16 Best Pickleball Shoes For Men and Women
In recent years, Pickleball has rapidly gained popularity as one of the most exciting racket sports. To excel on the pickleball court, having the proper footwear is crucial. Pickleball shoes are designed to provide the perfect balance of comfort, support, and traction for optimal performance. Technology in specialized court shoes for pickleball continues to advance.
The best court shoes for pickleball offer a range of features that cater to the unique demands of the game. Firstly, they provide excellent stability to keep your feet secure during lateral movements and quick changes in direction. This feature is essential in pickleball, where players frequently perform side-to-side slides and explosive movements. This review will explore some of the top options available, considering their features, reviews, and overall value.
What are Pickleball Shoes?
Pickleball shoes are specially designed footwear that caters to the sport’s unique demands. They offer the necessary support, stability, and traction for quick lateral movements, sudden stops, and starts during pickleball matches.
Unlike regular athletic shoes, pickleball shoes are optimized to provide an excellent grip on indoor and outdoor courts, allowing players to make swift changes in direction without compromising their balance.
Why Do You Need These Specialized Shoes?
Investing in the best court shoes for pickleball can significantly enhance your performance and protect you from injuries. Here’s why you need them:
- Traction: Pickleball shoes are designed with non-marking rubber soles that provide exceptional grip on various court surfaces. The outsoles are specifically engineered to prevent slippage, allowing you to move confidently without worrying about accidents or losing your footing.
- Support and Stability: Pickleball involves quick lateral movements, and your shoes must offer adequate support and stability. Specialized pickleball shoes have reinforced sides and midsoles that provide stability during side-to-side movements, reducing the risk of ankle injuries.
- Cushioning: Pickleball is hard on your knees due to your movements while playing the game. Pickleball shoes have targeted cushioning technologies to reduce impact. Usually, these are in the midsoles, where most of the force is taken. Cushioning will provide you with a more comfortable playing experience.
- Durability: Your basic walking or running show is not designed to hold up to the type of demands that playing pickleball requires. Pickleball shoes are similar to court shoes made for tennis. They have very durable soles, some being ‘warrantied’ for some time against wear.
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Pickleball Shoes for Pickleball
When searching for the best court shoe for pickleball, there are several factors to keep in mind to ensure you make a decision:
Court Surface
Please consider the type of court surface you primarily play on. Different shoes are designed for specific court surfaces, such as indoor wood, concrete, or outdoor asphalt. Choose shoes with outsoles that provide optimal traction on the surface you play on most frequently.
Grip and Traction
Please look for pickleball shoes with rubber outsoles with excellent grip and traction. The outsoles should have patterns or herringbone designs that enhance multi-directional movement and prevent slippage on the court.
Support
Pickleball involves a lot of lateral movements, so choose shoes that provide ample support to prevent ankle injuries. Please look for shoes with reinforced sides, ankle collars, and midsoles that offer stability during quick changes in direction.
Cushioning
Opt for shoes with cushioned midsoles to absorb the impact of jumps and sudden stops. The cushioning should be responsive and provide adequate shock absorption to protect your joints and minimize fatigue.
Breathability
Pickleball shoes should have breathable uppers to allow air circulation and keep your feet cool and dry during intense matches. Look for shoes with mesh or synthetic uppers that offer ventilation without compromising durability.
Fit and Comfort
Proper fit is crucial for pickleball shoes. Look for shoes that offer a snug fit without being too tight or loose. Consider the width and arch support that suits your foot type for maximum comfort and stability on the court.
Durability
Pickleball shoes should be able to withstand the demands of the sport. Please check the quality of the materials, stitching, and toe caps to ensure the shoes can withstand aggressive movements and provide long-lasting performance.
Budget
What is your budget range for pickleball shoes? While investing in quality shoes is essential, options are available at various prices.
What Are the Top 7 Men’s Pickleball Shoes?
Skechers Men’s Pickleball Shoes
Skechers Men’s Viper Pickleball Shoes offer supportive comfort with Goodyear rubber outsoles for enhanced traction on indoor and outdoor courts.
The relaxed fit and adjustable lace-up front provide a comfortable workout, while the breathable athletic mesh upper keeps your feet cool. These shoes feature Skechers arch-fit insoles with podiatrist-certified arch support for optimal comfort.
K-Swiss Men’s Express Pickleball Shoe
K-Swiss Men’s Express Pickleball Shoe features a durable high-density outsole and durawrap technology for toe protection.
The 180 PSC provides midfoot stability, and the ortho-lite sock liner keeps your feet cool and minimizes perspiration. The DragGuard offers increased abrasion resistance in high-wear areas.
