Top Pickleball Footwear Mistakes (And How Insoles Can Help)

Foot pain, fatigue, and nagging injuries are common complaints from pickleball players. Often, your shoes are to blame. Quick starts, stops, and constant side-to-side movement put heavy demands on your feet and joints. The right footwear (and the right insoles) can make all the difference in keeping you healthy and playing your best.

If you’re curious how performance insoles can work on the court, check out our full breakdown: How Insoles Can Actually Boost Your Pickleball Game.

Here’s a closer look at the most common pickleball footwear mistakes, and how insoles can help fix them.

1. Wearing Running Shoes on the Court

Running shoes aren’t built for pickleball. They’re designed for forward motion, not lateral movement. Without proper side-to-side stability, your foot can slide or twist, increasing your risk of rolled ankles, knee strain, or arch pain.

The Fix:

Always start with court shoes designed for pickleball or tennis. They offer better lateral support, helping you stay balanced on quick cuts and pivots.

For players who want to upgrade stability even further, insoles with a stiff carbon fiber base, like VKTRY Insoles for pickleball, can add an extra layer of control and shock absorption, helping your foot stay properly aligned as you move across the court.

2. Not Enough Shock Absorption

Hard pickleball courts (like asphalt or concrete) can be brutal on your joints over time. Without proper cushioning, repetitive impact may lead to sore knees, shin splints, or lower back pain, especially during long tournaments or multi-day play.

The Fix:

Look for insoles that combine cushioning and energy return. VKTRY’s full-length carbon fiber design absorbs shock while also returning energy with every step. Studies have shown that athletes wearing VKTRY insoles experience reduced lower-body strain and feel fresher even after hours of play, a huge advantage during marathon pickleball sessions.

3. Ignoring Arch Support

Generic insoles often fail to provide enough arch support for your specific foot type. Whether you have flat feet or high arches, poor support can cause heel pain, plantar fasciitis, or general foot fatigue.

The Fix:

Custom-fit or sport-specific insoles help properly support your arch and distribute pressure more evenly across your foot. VKTRY insoles provide consistent support across your entire stride, helping maintain proper foot alignment and reducing the strain that leads to many common pickleball foot injuries.

4. Playing in Worn-Out Shoes

Even great court shoes break down over time. The midsoles compress, stability wears out, and traction decreases; sometimes long before the shoe looks worn from the outside. Continuing to play in broken-down shoes puts extra stress on your joints and increases your risk of injury.

The Fix:

Keep an eye on your shoe mileage, and replace them regularly based on how often you play. In some cases, upgrading your insoles can extend the lifespan of your shoes by restoring lost structure and providing extra shock absorption even as the original materials start to wear down.

5. Overlooking Recovery Needs

Fatigue and soreness don’t always show up right away; sometimes you feel the effects of poor foot support hours or days after you leave the court. Achy feet, tight calves, or lower back discomfort can all stem from footwear that doesn’t support your body properly.

The Fix:

Using high-performance insoles during play can help prevent overuse injuries and aid in recovery. VKTRY insoles are clinically proven to reduce lower-leg injuries by providing better alignment and shock absorption, which allows your body to recover more efficiently between games.

Final Thoughts

Pickleball is tough on your feet, but many of the most common footwear mistakes are easy to fix. Investing in court-specific shoes and high-performance insoles can protect your feet, reduce injuries, and help you stay strong throughout every match.

For players looking for added performance, stability, and protection, VKTRY insoles offer proven benefits that translate directly to better movement, comfort, and longevity on the pickleball court.