Minimizing Impact: Shoe Recommendations

michael_1265

Professional
Hello,
I am a 50 year old 3.5, and many years on hard courts is beginning to catch up to me, particularly my knees. I am looking for a heavily-padded shoe that minimizes shock. I am 6'4" and 240 lbs, so I need a shoe that is built strongly. Within reason, weight is not a big concern. Any suggestions?
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Brand wise - K Swiss, Head and Wilsons; over 15 oz preferred. Too light and they skimp on the padding. I understand that ASICS are also good, but have no experience with them. HTH
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
I've used Nike Air Monarch x-trainers for tennis for quite a few years. They feature excellent insole and midsole cushioning. They usually cost $50-$65/pair. I often add a good half-insole insert for added support in the heel and arch. My favorite are Dr Scholl's CustomFit Orthotic insoles. About $50 for a pair of these -- a bit more than most OTC insoles but considerably cheaper than true custom orthotics ($300 or more) yet nearly as good in many cases.
 
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Deleted member 23235

Guest
I know this is not exactly what you were hoping for as an answer...
1. Best way to minimize impact on knees, is to keep them bent and let your muscles absorb the impact (see posetech.com)... but doing that for long periods of time requires conditioning work (when I get lazy/tired, i am aware that I have a tendency to use my skeletal structure to absorb the shock of stopping, and changing direction).
2. 2nd best way to minimize impact on knees, play on clay (I've moved more to this).
3. That said, my 2 favorite sneakers are Asics Gel resolution and Adidas Barricades (lots of padding, but heavy)
4. see #1 :)
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
Adidas Barricade Boost.

If you need more shock absorption, get yourself a pair of insoles or heel cups made of shock absorbing material such as Sorbothane.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
In Dr. Scholl's stuff, their shock absorption sorbothane insoles are paper thin at the forefoot, and pack down within a couple weeks to nothing.
Their cool insoles, the blue ones with holes all over, are 3 times thicker, last much much longer, and provide softer cushioning by a mile. However, they are thicker than normal shoe insoles, so you need to have room in the height department to fit those insoles inside your shoes and slide you foot in.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
I just bought a gel insole thinking to provide extra cushioning for my Babolat shoes but they make the shoes too tight and plus I feel I'm standing so much higher. I don't know how the extra high gonna affect lateral running stability.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Take out the stock insoles!
I like a raised footbed, but then I run like a cripple and stumble when I arrive.
 
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Deleted member 23235

Guest
I just bought a gel insole thinking to provide extra cushioning for my Babolat shoes but they make the shoes too tight and plus I feel I'm standing so much higher. I don't know how the extra high gonna affect lateral running stability.
yeah I used to wear a gel insole and being up so high I felt is was more prone to turning my article...
 

RanchDressing

Hall of Fame
Hello,
I am a 50 year old 3.5, and many years on hard courts is beginning to catch up to me, particularly my knees. I am looking for a heavily-padded shoe that minimizes shock. I am 6'4" and 240 lbs, so I need a shoe that is built strongly. Within reason, weight is not a big concern. Any suggestions?
What are the wear patterns on your shoes? Inside toe getting worn quicker at all?

If you're over pronated it can cause more strain on your knees. Getting a proper orthotic can help a lot for injury prevention.
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
I just bought a gel insole thinking to provide extra cushioning for my Babolat shoes but they make the shoes too tight and plus I feel I'm standing so much higher. I don't know how the extra high gonna affect lateral running stability.

Sounds like you did not remove the original insoles.
 

steve s

Professional
Also a good pair of padded socks can help. I use Sorbothane (not sure of spelling) Ultra insoles. Knees no longer swell up after play.
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
Take out the stock insoles!
I like a raised footbed, but then I run like a cripple and stumble when I arrive.

If inserting a full footbed, this is usually the thing to do. However, when using a partial (3/4 or less), I find that I prefer to leave in the OEM insole. This is the case for the CustomFit orthortic (3/4) insoles that I suggested.
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
If inserting a full footbed, this is usually the thing to do. However, when using a partial (3/4 or less), I find that I prefer to leave in the OEM insole. This is the case for the CustomFit orthortic (3/4) insoles that I suggested.

Of course, it's all a matter of design, fit and function.

Some insoles and orthotics are designed to replace the original insoles and some are to sit on top of the original insoles.

