Best shoes for minimizing wear and tear on knees/hips.

CiscoPC600

Hall of Fame
Still youngish but years of playing plus wrestling has wrecked my knees. I'm coming to the sad reality that it won't go away but the best I can do is minimize it at much possible with rest, stretching, and proper footwear. On that note, please give me your recommendations for shoes with the best comfort and cushion to help alleviate the issue. I'd prefer if you make suggestions based on experience rather than just TW reviews. Thanks!
 
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LOBALOT

Hall of Fame
I am watching this thread. Interestingly, I wrestled as well. My hips have pretty bad arthritis and I have learned to live with the dull ache after I play tennis.

Over the last year, my knees bark at me after I play. I have the added complexity of wide feet so that limits options for shoes.
 

CiscoPC600

Hall of Fame
I am watching this thread. Interestingly, I wrestled as well. My hips have pretty bad arthritis and I have learned to live with the dull ache after I play tennis.

Over the last year, my knees bark at me after I play. I have the added complexity of wide feet so that limits options for shoes.

Yep. Knees and hips, man. There's only so much rest, stretching, and custom insoles can do. So if there's a consensus shoe for comfort for those areas, I want it. Also hoping @TW Staff can help even though this isn't in the "ASK TW" section.
 

Injured Again

Hall of Fame
58 years old and worn out knees here as well. Long history of running, cycling, and heavy squat work. It hurts my knees to squat down and they get grumbly when I play too hard too often.

I've used Prince T22 shoes for my wide'ish feet the past few times. I use an extra, thin, flat insole made of sorbothane underneath the Prince insole. The extra cushioning helps tremendously. The shoes don't last super long - I've gotten a treadwear replacement every set that I've bought but the process through Tennis Warehouse is extremely easy. I get about four months out of each set, so eight months for the cost of one pair of shoes isn't bad.
 

nicklane1

Rookie
Don't choose light weight shoes. I like the Barricades, mostly because of the support. But I find them good for my knees and ankles too. Unfortunately, you have to wait until the next gen versions are out.
 

kimboslice

New User
I dont think a certain brand of shoe will help alleviate hip/knee problems without the help of orthopedics. Rafa wears special orthopedics in order to take some of the stress off his knees. My recommendation is proper physical therapy/exercise/stretch/yoga. Daily use of heating pads/ice packs should help a lot, and of course take any anti-inflammatory medicine to keep pains in check.
 

1stVolley

Professional
Before even dealing with shoes (& without knowing the specific issue with your knees), the following are pretty safe bets: (1) if you are not an ideal weight, lose weight; (2) play on clay, not hardcourt if possible; (3) learn exercises which enhance flexibility around the trunk (perhaps see a PT for these exercises); (4) if you don't have cartilage damage, use an exercise bike to stabilize the muscles around your knees, if necessary; (5) if you have irreparable structural damage to your knees, switch to doubles or at least substitute some doubles for singles.

The K-Swiss Ultrashot 2 shoes I find very supportive; they're a good Barricade substitute and fit better than the Barricades if you have a medium or wider foot. The Asics Gel Resolutions are also comfortable and pretty supportive as are the Wilson Rush Pros.
 

sp1derman

Professional
Still youngish but years of playing plus wrestling has wrecked my knees. I'm coming to the sad reality that it won't go away but the best I can do is minimize it at much possible with rest, stretching, and proper footwear. On that note, please give me your recommendations for shoes with the best comfort and cushion to help alleviate the issue. I'd prefer if you make suggestions based on experience rather than just TW reviews. Thanks!

Football/tennis has wrecked my knees but my favorite so far is the new balance fresh foam LAV. They are also fairly wide in the toe for the poster who needed wider fit.
 

Shaolin

G.O.A.T.
Adidas Solecourt boost have good cushioning.

Nike Zoom Zeros I'm divided about...the first pair I bought were the best shoe I've ever worn hands down, the second pair I had to return because they were super uncomfortable. They're worth a try, maybe I got a random bad pair.
 
Adidas Solecourt boost have good cushioning.

