People With Heel Pain Swear By These Sneakers, and Even Courteney Cox Is a Huge Fan

There are many reasons why you might experience heel pain, but one of the most common causes is wearing improper footwear. Shoes that lack support or fit poorly can lead to the inflammation in the back of the foot, making walking, running, or any kind of movement a vexing experience. However, heel pain shouldn’t kill your vibe. There are plenty of shoes for heel pain that help you deal with the issue at hand while promoting better foot mechanics, such as the Asics Gel-Challenger 12 Tennis Shoes ($80).

Asics, Gel-Challenger 12 — $80.00

Sizes available: 5-12, in half sizes

Colors: 6

What makes this shoe ideal for people with heel pain is the rigid heel cup and arch support. Together, these features “ultimately limit the foot’s ability to manipulate the ground on its own through the mid to rear foot, thus providing some relief of symptoms,” says Jacob Vandenmeerendonk, PT, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy based in Temecula, California.

Additionally, they’re great for movement, be it hitting the tennis courts or taking a walk, thanks to the pillow-y soft and lightweight midsole—which absorbs all of the shock so your joints don’t have to. Undoubtedly, the Challengers offer unmatched comfort and support, so it should come as no surprise that Courteney Cox approves of them, too. In a recent TikTok video, she was spotted showing off her skills on the court.

The shoe has garnered more than 800 five-star ratings on Amazon, and if you head to the review section, you’ll spot happy customer after happy customer.”I’m 55 years old with a narrow foot and high arch. These shoes worked great for me with my rubber arch support on my foot,” says one Amazon customer. “I have a lot of trouble with feel and or foot pain. I didn’t have any of this with three tennis matches in three days!! Highly recommend!”

Another reviewer said: “I love this shoe so much I bought two pairs. One for indoor pickleball and one for outdoor. They have fit perfectly since day one. Always nervous about buying shoes online but these are EXACTLY what I wanted!”

Whether you’re serving up aces or hitting the pavement, the Asics Gel-Challenger 12s will keep heel pain at bay. And by the looks of Courtney Cox’s Instagram and TikTok, it appears that these shoes put the F. U. N. back in movement. You can also partake in all of the joy by shopping the pair on Amazon.