How to Stop Heel Pain for Kids Who Play Basketball – These Shoes Can Help Eliminate the Pain!
Children who play basketball are at higher risk of developing heel pain as they frequently jump and sprint on hard, unforgiving court floors. If your child is experiencing heel pain during or after basketball practice, the right pair of shoes can make a huge difference in relieving or even eliminating the discomfort. As an experienced shoe fitter specializing in children’s footwear, I understand how crucial supportive basketball shoes are in addressing and preventing heel pain, helping your child stay comfortable and active on the court.
Is Heel Pain Common for Kids Who Play Basketball?
While heel pain is not uncommon in young athletes, it should not be considered normal or something to ignore. Children should not be having foot or heel pain unless they have had an injury. I wanted to mention this because some parents are told by their pediatricians that the pain will resolve on its own. While for some children the pain might simply go away, for some others it does not. Moreover, wearing shoes that lack proper cushioning or support can further aggravate the condition.
What Is Causing Your Child’s Heel Pain?
If your child has been complaining about heel pain then it’s highly likely that your child developed a condition called Sever’s disease. This condition is the most common cause of heel pain in children and is basically an overuse injury caused by repetitive micro trauma during sports or running activities. There are steps you can take for your child to avoid the pain during/after practices and games. The first step is to start by making sure you get the right basketball shoe in the correct size.
Key Features of Supportive Basketball Shoes
1. Firm Heel Counters: A firm heel counter provides stability and helps maintain the alignment of the foot, reducing strain on the heel. It acts as a supportive cradle for the heel, which is crucial for children who are actively running and jumping on the basketball court. This feature can also significantly reduce the risk of ankle sprains and other related injuries
2. Stable Base of Support: A stable base of support ensures that the foot is well-supported during lateral movements, which are frequent in basketball. This reduces the risk of injury and discomfort, particularly during sudden stops and starts, pivots, and side-to-side movements. A stable base helps distribute weight evenly across the foot, minimizing the impact on any single area, such as the heel.
How to Order the Correct Shoe Size Online
Before I share the best basketball shoes for kids with heel pain, it’s important to emphasize the need for proper fit. Shoes that are too tight or narrow can squeeze the toes, worsening heel pain. Aim for a basketball shoe that fits just right—snug but not tight. To help, I created a virtual shoe fitting service to easily determine your child’s correct size from home. Well-fitting basketball shoes are key to preventing heel problems.
The right pair of basketball shoes can make a world of difference in preventing and alleviating heel pain. Quality shoes not only provide comfort but also protect against injuries by absorbing shock and offering the support necessary for various movements on the court. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase.
Supportive Basketball Shoes for Kids with Heel Pain
The basketball shoes below have proven to be the most effective ones for children suffering from heel pain. When selecting basketball shoes for your child, consider these top picks for 2025.
1. Lockdown 6 Basketball Shoe by Under Armour
These supportive basketball shoes for heel pain are a fantastic choice for young basketball players with heel pain. Known for its excellent cushion and padding, the lightweight design also allows for quick and agile movements on the court.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Lockdown by Under Armour on Zappos or Amazon
- Fits children with narrow and medium feet
- Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
- Firm heel counter
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
2. Cross Em Up by Adidas
These are some of the best youth basketball shoes for heel pain as they provide solid support. They feature a Cloudfoam midsole, providing superior cushioning and shock absorption.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Cross Em Up by Adidas on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits children with medium or wide feet (fits high insteps)
- Strong rubber outsole and a cushioned midsole
- Supportive outsoles and firm heel counter
- I suggest that you get this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
3. Postmove Mid by Adidas
These Adidas basketball shoes for heel pain combine style and functionality, making them a popular choice among young athletes. The shoes provide excellent ankle support, essential for preventing injuries during play.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Postmove Mid by Adidas on Amazon
- Fits children with narrow and medium feet
- Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
- Firm heel counter
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
4. TWO WXY v5 by New Balance
These basketball New Balance shoes for heel pain provide supportive outsoles and firm heel counters. The lightweight build and secure fit make it an ideal choice for kids who take their game seriously.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Coco Unity by New Balance on the New Balance website
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
5. Jet ’21 by Under Armour
These supportive basketball shoes by Under Armour provide rubber outsoles with unique traction patterns that ensure optimal grip, while the padded collar adds comfort during long games.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Jet ’21 by Under Armour on Amazon
- Fits children with narrow and medium feet
- Padded collar to increase comfort and prevent blisters
- Firm heel counter
- Lace-up closure
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
6. AND1 Basketball Shoes Kids
These basketball shoes for heel pain provide firm heel counters with extra cushion and padding below the heels.
