Best Indoor Shoes
What do you do when the weather turns bad and you can’t play your favorite sport or go running outdoors? If you’re really dedicated to improving your skills and getting your gains, then you’ll simply move to an indoor court and play there.
That’s exactly what indoor shoes are for. The name might make you think of regular shoes worn indoors but that isn’t the case here. Although this definition does apply sometimes, indoor shoes typically refer to sports shoes designed and worn for sports played on indoor courts.
If you’re playing indoor court sports, you need superior arch support, skid-free soles, and excellent shock absorption. Lucky for you, KURU footwear offers all that and more!
What are Indoor Shoes?
Indoor shoes may refer to two things. First, they can refer to footwear worn inside your home in general. Second, they can refer to indoor athletic shoes. In most cases, when you hear someone say “indoor shoes,” they are referring to the latter.
The best indoor workout shoes closely resemble outdoor workout footwear. However, they differ in the make of the soles.
Indoor tennis shoes usually have rubber soles and a low-profile. They can be made of genuine organic rubber or mixed with a blend of synthetic rubber. They are also more lightweight than outdoor athletic shoes.
Indoor court shoes can have either soft or hard soles. Soft-soled indoor court shoes are best for hardwood floors and badminton mats. Meanwhile, hard-soled indoor court shoes are ideal for synthetic floors and acrylic-covered courts.
Additionally, indoor court shoes always have flat soles with superior traction or grip to prevent slipping on the smooth surfaces.
Types Of Indoor Shoes & Finding The Best Fit
There are so many options for indoor shoes out there, we’re breaking down our favorites!
Below are a few popular types of indoor shoes and where it's best to wear them.
- Hardwood Indoor Court Shoes — Most hardwood indoor court shoes have soft rubber soles for better grip and smooth traction. This type of indoor shoes can be further classified according to sport, such as indoor tennis shoes or indoor badminton shoes. The flat soles of hardwood indoor court shoes also make them safe and ideal as streetwear.
Best for: Hardwood floors, hard rubber or acrylic floor surfaces
- Turf Indoor Court Shoes — Similar to other indoor workout shoes, artificial turf indoor court shoes have low profiles and rubber soles. The main difference is that the sole has low-profile, blunt studs similar to the spikes on soccer cleats to allow a firmer grip on the flooring. These are one of the best indoor shoes for plantar fasciitis as they have thicker cushioning. These can also be worn as indoor-outdoor shoes since you can wear them for training outdoors on artificial turf.
Best for: Artificial grass turf both indoors and outdoors
- Indoor Yoga Shoes — These are highly flexible shoes that follow how your feet curve when doing yoga. Yoga shoes are thin, breathable, and have grippy, non-slip soles. However, if you’re looking for indoor shoes with arch support, you may want to skip these. There are also supportive yoga shoes, but most feel like second skin, so they often have thinner soles.
Best for: Vinyasa flow yoga, aerial yoga, regular indoor home use
The best indoor workout shoes are always the pair that fit you perfectly. They should be comfortable while not allowing your feet to slip out of the shoes mid-workout or mid-game.
Here are a few tips for finding the right fit:
- Check the forefoot to ensure they are snug but not cramped.
- Your heel should lift from the shoe while walking or running.
- Consider the material for the uppers and the purpose of the shoe. For example, consider mesh indoor shoes if you need one that’s lightweight or full-grain leather if you want weighty and more durable shoes.
- Try on both the shoes to ensure they fit both your feet.
- Shop for shoes during the afternoon, when your foot size has already expanded.
- Bring or wear the same type of sock you would normally wear with the shoes.
Indoor Shoe Care Tips
Follow these simple tips to keep your indoor shoes looking their best for years to come.
Shoe cleaning tips:
- Invest in a shoe cleaning gel that you can use to clean both fabric and leather shoes.
- Alternatively, you can use a mixture of mild soap and water to clean fabric shoes. Use a damp towel or soft, old toothbrush to get rid of stains and dirt.
- Do not put your indoor shoes in the washer or dryer, especially leather ones.
- Air dry your shoes after cleaning them.
- Use a shoe protector spray to keep your shoes safe and protected against water, oil, and stains.
Shoe storage tips:
- Keep your indoor shoes away from direct sunlight.
- Use mothballs or other moisture-absorbents, like silica packets and acid-free tissue to keep the inside of your shoes free of moisture.
- Invest in shoe trees to maintain the shape of your shoes.
- Always wipe away any dirt before storing your shoes.
- For leather shoes, apply leather conditioner before storing them.
- Do not leave your used socks inside the shoes to prevent foul smells.
How To Pair Your Indoor Shoes and When To Wear Them
Explore how to style and wear the latest styles of indoor shoes.
Since indoor shoes are considered sportswear, it shouldn’t come to any surprise that they look best when worn with athletic or sporty ensembles.
Indoor workout shoes would pair well with your regular gym outfits, such as:
- Brightly colored leggings and shirt, socks, and indoor workout shoes in black, white, or neutrals
- Knee-length loose athletic shorts, fitted tank top, calf-high socks, and indoor tennis shoes
The gym isn’t the only place you can wear indoor shoes, though! Although they are made for wearing in indoor courts, the cushioning and support they offer also make them good for casual wear—especially if you plan on walking a lot.
