9 Pickleball Shoes That Look as Good as They Play

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

BUYING A PAIR of pickleball shoes is one of the smartest investments you can make in your game. Unlike your pickleball paddle, your pickleball shoes have a much more direct relationship to your health. My guide to the best pickleball shoes will set you up with the right kind of shoe for enhancing performance while hopefully reducing the odds of rolling an ankle or spraining a knee.

I've been testing pickleball shoes for well over two years now, and with the help of other writers and editors here at Men's Health I've compiled a list of the best pickleball shoes for all day play. I've looked at over 25 pairs of pickleball shoes in total. Right now there are nine pairs I recommend.

Some of the best pickleball shoes are simply well-made trainers, while other shoes are modified specifically for pickleball. When it comes to the best pickleball shoe money can buy, I love the Wilson Rush Pro Ace Pickler due to its high comfort, responsive design, classic style, and sub-$100 price point. It's essentially a country club appropriate tennis shoe modified for pickleball.

What Type of Shoe Is Best for Pickleball?

When testing to find the best pickleball shoes, I found the two most important factors to consider are traction and stability. Like workout shoes, pickleball shoes need to handle quick movements in all types of directions, so you want strong outsoles with responsive tread patterns and a midsole structure that can handle fast-twitch lateral movements. Lateral stability is super important since it can help prevent common pickleball injuries like ankle or knee sprains, so I looked for shoes that had a wider base and a stiff lower structure to provide this kind of maximum stability. With that all being said, it's time to get to my top-tested picks.

Keep scrolling to see the list of the best pickleball shoes in 2024.

Best Pickleball Gifts | Best Pickleball Accessories | Best Pickleball Shirts | Best Workout Headphones | Best Sunglasses | Best Athletic Shorts | Best Running Shoes

Rush Pro Ace Pickler Men's Pickleball Shoe

The Rush Pro Ace Pickleball is designed for court surfaces (indoor and outdoor) and has a 4D Support Chassis for controlled pivot movements and stability. I've worn this shoe playing for about six months now, logging matches that last up to two hours of consistent back and forth; through it all the Pickler has held tough.

The rubber drag pad has helped protect from holes toe dragging can cause, and the cushioned midsole has kept my high arches comfortable enough to the point I don't have to ever think about how my feet are doing (which is common when I test a shoe that doesn't have good arch support). I noticed the Pickler even has a rebound-like effect when making fast-twitch movements, which makes sense because of how close in construction the shoe is to Pro Ace Tennis Shoe—Wilson's top-selling model for tennis. Now, the rebound of the shoe alone isn't going to make you a better player, but I do believe it helped keep me on my toes more, especially when I would get in a fire-fight against another team.

The performance on this shoe is superb, and the style promises a clean look that's definitely suitable for wearing in country club environments. The comfort of the shoe—namely the supportive arch and cushioned padding around the tongue and ankle—became the final selling point for me to deem these the best pickleball shoes players can buy right now.

The Ace Pickler is a well-balanced, do-it-all shoe you can play in until the cows come home. For just under $100, this is a solid deal for what you're getting.

Read more: Best Pickleball Paddles

Skechers Slip-ins: Viper Court Elite

Skechers' pickleball shoes are highly underrated for how well they look and feel on the court. Tyson McGuffin, a PPA player known for his electrifying play, uses Skechers on the court. After playing with the latest Skechers Viper Court model, the Slip-ins Viper Court Elite, I now know why McGuffin loves the brand.

Last year, I tested the Skechers Go Train Viper Court for an entire summer. The Slip-ins Viper Court is the new iteration of the model, and the main difference between the Slip-ins and the Go Train is the Slip-ins are more comfortable, lighter, and breathable. This is likely due to the use of athletic mesh through the upper. I found the mesh to be of better quality than the Go Train Viper Court, thus making me feel faster on the court. As for comfortable, the biggest new design change for me is the heel pillow on the Slip-ins, as it kept my heel locked in during hard pivots and void of any rubbing.