ASICS Men’s Gel-RENMA Pickleball Shoes
ASICS Men’s Gel-RENMA Pickleball Shoes have synthetic leather overlays for durability and a solution dye sock liner that reduces water usage and carbon emissions.
The Trusstic technology improves stability, while the wrap-up outsole and wider gauge allow smoother movements. Flex grooves enhance flexibility.
Adidas Men’s Grand Court Shoes
The soft leather ensures long-lasting wear and freedom of movement. These shoes feature a cloudfoam sock liner that offers comfort and lightweight cushioning for a plush feel. The rubber outsole provides excellent grip, allowing for confident strides on various surfaces.
Adidas Men’s Grand Court Shoes are imported court-inspired leather shoes that provide casual comfort with pillow-soft cushioning. The regular fit and lace closure offers a secure and adjustable fit.
ASICS Men’s FlyteFoam 2 Tennis Shoes
ASICS Men’s FlyteFoam 2 Tennis Shoes utilize Dynawrap technology for midfoot stability and FLYTEFOAM technology for lightweight cushioning.
The Flytefoam propel technology provides superior bounce, and Twistruss technology enhances quickness and stability. The Rearfoot GEL technology cushions shock during impact.
New Balance Men’s Court Shoe
New Balance Men’s Court Shoe offers ultimate on-court stability with Rollbar technology.
The full-grain leather upper and herringbone-pattern outsole provide traction during lateral movements. The lightning dry technology keeps your feet dry and comfortable.
Cole Haan Men’s Grandpro Court Shoes
Cole Haan Mens Grandpro Court Shoes feature clean court sneaker styling in canvas uppers.
The memory foam footbed provides responsive cushioning and breathability, while the lightweight construction and textured outsole offer traction. The shoes have a modern and stylish design.
How Do These Men’s Shoes Compare?
| Shoe Model | Weight | Stability | Cushioning | Technology | Other Features |
| Skechers Men’s Pickleball Shoes | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Comfortable | Goodyear rubber outsoles | Breathable mesh upper, arch support insoles |
| K-Swiss Men’s Express Pickleball Shoe | Moderate weight | High stability | Cushioned | Durawrap technology, DragGuard | Ortholite sock liner |
| ASICS Men’s Gel-RENMA Pickleball Shoes | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Gel cushioning | Trusstic technology | Synthetic overlays, eco-friendly sock liner |
| Adidas Men’s Grand Court Shoes | Moderate weight | Moderate stability | Pillow-soft cushioning | Cloudfoam sock liner | Court-inspired leather, rubber outsole |
| ASICS Men’s FlyteFoam 2 Tennis | Lightweight | High stability | Lightweight cushioning | Dynawrap, FLYTEFOAM technology | Rearfoot GEL cushioning, quickness enhancement |
| New Balance Men’s Court Shoe | Moderate weight | High stability | Responsive cushioning | Rollbar technology | Full-grain leather, herringbone-pattern outsole |
| Cole Haan Mens Grandpro Court Shoes | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Responsive cushioning | Memory foam footbed | Canvas uppers, lightweight construction |
What Are the Top 9 Women’s Pickleball Shoes?
ASICS Women’s Gel-RENMA Pickleball Shoes
ASICS Women’s Gel-RENMA Pickleball Shoes are imported and designed to provide durability and stability on the court. The synthetic leather overlays enhance the shoe’s durability, while the solution dye sock liner reduces water usage and carbon emissions.
The Trusstic technology improves stability, and the wrap-up outsole and wider gauge promote smoother and more balanced movements.
Skechers Women’s Viper Court Sneakers
Skechers Women’s Viper Court Sneakers are a versatile shoe for various athletic activities. Made in the USA or imported, they feature Goodyear rubber outsoles for enhanced traction on indoor and outdoor courts.
The relaxed fit and adjustable lace-up front provide comfortable workouts, and the breathable mesh upper keeps feet cool. These shoes also come with Skechers Arch Fit insoles that offer podiatrist-certified arch support for added comfort and stability.
K-Swiss Women’s Pickleball Supreme Shoe
The Durawrap Flex material offers a durable yet flexible construction, eliminating the need for a break-in period. The Dragguard 7.0 technology enhances outsole durability in high-wear areas.
With the Aosta II rubber compound, these shoes offer high-density, non-marking outsoles for exceptional durability. Designed specifically for pickleball, these shoes deliver superior performance on the court.
FitVille Women’s Wide Width Court Shoes
The fashionable mesh and super soft microfiber upper are breathable and anti-odor. These shoes offer a new honeycomb insole and Ortholite material for cushioning and extra support.
