Kitchen & Court

Do You Need Insoles for Pickleball?

An insert can only help if the shoe's own insole comes out - and most court shoes never say whether it does. Here are the ones that publish an answer, and the $15 move to try first.

Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Relief Orthotics (Men's 8-13)

Try this first

Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Relief Orthotics (Men's 8-13)

A supportive arch and a shock-absorbing heel cup, trim-to-fit, in the court shoes you already own — for less than the price of a tube of balls. Buy this before you buy a new pair of shoes, not after. If fifteen dollars settles your heel down, you have saved yourself a hundred and twenty.

$15.72 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

Read the full write-up
By Stephen V.Last updated How we research

The verdict first. Try a $15 trim-to-fit orthotic in the shoes you already own before you spend anything else — and check one spec before you buy it: does your shoe have a removable insole? That is the whole question, and almost nobody asks it. An aftermarket insert has to go in place of the sockliner that came with the shoe. If that sockliner is glued down, you are stacking two insoles in a shoe built for one, and the fit goes wrong before the support goes right.

Here is the uncomfortable finding behind this page. Of the seventeen court shoes we list, four publish whether their insole comes out. Four. The rest say nothing at all, and we print “Not published” in that cell rather than assuming. That is not a criticism of the shoes — most of them almost certainly do have a removable sockliner, because most athletic shoes do. It is a statement about what you can verify before your money leaves your account.

And be honest about the evidence.The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, writing about plantar fasciitis — the condition insoles are most often bought for — describes the evidence for orthotics as mixed. We are not going to oversell a foam insert. What we can say is that it is the cheapest intervention available, it is reversible, and it goes in the shoes you already have. That combination is why it belongs first in the sequence rather than last.

Here is the order we rank on:

  1. Cost of being wrong. A $15 insert that does nothing costs you $15. A $120 shoe that does nothing costs you $120 and a fortnight of breaking it in.
  2. Does the shoe publish a removable insole? The gate for anything you add. A published removable sockliner also tells you the maker expects you to swap it.
  3. Does the shoe’s own insole already do the job? Two shoes we list ship with a podiatrist-certified arch shape, which is a published claim and a reason not to buy anything extra.
  4. Volume. An insert takes up room. In an already-snug court shoe it will make the fit tight, and tight is its own injury.

Nothing here was tested by us, nothing here is medical advice, and every spec is the maker’s own published wording, dated in the sources.

How this is funded: we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which product we recommend, and we’ll tell you plainly when to skip one. Full disclosure.

Quick picks

Ranked on published specs, grip and build, and honest buyer fit. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We have not lab-tested these — here is exactly what we do instead.

#ProductBest forPrice
1
Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Relief Orthotics (Men's 8-13)

Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Relief Orthotics (Men's 8-13)

The cheapest thing on this page and, going by the evidence, possibly the most useful. Dr. Scholl's builds this one around a supportive arch and a shock-absorbing heel cup, it trims to fit, and it costs less than a tube of balls. Buy it before you buy a new pair of shoes, not after — if a fifteen-dollar insert settles your heel down, you have saved yourself a hundred and twenty.

Try first — men's 8-13, trim to fit
$15.72 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Relief Orthotics (Women's 6-10)

Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Relief Orthotics (Women's 6-10)

The same insert on a women's 6-10 trim pattern, and it is a separate listing rather than a size option — which is why it gets its own entry here instead of a footnote you would have to go hunting for. Same reasoning as the men's: try this in your current court shoes before you spend on new ones.

Try first — women's 6-10, trim to fit
$15.72 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
Skechers Pickleball Viper Court Pro 2.0 (Men's)

Skechers Pickleball Viper Court Pro 2.0 (Men's)

Skechers has quietly become a favorite of the 55+ pickleball crowd for one reason: comfort straight out of the box. The Viper Court Pro is a proper court shoe — lateral support and a grippy outsole — with the plush, forgiving feel Skechers is known for. No break-in misery.

Best shoe that may make an insert unnecessary
$103.50 · View on Amazon

$120.0014% off

Price as of October 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
Fila Volley Zone Pickleball (Women's)

Fila Volley Zone Pickleball (Women's)

A women's pickleball court shoe at a friendly price. Fila's Volley Zone gives you the court-specific outsole and lateral support you need for the side-to-side game without the premium-shoe cost — a sensible value pick for a newer player.