If I were playing competitively in leagues and tournaments, I would still choose the Skechers shoes over the Wilson. The Slip-ins confirm high performance once again over the Wilson Pro Pickler. The traction on the Slip-ins is awesome. I could feel the Goodyear tread helping me turn and pivot much better than the other shoes I tested. The Slip-ins also have great arch support, called "Arch Fit", which gave me the ability to play for long periods of time without getting any foot pain from my feet that tend to sometimes pronate.

You can consider the Wilson Ace Pro Pickler for most levels of play, but if you're focusing on playing competitively then the Slip-ins Viper Court Elite is going to give you better performance in the heat of the moment. The one downside is the Slips-ins are $20 more than its previous model (the Go Train). But if you are playing for trophies, or bragging rights, then you deserve nothing less.

GameCourt 2

The most underrated pickleball shoe on this list, the GameCourt 2 is ultra-lightweight and breathable, making them perfect for summer play. I love the array of colors the GameCourt 2 is available in too, and I especially enjoyed the on-feet look of this red and white color.

There aren't a ton of bells and whistles on this shoe, but it has just enough to make it a great pick in my book. We're talking airy mesh to keep your feet cool, a cushioned EVA foam midsole, and an Adiwear outsole with treaded grip so you can pivot and make quick moves. Another feature about the shoe I liked is the upper material is made with 50% recycled content, so there's an eco-friendly component to this shoe as well.

The qualms about this shoe are that it's not the strongest or most supportive shoe on this list. Instead, the GameCourt 2 is balanced, with priorities of being lofty and breathable. The price point is friendly though, so the shoe starts wearing down faster than expected you can always buy another fresh pair.

Read more: Best Sunscreens

Men's Gel-Game 9 Pickleball Shoes

The Gel-Game 9 Pickleball is Asic's latest and greatest dedicated pickleball shoe release, and after I tested it I found it combined much of what I loved about prior Asics models with some additional durability and support. The shoe has a mesh design and is layered with a tough synthetic overlay and polyurethane film The PU film covers the whole front of the foot, and I found the material to be much more abrasion-resistant than I would've thought. What's surprising is the film keeps the shoe lightweight, so there's an interesting balance of weight and durability that I believed to perform well on the hard pickleball courts I played on.

Another special feature of this shoe that caters to pickleball players is the TRUSSTIC technology in the midsole. Asics maintains this tech helps improve stability, which makes sense to me because I found this shoe to be one of the best performers when it came to making fast lateral movements while playing.

It's worth noting the Gel-Remna model that I tested in the past had this TRUSSTIC midsole, and so a lot of the Gel-Game 9 reminds me of that personal favorite shoe. Overall, I see the Gel-Game 9 as a much more supportive and tougher Gel-Remna, so if you liked that model (or any other Asics models) then you're going to like upgrading to the true pickleball shoe model.

Read more: Best Pickleball Balls

Men's Express Light Pickleball Shoe

You might be surprised to find K-Swiss at the top of the pickleball shoe market, but the brand has quietly been creating trusted game-ready models for all types of price points. I've come to find the Express Light as one of the top supportive and strong pickleball shoes money can buy.

Two main features of this shoe stood out to me when testing: the 180-degree Plantar Support Chassis and the DURAWRAP cover to help combat toe dragging. The support chassis worked great at keeping my feet secure while playing, giving me ample support in my high arches and also preventing my feet from twisting and rolling over inside the shoe—even when they go really hot and sweaty. The DURAWRAP cover is the outsole material used to combat abrasion and toe-dragging. The cover is definitely hard alright, and so it's nice to know you have this strong outer shell over the cushioned mesh that feels oh-so-good on the feet.

I did find the shoes to fit quite snugly, so I'd potentially recommend going up a half size on this shoe. The design is unique, and I came to really enjoy the all-grey color of the shoe. It's not the fastest shoe, but it provides great durability and support. This is a well-balanced model you can play outside in for long periods of time. I'm looking forward to seeing how future K-Swiss pickleball shoes develop.