The dual-density EVA outsoles and anti-torsion TPU rubber provide shock absorption and enhance agility. With an enhanced non-slip design, these shoes allow you to play freely on different surfaces while providing comfort and stability.
WILSON Rush Pro Ace Pickleball Shoe
Wilson Rush Pro Ace is fashionable and functional, perfect for pickleball and tennis. These shoes are made with a textile and synthetic upper and offer breathability and durability.
The cushioned insole provides comfort, and the removable feature allows for customization. Designed for performance, these shoes allow you to enter the court in style while maintaining optimal functionality.
Adidas Women’s Gamecourt Shoe
Adidas Women’s Gamecourt Shoe is a versatile tennis shoe suitable for pickleball. With a padded collar and durable outsole, these shoes provide comfort and support.
The open mesh upper allows breathability and flexibility, and the EVA midsole offers lightweight cushioning. The Adiwear outsole ensures high-wear durability, and the shoe is made with recycled content as part of Adidas’ commitment to reducing plastic waste.
New Balance Women’s 796 V3 Court Shoe
New Balance Women’s 796 V3 Court Shoe features a REVlite midsole for cushioning and a sleek fit. The synthetic and mesh upper offers a no-sew construction for enhanced comfort.
The TPU overlay provides durable support, and the NDure upper technology ensures superior durability. These shoes are designed for women looking for both style and performance on the court.
Avia Verge Pickleball Shoes
They provide ultimate comfort and durability for various activities, including walking, travel, tennis, and everyday use. The removable memory foam sock liner offers personalized cushioning and pressure point relief.
The compression-molded EVA midsole, anatomical heel cradle, and Avia’s Cantilever technology ensure stability, shock absorption, and exceptional cushioning. Made with synthetic leather, these white sneakers are both supportive and durable.
Lamincoa Women’s Pickleball Shoes
The high-grip anti-skid rubber outsole provides reliable traction, while the thicker, lightweight midsole prevents ankle sprains. The shock-absorbent insole protects the heel and stabilizes the foot during impact.
The breathable multi-directional mesh material improves ventilation, keeping feet dry during exercise. These shoes are suitable for various outdoor activities and offer remarkable stability performance, making them ideal for tennis, pickleball, badminton, and more.
How Do These Women Shoes Compare?
| Shoe Model | Weight | Stability | Cushioning | Technology | Other Features |
| ASICS Women’s Gel-RENMA Pickleball Shoes | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Gel cushioning | Trusstic technology | Synthetic overlays, eco-friendly sock liner |
| Skechers Women’s Viper Court Sneakers | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Comfortable | Goodyear rubber outsoles | Breathable mesh upper, arch support insoles |
| K-Swiss Women’s Pickleball Supreme Shoe | Lightweight | High stability | Cushioned | Durawrap Flex, Dragguard 7.0 | Aosta II rubber compound |
| FitVille Women’s Wide Width Court Shoes | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Cushioned | Dual-density EVA, anti-torsion TPU | Breathable mesh upper, non-slip design |
| Wilson Rush Pro Ace Pickleball Shoes | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Cushioned | Textile and synthetic upper | Removable cushioned insole |
| Adidas Women’s Gamecourt Shoe | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Lightweight cushioning | Open mesh upper, Adiwear outsole | Made with recycled content |
| New Balance Women’s 796 V3 Court Shoe | Lightweight | Moderate stability | REVlite cushioning | No-sew synthetic and mesh upper | TPU overlay, NDure upper technology |
| Avia Verge Pickleball Shoes | Lightweight | Moderate stability | Memory foam cushioning | Compression-molded EVA midsole | Removable memory foam sock liner |
| Lamincoa Women’s Pickleball Shoes | Lightweight | High stability | Shock-absorbent | Anti-skid rubber outsole | Breathable multi-directional mesh |
FAQ’s
Which Court Shoes Are Right For You?
It is recommended that you try on various brands to see which one works for you. Walk around to assess their fit, comfort, and support. If possible, visit a specialty sports store for expert advice and try shoes on a court surface.
I have worn three brands of shoes, and they all have given me some different advantages. One was more of a stability shoe, a little heavier, which was ok. I felt very stable going up for shots. The other brand was lighter but still gave solid stability and cushioning. I could tell the difference between the two. The third one I tried was the most comfortable I have worn. But it just didn’t provide the stability that I needed.
So remember that everyone’s feet are unique, and what works well for someone else may not work well for you. Finding the right court shoes may require trial and error, but prioritizing fit, comfort, and performance features will help you make a better decision.
Featured Image Courtesy of PPA
