12 of the Best Pickleball Shoes Around

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For those who aren’t familiar, let us introduce you to the world of pickleball. It’s basically a combination of tennis, badminton, and Ping-Pong all in one game, played on an indoor or outdoor court—what more could you want? Whether you are a beginner or a veteran player, it’s always best to equip yourself with the best accessories for the sport, including the best pickleball shoes!

The best shoes for the sport will help you maintain stability as you glide back and forth on the court. It is very important to pick the right style for your foot, not only to help your game but to keep your feet pain-free as you take the game by storm. Since pickleball is played on a court similar to that of tennis, the comfortable sneakers you wear should have just the right traction and bounce to perform on that surface.

Pickleball shoes are made specifically to support lateral movements. So before you reach for those running shoes in your closet for a match, think again. The wrong type of shoes could cut your confidence on the court and, worse, increase your chance of injury. "Wearing improper shoes for pickleball will cause your mind to worry about whether you will or won’t slip when you plant your foot, as opposed to focusing on the game," says Kiana Lake, cofounder of Luxe Pickleball.

Don't know where to start? You've come to the right place. With the help of Lake and pro pickleball player Meg Charity, we found the best pickleball shoes on the market. Additionally, we combed through customer reviews to find styles shoppers love for the sport. Whether you need extra arch support, have wide feet, or want a pop of color on the court, check out our guide to the best pickleball shoes below.

Rush Pro 4.0 Tennis Shoe

Meg Charity, a professional pickleball player and cofounder of Rally Pickleball, loves these lightweight and supportive tennis shoes for pickleball matches. Foam cushioning and an airy mesh upper help keep you light on your feet, while an asymmetrical heel counter offers additional control and arch support with every step.

Customer Review: "I feel agile and stable while I’m rallying around the court in these," Charity says. "[I also look] sharp, so I can wear them from the court to cocktails."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: EVA foam

• Weight: Unavailable

• Sole Material: Rubber

Hypercourt Express 2 HB

This is the traditional pickleball shoe you've been looking for. It offers the perfect blend of support and stability, thanks to Durawrap Flex technology that helps prevent against toe dragging. Plus, it has lightweight foam underfoot that perfectly molds to you.

Customer Review: "These shoes are really nice looking in person and fit my foot—wide forefoot and narrow heel—pretty well."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: Compression-molded EVA foam

• Weight: Unavailable

• Sole Material: Molded rubber

Women's Gel-Challenger 13 Tennis Shoes

Asics GEL features a cushioning system made up of two layers of memory foam that helps shock absorption on (or off) the court, all while molding to your foot so you have the perfect fit. The PGuard protector helps protect your toes as you make sharp cuts across the court. And the AHAR Plus outsole adds additional structure to the shoe for extra ankle support.

Customer Review: "Got them for pickleball. They [are supportive] and comfortable. I have a narrow foot and like the firm fit at the middle of the foot and roomy toe box. I now also wear the gel-challenger for working out at the gym and find them so comfortable after breaking in that I find myself wearing them for everyday use, too."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology

• Weight: 10 ounces

• Materials: Rubber

696v5

This New Balance shoe provides just the right amount of support to keep your feet happy during a long game. The Herringbone base give you grip as you move around, as the synthetic and mesh upper allow for added structure and breathability on the court.

Customer Review: "These court shoes were a perfect fit and comfortable from the first time I wore them. I hope they wear well. I play outdoor pickleball three to four times a week."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: Synthetic and mesh

• Weight: Unavailable

• Sole Material: Ndurance outsole

Volley Zone

These bright-pink sneakers are not only super cute but also are designed with extra cushioning and a durable rubber sole for traction, the perfect recipe for comfort on the court. It also boasts a removable sock liner with soft EVA material. This added cushion will do wonders for your feet, especially after a long game.

Customer Review: "Super lightweight. Good arch support. Good traction. Lower cut on the sides where your ankle bone is, which is different from the other shoes I tried on, making them more comfortable. Great fun color."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: Removable molded EVA sock liner

• Weight: 2 pounds

• Sole Material: High-abrasion rubber

The Roger Advantage Tennis Sneaker

Pickleball and tennis courts are quite similar, which is why tennis shoes make wonderful pickleball companions. We love this shoe by tennis icon Roger Federer designed for maximum agility under each step. We have a feeling he would approve of their dual use. The cushioning underfoot helps absorb shock as you glide across the court or take your daily walk.