Even some full-length insoles are designed to simply add a little cushion on top of the original insoles. The 3/4 you mentioned and heel pads/cups are also designed to sit on top of the original insoles.

But in user92626's case, it seemed obvious to me that he needed to remove the original insoles.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
If you are carrying a bit of extra weight, I highly suggest losing a little bit of weight.

It will remove stress from your feet and joints.
 

snvplayer

Hall of Fame
I switched to Asics about 8 years ago, and never looked back. Prior, I have worn Nike, Adidas, and Fila. (I suppose it depends on the individual..)
 

snvplayer

Hall of Fame
Hello,
I am a 50 year old 3.5, and many years on hard courts is beginning to catch up to me, particularly my knees. I am looking for a heavily-padded shoe that minimizes shock. I am 6'4" and 240 lbs, so I need a shoe that is built strongly. Within reason, weight is not a big concern. Any suggestions?

A good pair of shoes will certainly help reduce shock to the knee.

A lot of stress on the knee can be caused by poor stability and flexibility in hips and ankles. There are several simple hip and ankle exercises that you can do at home without any weights. I highly suggest you google them.
 

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
I wear the Prince T22. I wear them mostly b/c they fit my feet well and are comfortable. Cushion-wise they are adequate, but I am a lot lighter than you at 165 lbs.

I've worn the barricades and one of the nike cage variations (max cage?) in the past and were also happy with them.

Another thing to look at is how you run. Do you make land very hard when running after a shot or are you lighter on your feet?
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
Of course, it's all a matter of design, fit and function.

Some insoles and orthotics are designed to replace the original insoles and some are to sit on top of the original insoles.

Even some full-length insoles are designed to simply add a little cushion on top of the original insoles. The 3/4 you mentioned and heel pads/cups are also designed to sit on top of the original insoles.

But in user92626's case, it seemed obvious to me that he needed to remove the original insoles.


I just have an idea from reading you guys' posts. I'm gonna get just the heel pads and put them under the original insoles, leaving the original insoles in. The heel cushioning is the only part that seems important. And original insoles fit and cup your feet better than third party insoles.
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
I just have an idea from reading you guys' posts. I'm gonna get just the heel pads and put them under the original insoles, leaving the original insoles in. The heel cushioning is the only part that seems important. And original insoles fit and cup your feet better than third party insoles.

That's a good way to prevent the heel pad from moving around.
 

WildVolley

Legend
In my limited experience, Yonex shoes have the best shock absorption if that's your primary concern.

I do wonder, though, whether people with knee pain can always accurately diagnose the cause? Is the pain due to impact or torque?
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
In my limited experience, Yonex shoes have the best shock absorption if that's your primary concern.

I do wonder, though, whether people with knee pain can always accurately diagnose the cause? Is the pain due to impact or torque?

Not always, but it can be self-diagnosed sometimes.

For example, I had a disagreement with my podiatrist on this issue. He said it always had to do with structural alignment of the foot and said that the rigid custom orthotics with minimal cushioning will provide relief for my plantar fasciitis (Sorry, not the same as knee pain, but an ailment nonetheless).

After trying out his orthotics for over 6 months not getting results, I talked to the orthotics technician and he suggested that he would empty out the bottom of the heel area of the rigid orthotics and fill it with shock absorbing material. Guess what, that took care of the problem.

So, in my humble opinion, people ought to try something simple, such as try a pair of shock-absorbing insoles, or maybe some band/strap. If those don't work, they ought to rightly suspect something else and seek professional help.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Dr. Scholls's gel active full length insoles are too thin at the forefoot, pack down quickly (after 5 days), are dead and provide no cushioning really quick.
Dr. Scholl's blue rubber COOL insoles seem to last at least 5 times longer, is much thicker at the forefoot area, and have multiple holes to provide air circulation and cushioning.
User92626, just heel partial inserts can not only move around a bit, but they provide no cushioning for the balls of your feet, which contact the ground first and foremost when doing athletic activity.
Better to REPLACE the stock insole with a full length cushion insole for ultimate padding.
 

Devil_dog

Hall of Fame
Nike Lunar Ballestics are super comfy and have great shock absorption qualities. They are expensive but wait for a late season model to go on sale and try it out. I had knee and feet issues with the Vapor 9/9.5s but upon trying my first pair of LBs - those issues were noticeably minimized or eliminated. Asics and New Balance also have a good rep for sore knees and feet. Good luck!
 
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