How to choose the right pickleball shoes
Pickleball shoes, much like tennis shoes, are court shoes designed specifically for hard court surfaces to promote confident lateral movement while providing the necessary support and cushioning to protect your knees, feet, and ankles from the brutal impacts of the sport. Outdoor pickleball shoes tend to have a tough rubber outsole designed to be durable for outdoor pickleball courts, whereas Indoor Pickleball shoes tend to have a gum-rubber sole to provide traction on indoor hardwood floors. Court shoes, such as pickleball shoes and tennis shoes, in general, are different from running shoes because they have what they call "a mid-shank support" system built-in, which prevents the shoe from twisting or rolling from under your foot. Quality pickleball shoes will have great tread, solid ankle construction, and a supportive heel cup for heel support and cushioning.
Best Pickleball Shoes for Outdoor Courts
Playing Pickleball outdoors means a lot of fun in the sun. But which shoes are the best for outdoor pickleball courts? The thing to consider with outdoor court surfaces is typically they are a little "rougher" than say indoor courts, which are typically hardwood floors. Therefore, the best pickleball shoes for outdoor pickleball usually are shoes that have durable outsoles. Shoes such as the Asics Gel-Resolution 8, Wilson Rush Pro 3.5, and other select shoes have a 6-month outsole guarantee. This allows pickleball players to maximize their performance without worrying about destroying their pickleball shoes on the gritty outdoor surfaces. Other shoes like volleyball shoes, indoor shoes, and other court shoe styles, won't have the durability standards as the best outdoor pickleball shoes.
The key to great performance
Components for great performance are properly hydrating, a pre-activity dynamic stretch, and a grateful mindset. However, when it comes to great performance on the court, a great pickleball shoe can be a crucial part and very important aspect of the game. With so many great brands, styles, colors, and features on the market today, there's no reason why every player shouldn't have a pair of shoes that can keep up with the grueling stop-and-go demand on the court. Resisting the urge to wear running shoes and other shoes not designed for court sports is a major key to great performance. Correct shoes can make or break your experience, and pickleball shoes have specific nuances found only in them and tennis shoes alike. Make sure you take into consideration the type of footwear you plan to wear next time you plan on playing pickleball.
Why are pickleball shoes important?
The proper footwear while playing pickleball is important simply because proper shoes will protect you from injuries. Proper shoes prevent general injuries not just those of the ankle or feet, but the back and hips as well. Pickleball shoes do this by reducing impact with the use of special gels and shock absorbent materials like the 'Gel' in Asics or the "air" tech found in Nike shoes. The continuous repetitive impacts associated with this sport make having the right equipment and tech that much more important. Finding a proper pair that caters to a person's foot shape, arc and has a complimentary toe box space for each individual are the main checkpoints when choosing a pair. We always recommend trying a variety of pickleball shoes to see which one fits your feet best.
The best pickleball shoes will stand up against the test of time and allow an individual to play comfortably and successfully for longer. The more time you spend on the court, the better player you become. With that ethos, good shoes make more sense for the player looking to improve and play their very best. Correctly fitting shoes are important because they ultimately improve performance.
What to look for in a shoe for outdoor pickleball
Playing Pickleball requires many sudden steps; you move forward and backward often. You need to take speed rapidly and come to a quick stop when you attack the net. Keep in mind it will be cheaper and more practical in the long run to find yourself a correct pair of shoes since they will last longer, and provide for more comfort. Always better to be safe than sorry is our motto, and the last thing you want to be doing is blaming your equipment for an injury that could have been prevented with a proper pair of outdoor pickleball shoes. If you want your pickleball shoes to last you longer than a season, I recommend that you get shoes with a reinforced durable rubber outsole that will withstand constant abuse on an outdoor pickleball court. Remember, it is less expensive to buy a quality pair of outdoor court shoes than to constantly wear through running shoes that usually are made with a much softer rubber outsole. To wear regular running shoes to the pickleball court is like showing up to the pickleball court with a Ping-pong paddle.
Pickles Shoes vs Tennis Shoes vs Volleyball Shoes
Court shoes like Pickleball Shoes are intended for explosive lateral movements, stability, and traction. Indoor court shoes for badminton, volleyball, squash, and even other court sports usually have a Gum rubber outsole, a lighter overall shoe weight, and a breathable mesh upper to keep your feet cool. A popular model that falls into this indoor court sports shoe category is the Asics Men's gel rocket. A tennis shoe tends to be designed more specifically for outdoor court use by being more durable than other court shoe variants. However, shoes with a Herringbone tread pattern like the k swiss women's hypercourt express tennis shoe, tend to perform well on both outdoor pickleball courts as well as indoor pickleball courts.