Best cheap shoe with a published removable sockliner
$79.95 · View on Amazon

Price as of October 20, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1Try first — men's 8-13, trim to fit

Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Relief Orthotics (Men's 8-13)

The cheapest thing on this page and, going by the evidence, possibly the most useful. Dr. Scholl's builds this one around a supportive arch and a shock-absorbing heel cup, it trims to fit, and it costs less than a tube of balls. Buy it before you buy a new pair of shoes, not after — if a fifteen-dollar insert settles your heel down, you have saved yourself a hundred and twenty.

Easier on the joints: This is the one item here you can add to the shoes already in your bag tonight. For a fascia that hurts most on the first steps out of bed, an arch that is supported for the whole session means less accumulated stretch to recover from.

What we like

  • Supportive arch plus a shock-absorbing heel cup — the two features AAOS points at
  • Trim-to-fit full-length insole, so one pair covers men's 8-13
  • Costs a fraction of a new court shoe and works in the shoes you already have
  • Sold everywhere, so replacing it when it packs out is easy

Skip it if

  • AAOS calls the evidence for orthotics mixed — this may do nothing for you
  • Dr. Scholl's does not publish an arch height or a durometer, so you cannot match it to your foot on paper
  • Foam packs down; treat it as a consumable, not a one-time purchase
  • It takes up volume, so in an already-snug shoe it will make the fit tight
TypePrefabricated full-length orthotic insole
ArchSupportive arch (per manufacturer)
HeelShock-absorbing heel cup
CushioningFull-length foam, added forefoot cushioning
SizingMen's 8-13, trim to fit
Arch height / durometerNot published

Specs read from the product listing, on August 31, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#2Try first — women's 6-10, trim to fit

Dr. Scholl's Plantar Fasciitis Relief Orthotics (Women's 6-10)

The same insert on a women's 6-10 trim pattern, and it is a separate listing rather than a size option — which is why it gets its own entry here instead of a footnote you would have to go hunting for. Same reasoning as the men's: try this in your current court shoes before you spend on new ones.

Easier on the joints: Support that follows you into whatever you are wearing is worth more than support locked inside one pair of shoes. Move the insert between your court shoes and your walking shoes and the fascia gets a consistent day rather than a good two hours.

What we like

  • Supportive arch and shock-absorbing heel cup, the same construction as the men's
  • Trim-to-fit, covering women's 6-10 from one pair
  • The cheapest intervention on this page by a wide margin
  • Plantar fasciitis is more common in women, and this is the low-risk first move

Skip it if

  • The evidence for orthotics is mixed, per AAOS — no guarantee it helps you
  • No published arch height or firmness rating
  • Compresses over time and needs replacing
  • Adds volume, which can make a narrow women's court shoe too tight
TypePrefabricated full-length orthotic insole
ArchSupportive arch (per manufacturer)
HeelShock-absorbing heel cup
CushioningFull-length foam, added forefoot cushioning
SizingWomen's 6-10, trim to fit
Arch height / durometerNot published

Specs read from the product listing, on August 31, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#3Best shoe that may make an insert unnecessary

Skechers Pickleball Viper Court Pro 2.0 (Men's)

Skechers has quietly become a favorite of the 55+ pickleball crowd for one reason: comfort straight out of the box. The Viper Court Pro is a proper court shoe — lateral support and a grippy outsole — with the plush, forgiving feel Skechers is known for. No break-in misery.

Easier on the joints: Two of its published features matter more than the comfort it is famous for. The Arch Fit insole is removable, so this is a shoe you can put your own orthotic into — and the Goodyear Gold outsole is grip, which for a player over 60 is fall prevention rather than performance. A cushioned shoe that needs no break-in also keeps your gait normal, and a normal gait keeps load off your knees and hips.