Read more: Best Moisture-Wicking Shirts

Upcourt 5

The Upcourt 5 is the latest iteration of the top-selling indoor trainer from Asics. Not only is this shoe loved by indoor volleyball players, but I believe it's also a must-have for indoor pickleball players. The shoe is super lightweight, sturdy, and optimized to have some of the strongest traction in the game. You won't be slipping and sliding on a gym floor in these sneakers.

To be completely honest, I definitely enjoyed playing pickleball matches on outdoor courts with these shoes on, and you can definitely wear them for both indoor and outdoor use if you want. But the downside to playing with these shoes outdoors is they are prone to wearing and tearing faster. The reasoning is although the mesh is cool and breathable, there isn't much protection from abrasion on the court and from water.

What I love the most about the Upcourt 5 is the friendly price point for the value you get, so it's totally possible you wear these for all types of pickleball play and then just re-up on a pair when you need them. It's not a terrible idea, but for me, I do view these as performing the best indoors.

Men's Propulse Fury 3 All Court

Strong Michelin outsoles, Ortholite molded insoles, and an attached power belt for lateral support are a few of the key reasons why I found the Fury 3 to be a powerful pickleball shoe worthy of competitive play. I was also impressed with how breathable the upper was on this shoe considering how much padding and protection is built-up on it. The stack of the shoe adds some luxe cushioning that other pickleball shoes on this list do not have, and I definitely enjoyed the foam heel when it came to keeping my foot secure and comfortable.

One downside I found when testing the Fury 3 is the shoe is more generous to narrow feet, so those with wider feet will want to make accommodations and probably go up half a size. The shoe is also heavy like a traditional tennis shoe, so if you aren't used to the weight it might throw you off. That's not to say the weight is a bad thing though, because the shoe is tough enough to handle high stakes of play.

I believe the Fury 3 is suitable for competitive league play or tournaments. If you're looking for something more leisurely and comfort-driven, you have better options elsewhere on this list.

Read more: Best Athletic Socks

Wave Momentum 2

Another volleyball shoe that's easily transferrable to pickleball, the Wave Momentum is made to prioritize traction and support. What's great about this pair is they come in a mid-cut, which is perfect for those looking for additional ankle support.

Like most mid-top trainer shoe models, the Momentum 2 does trap more heat than a low-top shoe. So if you want to prioritize breathability you might want to look elsewhere. Really the play with this model is ankle support, and anyone who's ever had ankle problems (like myself) knows added support can help stabilize the ankle when making fast movements. There might be more pickleball-specific shoes that release in the near future with mid-top and high-top designs, but for now, the Momentum 2 is the best overall option I found for those who like this specific style of shoe.

Men’s Wide Pickleball Shoes

This FitVille model provides excellent support and offers generous room for those with wide feet. It performs so well that players with plantar fasciitis have found it a good shoe to turn to, as they believe it's helped them with relief while also providing performance on the court.

Players with wide feet like how the insoles and EVA midsole help provide arch support and prevent overpronation. The shoe is also easy to insert one's own custom insoles, which is huge for those who always have trouble finding a way for their insoles to transfer over. The only downside to this shoe is the actual outsole itself wears down pretty fast, especially if you're playing frequently outside in the summer. The good news is though the shoe is on sale often, so if you do find yourself with worn-down soles you can easily re-up and get a new pair shipped to you fast.

Read more: Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet

What to Consider When Buying Pickleball Shoes

The best shoes for playing pickleball are optimized for fast lateral movements and are made to help reduce the chance of injury. Here are some other things to consider when buying pickleball shoes.

