Best Pickleball Sneakers for Peak Performance [List Curated by Pros]
Are you ready to step up your game? Choosing the right pickleball sneakers can make all the difference in your performance. Whether you’re planning to play for the first time or you’re already daydreaming about drinks and slams, there are plenty of reasons to invest in proper footwear.
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What Makes a Good Pickleball Shoe
Pickleball sneakers are crafted for performance and comfort on the court. Features that make a good pickleball shoe are cushioning, durability, stability, lightweight design, and breathability to ensure you stay agile and confident no matter how intense the match gets.
Think of pickleball shoes just as you would think of cleats. You can play sports like baseball, golf, or soccer without them; but the difference is night and day when you wear them. Instead of fearing about slipping out, you can play with confidence knowing that you are grounded with your quick pivots and changes of pace. Although it may be tempting to use any sneaker you have, pickleball shoes are built with proper grips that keep you stuck in on the court so you don’t have to hold back.
The best pickleball sneakers on the market will not only improve your game, but they will also help you protect yourself from pickleball injuries—like torn ACLs, ankle sprains, and falls.
This can happen to anyone in the heat of the moment, but it can be especially detrimental for older pickleball players. According to a study done by Mathias B. Forrester, patients 50 years or older accounted for 90.9% of emergency room visits stemming from pickleball. Besides warming up, maintaining physical fitness, and hydrating yourself, choosing the right pickleball shoe is the most recommended piece of advice from doctors to keep healthy and stay on the court.
We’ve broken down what you need to know to:
- Select a good pickleball shoe for you
- Look for alternative options that you may already own
Choosing a Good Pickleball Shoe There are so many pickleball shoes on the market with different innovations. Finding the perfect sneaker can be a bit intimidating. We’ll give you our advice on which pickleball brands and shoes to consider to match your preferred strategy. But to keep things simple to start, let’s talk about different styles of play and shoe features meant to complement each tempo.
- Balanced Play: For players who combine offense and defense, balance is key. You will want strong support that can help you adapt with ease and react to the pace of the game. Cushioning and tread patterns are key for balanced play.
- Power Play: Are you always waiting for that moment to smash the ball and crush your opponent? Stability-focused shoes are your best bet, as they let you hold your ground on heavy hits while you drive your hips through the ball.
- Speed & Agility: Nobody wants clunky shoes slowing them down! If you’re a defensive guru who covers all of the court with ease, choose lightweight shoes designed for speed. You also want to make sure that the sneakers can grip well, especially when you need to break stride and wind up for a shot.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor Play: The surface of the court matters when selecting pickleball shoes because pickleball courts can be tough on your shoes. You don’t want to be the one to scuff up the indoor court. And you don’t want to slip out on outdoor surfaces.
Alternatives to Pickleball Shoes
Perhaps you own a pair of tennis shoes or cross-trainers that you are thinking about using. There are certain situations where these athletic sneakers can be a good substitution, but pickleball shoes have advanced features to give you a competitive edge like: lower-to-the-ground forefoot designs, elevated lateral sidewalls, and lightweight compositions.Tennis/court shoes are the most common substitutions for pickleball sneakers. In reality, the differences between tennis and pickleball court shoes are minimal for outdoor play.
They can be a great alternative option. The aggressive wider grips on the soles of tennis shoes are meant to handle a variety of surfaces like concrete, clay, and grass, giving you plenty of stability on the pickleball court.If you are going to be playing inside a majority of the time, you will want to find a non-marking pickleball shoe that is dedicated for slick, polished surfaces.
Cross-training shoes can be a good alternative for indoor play as they are designed with treads for all kinds of athletic activities. Cross-trainers are not recommended for outdoor surfaces, as they often lack the proper grip needed to handle rough surfaces
Most Popular Pickleball Shoe Brands
Pickleball shoe brands recognize the significant demand for specialized footwear, and many major sneaker brands are entering the pickleball market. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, participation has increased by 223.5% over the past 3 years. With an increase in participation, there’s a growing lineup of pickleball-specific kicks designed to keep you quick, comfortable, and stylish on the court.
We’ve compiled a list of the leading pickleball sneaker brands, a breakdown of what the pros are wearing, and suggestions for highly rated pickleball shoes to match your style of play.
Leading Sneaker Brands
Large brands in the shoe industry, traditional tennis/court companies, and some of the best pickleball brands are all creating quality sneakers. With pickleball's diverse player base, brands have the chance to create specialized shoe designs tailored to different types of players. Here’s a look at some of the top pickleball sneaker brands on the market.
Sneaker Brands of Top Pickleball Players
If you're searching for the perfect pickleball sneakers, take some hints from the pros. The footwear choices of top athletes can tell you a lot about what works under the intense demands of the game. While some players are sponsored by major brands, others simply gravitate toward shoes they trust to support their performance.
