No time to read? The Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI is my top choice as the best basketball shoes for flat feet and plantar fasciitis.
You have flat feet when the entire underside of your feet come in contact with the ground when you stand. Wearing a pair of cushioned basketball shoes that gives your feet that extra support will make your games a lot more enjoyable.
Here’s a quick summary of the best basketball shoes for flat feet and plantar fasciitis that I’ve reviewed in this article:
- Nike Men’s Lebron Witness IV Basketball Shoes
- Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI
- Adidas OwnTheGame Basketball Shoe
- Nike KD 14
- Under Armour Men’s Jet Basketball Shoe
Before Anything Else
This review is a buying guide and is not a substitute for medical advice. You must seek medical advice from a qualified professional if you experience symptoms like pain and discomfort. You may be having rigid flat feet or symptomatic flexible flat feet. Not everyone with flat feet will experience symptoms.
How To Choose Basketball Shoes For Flat Feet & Plantar Fasciitis
Let us talk about the different features that you should look for when selecting good basketball shoes for flat feet.
Arch Support
The arches of your feet play a huge role in your overall balance. It helps your foot support the weight of your body, gives you stability when standing upright, and absorbs shock. Look for basketball shoes with arch support and a firm midsole for good stability and shock absorption.
Best Cushioned Basketball Shoes
A pair of good quality cushioned basketball shoes is important especially around the forefoot, heel, and ankle areas. Proper cushioning in these areas improves the fit of your shoes. It gives that additional protection around your ankles when running across the court. The balls of your feet will also feel comfortable when pivoting and looking for that opening to take your shot.
In this article, I have shortlisted the best cushioned basketball shoes for you.
Size – The Right Fit
An ill-fitting shoe will be a problem not just for basketball but for any activity. You should have enough room in your shoes in both length and width. For length, ensure there is at least a centimeter between your longest toe and the shoe. The width of the shoe must accommodate the widest part of your feet.
You should consider adding half a size up if you’re going to use shoe inserts or specialized insoles.
Getting the right size is always tricky because shoe sizing varies greatly across brands and sometimes even within the same brand, depending on the construction of the shoe. You should take the time to go through the sizing guide for each specific brand.
Traction
Good traction comes from the pattern on the outer sole, the type of material used, and the amount of surface area that comes in contact with the floor. The traditional herringbone pattern on a rubber outer sole provides optimal traction. There are innovative takes on the traditional herringbone pattern which provide the same level of grip on the floor surface and enhance the overall design appeal of the shoes.
Traction is very important to keep your balance and stability and to also prevent slippage as you go through the fast motions of the game. This is especially important when you have flat feet.
5 Best Basketball Shoes For Flat Feet And Plantar Fasciitis
Now that we have a good understanding of the different factors to consider, let us go and buy the best basketball shoes for flat feet that are suitable for plantar fasciitis.
1. Nike Men’s Lebron Witness IV Basketball Shoes
I like the Nike Men’s LeBron Witness IV Basketball Shoes for the ample cushioning, great fit, stability, support, and reliable traction. The padded heel collar and rigid heel counter are what you need to give you that secure fit. The heel collar has a unique lion head design giving it that additional style factor.
The shoe has Nike Zoom Air units present under the forefoot which are lightweight and excellent at supporting the balls of your feet when running and doing pivot motions. An interesting shockwave pattern in the outsole provides the traction you need to prevent slipping on the hardwood floor.
These shoes are comfortable for flat feet. Do note that they tend to run on the narrow side so I would recommend taking half a size up if your feet are of normal width. If you have wider feet, please read the article I have written specifically on this topic.
Pros
- Ample cushioning on the forefoot and ankle
- Excellent fit and stability at the heel area due to the padded heel collar and rigid heel counter
- Rubber outsole with shockwave pattern prevents slippage
- Multiple colorways to suit your individual style
Cons
- Runs narrow so getting the right size could be tricky
2. Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI
The Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI is truly a fine pair of basketball shoes that checks many boxes.
A cushioned footbed, a midsole made of lightweight phylon foam, and a Tri-vis-Air-Sole give you excellent cushioning and shock absorption. The padded heel collar plus lace-up closure ensure your ankles are secured and supported. It also has a pivot point at the forefoot for better control during spins and turns. Overall, you get enough foot and ankle support for the fancy footwork required while you take on your defender with the spin move or hesitation dribble.
It keeps your feet cool and dry. The shoe upper is made of synthetic and mesh material and has perforations to let air circulate. The shoe has a breathable mesh lining. A textured rubber sole with herringbone pattern, lateral outrigger, and flex grooves offer a great balance between stability and flexibility. This is what you need to drive to the basket or keep your balance while you are on the defensive side.
