you have bad knees. These shoes are designed for the needs of serious pickleball and tennis players and we loved the stability, grip, responsiveness, and support offered by these shoes.
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What sets them apart from regular running shoes is the honeycomb insoles. The soles offer full-length support with additional high arch support. It releases the pressure on the balls and joints making the shoes super comfortable while jumping and landing. The ortho-lite construction of the shoes makes them highly responsive and bouncy. The flexible ortholite construction makes them highly comfortable.
Finding a wide profile in the Women’s category is pretty hard. These shoes with a wider profile offer the perfect fit for athletes having big feet. The shoes are not restrictive and allow natural foot movements for a comfortable and strain-free experience.
The anti-torsion rubber outsoles offer impressive traction and grip on the cemented courts. The stability of the shoes ensures safety during quick lateral movements and helps you prevent joint strains. The outsole is also built very well and doesn’t wear out quickly.
The only issue that we faced with shoes was the size. The wider profile of the shoes makes it pretty challenging to find the perfect size. If you have a slim feet profile it is advised to consider one size down. Also, it doesn’t offer the perfect fit right out of the box and takes time to break in.
7. K-Swiss Women’s Express Light Pickleball Shoe
K-Swiss Women-Express shoes are designed for everyday workouts, tennis, and pickleball games. The shoes boast the best-in-class outside and inside construction making them perfect for rigorous physical activities.
From heel to midfoot and toes these shoes offer incredible support and responsiveness making them super soft on joints.
Our Verdict:
K-Swiss Express Light shoes combine a lightweight structure with a clever design making them the best pickleball shoes for plantar fasciitis. The sturdy base with DuraGuard technology makes them highly resistant to wear and ensures long-term performance.
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The outsole of the shoes is crafted with a high-density ASOTA rubber compound that ensures stability and offers bounce on cemented surfaces. Also, it is highly wear-resistant and offers long-term performance for the best value for money.
Plus, the 180-degree thermal pants chassis offer high arch support and middle support. A deep heel counter and reinforced two support further enhance your experience while hard movements like short distance stooping and quick direction change.
The soft ortholite sock liner with moisture-wicking properties keeps the feet cool and dry all day long. The lightweight construction of the shoes allows you to move fast without limiting your comfort and stability. The tread pattern at the base makes the shoes super grippy on all-terrain tires and keeps the feet intact while jumping and landing to reduce the pressure from joints.
The shoes are packed with DuraGuard technology that minimizes the wear at high-stress areas like the heel, mid-foot, and toes for long-term comfort and durability. Unfortunately, these shoes are not true in size. Shoes are too narrow and cause blisters on the toes and side of the feet. For a perfect fit, it is advised to choose one size up.
Best Sneaker For Knee Pain Comparison Table
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gravity Defyer Women’s G-Defy Shoes for Knee Pain | Check Price |
| 2. Adidas Men’s Adizero Ubersonic 4 Tennis Shoe | Check Price |
| 3. Adidas Men’s Barricade Club Tennis Shoe | Check Price |
| 4. K-Swiss Men’s Court Express Tennis Shoe | Check Price |
| 5. New Balance Men’s 806 V1 Tennis Shoe | Check Price |
| 6. FitVille Women’s Wide Width Court Shoes for Pickleball Tennis | Check Price |
| 7. K-Swiss Women’s Express Light Pickleball Shoe | Check Price |
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What's the difference between indoor and outdoor pickleball shoes?
The indoor pickleball and tennis courts have wooden floors while the outdoor courts have cemented floors. The outsole of the outdoor pickleball shoes is harder and tougher than indoor pickleball shoes. Also, outdoor shoes are more wear-resistant than indoor pickleball shoes.
Wrapping Up
Knee and joint pains are inevitable when you play pickleball, tennis, or badminton. However, you can avoid joint aging, injuries, and strains by wearing a pair of highly supportive shoes. All the options reviewed on the list of best pickleball shoes for knee pain are tested for their support and performance in the pickleball courts, but our top three picks from the list are:
Reeber choosing the right shoe size is crucial for a comfortable and a safe experience on the court. If you have wider feet, you must look for wide-profile shoes to avoid rashes and bruises. If you have a slim foot profile it is advised to look for narrow shoes to avoid unwanted sliding and twisting.
Oliver Parker is a recognized authority in the world of pickleball, renowned for his in-depth knowledge of paddles and shoes. With years of expertise on and off the court, he provides invaluable guidance for players of all levels. As a seasoned player, Oliver has not only honed his skills on the court but also conducted rigorous testing of equipment, providing readers with meticulously researched reviews and recommendations.