If you’re joining a game of pickleball, it can be easy to grab your paddle and throw on the first pair of sneakers you see. However, your favorite running shoes won’t set you up for success on the court. “Running shoes are designed to primarily move forward,” says Andrew Felsenthal, a racquet sports leader at Life Time Peachtree Corners in Georgia. “With pickleball, you move in every direction — including lots of quick, explosive direction changes — so you need a shoe designed to support those movements.”
To help you find the best pickleball shoes, I asked trainers about the most important features to consider and compiled a list of their recommendations for you to shop.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best pickleball shoes | The best pickleball shoes of 2024 | How to make sure your pickleball shoes are supportive | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best pickleball shoes
With the rise in popularity of pickleball, hundreds of different sneakers made for the sport have hit the market. To help you choose the right shoes for you, experts suggest paying attention to the following criteria:
- Lateral support: “Because there are lots of side-to-side movements made in pickleball, finding shoes with lateral support is important,” says Marc Massad, a pickleball trainer and ambassador for the International Federation of Pickleball. A shoe with lateral support should have study materials and support around the midfoot area.
- Cushioning: Look for a shoe with a cushioned sole. This will help absorb impact and keep you comfortable on the hard surface of a pickleball court, says Felsenthal. Look for shoes that have memory foam in the sole or that feel extra pillowy.
- Grip: When you play pickleball, you’ll be moving quickly. Shoes with good grip will help you pivot and move as you need, says Massad. Look for shoes that have rubber soles that have treaders to provide traction.
The best pickleball shoes of 2024
Our experts recommended a few pickleball sneakers for men and women. I also found highly rated options that met the criteria set forth by the pickleball pros we spoke with.
The best pickleball shoes for men
ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 10 Sneakers
What we like
- Gel cushioning
- Breathable mesh upper
- Machine washable
Something to note
- Originally made for volleyball
Technically, these sneakers are made for volleyball. But experts say there are many of the same movements in volleyball and pickleball—like quick pivots back and forth and bursts forward and backward. The sneakers, which have a 4.5-star average rating from over 1,870 reviews on Amazon, have a flexible upper for easy movement but a synthetic leather overlay that also provides lateral support, according to the brand. The heel has gel cushioning for comfort and grooved grips on the sole for traction.
Men’s sizes: 6 to 14, including half sizes
Skechers Men’s Viper Court-Athletic Indoor Outdoor Pickleball Shoes with Arch Fit
What we like
- Insole cushion
- Extra wide fit
- An affordable option
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Felsenthal says that Skechers are an affordable and supportive option for pickleball sneakers. These shoes have rubber soles to provide traction for indoor and outdoor courts, according to the brand. They come in a medium or extra-wide width for comfort and the mesh upper is constructed to be breathable and to support the ankle as someone pivots and runs across the court, says Skechers. These shoes come in seven colors, including black/gold, white/black and yellow/navy.
Men’s sizes: 7 to 14, including half sizes
K-Swiss Men’s Express Light Pickleball Shoe
What we like
- Reinforced toe and heel
- Made from breathable materials
Something to note
- Durability
According to the brand, this shoe, which comes in normal and wide widths, offers both lateral support for those quick side-to-side movements called for in pickleball and forward support to propel you to the net. The shoe is made from breathable materials to prevent sweaty feet, and the toe and heel are reinforced to prevent wear in those areas. These sneakers have a 4.3-star average rating from over 1,480 reviews on Amazon.
Men’s sizes: 7 to 14, including half sizes
FitVille Men‘s Wide Pickleball Shoes
What we like
- Comes in wide and extra wide
- Anti-order breathable fabric
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Those with wide feet may consider these pickleball shoes from FitVille. They have a 4.2-star average rating from over 2,230 reviews on Amazon and come in wide and extra wide widths. The upper is flexible and made from breathable fabric with anti-odor technology, according to FitVille. They also have a honeycomb-patterned insole for cushioning, arch support for comfort and deep heel cups to support feet as you make lateral movements, according to the brand.