Nike Zoom Zeros I'm divided about...the first pair I bought were the best shoe I've ever worn hands down, the second pair I had to return because they were super uncomfortable. They're worth a try, maybe I got a random bad pair.
I was going to say both of these from personal experience. Also strongly agree with some kind of inner sole upgrade. I use lynco sports orthotics as advised by a physio to sort out Achilles and pronation issues.
 

mike schiffer

Semi-Pro
My Kirklands weigh over 16 plus with a Spenco knock-off arch support....chinese gel pads and I take Costco Glucosamine-chondro-something tabs....I'm good at 68....important to buy the costco Glucosamine....keeps the docs away...
 
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CiscoPC600

Hall of Fame
Sole court boost seems to be an early favorite. Bummer it doesn't have a 6 month warranty, but if it truly does help than I'll give it a whirl. How's the durability? I usually play 3-4 times a week. Mix of dubs and singles.
 

dolphinsrus

Rookie
I was going to say both of these from personal experience. Also strongly agree with some kind of inner sole upgrade. I use lynco sports orthotics as advised by a physio to sort out Achilles and pronation issues.
What model of lynco do you use? I tried lynco once but was a bit uncomfortable
 

golden chicken

Hall of Fame
I went from Barricade Clubs to KSwiss Ultrashot 2 looking for more cushioning because I wear a pair to work (50ish hours a week standing on concrete) and a pair to play tennis. The insoles are definitely more cushioned compared to Barricade Clubs. They are not as cushioned as any of the Asics running shoes I tried. I added Dr. Scholl's Comfort and Energy Work insoles and they are now awesome for work. I would probably leave the stock insoles in them if I were to buy another pair for tennis, but I still have a pair of Barricade Clubs to wear out first. If I played a lot more than I do, I would consider trying Dr. Scholl's Athletic Series Sport Insoles. The Work insoles make my heel feel a tiny bit higher than I feel comfortable with using on a tennis court.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
My Kirklands weigh over 16 plus with Spenco knock-off arch support....chinese gel pads and I take Costco Glucosamine-chondro-something tabs....I'm good at 68....important to buy the costco Glucosamine....keeps the docs away...
Glucosamin-Chondroitin... but you should do a little bit more reading:


I second the sole court boost. go down half size or wear two socks. best cushioning in any shoe that I have ever worn.
Sole Court Boost is true to size for.
Do not go down 1/2 size
@CiscoPC600, there you go, the best examples of how feet shapes and sizes differ, so don't just take the word of someone else's foot shape/size. Know your foot shape and width size. Most shoes are usually true to length, it's just the shape of the forefoot that causes fit issues.
Besides cushioning, fit and support are quite important for joint health. Too much movement in your shoe means your joints take a bit more beating from stabilizing you. If you want a good stable cushioning shoe with a wear guarantee, I have tried the Zoom Cage 4 and the Asics Gel Resolution 8. The ZC4's air cushion takes away some court feel, and I didn't think the heel cushion was anything special, but heel cushioning is unimportant to me. It's stable and also a bit warm. I didn't like the fit.
The GR8 I can't really review, since I only tried it for less than an hour, because I didn't like the shape of the forefoot rubbing on my pinkie toes.
Personally I gave up on outsole warranties because I don't wear shoes until the midsole is very clearly showing. I find once the treads are worn, and a bit of midsole is showing, I already feel the effect on my foot. So going to a new pair for extended play is my normal routine. And the companies have been denying my claims, which made me not care about the durability warranty and just buy them in bulk.
 
What model of lynco do you use? I tried lynco once but was a bit uncomfortable
L420 but that’s specific to my foot needs. They do a lot of options depending on if you need arch support and a posted heel. Best thing I ever did for my feet. Even better than some custom moulded orthotics I had from Sidas and Foot Balance
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
Glucosamin-Chondroitin... but you should do a little bit more reading:


I had terrible knee pain. I've had a couple of those "shots" from the ortho. The frequency right now is about every 8 months. My last visit, he said he'd give me the shots until they didn't help but that my right knee is arthritic and I'm losing cartilage. My regular doctor told me to try Glucosamin Sulfate. I did. After about a week of taking 2G's a day, my knee pain was nearly gone. I've been 6 months taking it and I can play tennis without pain. I wholly endorse it and will order some Chondroitin when next I purchase. They doc did say that Glucosamin works for some people and not others. I consider myself very lucky.