What we like

  • Cushioned, forgiving feel with little to no break-in
  • A real court shoe with lateral support, not a walking sneaker
  • Popular with older players for all-day comfort

Skip it if

  • Not as low and locked-in as a racing-style court shoe
  • Some players want more lateral stiffness for aggressive play
TypePickleball court shoe (men's)
InsoleRemovable Arch Fit EVA (podiatrist-certified shape)
MidsoleULTRA GO foam
OutsoleGoodyear Gold compound, for “controlled slides”
Non-markingNot published
UpperMesh with synthetic overlays, rubber toe guard
Heel height1 1/4 in
Width optionsMedium and Wide
Heel-to-toe dropNot published

Specs read from the product listing, on September 6, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

#4Best cheap shoe with a published removable sockliner

Fila Volley Zone Pickleball (Women's)

A women's pickleball court shoe at a friendly price. Fila's Volley Zone gives you the court-specific outsole and lateral support you need for the side-to-side game without the premium-shoe cost — a sensible value pick for a newer player.

Easier on the joints: A proper court outsole grips the way a running shoe can't, so your foot plants instead of sliding — the sliding that leads to rolled ankles and tweaked knees.

What we like

  • Women's pickleball-specific court shoe
  • Priced below the premium options
  • Court outsole grips better than a running shoe on hard courts

Skip it if

  • Less cushioning than a GEL or FuelCell shoe
  • Fewer width options
TypePickleball court shoe (women's)
Cushioning techEnergized EVA midsole
OutsoleNon-marking one-piece high-abrasion rubber, herringbone, forefoot pivot circle
InsoleRemovable molded EVA sockliner
Midfoot supportTPU shank
Width optionsNot published
Key featuresCourt outsole, lateral support

Specs read from the product listing, on July 22, 2026. “Not published” means the maker does not state that figure.

The four shoes that publish an answer

This is the table that does not exist anywhere else, so here it is in prose. Among the court shoes we list, the following publish something about their insole:

  • Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0 (men’s and women’s) — “Patented Skechers Arch Fit EVA insole system with podiatrist-certified arch support,” and explicitly a “removable EVA insole.” Both claims on the maker’s own page. This is the only shoe we list that publishes both that the insole comes out and that it was designed to a podiatrist-certified shape.
  • Fila Volley Zone (women’s)— a “removeable molded EVA sockliner,” plus a TPU midfoot shank. Removability published, arch shape not.
  • K-Swiss Express Light— publishes an OrthoLite liner. OrthoLite liners are conventionally removable, but K-Swiss does not say so in the spec we read, so that cell stays unfilled.
  • K-Swiss Ultrashot 4— no removable-insole claim is published, which we flagged as one of the stated reasons to buy something else in our K-Swiss Ultrashot 4 review.

Everything else — the ASICS Gel-Renma 2, the Gel-Dedicate 8, the Gel-Resolution X, the New Balance models, the Viper Court Smash — publishes nothing on this point. If you have the shoes in your hand, you can check in five seconds: reach into the heel and pull. If you are buying online and you intend to add an orthotic, that unpublished cell is a real risk and the Skechers is the safe choice.

What AAOS actually says about orthotics

Worth quoting honestly because the insole industry does not. On plantar fasciitis — far and away the commonest reason a 55+ player buys an insert — AAOS describes the evidence for orthotic devices as mixed. Not useless. Not proven. Mixed.

Two consequences follow, and they point in the same direction. First, buy the cheap one, because you are running an experiment on your own foot rather than following a protocol. Second, run the experiment before you spend on shoes, because an insert moves with you between pairs and a shoe does not.

That last point is worth dwelling on. An orthotic in your court shoes helps for two hours, three times a week. The same orthotic moved into your walking shoes supports the fascia all day — and plantar fasciitis is a cumulative-load problem, not a pickleball problem. For an arch that hurts on the first steps out of bed, the hours you are not playing are the hours that matter most.

Insert first or shoe first? It depends where it hurts

There is a sequencing rule we use across this site and it is worth stating plainly here.

Heel and arch pain: insert first. A supportive arch and a shock-absorbing heel cup are what an irritated plantar fascia wants, and both are things an insert can add to a shoe you already own. See pickleball and plantar fasciitis and best pickleball shoes for plantar fasciitis.

Forefoot pain: shoe first.Pain under the ball of the foot or between the toes is usually about width, toe-box shape and how much pressure the forefoot takes. An insert cannot widen a shoe — it makes it narrower. Go to best pickleball shoes for wide feet or pickleball foot pain instead.