Here’s a breakdown of what some of the sport’s biggest names are wearing:
Tyson McGuffin & Catherine Parenteau: Skechers
Tyson & Catherine have teamed up with Skechers, reflecting the company’s push to solidify themselves as an up-and-coming brand in pickleball footwear.
Federico Staksrud: Adidas
Federico recently made the switch to Adidas, leaving Joola. With the move, Adidas has shown they have what it takes to be a top contender in the pickleball market. As a leading footwear company, their shoes are tried and tested.
Anna Leigh Waters: FILA
As the sport’s teenage prodigy, Anna Leigh Waters rocks FILA sneakers, a brand known for its stylish yet high-performance designs. Anna Leigh dominates as the current top ranked women’s singles player, showing that FILA shoes can help you compete at the highest level.
Ben Johns: Babolat
Ben Johns, widely considered one of the greatest in the game, trusts Babolat—the popular French tennis company—for his footwear. Many of the best professional players use Babolat shoes even though they aren’t officially sponsored by the brand.
Shoes to Match Your Play Style
Depending on your skill level, you may not know what kind of tempo works best for you on the court. It’s hard to pinpoint as a beginner. And even as an experienced player it can be hard to identify. Sometimes it just depends on your opponent.Maybe you are a jack of all trades on the court—a player that can change based on each situation. In that case, a balanced shoe is a safe bet for you. You can feel confident to dig in to a heavy slam when you want and sprint towards a precise dink when necessary. Check out these sneaker options to complement a balanced, all around skill set:
Love darting across the court to make those impossible saves? You’ll want lightweight shoes with plenty of grip to help you pivot and sprint without missing a beat. Here are a few that we recommend:
If you want to be the one to control the tempo, making your opponent do all the work, check out shoes like these. A power player moves laterally, as their opponents move in every direction. These shoes keep you comfortable and in control as you shuffle between slams:
Don’t skip out on this step. If you know you will be playing primarily indoors or outdoors, it is crucial to pick a shoe with the right grip for the surface.
- Indoor Courts - Head Motion Pro Men’s & Women’s
- Outdoor Courts - Babolat Jet Mach III Men’s & Women’s
6 Pickleball Shoes for Every Budget
Whether you're a newbie or a pickleball pro, you don’t need to spend a lot of money. Many of the best pickleball shoes are budget friendly. However, pricier pickleball shoes are usually composed of more durable, high-quality materials.
Most pickleball shoe companies agree that shoes can last around 6 months if you are playing 2 times a week, maybe 2-3 months playing 3-5 times a week, and about a year if you play only once a week.
If you are going to be playing multiple times a week, you want to consider purchasing a shoe that can keep up with your pace—sneakers with features such as added overlays, water-proof/water-resistant materials, etc. Consider how often you will be playing in order to help you find a budget that works for you. Let’s take a look at the top picks from each price range that’ll keep you moving fast and feeling good on the court.
Affordable Shoes For Less Than $75
$75 is a good benchmark for an inexpensive pickleball shoe that doesn’t sacrifice quality. If you are looking for your first pickleball sneaker, you can find many options around this price range.
Here are some that we recommend starting with.
- ASICS Gel-Renma Men’s & Women’s: The Gel-Remna shoe gives you the stability and flexibility you need for quick, smooth moves with extra support and freedom to twist, turn, and pivot on the court.
- K-Swiss Court Express Men’s & Women’s: The Court Express Pickleball shoe is perfect for the occasional player & beginners who want comfort and support without breaking the bank. With a cushioned midsole, breathable design, and durable grip, it's ready to keep you comfy and stable.
Mid-Range Sneakers Under $125
For intermediate players who want a step up in performance without going overboard, under $125 is a sweet spot. If you're getting more serious about your pickleball game, this range offers shoes that provide extra stability, support, and durability for those intense rallies. Here are some top picks that will help take your game to the next level.
- K-Swiss Express Light Men’s & Women’s: The perfect combo of comfort, breathability, and support for players who want to move fast and play hard. This lightweight shoe has you covered.
- Wilson Rush Pro Ace Men’s & Women’s: The Rush Pro Ace is all about comfort, with a wider toe box. With great breathability and stability, this shoe helps you control your pivots while keeping you comfortable and confident on the court.
Advanced Footwear Worth the Splurge
Top-notch pickleball shoes are packed with tech that can elevate your game with features like premium cushioned soles, added stabilit, and lightweight designs. These shoes give you the grip, comfort, and control you need to stay ahead on the court.
- Asics Gel Resolution 9 Men’s & Women’s: This shoe is all about speed, designed to help you move faster and accelerate with ease. With lightweight mesh, excellent grip, and SPEEDTRUSS tech, it’ll keep you quick and agile on any court.
- Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 6 Men’s & Women’s: The Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour 6 AC is built for advanced players who crave speed, power, and comfort. With explosive energy return, top-notch stability, and one of the lightest designs around, this shoe helps you glide, stop, and dominate the court with ease.
For the Love of Pickleball
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