William F. Buckley Jr said:
I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 names in the phone book than the Harvard University faculty.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.
 

mike schiffer

Semi-Pro
I'll take the Gluco-Chon from Kirkland cause it works hands down....that's the consensus around my courts from "play everyday seniors".....The study people have their own agenda
 
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E46luver

Professional
Has anyone stopped taking Glucosamine and seen knee pain return,
and then resumed taking G and saw knee pain return?
 

CiscoPC600

Hall of Fame
Has anyone stopped taking Glucosamine and seen knee pain return,
and then resumed taking G and saw knee pain return?

This is a good question. I'm curious to hear what @mike schiffer and @Rabbit have to say.


I'm one to lean towards studies especially when multiple studies agree. Here the industry is huge so you'd think they'd fund a ton of pro-Gluco studies but that 2016 article didn't show that.
 
Try the heat moldable orthotics by sole. You get a custom fit that will take stress off of those areas, and they have different levels of cushioning.

As far as brands go, Asics and New Balance are the only brands I trust because they make quality running shoes that I can run 5+ miles in and not have my legs feel beat up the next day. The Asics Gel Res and FF Novak both feel great with the sole medium insoles. I’ve only tried the NB Lavs with their stock insoles, but they felt more cushioned and less responsive than both Asics. The knit NB the Coco wears, the 996 V4 I think, also looks like a winner. I’d be worried about the lockdown of a woven upper if I was playing 6.0 futures, but for anything rec related I think it’s perfect.

Before looking for the perfect cushion though, I’d take an honest look at your fitness. Hip and knee soreness is more often than not a result of leg muscles becoming fatigued and overloaded. Doing a jump rope routine and some resistance band training will get your body providing more cushioning than any shoe can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

mike schiffer

Semi-Pro
@CiscoPC600 sorry, but I won't be getting off Glucosamine even for the sake of the boards. :)
I second that assertion....when I stop taking the Gluco for a couple of days....back comes the pain....Also..I've tried other brands and the Kirkland from Costco is the first one that worked for me..still does....
 
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E46luver

Professional
I second that assertion....when I stop taking the Gluco for a couple of days....back comes the pain....Also..I've tried othe rbrands and the Kirkland from Costco is the first one that worked for me..still does....

Does pain come back even if no tennis?
 

mike schiffer

Semi-Pro
Not as bad...tennis definitely aggravates the knee.... I just take two a day..so far so good...will up the dose if Kneed be ....
 
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E46luver

Professional
I don't think any low top sneaker can give you ankle stability.
Your ankle is exposed in all sneakers. Need stability ? Ace bandage?
 

Vanhalen

Professional
Using OsteoBiflex, Adidas basketball shoes, inserts, omega 3, aspercream , ankle braces, lose weight.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
For the sole court boost folks, how would you describe it in terms of ankle stability? @Shaolin @dr325i @E46luver
The SCB has very good lateral stability, but support is just adequate for my feet, to the point I wish there was an extra higher hole to secure my foot. The stability of the shoe is good so rolling an ankle isn't likely. Still there is plenty of space for an ankle brace or taping.
 

oiler90

Rookie
A
Still youngish but years of playing plus wrestling has wrecked my knees. I'm coming to the sad reality that it won't go away but the best I can do is minimize it at much possible with rest, stretching, and proper footwear. On that note, please give me your recommendations for shoes with the best comfort and cushion to help alleviate the issue. I'd prefer if you make suggestions based on experience rather than just TW reviews. Thanks!
slippers.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
My only hesitation with the GR8 is they look like they offer no ankle support.
It's low on the sides, which works for those with low malleolus, and slide a lot where they lunge slide and then recover. I actually would like to like the GR8, but it constricts my outer/lateral metatarsal bone too much, when I lace it up tight to feel locked down. Obviously, it feels too loose if I don't lace it tight enough. Asics is not meant for me.
 
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