In this article, we are going to give you a list and breakdown of what we found to be the best pickleball shoes for flat feet (fallen arches) for both men and women.
We consulted friends we know who struggle as well as experts in the field to provide you with amazing options. We know this experience can be difficult and require a lot of research. Let our experts break it down to make it as enjoyable and useful as possible.
Flat feet can ruin your pickleball game real fast if you don’t have the proper shoes.
Your knees and hips can take a beating and it just makes the game a lot less fun.
I’d even say for flat feet especially, getting the proper shoes is tremendously more important than getting the right pickleball paddle.
Can we promise that the perfect pair of shoes will make you win more games? No… that comes with practice and strategy, but shoes are a great start.
What is the point of having the nicest paddle if you can’t get to the ball, or soreness keeps you from playing a lot to get chances to actually use the paddle.
It’s so important to find the best pickleball shoe for your flat feet so that you don’t have to worry about the constant aches and can instead focus on enjoying the game and improving.
Let’s dive right into it, ladies first!
Best Women’s Pickleball Shoes For Flat Feet
#1. New Balance Women’s 796 V2
This shoe just checks all the boxes. It’s a great price, it’s comfy for those with wide feet or flat feet, and all the colors just look so cool.
It’s an extremely good-looking shoe, the support is UNBELIEVABLE. I didn’t need to put a custom orthotic in it because it just felt so right.
If I had to imagine what it felt like to be Cinderella and put on the slipper, this is what I would imagine it feels like.
#2. ASICS Women’s Gel-Challenge
The Asics Gel-Challenger 12 is such a good-looking pickleball shoe. It has a very plain minimal design that goes with everything.
The structure of the shoe is amazing and provides amazing support. The first thing I noticed right out of the box is how flexible and light they are.
If you’re someone who likes a stiffer shoe this may not be a good fit for you but if you like light and flexible shoes this is almost as good as it gets.
As far as pickleball performance, I love the toe guard on it to help you slide your feet and help with lateral movement. This shoe can be used for both indoor and outdoor courts.
I would highly recommend getting a half size up if you’re planning on putting inserts in it since it isn’t the widest shoe but I didn’t need to put an orthotic in this particular shoe.
#3. New Balance Women’s 1006 V1 Tennis Shoe
New Balance really hit it out of the park with these shoes. They have a very nice, high arch support and very high ankle support.
The first day I wore them, they were comfy. My foot did move around a little bit, but not enough to really cause any blisters or irritation. After one day they were perfectly fitted to my feet. The arch support on these is very comfortable and I did not have to use custom orthotics.
By far the best part of these besides the arch support is the stability and airflow. I like how they fit higher up on my ankle. I have a lot more confidence when I’m wearing this shoe to go after shots that I normally wouldn’t.
My joints and posture feel great and I can play longer which is always a huge plus.
These shoes are amazing on both indoor and outdoor pickleball courts and will not mark the hardwood.
Check Out: Best Indoor Pickleball Shoes
#4. ASICS Women’s Gel-Dedicate 7
These shoes are so supportive. This was the first pair of pickleball shoes for flat feet that I invested in that really relieved any pain.
They have amazing support and they are amazing in almost any climate. They keep your feet dry in wet conditions, but they have amazing breathability in hotter climates.
I played pickleball 5-7 times a week when I was just getting started and had no soreness or irritations in these shoes. They are extremely reliable.
I had to size up a half of size, but everyone is different.
#5. adidas Women’s Asmc Barricade Boost 2017
Adidas is getting a lot better at accommodating flat feet. This shoe is a great option for people who do a lot of lateral moving in pickleball. The wide bottom gives you a low of support when making those sudden shifts in momentum.
One thing to note is that they are a little wide and for me, they required about 3-5 days of a break-in period, so if you have a tournament I would absolutely get these at least a week in advance.
Once they are broken in you’ll be amazed at the support they offer and the grip these shoes have.
A couple of reasons I put these at number 5 is because they are a little expensive, and the size was a little off for me. I had to get a half size bigger than my normal.
Best Men’s Pickleball Shoes For Flat Feet
#1. Nike Men’s Air Monarch IV Cross Trainer
There is a reason this shoe was released in the ’90s and continues to be a very popular shoe.
This is the best shoe you can get to support your flat feet. It may not look the best but as far as functionality and arch support goes, it’s almost unbeatable.
This is the perfect shoe for anyone who has previously struggled with finding the right shoe. It has 6 eyelets and firm leather which makes it extremely supportive and pliable.
The padding in the shoes is perfect, there is no annoying rubbing and the tongue is at the perfect height to be supportive enough but not uncomfortable.
