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There are many reasons why you might experience heel pain, but one of the most common causes is wearing the wrong shoes. Shoes that lack support or are ill-fitting can lead to inflammation in the back of the foot, making walking, running, or any type of movement a vexing experience. However, heel pain shouldn’t kill your vibe. There are many shoes for heel pain that help you with the problem while promoting better foot mechanics, such as the Asics Gel-Challenger 12 Tennis Shoes ($80).
What makes this shoe great for people with heel pain is the stiff heel cup and arch support. Together, these features “ultimately limit the ability of the foot to manipulate the ground on its own from the mid to rear foot, thereby providing some symptom relief,” says Jacob Vandenmeerendonk, PT, DPT, Doctor of Physical Therapy based in Temecula, Calif. . .
In addition, they are ideal for moving, whether on the tennis courts or on walks, thanks to the soft and light midsole, which absorbs all the shocks so that your joints do not have to. Without a doubt, the Challengers offer unparalleled comfort and support, so it’s no surprise that Courteney Cox endorses them as well. In a recent TikTok video, she was seen showing off her skills on the pitch.
@courteneycoxofficialWait…I wasn’t ready!♬ original soundtrack – Courteney Cox
The shoe has earned over 800 five-star ratings on Amazon, and if you head to the reviews section, you’ll notice happy customer after happy customer. “I’m 55 with a narrow foot and a high arch. These shoes worked great for me with my rubber arch support on my foot,” says one Amazon customer. with foot sensation and/or pain. I got none of that with three tennis matches in three days!! Highly recommend!”
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Another reviewer said, “I love this shoe so much I bought two pairs. One for indoor pickleball and one for outdoor. They have fitted perfectly since day one. Still nervous about buying shoes online, but these are EXACTLY what I wanted!
Whether you’re serving aces or hitting the pavement, the Asics Gel-Challenger 12 will ward off heel pain. And from Courtney Cox’s Instagram and TikTok looks, it looks like these shoes are getting the FUN moving again. You can also enjoy all the joy by buying the pair from Amazon.
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.