Midsole and Outsole Construction

In general, a good pickleball shoe is going to have a wider base and sturdy construction in the outsole and midsole. These design notes help reinforce the shoe for when you have to make fast lateral movements. The goal is to provide support and to keep your foot planted when making sharp side-to-side movements. If an outsole and midsole are not designed with these characteristics, you risk the chance of your shoe collapsing, which could lead to slipping or losing traction. The downside to a supportive design like this is there is often added weight, so you do not expect a good pickleball shoe to weigh anything less than 10 ounces. When it comes to the outsole, look for a shoe that has a strong rubber with a pattern that will help grip surfaces and reduce the odds of slipping when turning your feet. When looking at the midsole, aim for a shoe that has supportive cushioning (like EVA foam) and keeps a relatively low profile. Prioritizing a midsole with cushioning too much could lead you to a shoe that sits high (like a Hoka), thus leading to a less responsive design, which could potentially lead to a greater chance of rolling an ankle when making fast turns on the court.

Playing Indoors vs. Outdoors

Most pickleball shoes can be used indoors and outdoors, but I found there are shoes optimized for better play for each type of court surface. If you're planning on playing indoors a lot, then a pickleball shoe with a significantly strong rubber outsole (like those you see on a volleyball shoe) is going to be a good option. Indoor pickleball shoes are designed with special grooves and materials to stick to indoor courts and basketball courts (especially dusty ones). If you wear indoor shoes on an outdoor court, it's possible you won't get the same type of grip you would expect. If you're planning on playing outdoors, you don't have to focus so much on the strong outsole. Many of the best outdoor pickleball shoes have good grip, but they also should prioritize breathability and be relatively lightweight. Due to these preferred qualities, some tennis shoes and sneakers have proven to be good picks for pickleball shoes when playing outdoors.

Can You Wear Running Shoes for Pickleball?

If you're someone who's going to play pickleball casually, then you could get away with a low-profile running shoe. But if you're expecting to play pickleball more competitively, I strongly consider aiming for a pair of shoes optimized for play.

The reason I don't recommend wearing just any type of running shoe is that running shoes are made for forward motion, so there's often less emphasis on reinforcing the shoe for side-to-side movements. Running shoes also have less structure and stability than what you want in a pickleball shoe, as the running styles these days are made to be as lightweight and breathable as possible (with high cushioned stacks), which means less focus on overall support.

So to be clear, you probably should steer from wearing running shoes for pickleball if you expect to play the game on a regular basis. A proper pickleball shoe is a smart investment that will help give you traction and stability while greatly decreasing the chance of rolling an ankle or spraining a knee.

How I Selected

Over the past year, I consulted with Men's Health's editors and writers on the best pickleball shoes for outdoor and indoor play. I evaluated each shoe's stability, durability, weight, and price point. Special consideration was taken into account for pickleball shoes that had excellent traction and stability, since I believe those two qualities are the most important in a quality pickleball shoe.

I then inspected each shoe after testing to see what features stood out, and what features of the shoe could use improvement. At the end of our testing, I made sure to highlight what makes each pickleball shoe special so players can understand which model will fit their game the best.

Lastly, I also considered top-reviewed pickleball shoes that had high praise from the pickleball community. Some players like to stick to specific brands, and so I highlight many of what I believe to be the best pickleball shoes from several of the major athletic brands.

Why Trust Men's Health

For well over a year now, Men's Health has been covering the rise of pickleball. I've covered everything from the potential health benefits of pickleball (this guy lost 70 pounds by incorporating pickleball into his workouts) to the latest and greatest pickleball gear to hit the market.

When creating our guide to the best pickleball paddles, I also wanted to create a guide to the best pickleball shoes. Proper footwear is everything when it comes to making sure you are maximizing your workouts and doing them in a safe way, and so I tested our best pickleball shoes to the same standards Men's Healthtests its best running shoes, workout shoes, trainers, and more.

Aside from our evergreen buying guides, Men's Health also covers new and exciting releases in our awards packages. Our annual Outdoor Awards and Fitness Awards are both areas where you can find recommendations of pickleball products, or products that would translate well for use when playing pickleball—like gym bags, recovery shoes, compression socks, and more.

You Might Also Like

• The Best Hair Growth Shampoos for Men to Buy Now

• 25 Vegetables That Are Surprising Sources of Protein