When it comes to comparing Pickleball shoes and Tennis shoes, they tend to be the same. Since outdoor pickleball is typically played on the same court surface as tennis, most tennis shoes adequately meet all outdoor pickleball shoe requirements.
Best pickleball shoes for Women
Women's pickleball shoes typically are lightweight and easy to move around the court with. Pickleball shoes for women are designed very similarly to men's pickleball shoes; Often identical! And the differences between men's and women's pickleball shoes, if any, are mainly found in the instep. The instep refers to the overall volume of space inside the shoe available. Women who usually have difficulty finding the correct width or size in pickleball shoes for women can often find the correct fit in men's pickleball shoes. The best women's pickleball shoes that have been getting the most positive feedback are listed below.
K Swiss Women's Hypercourt Express 2
Designed to be quick like a running shoe, the Hypercourt Express 2 is designed to be an all-around performance shoe. The upper is flexible and remains supportive - making it a great shoe specific for accommodating wider feet. The outsole blends traction and durability and offers solid performance on any court surface. k swiss women's hypercourt express tennis shoe is one of the best club tennis shoes the market has to offer that provide all-around performance in a comfortable package
- Upper: Seamless synthetic materials and lightweight mesh for comfort and breathability combined with a flexible upper provide a more comfortable shoe.
- Midsole: Surgelite material provides added comfort, shock absorption, and cuts down on weight. Midfoot shank for added stability and unwanted twisting.
- Outsole: Non-marking rubber sole in a modified herringbone tread pattern provides excellent traction and good durability on any court surface.
The Asics Gel Resolution 8 is packed with support, stability, and comfort, plus they happen to be some of the most durable shoes on the market offering a 6-month outsole durability guarantee. These shoes are great for any level player and are flexible enough to feel like an extension of your feet. They have Layers of cushioning underfoot to help reduce harsh court shock while adding energy into each step. These shoes are some of the bests in preventing toe jamming by strategically shaping the forefoot to allow for even distribution of pressure through the shoe when putting on the brakes. All in all, this is one of the best-selling shoes since 2012 and endorsed by many professional tennis players.
- Upper: The Flexion Fit upper utilizes a PU mesh material wrap over the forefoot provides lightweight comfort, support, and stability. The Dynawall protector around the toe offers exceptional toe durability and protection.
- Midsole: Asics' signature GEL cushioning system in both the rear and forefoot combined with Solyte midsole technology offers plush cushioning and explosive responsiveness with each step. A midfoot shank resists twisting through the midfoot for added support.
- Outsole: The new outsole with full ground contact and AHAR+ rubber in a modified herringbone tread pattern provides exceptional traction and durability on any court surface. Backed by a six-month durability guarantee.
These shoes offer the most responsive cushioning paired with a Primeknit breathable mesh upper that makes this shoe ultra-breathable and comfortable. The seamless bootee design offers glove-like comfort and a great fit while the Torsion system allows support and stability. Boost capsules have been inserted under the heel for cushioning and the outsole features a durable rubber sole and will hold up hour after hour of on-court time. They tend to have a bit of a wider fit, which accommodates players looking for a little more space to the forefoot area. The BOOST shock absorber in the heal does a great job at absorbing shock, but its most unique attribute is the material retains its shape throughout its use far better than other foam imitations. A stylish and well-constructed shoe by Adidas will not disappoint.
- Upper: Two-layer seamless Primeknit and mesh upper provide the ultimate fit and comfort. Seamless bootee construction for fit and comfort. Enhanced durability in key abrasion areas. Locked in heel counter for comfort and stability.
- Midsole: BOOST technology provides comfort and responsive rebound in every step. 3D Torsion for lightweight, adaptive support. 360-degree TPU support.
- Outsole: Durable rubber for the most abrasive of courts in a modified herringbone pattern for secure traction on the court.
Best men's pickleball shoes
Pickleball shoes for men often possess Stability and durability. They tend to have a support system built through the entire shoe to prevent the shoe from torquing or twisting under foot and usually have a bigger instep compared to pickleball shoes for women, to accommodate for feet that require more volume. Often pickleball shoes designed for Men are similar to the standards they have for women. The best men's pickleball shoes that have been getting the most positive feedback are listed below.
Designed to be quick like a running shoe, the Hypercourt Express 2 is designed to be an all-around performance pickleball shoe. The upper is flexible and remains supportive - making it a great shoe specific for accommodating wider feet. The outsole blends traction and durability and offers solid performance on any court surface. k swiss women's hypercourt express tennis shoe is one of the best club tennis shoes the market has to offer that provide all-around performance in a comfortable package
- Upper: Seamless synthetic materials and lightweight mesh for comfort and breathability combined with a flexible upper provide a more comfortable shoe.