Here are a few casual outfit ideas for your next errand run or even night out:
- A midi sweater dress, low socks, and hardwood court shoes in a complementary color
- Slim fit or tapered dark jeans, t-shirt, casual blazer or motorcycle jacket, low socks, and leather indoor court shoes
FAQs
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What sare indoor court shoes?
Indoor court shoes are flat-soled shoes that are worn primarily by athletes when playing sports indoors. These are indoor shoes with arch support and a rubber sole with stable grip, tread, and traction.
Indoor court shoes can have soft and hard rubber soles, depending on the flooring it is meant to be used on. These shoes can be used on various surfaces for indoor sports, including:
– Hardwood floors – Artificial grass turf – Badminton mats – Synthetic floors – Acrylic-covered tennis floors
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What are indoor shoes?
Indoor shoes may refer to two things. In general, indoor shoes may refer simply to footwear worn inside the home. However, it can also specifically refer to indoor workout shoes.
Indoor shoes or slippers can range from thin flip-flops and slides to closed rubber or plastic clogs and soft cloth slippers. On the other hand, the best indoor workout shoes closely resemble outdoor workout footwear.
The only difference is the soles. Indoor tennis shoes often have gum rubber soles and are more lightweight and low-profile than outdoor athletic shoes. Indoor court shoes also have flat soles. Even artificial turf shoes have flat, low-profile studs, unlike the sharp spikes on shoes meant playing on real grass.
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Should you use shoes inside your house?
Yes, foot doctors highly recommend wearing shoes inside the house. Indoor shoes provide extra cushion and support so your feet do not feel strained with each step. Walking barefoot all the time at home can potentially lead to extreme heel and whole foot pain.
Foot doctors and experts have noted that walking barefoot for extended periods leads to an imbalance in how weight and pressure is distributed across your feet. This imbalance may cause bunions, achilles tendonitis, heel pain, and other deformities or painful foot conditions. It may even lead to knee and back pain.
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Can I use custom orthotics with KURU shoes?
Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.
That said, many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don't need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.
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I just received a pair of your shoes and my feet are sore/hurt after wearing them. Why is that?
Some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs. That’s ok! Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology. Our shoes are also designed to mold to your unique foot shape, which takes a bit of a break-in period.
To help mitigate this, we suggest you follow our break-in procedure, including wearing your KURUs for a couple hours per day around the house in the first couple of weeks as they break in and form to your foot.
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Three Layers of Support
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
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KURUSOLE
...Show LessOur KURUSOLE is the second of our unique three-part technology. This hidden gem offers arch support, heel protection, and additional cushioning. It gently cups your heel and flexes with each step, keeping the fat pad in place to prevent wear and tear. At the same time, the KURUSOLE curves under your arch to provide much needed support and offer additional cushion against heavy impact.
Our KURUSOLE is the second of our unique three-part technology. This hidden gem offers arch support, heel protection, and additional cushioning. It gently cups your heel and flexes with each step, keeping the fat pad in place to prevent wear and tear. At the same time, the KURUSOLE curves under your arch to provide much needed support and offer additional cushion against heavy impact.
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KURUCLOUD
...Show LessThe KURUCLOUD is the foundation of our three-part technology for Pain Relief Beyond Belief. It’s made from high-grade EVA foams, giving the shoe optimal shock absorption while also delivering maximum comfort. The lightweight foam material also gives you plenty of bounce to prevent foot fatigue and give you the smoothest stride possible.
The KURUCLOUD is the foundation of our three-part technology for Pain Relief Beyond Belief. It’s made from high-grade EVA foams, giving the shoe optimal shock absorption while also delivering maximum comfort. The lightweight foam material also gives you plenty of bounce to prevent foot fatigue and give you the smoothest stride possible.
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ULTIMATE INSOLE
...Show LessOur ULTIMATE INSOLE is the first point of contact for anyone who wears KURU shoes. That’s why we made sure it is both comfortable and supportive. The dual-density polyurethane foam provides superior arch support and soft cushioning to other areas. Best of all, the ULTIMATE INSOLE uses your body heat to slowly mold to the shape of your feet, giving you a custom ergonomic fit for optimal pain relief and foot health.
Our ULTIMATE INSOLE is the first point of contact for anyone who wears KURU shoes. That’s why we made sure it is both comfortable and supportive. The dual-density polyurethane foam provides superior arch support and soft cushioning to other areas. Best of all, the ULTIMATE INSOLE uses your body heat to slowly mold to the shape of your feet, giving you a custom ergonomic fit for optimal pain relief and foot health.
KURUSOLE
Our KURUSOLE is the second of our unique three-part technology. This hidden gem offers arch support, heel protection, and additional cushioning. It gently cups your heel and flexes with each step, keeping the fat pad in place to prevent wear and tear. At the same time, the KURUSOLE curves under your arch to provide much needed support and offer additional cushion against heavy impact.
Our Secret
Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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