These Pickleball Shoes Are Guaranteed To Keep You Out Of The 'Kitchen'

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If you're looking to add a hobby into your life, pickleball—it's basically a mix of tennis, badminton, and paddleball—is the trendiest sport of the year for both women and men. Although the sport is all fun and games, it's important to wear the right sneakers to level-up your game and avoid ailments like plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, or bunions down the line. Wondering what kind of shoes you should wear for pickleball? The Women's Health team tapped experts to find out.

Meet the experts: Kristin Lettenberger, DPT, CSCS, is a physical therapist at Bespoke Treatments in New York City. David Radisch is the pickleball director at Sport Time in New York. John Thompson is Men's Health's Senior Gear and Commerce editor.

"Investing in specific pickleball shoes can reduce the risk of injury as well as improve your performance," says physical therapist Kristin Lettenberger, DPT, CSCS, at Bespoke Treatments in New York City. "Just like we use running shoes for running and weightlifting shoes for weightlifting, shoes are designed for specific activities to keep you safe while doing them."

So, whether you have narrow or wide feet, the pickleball shoe for your specific needs is out there. To find the most-loved pairs, we hunted through rave reviews and even tapped WH editors who love the sport. The result? A solid list of the eight best pickleball shoes you need to get your hands on this season.

Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes

No matter which direction you move on the court, these shoes feature what the brand calls "Trusstic" technology to improve stability. The shoe's gel base also increases impact absorption during hard landings to create smooth, nimble movements through the entirety of your game.

David Radisch, pickleball director at Sport Time in New York, approves of these shoes. He says they're comfortable, and that he's worn Asics tennis sneakers in the past. "I love them—it was more cushioning like in the heel I felt overall, and they lasted pretty long," he says.

Rave Review: "I’ve been wearing Asics for years now, so I purchased their court shoe when I started playing pickleball. These are great! I even wore them walking on vacation. They're so comfy and supportive."

Pickleball Supreme Shoe

Stability is the name of the game when it comes to K-Swiss's extremely lightweight and supportive pickleball shoes. The upper wrap features a protective material, called "Durawrap Flex," which provides that worn-in feel so there's no break-in period or narrow feel. The common theme among reviews: These shoes are suitable for wide feet and bunions.

"The rubber is harder on it, so it's a really good support shoe I feel like," says Thompson, who confirms that it's a great shoe for beginners. He likes that it has treads, so if your foot rolls over, it has added protection. "It's one of the more durable pickleball shoes that they make," he adds.

Rave Review: "There was no break-in time necessary with these shoes. Plus, the toe box is wide enough to accommodate my bunions."

Viper Court Pro - Pickleball

If you want to feel like a star on both the indoor and outdoor courts, these shoes will have you bouncing around like it's nothing. Complete with responsive, lightweight cushioning and a shock-absorbing insole, you'll notice the traction and stability these shoes offer the second you slide them on.

"I think that's a good shoe because it's kind of low to the ground and a little more lightweight than a lot of the [other] shoes, but also has just enough support," Thompson says. "That was my pick for if I were going to play competitively." And this shoe is double editor-approved.

Editor Review: "These were so grippy and gave me amazing traction on the court. I felt like a pro even as a total beginner." —Jennifer Nied, WH fitness editor

Read more: Best Cross-Training Shoes

FuelCell 996v5 Pickleball

These may not look like pickleball or tennis shoes, but trust us—these work smarter, not harder, than your average sneaks. The Revlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning while the sturdy technology enhances your footwork on hard courts. The result? Unmatched support with every stroke.

Radisch says he sees a lot of pickleball players wear New Balance shoes on the court, and Thompson also confirms that this pair is a solid pick. Their "fuel cell" foam midsole combines "NDurance" rubber outsole for elite comfort and traction.

Rave Review: "I’m an avid pickleball player. These shoes are very supportive around and under my feet. I’m so grateful and encouraged I found these that I had to write a review. Thank you New Balance!!!"

Gamecourt 2 Sneaker

These first drew me in with their wide range of fun colors, but what got me even more interested were the amount of five-star reviews (300, to be exact!). And, there's no question why. Made with a breathable, mesh upper and supportive padding in the sole, achieving your best game ever is now reachable.