Arch collapsing inward: structure first, then the insert. An overpronating foot needs a shoe that will not twist along its length — a named midfoot chassis or shank — and an insert cannot supply one. Buy the structure, then add support inside it. See best pickleball shoes for flat feet.

Knee pain: neither, probably.“Insoles for knee pain” is a common search and a weak mechanism. What the court shoe does for a knee is mostly about cushioning and keeping the joint tracking straight, which is a midsole and frame question. See best pickleball shoes for bad knees and pickleball and your knees.

Fitting an insert without ruining the fit

Five practical notes, because this is where a good purchase goes wrong.

  1. Take the old sockliner out first. Always. Two insoles in one shoe raises your heel out of the heel counter, which is the part holding your ankle straight.
  2. Trim using the old one as a template.Lay the original sockliner on top of the new insert and cut to it. Cut less than you think — you can trim again, you cannot un-trim.
  3. Expect the shoe to feel tighter over the instep. A full-length orthotic takes up volume. If your court shoes are already snug, loosen the lacing a row or accept that this pair will not take an insert.
  4. Break it in off court. Wear it for a few days of walking before a session. A new arch shape changes how your foot loads and that takes a little adapting.
  5. Treat it as a consumable.Foam packs down. An insert that has flattened is doing nothing except taking up room, and the same is true of the midsole underneath it — see when to replace pickleball shoes.

What we would do, in one paragraph

If your heel or arch hurts: buy the trim-to-fit orthotic in your size, put it in the court shoes you already own, and move it into your walking shoes for the rest of the week — that is the cheapest, most reversible thing on this site and AAOS’s mixed verdict is a reason to try it cheaply, not a reason to skip it. If you are buying new shoes anyway and you know you will be adding an orthotic, buy the Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0: it is the only shoe we list that publishes both a removable insole and a podiatrist-certified arch shape, which means the insert will fit and may not even be needed. If you want the published removability at a lower price and you wear a women’s size, the Fila Volley Zone states a removable molded EVA sockliner. And if your pain is in the forefoot rather than the heel, do not buy an insole at all — buy a wider shoe. Nothing here was tested by us and nothing here is medical advice. Our methodology is here.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need insoles for pickleball?

Not as a rule, but they are the cheapest thing to try if your heel or arch hurts. A trim-to-fit orthotic costs about fifteen dollars, goes in the court shoes you already own, and comes back out if it does nothing. AAOS describes the evidence for orthotics in plantar fasciitis as mixed, which is an argument for buying the cheap one and running the experiment rather than for skipping it. What they cannot do is widen a shoe or add a midfoot frame.

Do pickleball shoes have removable insoles?

Most athletic shoes do, but most makers do not say so - and that matters if you intend to add an orthotic. Of the seventeen court shoes we list, four publish anything about the insole. The Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0 publishes both a removable EVA insole and a podiatrist-certified Arch Fit shape; the Fila Volley Zone publishes a removeable molded EVA sockliner; the K-Swiss Express Light publishes an OrthoLite liner without saying it comes out; the K-Swiss Ultrashot 4 publishes no removable-insole claim at all.

Should I buy insoles or new pickleball shoes first?

It depends where it hurts. Heel and arch pain: insert first, because a supportive arch and a shock-absorbing heel cup are exactly what an insert can add to a shoe you already own. Forefoot pain: shoe first, because the issue is width and toe-box shape and an insert makes a shoe narrower, not wider. An arch that collapses inward: shoe first, because an insert cannot supply a midfoot chassis that stops the shoe twisting. Knee pain: usually neither - that is a midsole and frame question.

Can you put two insoles in a pickleball shoe?

No - take the original sockliner out first, every time. Stacking two insoles raises your heel out of the heel counter, which is the part of the shoe holding your ankle straight during a sideways push-off, and it makes the fit tight over the instep as well. Use the original sockliner as a cutting template for the new insert, and trim less than you think you need to: you can cut again, you cannot un-cut.

Do insoles help knee pain from pickleball?

