4 Best Insoles for Tennis Players to Prevent Plantar Fasciitis
Updated November 11, 2025
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common injuries reported by both recreational and elite athletes. Inflammation in the plantar fascia causes intense pain, especially in the area surrounding the heel, and sports that involve running and long hours of play, like tennis, are more likely to develop plantar fasciitis.
There are a number of plantar fasciitis exercises to alleviate pain; however, wearing the correct orthotics is an extremely effective way to prevent and manage the condition. Below is a list of the best orthotic options for you to consider to play tennis pain-free.
1. Upstep | Tennis Custom Orthotics
2. Protalus | T-100 Elite Insoles
3. SOLE | Performance Medium Insoles With Met Pad
4. Superfeet | ME3D Insoles
1. Upstep Tennis Custom Orthotics
Pros
- Custom-made
- Affordable
- FSA & HSA eligible
- 180-day money-back guarantee
- Suits grass and hardcourts
- At-home impression kit
Cons
- Short waiting period before receiving orthotics
Upstep's Tennis Custom Orthotics are specifically designed to the shape of your feet by podiatrists to provide stability and cushioning to your feet. Made from EVA materials, these orthotics are durable and aim to improve the dynamic range of your feet while you partake in your tennis game.
Intended for both grass and hardcourt tennis shoes, these custom insoles can help to relieve plantar fasciitis symptoms by supporting your foot and redistributing any weight.
Upstep insoles include free shipping, a 180-day money-back guarantee, and free remakes to ensure satisfaction. You'll get your order fulfilled quickly by a large, skilled team, serving the most customers among online brands, with customer service backed by over 14,000 5-star reviews.
2. Protalus T-100 Elite Insoles
Pros
- Comfortable and thin design
- Ideal for standard-volume shoes
- Higher sides for pressure distribution
- Anti-slip ridges
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Not custom-made
- Self-trimming may cause improper fit and support
- Not durable in the long-term
Protalus T-100 Elite Insoles aim to provide moderate support to your foot, reduce shock to your heel, and support your arch. Anti-slip ridges increase foot stability by gripping inside your shoe.
However, these insoles must be trimmed to fit. If done incorrectly, this may cause an improper fit and provide insufficient support for tennis's lateral movements. Generic support cannot provide the precise correction necessary to prevent plantar fasciitis during tennis.
» Already have plantar fasciitis? Purchase the best insoles for plantar fasciitis-related calf pain
3. SOLE Performance Medium With Met Pad
Pros
- Sustainable base of recycled wine corks
- Prioritizes forefoot comfort
- Odor control
- 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Incorrect mold may cause insufficient support
SOLE Performance Medium Insoles with Met Pad offer a medium-cushioned footbed made from recycled wine corks. A metatarsal pad for forefoot support can help reduce plantar fascia pain. But, these insoles require heating and molding to your foot shape before use.
If the insoles don't mold correctly, the improper fit may worsen your symptoms. Heat molding produces inconsistent results that cannot match custom orthotics engineered by podiatrists for tennis-specific movements.
4. Superfeet ME3D Insoles
Pros
- Custom-made
- 3D printed
- Odor control
- 60-day guarantee
Cons
- Biometrics must be measured at a retailer
- Waiting period before receiving orthotics
Superfeet ME3D Insoles are custom, 3D-printed insoles designed to meet your feet's needs with five independent zones tuned to adapt to how your feet move. These insoles aim to provide comfort and stability.
Then again, you must visit a retailer to have your biometrics measured before your insoles can be ordered. This may be inconvenient compared to Upstep's at-home impression kit, and the generic zone design cannot provide the tennis-specific correction necessary to prevent plantar fasciitis.
» Prevent possible discomfort as a tennis player with the best inserts for Achilles tendonitis
Why Custom Orthotics Outperform OTC Insoles for Tennis Players
Tennis puts serious stress on your feet. The constant side-to-side movement, quick stops, and hard impacts add up fast. Generic insoles can't keep up with these demands.
Your movements need real support. Every time you sprint to the net or change direction, your feet absorb massive force. Generic arch support can't hold your foot in the proper position during these quick movements. Custom orthotics built for tennis give you the stability you need to prevent plantar fasciitis before it starts.
Everyone's feet are different. Your arch shape and how your foot rolls affect your injury risk. Generic insoles use one-size-fits-all support that can't fix your specific issues. Custom orthotics correct the problems unique to your feet, stopping plantar fasciitis before it happens.
Hard courts are brutal. Playing on hard surfaces creates way more impact than grass or clay. Generic insoles flatten out during long matches, leaving you without protection when you need it most. Custom orthotics stay supportive through your entire match and tournament.
Better support means better play. Custom orthotics don't just prevent injury—they improve your game. You'll feel more stable on side-to-side moves, get better power in your serves, and stay fresher during long matches. Generic insoles just can't deliver these benefits.
Choose the Best Orthotics for You
As an athlete, it's best to be proactive regarding your foot condition to ensure it doesn't worsen and for you to keep performing optimally. Custom-made, sport-specific orthotics can significantly contribute to this by helping to alleviate your plantar fasciitis symptoms and prevent injury.
Upstep Tennis Custom Orthotics correct the biomechanical dysfunction that makes tennis players susceptible to plantar fasciitis, providing the stability, cushioning, and arch support necessary for both grass and hardcourt play. Custom-designed by podiatrists specifically for tennis movements, these orthotics prevent injury rather than merely treating symptoms.
FAQs
How do custom orthotics prevent plantar fasciitis in tennis players?
Custom orthotics prevent plantar fasciitis by correcting the biomechanical dysfunction in your feet that creates excessive stress on the plantar fascia during tennis. The rapid lateral movements and repetitive impact of tennis amplify any alignment issues. Custom orthotics engineered for your foot structure maintain proper arch position, prevent excessive pronation during quick directional changes, and distribute impact forces evenly. This eliminates the mechanical stress that causes plantar fasciitis, preventing injury rather than treating it after it develops. Generic insoles cannot provide this precise correction.
Can I continue playing tennis while using these orthotics?
Yes. Upstep Tennis Custom Orthotics are specifically designed for tennis play and allow you to continue training and competing. Many players wear them preventatively to avoid developing plantar fasciitis. If you already have plantar fasciitis, start with shorter practice sessions and gradually increase playing time as symptoms improve (typically 2-3 weeks). The orthotics protect your plantar fascia during play, allowing you to maintain your training schedule while preventing symptom worsening. This is far more effective than generic insoles that may provide comfort but lack the correction necessary to play safely.
Will these orthotics work for both grass and hard courts?
Yes. Upstep Tennis Custom Orthotics are designed to work effectively on both grass and hard court surfaces. Hard courts create more impact that stresses the plantar fascia, making proper support even more critical. The orthotics maintain their corrective properties regardless of surface, providing consistent protection whether you're playing on grass, hard court, or clay. When ordering, you can specify your primary playing surface so podiatrists can optimize the design, though the orthotics perform well across all tennis surfaces.
