The Top Performance Hack Most Pickleball Players Ignore: Better Insoles

VKTRY Insoles feature a full-length carbon fiber plate you can customize based on your weight and activity type, returning energy with every step. And they'll last far longer than your pricier paddle.

Pickleball players obsess over paddles. Power, pop, spin... you name it. But there’s a far more overlooked performance upgrade sitting right under your feet.

Insoles.

Not the flimsy stock liners that come with your shoes. We’re talking about carbon fiber performance insoles—specifically, VKTRY, the brand that brought the tech to market and still leads the category.

If you’re chasing better movement, less fatigue, and fewer injuries during long sessions, this is one of the easiest upgrades you can make.

And unlike a paddle, it won't wear down after a few months.

The Tech: Energy Return With Every Step

VKTRY Insoles are built around a full-length carbon fiber plate, designed not just for support, but for performance.

“The carbon fiber plate is literally designed to give energy back to you with every step,” says VKTRY marketing manager Tom Edwards.

That’s not marketing fluff. It’s physics.

Unlike flat carbon plates used in some insoles, VKTRY’s patented design features a subtle curve that mirrors the natural shape of your foot.

“As soon as you put your foot down onto it, it’s already flexing,” Edwards explains.

Translation: more pop, more responsiveness, less wasted energy.

In a sport defined by short bursts—quick splits, explosive steps to the kitchen, constant lateral movement—that energy return adds up fast.

Why It Matters for Pickleball

Pickleball isn’t just quick, it’s relentless.

Even a single rally can involve dozens of micro-movements. Multiply that over a two-hour session or a full tournament day, and the physical toll is real.

That’s where VKTRY shines.

“In terms of fatigue," says Edwards, "once you're playing long rallies or a long tournament day, that benefit is really noticeable."

Players report:

• Less fatigue late in sessions
• More consistent movement deep into matches
• Greater confidence in quick, aggressive footwork

It's no wonder VKTRY's insoles can be found in the best athletes' shoes on NCAA basketball courts, NFL fields, and NBA courts. Or pro soccer pitches, Olympic tracks, Team USA volleyball courts, or MLB diamonds. The list goes on and on.

It's no coincidence. Efficient, explosive energy is the common thread among top athletes the world over.

Built for Your Body (Not Someone Else’s)

Here’s where VKTRY separates itself from copycats.

Most carbon tech in footwear is designed for elite, ultra-light athletes. (To wit: every shoe worn by a top runner at recent marathons in Boston and London.)

That’s great for them. But it could be a problem for us regular folk.

“Most of us don’t look like that, don’t weigh that… you’re probably not going to get the same benefit,” says Edwards.

VKTRY solves this by customizing insoles based on your weight, sport, and shoe type.

• Heavier players get thicker, stronger plates that won’t break down
• Lighter players get more flexible plates for optimal rebound
• Different sports get different foam thickness: 6, 4, or 2mm

Edwards puts it like this:

For most pickleball players, the ideal insole thickness is 6mm to accommodate a bulkier shoe. The foam layer will vary depending on weight.

This level of customization is rare—and it’s a big reason why VKTRY continues to lead the category they created.

Performance is one thing. Longevity is another.

Pickleball is brutal on feet, ankles, knees, and hips. Constant stopping, starting, and lateral cuts create cumulative stress, especially for frequent players.

Full-length, customizable carbon fiber insoles are built to help by:

• Stabilizing the foot and ankle
• Reducing impact load
• Improving alignment and efficiency

Even traditional insoles are common in racquet sports for stability alone. VKTRY just takes it several steps further.

The result? Fewer nagging injuries, better recovery, and more time on the court.

Why VKTRY (Not the Knockoffs)

Carbon fiber insoles are having a moment. VKTRY started it.

The company’s origins trace back to Olympic bobsledding, where founder Matt Arciuolo developed the first prototype to improve explosive starts—leading to a gold medal and a patented design.

Today, that same core tech still defines the brand.

Key differentiators continue to set it apart:

• First-to-market carbon fiber insole
• Patented full-length, curved plate design
• Weight-based customization
• Multi-sport optimization

There are imitators now. That’s inevitable.

But VKTRY still owns the blueprint.

Backed by the Pros: James Ignatowich

VKTRY recently partnered with one of pickleball’s most dynamic athletes: James Ignatowich.

The fit makes sense.

Ignatowich is known for nonstop movement—quick feet, constant positioning, relentless energy. Exactly the kind of player who benefits most from energy return tech.

“He’s got a really athletic profile," says Edwards. "That fits in quite nicely with our brand."

Beyond performance, Ignatowich brings credibility.

He’s not just a face. He’s a top DUPR-ranked player globally (6.585) who's deeply involved in product and innovation across the sport through his paddle line, RPM.

And his endorsement reinforces a simple idea:

If you’re serious about improving your game, your footwear setup matters just as much as your paddle.

The No-Brainer Factor: 90-Day Risk-Free Trial

Here’s the kicker.

VKTRY offers a 90-day money-back guarantee. No risk. No downside.

“We even pay the cost of shipping back to our warehouse,” notes Edwards.

That’s rare.

Try them. Play with them. Push them through long sessions. If they’re not for you, send them back.

“You might as well see what the buzz is about,” Edwards added.

He’s not wrong.

The Bottom Line

Pickleball players will spend $200+ on a paddle without blinking, knowing full-well it will wear down over time.

VKTRY Insoles?

They improve every step you take. Every session you play. And they last.

More energy. Less fatigue. Better performance.

And with zero risk to try them, the real question is: Why wouldn’t you?