As pickleball gains in popularity, more people are looking for a dedicated pickleball shoe as they get in the game. But, if you’re new to the game, you may not know what shoes for pickleball are best. Choosing the wrong shoe may not only ruin your game but also hurt your foot.
To avoid that from happening, we’re going to take a look at some of the best pickleball shoes as well as what to look for when choosing the best pickleball shoe. Let’s get started.
Anatomy Of A Great Shoe For Pickleball
Priority number one when looking for the best pickleball shoe is to find one that will let you play like a champ and be comfortable at the same time. Since pickleball is played on a court similar to tennis, the shoes you should wear should have the right traction and give you the right bounce to perform well on that type of surface. Court shoes for pickleball are made specifically for these types of lateral moves.
Pickleball requires plenty of jumping, running from point to point, and jumping up and down a lot. These types of movements can put a lot of stress on your knees and feet if you don’t have the right shoes. This is why you want to look for a durable shoe.
As you shop for a great pickleball shoe, consider these factors to help you find the best one:
Comfort
Pickleball can be rough on your feet, so you want to find shoes that have just the right amount of padding and support but are still lightweight and comfortable. Comfortable shoes for pickleball are a must.
Breathability
When people play pickleball, they tend to sweat a lot. This is why you want to choose breathable shoes.
Support
The best pickleball shoes feature a thick and stiff sole, usually made out of rubber. This helps to provide support from impacts. This is a sign you’ve chosen good pickleball shoes.
Weight
When you’re thinking about the weight of pickleball shoes, keep in mind that many volleyball shoes weigh at or under 9 ounces while some tennis shoes can weigh upwards of one pound.
The shoe weight of the pickleball shoe you choose is going to vary on what you’re looking for in a shoe. Heavier shoes tend to provide more support while lighter shoes will help you move faster on the court. If you’re not worried about injuries, you may opt for a lighter shoe. But, if you want more support and don’t care about the weight, you’ll want to opt for the heavier shoe.
What’s The Difference Between Tennis Shoes And Pickleball Court Shoes?
Tennis and pickleball are played on a very similar court and the movement is almost identical. Tennis shoes have a durable rubber for hard court wear and are very stable and cushioned. The main difference is that the outsole is made of a softer and stickier rubber. This gives you a better grip on slippery gym floors that a tennis shoe can’t.
Remember, pickleball tennis shoes are best suited for outdoor pickleball, not indoor pickleball.
Why Is Proper Footwear Important?
Whether you’re playing for fun or playing competitively, you want to have the right pickleball shoes. Finding the proper footwear for pickleball is important because it will give you adequate ankle and arch support. This will give you the support you need and allow you to move around the court without worrying too much about injuries.
How Long Do Pickleball Shoes Last?
How long pickleball shoes last will depend on how often you play. Typically, most pickleball shoes need to be replaced every 3-4 months. If you spend several hours on the court every day, you’ll likely need to get new shoes sooner. Playing at a competitive level will also require you to change your shoes more frequently than if you’re just playing for fun.
When you notice the grooves in the sole starting to wear down, you’ll want to get new shoes. Also, if your shoes are not gripping the court, and you notice you’re sliding, you’ll also want to get a new pair.
Best Indoor Pickleball Shoes
Indoor pickleball is often played on indoor courts made from wood. This means you want shoes that have a good grip because the floor can get very slippery. Choose a shoe that is used to play badminton or volleyball. These sports have similar courts and later movements making the shoes you would wear, the best indoor pickleball shoes.
Here’s a breakdown of the best women’s shoes for indoor pickleball shoes and men’s shoes:
Best Indoor Pickleball Shoes for Women
ASICS Women’s Gel-Resolution 8 Tennis Shoes
This is ranked the best indoor pickleball shoe for women because of its traction and Asic’s own patented forefoot GEL cushioning. This cushioning technology will reduce the impact on your feet. This allows for greater comfort for a longer time.
New Balance Women’s WC806W (B) Tennis Shoes (Wht/ Pur)
These shoes from New Balance are great for the serious pickleball player. They have New Balance’s C-CAP midsoles and are compression-molded. They offer the ultimate in cushion and arch support.
Adidas Performance Women’s Barricade Club Training Shoe
Adidas provides a balanced grip on any type of surface with these shoes. They also have a sufficient level of support. These are non-marking pickleball shoes and can be used on different types of court floors without any worries.