- Midsole: Surgelite material provides added comfort, shock absorption, and cuts down on weight. Midfoot shank for added stability and unwanted twisting.
- Outsole: Non-marking rubber sole in a modified herringbone tread pattern provides excellent traction and good durability on any court surface.
The SFX 3 features a mesh upper which not only provides breathability but allows more movement and flexibility in the toe box. Plush underfoot with its memory foam insert, Babolat has designed this shoe with plenty of cushioning. The Michelin rubber outsole provides great traction and durability on all court surfaces and this shoe tends to accommodate men with wider feet too. Great pickleball shoe that focuses on comfort.
- Upper: A mesh upper with TPU for added durability offers a breathable and flexible experience.
- Midsole: memory foam heel cushioning technology for increased comfort and shock absorption during aggressive court movement.
- Outsole: Michelin Performance outsole for traction and durability.
The Rush Pro 3.5 continues to be a comfortable option for any level player. The comfortable mesh upper provides support and offers stability for explosive footwork. Wilson cushioning adds layers of underfoot comfort and rebound. The Duralast rubber outsole provides a superior level of abrasion resistance and traction for durability on any court surface. Backed by a 6-month outsole durability guarantee, players can push their shoes to the limits without worrying about compromise.
- Upper: A minimally layered upper with engineered mesh provides breathability, support, and step-in comfort.
- Midsole: Sensifeel offers minimal layers of comfort underfoot while R-DST+ combines responsive cushioning as the TPU shank provides stability to help resist twisting.
- Outsole: Duralast rubber outsole in a modified pattern provides excellent traction and durability on all court surfaces. Backed by a 6-month outsole durability guarantee.
What makes a shoe good for pickleball?
Only correct pickleball shoes permit smooth and unobstructed travel from all angles, and a serious pickleball player needs a shoe that promotes optimal movement. Court shoes have a smooth surface to help with lateral movements, have firmer uppers and a stiff sole to act as a solid platform. Their uppers will be lined with padding that can provide you with long-term comfort and durability as well as protect the feet by preventing "toe jamming". Several shoes imitate court shoes and have indoor court or outdoor court capabilities such as cross trainers, however, the best pickleball shoe will have durability; and often even more support than most other indoor court shoes.
Cross training shoes may seem like they would work however with cross trainers, with their flat soles designed for weight lifting, specifically do not have the proper rubber sole to absorb impact as efficiently as pickleball shoes. On a similar note, wearing running shoes also would be a subpar choice for Pickleball, since they possess usually a ridged heel that propels motion forward. This as a result lacks and tech for lateral support and becomes more of a hazard for pickleball players.
Why are pickleball shoes a good investment?
Proper pickleball shoes can last longer than running shoes or training shoes, and you will buy fewer pairs over time. The low price and lesser quality shoe may be attractive at the store, but you'll likely come back to buy a new pair mainly because they tend to have a less durable rubber sole. You can have years of enjoyment and support from a set of shoes that are specific to the pickleball court. Spending money on less than adequate shoes will lack performance, reduce foot protection, and have less stability during lateral movement. Investing in an ideal pair of shoes that cater to the needs of an individual player instead of catering to a budget can pay dividends longer.
Are pickleball shoes necessary?
Good quality shoes complimenting your feet will help you play pickleball with confidence and will permit you to move efficiently. Extra softness can be quite important for long-lasting shoes. If your shoes aren't comfortable for your ankle and heels then your movements may be restricted. If you don't invest in your shoes you may jeopardize your experience with this new and exciting sport.
Don't use running shoes
Beginners are most likely to start by selecting the first pair of shoes they see in the closet. Running shoes have not been designed for lateral movement. Their name says it all as they're meant to run in a singular forward direction. Pickleball players who start playing should realize sooner rather than later that running shoes are unstable to play with and how advantageous a good pickleball shoe is. it doesn't take long to have an accident, and we always strive for safety when it comes to anything recreational. The longer you wear running shoes while playing pickleball, the more susceptible to injuries caused by the wrong footwear you become. proper pickleball equipment is essential to a positive experience.
Are tennis shoes good for pickleball?
Yes! Tennis shoes and pickleball shoes are designed with the same specific movements in mind. Tennis and Court shoes are the same exact thing. Court shoes, like the Asics gel rocket, although have similar characteristics to tennis shoes, are specific mainly for indoor courts because of their gum-rubber soul. They also tend to be more flexible and less stable because the uppers of the Asics gel rocket shoe are constructed with a lightweight mesh. Both are created to endure the same kind of stress you experience while playing pickleball. they're designed to give the best support for this sport and offer the best protection and injury prevention.