Customer Review: "Use these every day. They go with every outfit and are very comfortable."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: CloudTec

• Weight: Unavailable

• Sole Material: Rubber

Express Light Pickleball Shoe

You won't have to sacrifice style on the court with this sleek shoe from K-Swiss, featuring an OrthoLite foam sock liner, which has a moisture-wicking system to keep your feet dry as you play. The base is crafted from a high-density durable rubber, minimizing wear and tear.

Customer Review: "Good arch and ankle support. The heels seemed a little loose, but I got used to them. I’m using them for outdoor pickleball."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: Ortholite sock liner

• Weight: 9.7 ounces

• Sole Material: Rubber

Court Air Zoom Vapor Pro Tennis Shoe

This shoe is engineered to be as lightweight as possible, while still providing stability on a hard surface. Its foundation is made of Zoom Air cushioning that helps you spring into action on the court.

Customer Review: "Seems like a sturdy, quality court shoe with lots of style and is lightweight."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: Zoom Air

• Weight: Unavailable

• Sole Material: Herringbone

Rush PRO 3.0 Pickleball Shoe

One of the few sneakers crafted specifically for pickleball, these kicks were made to control sudden pivot movements with stability while providing ample arch cushioning. Lake also loves these because of their sturdy rubber outsoles, which enhance durability.

Customer Review: "The shoes are well made, with great traction. They feel light on my feet as I run around. The support is what really differentiates."

Closure: Lace-up
Cushioning: Sensifeel mesh
Weight: 1.63 pounds
Sole Material: Rubber

Classic Corridor

Slip on this classic-looking pair and feel the magic of the craftsmanship behind some of the best side-to-side-movement court shoes. With leather detailing surrounding softer mesh, you will want to wear these even when you aren't playing! They have a cork footbed cover atop a soft foam sockliner for added comfort, too.

Customer Review: "The sneakers are comfy and lightweight. I also love how the sole looks classic! I highly recommend!"

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: Ortholite foam

• Weight: Unavailable

• Sole Material: Rubber cupsole

Barricade

This court shoe is specifically designed keeping one’s control on the court in mind. The special lacing system locks your foot in by pulling down the neoprene tongue to match the shape of your mid-foot. Plus, the bouncy midsole keeps your feet cushioned, so you won't have to worry about anything but the game.

Customer Review: "This is a great shoe for support. It does run a half size large. Very cushioned and supportive. I have a narrow foot but want the extra toe room, and this shoe supplies just that."

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: Bounce midsole

• Weight: 14 ounces

• Sole Material: Rubber

Gel-Resolution 8 Tennis Shoes

With a base that swoops up over the toe box, providing an extra layer of defense against toe-dragging, this model is designed to keep your foot locked in during fast movements. The breathable mesh style also comes in wide sizes, enabling you to chose the perfect fit for comfort.

Customer Review: "Love them! Fit is a little snug, but otherwise they are okay. Very comfortable shoe. Love the look and the feel on the court. Feel like I am floating. Highly recommend!"

• Closure: Lace-up

• Cushioning: AHAR Plus

• Weight: 1.65 pounds

• Sole Material: Rubber

What to look for in the best pickleball shoes

Support: The best pickleball shoes have ample cushion in the midsole. Lake recommends looking for options made with soft, supportive EVA foam. "[It's] great for cushion to help support lateral movements in a pickleball game," she says.

Also, keep an eye out for styles with flatter outsoles. "Always check that sole is close to the surface of the court (versus high and thick)," says Charity. "The closer you are to the surface, the more stability you'll have."

Weight: "You’ll find that court shoes feel a bit heavier and may not be as comfortable as running shoes, but they’ll be more supportive for your ankles as you rally around the court," says Charity.

Traction: Having poor traction on the court can be distracting and inhibit your performance. As such, look for shoes with a durable, patterned rubber outsole that will help provide grip and stability.

Can you wear running shoes for pickleball?

Pickleball experts don't recommend it. "Running shoes are designed (mostly) for forward movement, whereas court shoes are designed to support the quick, sharp lateral movements of pickleball and tennis," says Charity. Opting for pickleball and tennis-specific shoes will help ensure you have proper support on the court and help prevent injury, such as rolled ankles.

How we selected the best pickleball shoes

For this story, author Nashia Baker consulted two pickleball experts about their favorite pickleball shoes on the market and what to look for in the best styles. She also scoured the internet for pickleball shoes with glowing customer reviews, analyzing each on factors like level of cushioning, arch support, and traction offered.

Why trust Oprah Daily?

Nashia Baker is a commerce editor at Hearst covering the latest and greatest products across the home and lifestyle categories. Throughout her career, she has interviewed countless fitness experts to learn about the best products to support health and wellness.

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