Best Indoor Pickleball Shoes for Men
Men’s ASICS Gel-Resolution 8 Shoes
The Gel-Rocket shoe is perfect for indoor play because of its grippy gum rubber outsole. This makes it the perfect material for traction on hardwood indoor pickleball courts. They’re also very comfortable and have outstanding flexibility and support.
K-Swiss Men’s Hypercourt Express
This shoe has a wider design and provides a great sense of stability and balance while on the pickleball court. They are extremely comfortable court shoes which is one of the reasons why they’re considered very good court shoes. Many people have a soft and plushy inside that players love because there is still a high level of ventilation, so feet don’t become overheated and too sweaty. These shoes manage to provide a good deal of cushion and support while keeping feet relatively cool and dry.
Best Outdoor Pickleball Shoes
If you’re playing on concrete, you want pickleball shoes that have high durability. While you may think running shoes are best, they are not usually recommended because they are built for forward motion with heavy impacts on the heels. They lack the support needed for lateral movement. they also have thicker soles at the heels and thinner soles at the ball than what is typically recommended for pickleball.
Tennis shoes are usually the perfect fit! Since the court and movement patterns are similar, so are the shoe requirements. Let’s check out the top outdoor pickleball shoes for men and women.
Best Outdoor Pickleball Shoes For Women
New Balance Women’s WC786WN2 (B) Tennis Shoes (White/Navy)
The New Balance 786 offers superior comfort and reliable quality with features that include leather uppers with the stability of lateral forefoot overlays, the midfoot cushioning of C-CAP and ABSORB, and the durability of a long-wear drag tip. . ABSORB foam cushioning and compression set, featuring DuPont ‘ENGAGE’ and slip-resistant rubber combined with a soft midsole and insert. C-CAP compression-molded EVA for superior midsole cushioning and flexibility
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K-Swiss Women’s Hypercourt Express 2 Tennis Shoe
While these are one of the most expensive options, you do get what you pay for. They last for a long time and are exceptionally durable and well-made. They are ideal for outdoor pickleball courts because of their drag guard rubber outsole. They also come in many different colors, so you’re bound to find one that you love!
Best Outdoor Pickleball Shoes For Men
Men’s Adidas Solematch Bounce
When it comes to the best men’s pickleball shoes for the outdoors, these shoes are described as some of the most comfortable on the market. They are plush, yet breathable, which is appreciated by many players. They also tend to have a great fit for narrower feet.
The Rush Pro Ace Pickleball shoe is a favorite pickleball shoe because it’s designed for outdoor courts and indoor courts. It has a 4D Support Chassis for controlled pivot movements and stability. They also have features to create a bouncy rebound. Plus, they look great which is a plus!
Best Pickleball Shoes For Wide Feet
New Balance Men’s MC1006BS (2E) Tennis Shoes (Black/Silver))
If you have wide feet, these provide great support and stability due to their size and weight. These shoes tend to be extra wide, so you just want to be sure that they don’t have too much space that you could injure yourself. They also provide amazing arch support for those with flat feet.
ASICS Women’s Gel-Resolution 8 Wide Tennis Shoes
For women, these are the best pick because they give plenty of room for feet to spread out while still offering amazing support and stability. As far as traction goes, the grip is perfect on these shoes. There is just enough so you can run to a shot, but not too much that you feel as though you’re going to fall. They’re great for indoor or outdoor courts.
Our Top Budget-Friendly Pickleball Shoe
New Balance Men’s MCH696W4 (D) Tennis Shoes (White/ Blue)
The New Balance MCH696 is the top budget-friendly pickleball shoe because it’s sturdy and long-lasting. There is a great deal of support in the mid-foot for arch support and they’re also very comfortable for wider feet.
It also has synthetic leather that makes up the majority of the outer lining to give them a polished, classic look, while providing exceptional durability.
Best Shoes For Pickleball In 2023 – Final Thoughts
When it comes to the best pickleball shoes, you have to consider comfort and durability as well as if you’re playing indoors or outdoors. Tennis and volleyball shoes are often good choices for pickleball, but you need to be sure they are designed for the surface you’re playing on.
Whether it’s the best indoor court shoes or the best outdoor court shoes, you can count on North State Resurfacing. We offer a wide variety of Asics shoes as well as other popular shoe brands to accommodate your playing style. You can count on us to provide the best pickleball shoes for America’s fastest-growing sport!