This is a comfortable shoe to wear not only for people with flat feet but for most people in general.
Pros
- Excellent support for the feet and ankles
- Breathable upper and lining
- Good traction and stability
Cons
- Can be noisy / squeaky
3. Adidas OwnTheGame Basketball Shoe
If you have bigger flat feet, this is the option for you! The Adidas OwnTheGame Basketball Shoe is a midcut shoe with Cloudfoam cushioning in the midsole and footbed. Cloudfoam is an EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) compound developed by Adidas which is soft, plush, lightweight yet sturdy. It offers adequate support and probably one of the best basketball shoes for massive flat feet.
It scores highly on comfort with an OrthoLite sockliner and textile lining. This material stays in shape for years, is durable, and breathable. Ortholite is great because it will keep your feet insulated and reduce moisture from sweat.
It has a durable Adiwear outsole, a non-marking type of rubber for abrasion resistance and traction. This will help you reduce your likelihood of slipping when you sprint for a fastbreak.
In terms of looks, the stylish mesh upper with a leather vamp, debossed toe cap, and the Adidas signature 3-stripes gives a sleek, classic look. It will be easy for you to clean and maintain. It uses a lace closure for precise fit and has a heel pull. I always find a heel pull to be a useful little addition, making it easy to put the shoe on when you have to rush to the court.
Pros
- Specifically made for big flat feet
- Ortholite sockliner provides great moisture wicking capability
- Great traction from the durable herringbone-patterned outsole
Cons
- Less flexible compared to the Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI
4. Nike KD 14
Generous Zoom Air cushioning and a unique construction make these shoes a worthy option for someone who prioritizes performance.
Nike’s Zoom Air technology protects your feet from shock and gives that added spring to boost your movement. The Nike Zoom KD12 Warriors Home has Zoom Air running the full length of the shoes, right under the sockliner for extreme responsiveness. In addition, there is another Zoom Air unit in the heel for added bounce. The bounce works very well as you go for that quick run to the basket.
The Quad Axial Flywire cables embedded into the upper keep the shoes minimal and extremely lightweight while at the same time holding your foot steady. Flywire is a thread made up of thin, light yet strong fibers. These are placed on sections of the shoe upper where the foot needs to be locked in, allowing the use of less material to achieve the same purpose. You don’t need to worry about your foot slipping in the shoe all throughout your game.
The shoes have a padded collar giving your ankle a snug fit for great support. The inside feels plush and smooth with a sockliner, perforated padding, and a lightweight mesh upper that feels immediately comfortable and doesn’t require breaking in. A non-marking rubber outsole provides excellent traction.
It does run narrow so buy at least half size up if you do not have narrow feet.
Pros
- Generous usage of Zoom Air for cushioning and performance boost
- Lightweight and secure on your foot
- Plush and smooth feeling inside the shoe
- Multiple colorways to suit your individual style
Cons
- Requires a little breaking in to get to full traction
- Narrow on the forefoot
5. Under Armour Men’s Jet Basketball Shoe
The Under Armour Men’s Jet Basketball Shoe is a decent shoe option and comes at a reasonable price point.
It has an EVA midsole which is lightweight, flexible, durable, and has an EVA sockliner for additional cushioning. An internal midfoot shank supports the arches to prevent your foot from rolling which is really useful for flat feet. It comes with just the right amount of responsiveness to give you that spring in your step.
An internal heel counter and bootie construction enhances the fit of the shoe. The shoe upper is made of a mix of synthetic material and textile with perforations for breathability. The shoe structure is reinforced by a tough TPU (thermoplastic urethane) overlay. This makes it resistant to abrasion and helps maintain the shape.
The shoe has great traction coming from the rubber outsole with a unique pattern. It is best for lateral movements during a ballgame and gives the wearer superior grip.
Pros
- Provides decent cushioning, arch support, and traction
- Unique design
- Attractive price point
Cons
- Shock absorption may not be as high as other shoes that I have reviewed
The Awesome Choice
I prefer the Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI as it is an excellent all-rounder shoe that would be suitable for many basketball players. This is a comfortable basketball shoe to wear for people with flat feet or plantar fasciitis. It offers outstanding cushioning and shock absorption. The arches, heels, and ankles are very well supported.
It has the right amount of flexibility to let your feet move freely while executing your offensive and defensive moves without compromising on stability and traction. Your feet are kept cool and dry due to the perforations along the upper and the breathable mesh lining.
Nike Men’s Air Visi Pro VI offers really good value and is considered as one of the best cushioned basketball shoes. It strikes the right balance of performance, support, and in a reasonable price point. This definitely tops the list of best basketball shoes for flat feet that are suitable for plantar fasciitis.