Perhaps because I grew up playing tennis, I have always considered good court shoes as important as a good racket. And the same is true in pickleball. If you aren’t wearing court shoes already, please make the switch…your game and your feet will thank you. Here’s what to look for…
Today I want to talk about Pickleball shoes. Not only do I get asked my opinion about shoes A LOT, but it’s one of the first things I talk with new students about, if I see they are not wearing proper court shoes, or if I see their shoes wearing oddly.
It’s so important to take care of your feet! I can’t stress that enough, in the video I address as many points as I can think of to make sure you get the correct pickleball court shoe for YOU! Take a look…
Best Shoes for Pickleball
My older students often scoff when I bring up court shoes. They tell me, “When I was a kid we had one only pair of sneakers….” Perhaps we have become obsessed with safety. When a child rides a bike now he may wear a helmet, elbow, and knee guards. But court shoes are not only safer they will help your game. Court shoes, regardless of manufacturer, have a few common characteristics:
- Court shoes typically have a smooth sole. Running shoe soles have ridges and are designed to go forward. In pickleball, we
need to move in every direction. Cross trainers often have “nibs” that tend to stick to the floor/court surface. When moving backward to retrieve a lob, these ridges or “nibs” can cause you to trip and fall. - The smooth sole on court shoes facilitates lateral (side to side) movement which is critical at the non-volley zone line.
- Court shoe’s soles typically flare out a bit on the bottom providing greater stability.
- Increased padding near the laces promotes comfort so you can play longer.
Finally, if you play both indoors and out, you might want to invest in both indoor and outdoor court shoes. Indoor shoes will get chewed up by the outdoor surface. Likewise, outdoor shoes tend to slip a bit more when playing on a wooden, indoor, floor.
Your Court Shoes For Pickleball Need To Fit Correctly
A good pair of court shoes sell for about $100. Though from time to time you might be able to find bargains online, make sure you know exactly how the shoes will fit. Your court shoe size is likely NOT the same as your shoe size, so take the time to go to a tennis shop or specialty sports shoe store where you can be properly fitted.
An older friend found that her persistent foot pain was being caused by the fact that her correct court shoe size was 8W when her shoe size was 7.5B, so it is important to get fitted properly. Nike’s tend to run a bit narrower, and New Balance is one of the few brands that offer Wide sizes.
I play in Head shoes which are a bit lighter and find more comfortable. I own 4 pairs at a time and rotate through them. It is best to 
try as many as different brands as you can. When you find one you like, you might consider buying several pairs.
When you buy a shoe from one of the major brands like Head, Babolat, Nike, Asics or Adidas you are also purchasing a warranty. You can justify the higher price of a good court shoe when it comes with a 6-month warranty.
If the soles wear down or something isn’t quite right they will replace them when you send them back. I know a few people who use this system fairly regularly!
Pickleball Shoes for Women
Pickleball Shoes for Men
OS1st Pickleball Socks
