VKTRY Insoles for Pickleball: Playing Through Pain and Finding a Secret Weapon
If you play pickleball long enough, you learn two things:
Everyone’s got a “court injury” story.
You can’t play your best when your feet, knees, or back are screaming at you.
For us, it was the slow build — sore heels after league night, knees barking after a weekend tournament, that dull ache in the lower back after hours on hard courts. We did the usual fixes: ice packs, compression sleeves, rotating shoes. Helpful? Sure. Game-changing? Not really.
So when VKTRY sent us their performance insoles to test, we wanted to see if they could be more than just another piece of gear. Could they actually help us play through pain — and maybe play better?
First Impressions: Not Your Average Insole
These aren’t the floppy foam inserts you toss after two months. The VKTRY Gold model has a full-length aerospace-grade carbon fiber plate with a cushioned EVA foam top layer. It’s built to flex and rebound, storing energy when your foot hits the ground and returning it as you push off.
We ordered our customized for our weight and for pickleball, so stiffness was tuned specifically for us. Out of the box, they felt firm — almost rigid — but once in our shoes, they locked our feet in with a deep heel cup and stable performance.
Testing on the Court: Stability Meets Spring
Over several sessions — singles, doubles, and long tournament-style days — here’s what stood out:
Better starts & stops: The “spring” effect made quick take-offs and changes of direction feel smoother and faster.
More stability: Lateral cuts locked-in, with zero sliding inside the shoe. That stability built confidence for lunges and fast recoveries.
Less fatigue: By the end of a three-hour session, knees and lower back weren’t screaming like usual. We still felt worked, but not wrecked.
The EVA foam top layer did a respectable job of absorbing impact on hard stops — firm, not squishy, but enough to take pressure off joints.
The Break-In Reality
VKTRY insoles are stiff out of the box. The brand says to start with short sessions, and we’re glad we listened. By the third wear, they felt natural and responsive, but you don’t want your first outing to be a marathon match.
If your shoes fit snug, check that you’ve got room — they’re thicker than standard insoles. We were fine in shoes with removable insoles and a little toe box space.
Price vs. Payoff
At $149 for the Gold model, VKTRY is an investment. But if you’re dealing with recurring soreness or looking for any edge in speed and endurance, the cost starts to make sense. For casual players who only hit the court once or twice a month, the price might feel harder to justify.
VKTRY vs What We’ve Used Before
Performance boost: VKTRY’s energy return was noticeable. Some competitors’ pairs never gave us that extra “pop.”
Arch support: VKTRY’s design is a little flatter than some of the competitors – fine for us, but high-arch players may notice the difference.
Cushioning: Competitors feel softer underfoot; VKTRY is firmer, but more propulsive.
Our Verdict: A Secret Weapon for the Right Player
For us, VKTRY delivered on its promise: more stability, less end-of-day pain, and a subtle but real performance boost. They won’t magically erase all aches or turn you into a pro, but they can help you play longer and stronger — even on days you’re not feeling 100%.
If you’re logging serious court time, want every advantage you can get, and are willing to adapt to a short break-in, VKTRY might just be your new secret weapon. Get 20% off your first pair by clicking here.