It is a common search and a weak mechanism, so we would not spend money on it first. What protects a knee on a pickleball court is mostly cushioning under the heel and a shoe that keeps the joint tracking straight during lateral movement - a midsole and frame question rather than a sockliner one. Insoles are worth trying for heel and arch pain, where the mechanism is direct. For knees, start with the shoe, and with the strength and warm-up work that has better support behind it.

How often should you replace pickleball insoles?

Treat them as a consumable rather than a one-time purchase. Foam packs down with use, and an insert that has flattened is doing nothing except taking up volume in the shoe. The same is true of the midsole underneath it, which is why the insole and the shoe tend to need attention at about the same time. If your heel pain starts creeping back after a few months of relief, a fresh insert is the cheap thing to rule out before you blame the shoes.

Sources

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo) — Plantar Fasciitis and Bone Spurs — AAOS: plantar fasciitis is most common between ages 40 and 60, and repetitive high-impact activity is a named risk factor; more than 90% of patients improve within 10 months of starting simple treatment. Footwear guidance: 'Shoes with thick soles and extra cushioning can reduce pain with standing and walking', soft silicone heel pads work by elevating and cushioning the heel, pre-made or custom shoe inserts are also helpful, and old athletic shoes should be replaced before they wear out (accessed August 31, 2026)
  • Skechers - Pickleball Viper Court Pro 2.0 (maker's product page) — Outsole: 'Goodyear Gold compound, built for increased durability to allow the elite player to perform controlled slides specifically on the court surface.' The words 'non-marking' do NOT appear anywhere on this model's page. Insole: 'Patented Skechers Arch Fit EVA insole system with podiatrist-certified arch support', 'Removable EVA insole'. Midsole: 'Lightweight, responsive ULTRA GO Foam midsole cushioning'. Upper: 'Innovative durable yet breathable mesh technology with synthetic overlays and a lace-up front' plus a 'Rubber toe guard for lasting durability'. Width shown: Medium Wide. Described as 'Built for the elite pickleball athlete' and also suitable for 'padel and tennis game play'; no indoor-vs-outdoor distinction is stated (accessed October 11, 2026)
  • Do It Tennis - Fila Volley Zone Pickleball, women's (spec page) — Outsole: 'Herringbone Rubber Outsole for added traction and durability', with a 'Forefoot circle pivot area', described as 'non-marking, one-piece, high abrasion rubber'. Midsole: 'Energized EVA midsole for extra cushioning'. Insole: 'Removeable molded EVA sockliner'. Also 'TPU midfoot shank for added stability'; upper 'Synthetic/Textile'. No weight, width or court-surface statement published (accessed October 11, 2026)
  • Tennis Warehouse - K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball (spec page) — Outsole: 'Non-marking Aosta 7.0 rubber outsole in a modified herringbone tread pattern provides excellent traction and good durability on any court surface.' Midsole: 'K-EVA midsole for cushion and support under foot' plus a 'Midfoot shank for added stability and unwanted twisting.' Upper: 'Seamless synthetic materials and mesh for comfort and breathability. DuraWrap protection in the toe for extra durability. An Ortholite liner for added cushioning.' Weight 12.4 oz (size 10.5); medium width only. No outsole durability guarantee listed and no indoor-vs-outdoor statement beyond 'any court surface' (accessed October 11, 2026)
  • Tennis Warehouse - K-Swiss Ultrashot 4 (spec page) — Outsole: 'Aosta 7.0 durable rubber outsole in a multi-directional herringbone pattern; Dragguard 7.0 thicker rubber in high wear regions' to extend outsole life. Midsole: 'Surge 7.0 cushioning feels plush for increased comfort. Shock Frame molded TPU under the heel for shock absorption and support. 360 Plantar Support Chassis for mid-foot and heel stability.' Upper: 'DuraMesh and DuraPrint combine for comfort, support, and a high level of breathability.' Weight 16.2 oz (size 10.5); one width, a 'Generous Medium'. Tennis Warehouse (the retailer, not K-Swiss) attaches a one-time 6-month outsole durability guarantee to purchases made from Tennis Warehouse: it covers the rubber outsole only, requires the shoe to be worn completely through into the midsole or insole, and excludes toe-guard and upper damage (accessed October 11, 2026)

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