Pickleball shoes quick picks
Expert-favorite pickleball shoes: K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball Shoes
Budget-friendly pickleball shoes: Asics Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes?
Pickleball shoes for wide feet: FitVille Wide Pickleball Shoes
Pickleball fever continues to sweep the nation as the fastest growing sport in America,?according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), and for good reason. It’s a fantastic way to stay active, get some exercise and have fun. But like any court sport, having the right pickleball shoes is essential to avoid injury, stay comfortable and elevate your game.
As a testing editor with over 15 years experience and a recreational pickleball player for over 25 years (yes, it’s been around that long!), I recently realized it was time to level up my own gear as I’ve been playing more regularly. So, I teamed up with Stephanie Preston (formerly Drexel), a physical therapist in New Jersey who frequently works with athletes, and David Radisch, regional pickleball director for Sportime, to not only find my own perfect pickleball shoes but help guide you toward the best pair as well. As Radisch notes, “Thanks to the popularity of the sport, there are now many more choices so you can find the right sneaker for you.”
How to choose the best pickleball shoe
Pickleball is a high-intensity sport demanding explosive power, quick stops and agile maneuvers. These rapid movements put significant stress on your feet, ankles and joints. To protect yourself from injuries while maximizing performance, choosing the right footwear is paramount.
“It is essential to find a shoe that not only best supports and fits your personal foot mechanics but also prioritizes the functional elements of the shoe for injury prevention,” Preston says. She notes that as the sport becomes more widespread, so do injuries. “Unfortunately, we are seeing more patients with associated foot, ankle, knee and hip issues than ever before.” This is why it’s critical to keep the following in mind when picking out pickleball shoes.
- Support with cushioning: The foundation of a great pickleball shoe is a combination of support and cushioning. Preston says that your shoe acts as the first line of defense against the impact of each step to help protect your joints: “When your shoe is able to help absorb that force, less gets transferred up the chain, resulting in less impact to your lower extremity joints and spine.”
- Traction: Radisch says the need for effective, fast footwork is crucial in pickleball. To execute swift changes in direction with confidence, your shoes need exceptional traction. He suggested opting for shoes with outsoles featuring a detailed tread pattern. This pattern grips the court surface, preventing slips and slides, allowing you to move more freely and explosively.
- Durability with breathability: Pickleball is tough on shoes. The constant multidirectional movement and sliding, stopping and starting can quickly wear down footwear. Choose shoes made with durable materials like synthetic overlays to protect against abrasion. Simultaneously, breathable mesh uppers keep your feet cool and comfortable even during extended play.
- Fit: A proper fit is crucial for both comfort and performance. Preston advises looking for shoes with a slightly higher front profile to secure your feet and prevent them from sliding forward and shoes with wide laces to provide adjustable support and accommodate different foot shapes. “It will ensure that the foot is held securely in the shoe and will minimize the shearing forces of your foot sliding around,” she says.
After all the great advice Preston and Radisch provided, I now wear the Skechers Viper Court Pro (see below) because I needed the extra arch support, and they’ve definitely improved my traction and agility while playing. And, I might add, I’m now crushing my family on the court. The lesson here? Choosing the right shoes can elevate your pickleball game, so pick out a pair and go have some fun!
Best pickleball shoes
K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball Shoes
Expert-favorite pickleball shoes
K-Swiss, known to be the first brand to bring a dedicated pickleball shoe to the court, offers a shoe that can serve beginners through pros. The Express Light is breathable and lightweight, yet durable and wear-resistant, allowing you to be agile yet supported while playing. Plus, it’s stylish so you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for performance. The shoes are available in five colors, ranging from neutral grays to bright turquoise.?
Radisch noted they were the first to have a dedicated pickleball shoe, and it showed in its construction, but it’s also a great all-around choice for players of all skill levels. Plus, you can choose from one of six colors to match your aesthetic.
Skechers Viper Court Pro
Pickleball shoes for arch support
The Skechers Viper Court Pro pickleball shoes provide excellent arch support and a responsive feel. The Goodyear rubber outsoles improve traction, stability and durability, and the mesh uppers with synthetic overlays provide further, breathable durability.
The Skechers Viper Court Pro features a removable, supportive cushion that provides ample arch support. Its roominess by the front of the foot allows for a relaxed fit.
Asics Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes
Budget-friendly pickleball shoes
The Asics Gel-Renma shoes are a fantastic value option and are a well-balanced shoe. They feature wrap-up outsoles with flexible grooves designed to support smoother movement even while pivoting and taking lateral steps.?
Radisch likes that the Asics Gel-Renma shoes offer a good combination of everything you need to play pickleball. They are notably good in terms of midsole support, helping players achieve precise on-court movements. Layered with flexible outsole grooves, the shoes are ideal for lots of quick pivots and movement on the court.???
FitVille Amadeus Pickleball Shoes
Pickleball shoes for wide feet
The Fitville court shoes are designed to easily accommodate and keep wide feet or those with bunions comfy. The rubber outsoles are slip-resistant while the upper is made of mesh and microfiber. The sneakers come in a wide and extra-wide styles, so you can optimize for the shape and needs of your feet.?
The Fitville Amadeus V3 shoes feature extra-wide toe boxes and high insteps for wider feet. Coupled with a nonslip sole, it's ready for any movement on the court.?
Nike Zoom Challenge
Pickleball shoes for narrow feet
The fun, retro vibe of these shoes may be the initial draw, but the function matches up with the form. Preston likes these because they feature everything you’d expect in a premium pair of pickleball shoes, including synthetic overlays, mesh panels, and extra rubber in the soles for durability and traction.
The Zoom Challenge boasts plush cushioning in the heels and forefeet for explosive movement, airy mesh panels and tough rubber in the toes and forefeet for long-lasting wear.
Fila Volley Zone Shoes
Pickleball shoes for beginners
The Fila Volley Zone shoes come with herringbone rubber outsoles and forefoot pivot areas, plus EVA midsoles. Fila notes that women’s sizing runs half a size small, so you should upsize by a half.?
Fila’s Volley Zone men's pickleball shoes have all the same great options as the women's version but go up to size 14 for larger feet.
Adidas Gamecourt 2.0 Tennis Shoes
Pickleball shoes for breathability
The classically styled Adidas Gamecourt shoes are comfy right out of the box and back that up with top performance for both pickleball and tennis.
If you switch between court sports, the Adidas Gamecourt 2.0 Tennis Shoes offer a versatile option.
Head Motion Pro
Best pickleball shoes for pros
Engineered for optimal pickleball play, the Head Motion Pro pickleball come with a hard grip, letting you dash around the court with confidence, knowing your feet are supported with every step and shot you take.
These are Radisch's current pick, and he appreciates the durability he's gotten from his hours of daily play these past few months. They feature extra tread around the outsoles, and while Radisch typically has heel discomfort in other shoes, he claims there is enough support in these for him to be pain-free.?
