Best Tennis Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis
The best tennis shoes for achilles tendonitis have features that reduce stiffness and cramping in the Achilles tendon and calf muscle.
Unfortunately, many tennis shoes are built to serve (no pun intended) the opposite effect.
This article rates and reviews the top tennis shoes for Achilles Tendon injuries.
Top Rated Tennis Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis - 2018
1. Addidas Barricade Club Tennis Shoe
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2. Asics Gel Solution Speed 3
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3. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express
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1. Addidas Barricade Club Tennis Shoe
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The Addidas Barricade Club comes with a stabilized mesh upper. This means better breathability and weight saving in a more affordable, comfortable package.
This new upper on the Addidas Barricade club tennis shoe means more security during quick direction changes. This automatically means that your Achilles tendon is not subjected to heavy torsional forces during movement.
The Barricade Club does not come with a 6 month durability guarantee like that of its elder brother the Addidas Barricade 2018. Much like its elder brother the Addidas Barricade 2018, the Barricade Club comes with the exact same material on the outsole. This is what makes the outsole extremely durable.
The base of the shoe is wide in both the heel and forefoot. Thus providing one of the most stable rides on the market today. The wide base upon which your foot rests only enhances stability throughout the foot.
High torsional stability along with a highly durable and wide outsole is what makes this one of the best tennis shoes for achilles tendonitis.
2. Asics Gel Solution Speed 3
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As the name suggests, the Gel Solution Speed is a fast lightweight tennis shoe. It was also built to give that low to the ground feel, that not a lot of tennis shoes provide these days. This low to the ground design places the foot in a position that does not shorten the calf and Achilles tendon. Thus providing for a healthier environment of the Achilles to stretch and strengthen.
The Gel Solution Speed 3’s are also one of the most durable shoes on this list and are a great choice for those who drag their feet around the court a lot while running.
The Asics Gel Soultion Speed 3 comes with an all new upper with a full TPU support around the foot. This means that the shoe is more supportive during side to side movements. Thus reducing torsional tension on the Achilles tendon.
3. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express
K-Swiss has hit the ball straight down the line with the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express. This tennis shoe is comes with an all new upper for improved ventilation and flexibility in the forefoot area.
This is a roomy shoe and has ample space in the toe box for those with wide feet.
The K-Swiss Hypercourt Express is a fast lightweight tennis shoe that breathes well on the court. What makes this shoe excellent for Achilles tendonitis is that the shoe is built low to the ground.
The stack height being low places the foot in a more natural position. This reduces cramping of the Achilles tendon and calf muscle. Thus the Achilles tendon can lengthen and move through a longer range of motion, thus strengthening itself through movement.
The shoe is also plush around the ankle collar and tongue and won’t irritate the Achilles tendon when moving around. The mesh upper with the TPU overlays also provide ample support to the feet. This increases torsional support to the Achilles tendon when moving side-to-side on the court.
4. Wilson Kaos Tennis Shoe
The Wilson Kaos is an extremely comfortable shoe right out of the box. Just like the Adidas Barricade it requires little to no break-in on the court.
The shoe is built to be low to the ground and has excellent cushioning under the ball of the foot (great for those with metatarsalgia and Achilles tendinitis).
But, being built low to the ground and having ample forefoot cushioning means that the stack height of the shoe is considerably low.
This means that your feet are placed in a more natural position that will keep the Achilles tendon more stretched out. This not only strengthens the Achilles tendon, but also reduces shortening of the tendon and the calf muscle.
The shoe also offers excellent stability with the plastic cage around the upper. This reduces torsional tension in the Achilles tendon like all other shoes that great for Achilles tendonitis.
The Wilson Kaos tennis shoe comes with wild colors and is extremely durable as well.
5. Head Sprint Pro Court Shoe
The Head Sprint Pro Court comes with 360 degree ventilation. This is due to it’s mesh upper and ventilated shank (something not seen too often on tennis shoes).
This is another shoe that is extremely comfortable right out of the box, just like the Wilson Kaos and Adidas Barricade. The shoe fits a little short so I strongly recommend getting a half size bigger than your regular size for a better fit. Although, the toe box provides ample space and is great for those with wide feet or bunions.
The shank on the bottom of the shoe not only provides additional ventilation but also provides substantial stability to the feet. This works great for the Achilles tendon as it allows it ample time to rest and recover from torsional tension. You won’t feel like your ankle is going to roll over in this shoe.
The Head Sprint Pro court shoe is extremely durable and also has a low heel to toe drop that will reduce cramping in the Achilles tendon.
How To Choose The Best Tennis Shoes For Achilles Tendonitis
If you play tennis then you are at a higher risk of injuring your Achilles tendon. Playing tennis involves the shortening and consequent tightening of the calf muscle. This is due to a variety of reasons listed below:
- Tennis strokes involve excessive use of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon. In fact a lot of the strokes that propel you forward or upward (smash or serve) shorten the calf muscle and induce tightness.
- Al lot of the strokes also involve lateral tension in the achilles tendon. This causing further irritation
- All tennis shoes come with a pronounced heel. Even men’s shoes come with pronounced heels. These pronounced heels help cushion the heel from impact forces but also place the calf muscle in a shortened position. this leads to further tightening of the calf muscles.
- Tennis shoes also have high heel cups, this provides additional stability to the foot but at the same time rub against and irritates the achilles tendon.
The shoes featured on this list have:
- Low heel cups
- Low heel to toe drops (Also giving you that low to the ground feel)
- Wide bases and supportive uppers for additional torsional stability during side-to-side movement
This reduces irritation in the Achilles and load on the calf muscle while still providing additional stability.
Conclusion:
Picking the best tennis shoe for Achilles tendonitis is easy. All you have to do is look for a shoe with a low stack height and low heel-to-toe drop.
This will keep your feet closer to the ground and also in a more neutral position. Your Achilles and calf muscle won’t be cramped and will be able to move through a wider range of motion. This will help it strengthen.
Also look for a shoe with a wide base. These shoes will help provide stability to your stride and reduce torsional tension in the Achilles tendon.
The shoes listed in this article will bring relief to your Achilles over time. For more on Achilles tendinitis you can check out my Achilles tendonitis exercise and taping guides.
Brilliant advice, all my running shoes have low cups and never seem to bother my Achilles, my tennis shoes have high cups and I always have a very sore Achilles after tennis, this article has well and truly pointed me in the right direction.
Thank You!