Men’s sizes: 7 to 14, including half sizes
The best pickleball shoes for women
Adidas Women’s Gamecourt 2
What we like
- Padding around the ankle
- Upper made of mesh
- Machine washable
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
These sneakers, which have a 4.3-star average rating from over 1,175 reviews on Amazon, are intended for court sports like tennis and pickleball. According to Adidas, they have padding around the ankle for stability no matter what direction you move in, and the upper is made of mesh for breathability. The shoe is also machine washable.
Women’s sizes: 5 to 11, including half sizes
K-Swiss Women’s Express Light Pickleball Shoe
What we like
- Light weight
- Extra padding around the ankle
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
I’ve been playing pickleball for a few years and wear these shoes. They weigh just under 10 ounces and don’t weigh me down. There is extra padding around the ankle for support, and the rubber sole provides good traction. The rubber extends up towards the footbed in places you’re likely to drag your foot when trying to make a shot to protect the mesh and prevent excessive wear and tear.
Women’s sizes: 5 to 11, including half sizes
K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Tennis Shoe
What we like
- Provides good traction
- Offers lateral support
Something to note
- A bit of a break-in process
“One of my favorite shoes for pickleball is the Hypercourt Express 2 by K-Swiss,” says Massad. This shoe provides lateral support, grip, and cushioning—everything you want in a pickleball shoe.” According to the brand, the upper is made from flexible material that has enough firmness to allow you to move freely while still supporting lateral movements. The sole is also made from durable rubber to provide good traction on indoor and outdoor courts.
Women’s sizes: 5 to 11, including half sizes
Skechers Women’s Go Train Arch Fit Viper Court Pickleball Sneaker
What we like
- Relatively affordable
- Provide lateral support
- Insoles offer arch support
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Felsenthal likes the pickleball sneakers from Skechers for both men and women. Not only are the shoes relatively affordable, but he says they provide strong lateral support and have durable rubber soles for good traction. The sneakers have a relaxed fit, making them a good option for those with wider feet. The shoes also have insoles that offer arch support.
Women’s sizes: 5 to 11, including half sizes
How to make sure your pickleball shoes are supportive
If you’re buying spin shoes, you want them to work for spinning. So it only makes sense that if you buy pickleball sneakers, they need to work for your game. Below, experts outline the three things to remember to ensure your shoes support you through every dink, pivot and serve.
- Focus on shoes made for the court: Not all sneakers are equal for all activities. While your running shoes may feel comfortable enough on the court, pickleball requires support that traditional running sneakers can’t provide. “I’ve seen firsthand the importance of the right footwear in enhancing performance and preventing injuries in pickleball,” says Massad. Shoes made for tennis and pickleball have much more support on the sides of your foot, to help prevent you from rolling your ankle as you move side to side.
- Think about where you’ll play: Do you prefer an indoor court? Or do you often play outside? Indoor courts are smooth (like a basketball court), so you’ll need more traction, says Felsenthal. Look for pickleball sneakers with deeper grooves in their sole, giving you more grip on a smooth court. Outdoor courts tend to have some texture, so you’ll still want some traction, but it doesn’t need to be as big of a focus.
- Replace your shoes as needed: As shoes wear, they become less supportive. So you’ll want to make sure you replace your pickleball sneakers every so often. If you rarely hit the court, your shoes will likely last a few years. If you play around the clock, you may be looking at replacing your shoes every six months, says Massad. “And if you play semi-regularly, try to replace your shoes once a year.”
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Andrew Felsenthal is a racquet sports leader at Life Time Peachtree Corners in Georgia.
- Marc Massad is a pickleball trainer and ambassador for the International Federation of Picklebal at Velocity Paddle.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, I interviewed two pickleball experts about how to shop for pickleball shoes and compiled a list of their recommendations.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
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