The Top 8 Basketball Shoes For Players with Plantar Fasciitis (2026)

Alex Morata

Updated: March 27, 2026

A diagnosis of plantar fasciitis can be a bad situation for any basketball player, casual or serious. This condition causes pain in the heel and bottom of the foot that makes playing basketball an impossibility.

While the exact cause of this condition is not known, there are multiple lines of evidence that suggest that the repetitive movements of a basketball player make them more susceptible than the general population. It is also more common in heavier people, which can mean that big players and centers are more prone to this condition than others. Your foot shape can be a factor, as well, and those with flat feet or high arches are at an increased risk to develop it.

So your doctor tells you have plantar fasciitis but you want to keep playing. What should you do to avoid the pain? Make sure you get the right sneaker for the job. You need to look for shoes that offer the following features:

  • Sole support – Since most of the pain of plantar fasciitis is caused by stepping directly on the bottom of your foot, you want a shoe that offers good support of the sole. You may find that you need to buy removable insoles to get the right level of support.
  • Ankle support – When you have plantar fasciitis, you tend to modify your gait to avoid causing pain. This can leave you walking in unnatural positions, especially if you’re wearing shoes that allow you to modify your gait too much. Find a pair of shoes that keep your ankle locked in.
  • Proper fit – When your toe box is too tight, your toes will be squeezed, exacerbating the pain of this debilitating condition. Make sure you find a shoe that fits just right – not too tight but also not too loose.

Of course, you also still want to find a shoe with great traction, to prevent slips that could cause further injury and pain, along with comfortable cushioning so you can stay on the court throughout the game. The shoes below meet all of these criteria, and have been reviewed by our team of experts as the best basketball shoes for players suffering from plantar fasciitis.

The Best Basketball Shoes for Payers with Plantar Fasciitis Overall

1. New Balance P400

  • Modified herringbone traction with wide channels that grip well even on dusty or outdoor courts.
  • Dual cushioning set-up with a plush Fresh Foam X core for high step-in comfort with a natural court feel.
  • Foam midsole inlay improves lateral stability while the midsole plate enhances the support and energy return.
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(New Balance)

Fan Average

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Review Average

4.8

2. Puma MB.05

  • Consistent multi-directional traction that needs just occasional wiping on dusty courts, though the thin grooves may wear quickly if used outdoors.
  • Plush Nitro foam midsole is comfortable and responsive while providing excellent impact protection.
  • Flexible forefoot with an internal heel cage for strong lockdown and lateral stability ideal for plantar fasciitis.
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(Puma) Check Price
(Foot Locker)

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Review Average

4.8

3. Nike LeBron 23

  • Wavebone traction pattern with grooves for more flexibility and excellent grip during quick cuts and direction changes.
  • Responsive ZoomX midsole has phenomenal court feel, with a lightweight interior upper designed for breathability.
  • Carbon fiber shank plate provides solid torsion support, with excellent lockdown from the complex nylon lacing.
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(Nike) Check Price
(Foot Locker)

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Review Average

4.8

4. Under Armour Curry 13

  • Firmer high-abrasion outsole is more durable than past Curry models, with the same instant stop and biting grip the line is known for.
  • Soft and lightweight HOVR+ midsole strikes an excellent balance between comfort and court feel.
  • Molded TPU chassis and EVA cage combine for a stable ride with solid foot lockdown and high padded collar that's ideal for plantar fasciitis.
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(Under Armour)

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Review Average

4.8

5. New Balance Hesi Low V2

  • Unique traction pattern radiates out from the ball of the foot, providing excellent multi-directional grip.
  • FuelCell midsole cushioning strikes an ideal balance between comfort and court feel.
  • Strong impact protection with a very stable ride thanks to the external TPU heel counter and nylon midfoot shank.
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(New Balance)

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Review Average

4.7

6. Adidas AE 2

  • Bladed herringbone traction gives phenomenal grip on indoor courts, though the outsole lacks durability for outdoor play.
  • Low cushioning setup with a similar full-length Lightboost to the AE 1, though it's a bit quicker with less bounce.
  • X-shaped torsion plate for rigidity with heel panels that prevent slippage, providing strong support without sacrificing flexibility.
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(Foot Locker)

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Review Average

4.9

7. Puma Hali 1

  • Pumagrip outsole with thick rubber that can stand up to outdoor play and a grippy herringbone traction pattern.
  • Comfortable and responsive full-length Nitro foam is lightweight while protecting well from impacts.
  • Internal plate and TPU cage for a stable ride, with a wide, flat base and supportive upper.
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(Foot Locker)

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Review Average

4.8

The Best Affordable Basketball Shoes for Players with Plantar Fasciitis

When you have a painful condition like plantar fasciitis, just finding comfortable shoes can be a challenge–and more so if you’re shopping on a budget. Here are the top cheap basketball shoes that can help you prevent and manage plantar fasciitis pain.

1. New Balance Hesi Low V2

  • Unique traction pattern radiates out from the ball of the foot, providing excellent multi-directional grip.
  • FuelCell midsole cushioning strikes an ideal balance between comfort and court feel.
  • Strong impact protection with a very stable ride thanks to the external TPU heel counter and nylon midfoot shank.
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(New Balance)

Fan Average

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Review Average

4.7

2. Curry 3Z 25

  • Rubber outsole with an anatomical traction pattern grips well on all styles of court.
  • Charged Cushioning midsole feels plush underfoot and gives good energy return for jumps and down-court charges.
  • Good stability from the internal midfoot shank, while the webbed lacing locks the foot down securely.
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(Under Armour)

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Review Average

4.7

3. Adidas Dame X

  • Generative rubber outsole with a nub-style multi-directional traction bites well on clean indoor courts, though it may wear easily on blacktop.
  • Lightstrike midsole is fully exposed in the heel for maximum compression, and provides excellent court feel compared to the Dame 9.
  • Thin foam Stroebel board cushions the heel but lacks forefoot impact protection, though the foot lockdown is strong.
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(Adidas)

Fan Average

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)

Review Average

4.8
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