"I love the Gamecourt because it comes in a bunch of colors," says John Thompson, Men's Health senior gear and commerce editor. "It's like 60 bucks and really lightweight. You can kind of wear it as a regular tennis shoe."

Rave Review: "My daughter chews through shoes on the tennis court, but these have done well in holding up this season. I'm optimistic we'll get another season out of them—they're comfortable and durable!

Women's Court Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2

Nike's Zoom Air cushioning technology and data-driven traction are what give this shoe its claim to fame. Made to maneuver quickly and nimbly on hard courts, this shoe bounces right off the ground for a comfortable game and enhanced energy return.

It's low to the ground, which is perfect for a pickleball shoe, and has springy cushioning to help propel you to the ball. These shoes can also be worn for running, and reviewers love these shoes for a good rally. A major plus: They don't need to be broken in, according to one user!

Editor Review: "I love Nike tennis shoes because they feel super sturdy and they look sleek on the courts. These are super comfortable and fit my wide feet. My ankles thank them every time!" —Lily Wohlner, WH associate e-commerce editor

Rush Pro Ace Pickler Women's Pickleball Shoe

Thanks to its 4D Support Chassis, an arch in the outsole that generates lift and control, these stylish and supportive pickleball shoes are perfect for players who like to go all out on the courts.

"My favorite is the Wilson, and I like it because it's a little more comfortable," says Thompson, who adds that it's great because he has wider feet. "It's a great tennis shoe to play in as well, and it's clean enough to wear to a country club."

Rave Review: "I bought these shoes about two weeks ago. I developed plantar fasciitis and needed stability for my heel. These shoes are just what I needed!! I'm very pleased with this purchase."

Express Light Pickleball Shoe

If you have achey feet, these pickleball shoes are for you. They offer mid-foot protection for major arch support and stability and their patented K-eva material makes the midsole feel ultra soft for protection all game long.

"I had those for about seven months," Radisch says. "They're really good in terms of cushioning and everything." These shoes also have solid durability because of the rubber high-density outsole and the durawrap helps support your foot if you have a habit of toe-dragging on the court.

Rave Review: "I'm on my third pair of these shoes, and I absolutely love them. I often play two times a day, for two to three hours each session. They dry quickly, so they are good to go for my second session, even though my feet often sweat. The wicking technology is phenomenal."

Read more: Best Saucony Running Shoes

What should I look for in a pickleball shoe?

• Traction: If you play indoor pickleball, Lettenberger says to look for a rubber sole to get good traction. "But you should also be able to slide side to side (laterally)," she adds.
  

• Fit: To determine if your pickleball shoes fit properly, slide a finger between the heel of your foot and the back of the shoe. If the shoe fits right, your fingers will be comfortable and snug without feeling constricted.

• Support: "You want to look for good ankle support to help you move side to side quickly without the risk of spraining your ankle," says Lettenberger.
  

• Durability: Letternberger says that your shoes should typically allow for 60 hours of play (this is equal to about three or four months).

Do I need special shoes for pickleball?

Just like you need special shoes for soccer, hiking, or basketball, you need special shoes for pickleball. "Much like tennis, pickleball demands fast, lateral movements," says Letternberg. She also tells us that using running shoes, cross trainers, or walking shoes could lead to injury on the courts, as those shoes are designed for forward motion and don't usually have the needed lateral support that pickleball demands.

What type of shoes are best for pickleball?

"The best shoes for pickleball are court shoes or tennis shoes that are designed for quick, lateral movements," Letternberg explains. She adds that they should also have good grip and ankle support. But, most of all, they should feel comfortable on your feet, especially if you like to hit the court for more than an hour.

How our tam chose the best pickleball shoes

For the past few weeks, Women’s Health editors, including our commerce editor Lily Wohlner, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated pickleball shoes. Our team consulted physical therapist Kristin Lettenberger, PT, DPT, CSCS, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best pickleball shoes for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Can you use running shoes for pickleball?

"No, absolutely not," Radisch says. With running sneakers, "the grooves are made for you going forward," he says, but with pickleball, the movement is almost entirely all side to side. So, he's sometimes seen people twist their ankles when using running shoes while playing pickleball.

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