Best Basketball Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis: My Picks

This is a problem that quite a lot of people have and quite a lot don’t really know what shoes to pick. Well today, I will be talking about the best basketball shoes for plantar fasciitis – flat footers.

It sucks, but there are still some shoes to go with, you just need to know what to look for. I will show you six shoes from the most  that will fit flat footers best. Without further ado, here are the best basketball shoes for plantar fasciitis!


1. Adidas D Rose 6 Boost Primeknit

My Rating: 9/10 | Weight: 16.3 oz | Type: Mid Top | Outdoor Ready: YES

One of the best all-around BBALL shoes EVER. The original D Rose 6 is awesome, but the Primeknit upper version should fit flat footers very well.

The shoe’s sole base is pretty much flat and the fit isn’t super tight (some free room), which is what flat feet need. Then BOOST cushioning is unbelievable in there, super bouncy and responsive, which is again, perfect for flat feet. Then you got great arch and midfoot support thanks to StableFrame and the heel counter.

Lastly, the extremely light and flexible Primeknit upper will ensure comfort for your foot, flat footers can’t afford many restrictions, even it means compromising support. Not in this case though.

There are multiple versions of the Rose 6, head HERE for my explanations on them.


2. Adidas D Lillard 2.0 Static

My Rating: 10/10 | Type: Mid Top | Outdoor Ready: YES

Hell yeah, the D Lillard 2.0 is currently my #1 shoe of 2016 and for a good reason. AMAZING all-around performance, loads of latest tech and a great roomy fit, in a good way.

How’s it good for plantar fasciitis? The “Static” version of the shoe has BOUNCE cushioning (go HERE for the differences between versions), which is remarkable. Probably not as soft as Rose 6’s BOOST, but it’s pretty damn close and it’s also very stable.

Once again the sole base is pretty flat, extremely supportive in all areas thanks to the sturdy upper, SprintFrame, TORSION SYSTEM and a heel counter. And then you got that tightly knitted Static upper, which is actually very comfortable and supportive for being a soft material.

Just pretty much a very comfortable and well-balanced shoe with no problems that’s good for flat footers.  


3. Air Jordan XX9 Low

My Rating: 9.5/10 | Weight: 13 oz | Type: Low Top | Outdoor Ready: NO

Another very awesome performance shoe that does pretty much everything right. You’ve probably already heard that this is considered the best of the best, but it’s also good for flat feet.

You got solid ZOOM AIR cushioning in the forefoot along with the FlightPlate system for splitting the cushion throughout the whole sole. In simple words, a great cushion setup that’s very comfy, stable and pretty responsive. The Rose 6 and the D Lillard 2 are the kings of that though.

Support is superb, even though it’s a low-top. FlightWeb system ensures it along with that awesome Performance Woven upper. Very stable and probably THE MOST comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn. I’ll definitely give it that.

There is plenty of headroom inside, so flat footers won’t feel tight or restricted. It’s also pretty durable and easy to maintain for a soft woven upper. There’s also a mid-top version, but I went with the low’s to shed some weight off.


4. Nike Kobe 8 SYSTEM

My Rating: 9/10 | Type: Low Top | Outdoor Ready: YES

Another one of the most well-known and praised shoes of all time. This one isn’t too new, but the tech behind it really makes up for it. It’s awesome for their launch year. And they’re also really good for flat footers.

So for cushioning, we got a full-length Lunarlon midsole which is removable. But you won’t need to swap it with anything else it’s awesome. I’d say it’s probably the best Lunarlon setup ever seriously. They’re not known for bounce or impact protection, but this one really does all that well, plus you’ll still have plenty of court feel. The sweet spot for flat feet and just about any other foot, really.

On top of that, support is brilliant – carbon fiber shank, heel counter and the extremely supportive fit makes it that. It’s a low and it’s REALLY light (one of the lightest shoes), making it easy to handle for those unstable flat feet.

Lastly, the upper is mesh with Fuse for extra support and reliability. I say stay away from hard uppers if you’re a flat footer, but this is kind of a hybrid – and a really good one. Super light mesh that’s also breathable with Fuse that’s not annoying and makes the shoe more durable as well as more supportive.