I instantly felt an improvement in my posture, and so much stress was taken off of my joints
As far as pickleball performance goes, they play very well on indoor and outdoor courts. You actually get quite a lot of room in the shoe which is great for moving freely without feeling unstable. It makes them perfect for people with wide or flat feet.
The grip on them is ideal for really any racquet sport but I used it only for pickleball. It’s not too grippy so you can slide your toe to hit shots, but it’s grippy enough where you can make easy lateral movements and change momentum.
#3. New Balance Men’s 806 V1
This shoe is another amazing option if you just can’t seem to find a shoe to comfortably fit your flat feet.
The support and the soles in these shoes are amazing and just like the Air Monarchs, they fit a little wider to help with arch support.
They are the perfect weight so you have full stability without losing any agility or performance. Once I put them on I forgot I had pes planus for the entire rally.
The 806 V1’s are ready to rock right out of the box and require no break-in period. They’re comfy and stable.
One of the only downsides to this shoe is that it wears out after about 5-6 months of consistent play.
Even though it is a leather material I was pretty surprised at how breathable it was. After the 6 months of wear, they were ready to be replaced and smelled after playing about 4 times a week for 6 months.
For pickleball performance, it’s a shoe that is going to provide a ton of support and longevity. Your ankles are perfectly safe in these.
#3. ASICS Men’s Gel-Resolution 8
Asics really killed it with this shoe. Normally I find Asics to be very narrow and flat, but not the Gel Resolution.
They have this arch wrapping feature where the middle of your foot almost feels wrapped into place. It’s really secure and super comfortable, especially for those of us with flat feet.
The idea behind the gel technology is that gel is better at absorbing impact better than foam. I noticed a slight difference short term, but long term my back was giving me a lot less issues when I started using these shoes.
This shoe looks extremely sporty and feels the same way. It’s extremely light and the mesh on the top is so breathable. The cushioning around the ankles is breathable too, but you’re sacrificing that comfort that other less breathable shoes have.
Nevertheless, the shoe is very supportive, comfy, light, and stable, just an overall great shoe for pickleball.
#4. ASICS Men’s Gel-Challenger 13
It’s no secret that the ASICS Gel line has had a tremendous focus on arch support. They do fit a tad bit narrow so they aren’t the best if you have wide feet, but for flat feet, these are a must-try.
Unlike the 806 V1 or the Air Monarch, they are light and flexible so you can really move on the court. They are insanely breathable and fairly easy to clean.
I liked these shoes a lot because of the tongue and heel cushion. It felt like it was giving my ankle a hug which is a great feeling when you have to really reach for a shot or quickly shift directions.
Personally, I do enjoy the minimal design because I wear a lot of bright jackets so they go very well with the shoe, but they also have louder colors if you’re into that.
Overall I really enjoyed this shoe and if you want to put custom inserts in there I’d recommend going a half size bigger especially if you find yourself running a lot in pickleball. Your toes can jam the toe guard and it can get annoying.
A couple of things that I didn’t like is that they are medium width, especially in the toes, also they did not last as long as I would have liked, but as I mentioned I play pickleball 4-5 times a week on rough outdoor courts so 5 months is a long time for my shoes.
#5 New Balance Men’s 696 V4
This is an interesting pickleball shoe for a flat foot. I threw it on the list because although the shoe doesn’t come with amazing arch support (It’s okay), the shape and size of the shoe allow it to fit almost any custom insert perfectly.
If you’re like me, you’re no stranger to custom inserts. It is so annoying trying to find the right shoe and size to account for the extra space for the insert. Also once the insert was in, it adapted perfectly to the shoe. You really have full control with this shoe.
The 696 V4 has easy-to-remove pads to replace with an insert, and the vertical support is perfect.
Once my insert was in, it was a great shoe. Very stable, light, durable, and stylish. Marked all the boxes. It’s great for indoor as well as outdoor pickleball and running in this shoe is effortless.
Final Thoughts
If you use custom orthotics, you may need to size up or down depending on the brand you use. Many of these shoes
What makes a shoe good for flat feet?
Obviously the arch support. There is a sweet spot though. I want it to support me without feeling like it is digging into my arches. I also like all around the tightness in the middle of my foot, so the arch all the way to the top of my foot should be supported.
Personally, I look for a shoe that is not too short, especially if you prefer custom orthotics. I like the heel and the front of the shoe to be a little higher on the ankle to provide a little extra support.
I also look for shoes that are slightly wider. So I can really take advantage of stability with lateral movement.
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