- Order the shoe style AND1 on Amazon
- Available in medium and wide feet
- The full-length rubber outsole and multi-directional herringbone tread maximize skid resistance
- Lace closure offers a secure fit
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
7. Lockdown 6 by Under Armour
These kids’ Under Armour basketball shoes provide extra cushion and padding below the heels. These kids’ basketball shoes with ankle support will protect and support your child’s heels and ankles.
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Lockdown 6 by Under Armour on Amazon or Zappos
- Fits children with medium or wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas
- I suggest that you get this shoe a whole size larger than your child’s current foot size
All of these basketball shoes offer excellent heel support, plus superior traction for quick stops and direction changes, and a lightweight, flexible design to keep your child’s feet and legs from tiring easily.
Try This Shoe Lacing Technique for Better Support and Stability
I often see that many kids skip using all the eyelets (shoe holes) on their shoes, but it’s actually crucial to use every single one. Using all the eyelets helps secure your child’s heels and provides better overall support. Check out the example below to see what I mean:
I came up with a specific shoe lacing technique that can help provide additional support, reducing the risk of heel pain. Proper lacing can also prevent the foot from sliding forward in the shoe, which can cause unnecessary pressure on the toes and heels.
What to Do if Heel Pain Persists After Trying These Shoes?
If your child’s heel pain persists after trying the recommended shoes for a month, the next step is to add heel cups. These act as shock absorbers, providing effective relief for heel pain. I have fitted two heel cups that provide exceptional shock absorption, protect your heels, and help prevent foot fatigue. You can easily place these heel cups inside your child’s basketball shoes.
Tuli’s Heel Cups
- Order Tuli’s Heel Cups on Amazon
- These heel cups for plantar fasciitis can fit in most shoes
- Small Size – Fits from a little kid shoe size 10.5 to a big kid shoe size 6. Best for children under 80 lbs.
- Regular Size – Fits big kid shoe size 6 and above. Weight up to 175 lbs.
KidSole Heel Cups
- Order KidSole heel cups on Amazon
- Available from a little kid shoe size 11 through big kid shoe size 7
- Sport grip design allows the heel pad to stay in place while kids run and play
- These gel heel cups for plantar fasciitis can fit in most enclosed shoes
- Fits from a little kid’s shoe size 10.5 to a big kid’s shoe size 6. Best for children under 80 lbs.
Is Your Child Limping or Walking Differently?
Sometimes heel pain can be so severe that you might notice your child limping after practice or games. You can decrease the pain by temporarily decreasing your child’s activity level, in terms of frequency and/or duration. However, for some children, this is not an option, and it shouldn’t be, as they should be able to play the sports they love.
Can Heel Pain from Sever’s Disease be Cured?
While heel pain can’t be cured overnight, the good news is that with the right support, you can help ease your child’s discomfort. Providing your child with supportive basketball shoes can prevent pain before, during, and after games and practices. Over time, as your child matures and moves through growth cycles, the pain will naturally fade.
Pain at the bottom or back of your child’s heel is a warning sign not to be ignored. Make sure that you have your child stretch regularly and take necessary rest after basketball practice and basketball games. Stretching, wearing sport specific shoes, and taking necessary rest after basketball games and practices are simple steps you can take that can make a world of difference.
