Any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you regularly experience persistent and stabbing pain in your heels, there is a good chance you could be suffering from plantar fasciitis.
This common orthopedic condition can cause pain ranging from mild discomfort while walking to severe heel pain that makes it difficult to stand.
Due to the nature of this injury, it can make it extremely difficult to play tennis – especially for long periods of time.
Fortunately, there are ways you can manage plantar fasciitis symptoms. One of the best things you can do to help manage the pain and continue enjoying your favorite activities is to choose the correct type of athletic shoe.
Below we have highlighted some of the best women’s tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis. We will also explain some of the features that make a tennis shoe a good choice for managing plantar fasciitis pain.
As a bonus, we cover some ways you can help treat the condition!
What Makes a Pair of Tennis Shoes Suitable for Reducing Plantar Fasciitis Pain?
Here’s a rundown of the criteria used for finding the best tennis shoes for reducing pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
Cushioning and Comfort
The first thing to consider is the amount of cushioning and support shoes offer your feet. Tennis shoes that feature extra padding and thick soles often help reduce plantar fasciitis pain.
Tennis shoes must remain comfortable for long periods of time. A typical tennis match will involve spending a significant amount of time on your feet.
Arch Support
Arch support is critical for every plantar fasciitis sufferer. Find a pair of tennis shoes that match the natural shape of your foot so that pressure from the weight of your body is distributed evenly.
The best tennis shoes for plantar fasciitis will also offer extra heel cushioning.
This support helps reduce the amount of force the sensitive nerves in your heels will be exposed to as you shift your weight to react to different situations on the tennis court.
Stability of the Shoe
While there are plenty of running and walking shoes that help with plantar fasciitis pain, there aren’t a lot of dedicated tennis shoes for this purpose.
The sport of tennis involves spending significant amounts of time on your feet while making numerous dynamic, lateral movements.
Finding a pair of shoes that offer stability throughout (grip and padding) is key.
The Best Women’s Tennis Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis
#1 ASICS – Women’s GEL-Resolution 8 Tennis Shoes
ASICS has a strong reputation for offering supportive and comfortable footwear, so it is no surprise that their GEL-Resolution 8 tennis shoes are among the best options for managing plantar fasciitis pain on the tennis court.
The GEL-Resolution 8 offers firm yet comfortable cushioning along the entire underside of the wearer’s foot.
It is also an incredibly supportive shoe because of the brand’s patented FlyteFoam midsole padding and their famous GEL cushioning.
ASICS’s unique DYNAWALL Stabilizing Technology ensures a tight fit along both sides of the foot. This tight fit helps to reduce the amount of movement you experience when changing directions.
As excessive movement can be a trigger for plantar fasciitis pain, these shoes can help to reduce this pain.
The rubber sole and toe cap help prevent sliding and ensure you have plenty of traction.
In addition to protecting the foot from unnecessary pain and providing you with a high-performance shoe to compete with, the GEL-Resolution 8 also looks very stylish!
Key Features
- Breathable synthetic mesh exterior keeps your feet cool and dry
- GEL cushioning is perfect for reducing plantar fasciitis pain
- Lightweight but supportive midsole material enhances cushioning and durability
- DYNALWALL Stabilizing Technology helps with stability during rapid changes of direction
- Available in a wide variety of color patterns
#2 New Balance – FuelCell 996 V4 Women’s Tennis Shoes
The FuelCell 996 V4 tennis shoes from New Balance offer full support along the entire underside of the foot.
The full-length NDurance outsole provides plenty of grip and helps keep each foot stable during quick, lateral movements.
The FuelCell midsole, which gives the shoe its name, is designed to dissipate impact energy throughout the shoe. It is not concentrated in one area which is helpful for those who are playing through plantar fasciitis pain.
It is a highly responsive tennis shoe that offers enough cushioning and support to help reduce pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
Key Features
- Top of the shoe is made from a breathable material which helps prevent overheating
- Unique FuelCell midsole is perfect for reducing pain
- ‘Hypoknit’ upper portion of the shoe is designed to provide strategic areas of stretch and support
#3 Nike – Air Zoom Vapor Cage 4 Women’s Tennis Shoes
Nike designed the Vapor Cage 4 tennis shoes to offer outstanding durability and foot support.
Their unique Zoom Air technology provides dynamic and adaptive cushioning throughout the shoe and ensures the wearer has a comfortable fit at all times.
This level of stability and cushioning helps manage plantar fasciitis pain on the court.
The heel cushioning generates spring with each step and absorbs some of the impact energy that would otherwise travel through the heel and ankle.
Nike’s unique lacing system wraps around the foot, helping to increase the level of support the wearer experiences.
One of the best features of the Vapor Cage 4 tennis shoes is a stiff frame along the lateral sides of the shoes. This added stability is helpful for those who are experiencing foot pain.
A combination of tough plastic and durable rubber in the high-wear areas of the shoe help protect the foot and increase the shoe’s overall durability.
As with the options listed above, the Nike Vapor Cage 4 tennis shoes are also available in many colors, so you can find a pair that matches your exact style preferences.
Key Features
- Durable design ensures the shoe can stand up to the demands of tennis
- Zoom Air Technology helps provide cushioning at all times - ideal for those suffering from plantar fasciitis
- Stiff support frame through the sides of the shoes helps with stability
How Can You Reduce Plantar Fasciitis Pain?
Aside from proper footwear, that is…
Now that you know the importance of wearing appropriate footwear on the tennis court, let’s review some quick adjustments you can make to reduce the severity of the pain you experience from your plantar fasciitis foot condition.
Stretch Regularly
If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, you must stretch regularly – especially before and after playing tennis.
Focus on stretching your arches. There are plenty of simple exercises to stretch out your plantar fascia, Achilles’ tendon, and calf muscles – all of which will help reduce the amount of pain you experience.
Apply Ice
If your plantar fasciitis pain flares up, apply a cold compress to the area for 15-20 minutes. Icing often helps reduce the sensation of pain and can even reduce the inflammation responsible for the pain in the first place.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Carrying any extra weight as a plantar fasciitis sufferer will put excess stress on your plantar fascia, which will increase the amount of pain you may experience.
By keeping fit, you will cut down on the amount of pain you have to deal with as well as the frequency of those painful episodes. As a bonus, staying fit will also make you a better tennis player!
Final Words
Plantar fasciitis can be a painful and frustrating condition, but if you choose the right footwear, you can continue to enjoy many of the same activities you could before the condition presented itself.
Each of the three pairs of women’s tennis shoes we highlighted above is an excellent choice for anyone who loves tennis but finds their plantar fasciitis pain is getting in the way of the sport they love!
If none of these options appeal to you, check out our review of women’s tennis shoes that don’t focus solely on plantar fasciitis.