5. Nike KD 8

My Rating: 8.5/10 | Weight: 12 oz | Type: Low Top | Outdoor Ready: NO

A perfect example of how to make low-top both very mobile and supportive. The KD 8 does that well as well as some other things as well. Another very light, flexbile and stable shoe that holds your foot properly and provides a comfortable experience.

The sneaker has full-length ZOOM AIR cushioning that’s really awesome. I mean you have to consider that Kevind Durant is a big dude, he needs shoes to absorb his movements properly. This shoe does that really well and the cushioning isn’t over the top or unstable, like some BOOST models for example.

Support is remarkable (Nikey has been killing it with their low top support) mainly because of the proper fit, heel counter and also that extremely wide outsole base. It’s also pretty flat so flat footers will enjoy these.

Lastly, the upper is made of Nike’s FLyweave. It’s similar to woven or Primeknit, so it’s very light and flexible. Definitely not supportive for the ankle, but the foot section is locked in super well and with no fit problems.


6. adidas Crazylight Boost 2015 Primeknit

My Rating: 8.5/10 | Weight: 11.8 oz | Type: Low Top | Outdoor Ready: NO

Last on the list, is this tricky shoe that a lot of people actually don’t like. While I do agree with some opinions, I think it’s still a solid shoe and most importantly, fits the flat feet category well.

The shoe has BOOST cushioning, which is, well, decent. That’s the part where I think it needs some tweaks. Cushion is pretty firm, minimal impact protection, but lots of court feel. If you could get an aftermarket insole that’s a bit softer, I think this would be a killer option.

The rest is awesome. Support is KILLER thanks to StableFrame (this time it’s done REALLY WELL). Fit is pretty much perfect with no complaints, the interior is padded very nicely.

And the upper is pure Primeknit, so expect a very light, comfy and flexible ride with zero restrictions. Again, these kind of shoes won’t protect your ankles too much, but that’s not what we’re here for.


7. Nike Air Foamposite Pro

This purely synthetic shoe has been around for a while. It’s pretty much like its predecessor Foam One, but the difference is that the Foamposite Pro comes in a variety of colorways, making it one of the most stylish sneakers around.

There is an ample room inside this shoe, but it also has a good lockdown to prevent the foot from going out of place. Plus, its arched rubber outsole will provide relief to most flat-footers. The soft foamposite base will make walking and running more comfortable and less painful.


8. Adidas Crazy Explosive Primeknit

The Adidas Crazy Explosive Primeknit is one of the top choices for those who suffer from fallen arches. It is durable yet comfortable and offers ample support to players with plantar fasciitis.

The Boost cushioning in the midsole provides comfort and responsive cushioning, while support is mostly excellent. This shoe is also suitable for both wide and narrow feet.

 


9. Adidas Dame 4

The Dame 4 is the latest from the Adidas/Damian Lillard line whose performance far outdoes its price tag.

This is due to a lot of factors. Its responsive Bounce cushioning makes it ideal for people having flat feet or suffering from plantar fasciitis. While the shoe offers solid support, it otherwise feels comfortable upon impact. Breathable upper and great traction round up this excellent shoe.


10. Adidas Harden Vol. 2

The second signature shoe model from Adidas and NBA superstar James Harden also proves that it helps in reducing heel pain brought by plantar fasciitis.

The shoe’s lock and lacing system really conform to the shape of your foot, providing it with a great fit. It features the full-length Boost in the midsole so you won’t have to worry about suffering pain when stepping on hard surfaces. The Boost also allows you to maximize your moves on the hardcourt such as quickly switching directions and doing high jumps. And as you know what the Boost is made for, it delivers energy returns which are balanced, meaning they are distributed evenly all over your foot. This feature is really something else, and you don’t see that in many other basketball shoes.

The heel provides some good compression which is ideal for ball players. The Harden Vol. 2 is especially perfect for wide footers suffering from plantar fasciitis pain.

As for the outsole, the traction has a good grip on the floor. However, it is prone to picking a lot of dust which reduces traction. But it is easily solved by just a simple and quick wiping on the traction patterns, and then you’re good to go again.