A good pickleball shoe is more than a fashion statement.

Your footwear protects your feet from injury, and high-end options can even keep your feet cool. The best pickleball shoes can make a huge difference! After all, everyone performs better when they’re comfortable.

But!

Here’s the problem: There are just too many options. You can go for stiff, supportive pickleball shoes or a lightweight performance shoe. Do you want stylish leather-bodied shoes or a breathable mesh upper? Heck, what is an upper?

This post will decode the language of athletic shoes. You’ll learn the difference between an insole and an outsole, find out how to pick the best pickleball shoes, and learn about the features that everyone wants.

Keep reading to learn more!

How Tennis Shoes (and Pickleball Shoes!) Are Made

To understand how you can find the perfect pickleball shoes, you must first understand the anatomy of an athletic shoe. Regardless of its function — from running shoes to tennis shoes — all athletic footwear has three basic sections: the sole, the “upper” (or body), and the laces.

The Sole of a Pickleball Shoe

(Nice pun, right?)

The sole of every athletic shoe is further divided into three more parts. From bottom to top, your average sneaker’s sole is made of:

• The outsole, which touches the ground and includes the shoe’s treads.
• The midsole — usually made of carbon or rubber — is a flexible, segmented cushioning layer.
• The insole, which is the removable inner “liner” of every sporting shoe.

Each section has its own role.

The outsole, for instance, provides the bulk of a shoe’s traction and stability. Similarly, the midsole offers support and cushioning. Higher-end shoes feature pricey add-ons, such as air-filled pockets within this central section. Finally, the insole protects and cushions the wearer’s foot. Many modern shoes also have sweat and odor-absorbing technology in the insole.

The Upper

The main part of a tennis shoe is called the “upper.” This portion includes the toe guard, heel, laces, and body. Most modern tennis shoes are made of synthetic materials, although you can still find high-end luxury brands offering leather uppers.

The two main portions of a shoe’s upper are its…

• Toe guard or toe box, which cushions the wearer’s toes. If you’re a fan of Converse sneakers, this is the white tip.
• Heel guard, which cups and secures the wearer’s heel. The heel guard may include a “heel counter” for further stability.

Some brands also incorporate a mesh upper to keep your feet cool!

Tieing Things Up

Finally, you have the laces.

You’ll find plenty of options on the market. However, flat laces are generally preferred for sports. Unlike rounded laces, a flat lace’s design provides more tension and reduces slippage. In other words: Your shoes stay on longer with flat laces.

And have you ever wondered why basketball shoes tend to have more eyelets? That’s because those additional slots offer additional stability around the player’s ankle! So, if you’re looking for ankle support, consider getting shoes with lacing that runs above your ankle.

Choosing the Right Pickleball Shoes

With that in mind, we can start investigating the two best-selling categories of athletic footwear.

Most pickleball shoes are either tennis shoes or running shoes. You probably won’t find many players with basketball shoes, as these rigid designs don’t offer enough flexibility. However, your preferred route will vary. The best shoes for one person may be a poor fit for you, so take time to consider the differences between these popular options.

How Would Wearing Running Shoes Help a Pickleball Player?

Let’s start with running shoes.

A running shoe is designed to be light, sleek, and comfortable. Their key characteristics are their heavy support,— particularly for your arches — ideal traction, and high flexibility.

Most running shoes have plenty of give at the front, near the ball of your foot, to facilitate a natural gait. If you’re a fan of rapid movement and toe-to-toe matches (literally!), then a running shoe is a great pick!

Moreover, running shoes are specifically designed to cushion and distribute 1.5–3× a runner’s weight with every step. Two foam fillers — ethylene vinyl acetate and polyurethane — are frequently used for a running shoe’s midsole. These flexible fillers offer runners a balance of shock absorption and energy distribution, literally smoothing out the bumps of running!

However, the lightweight construction of most running shoes makes them less durable and more prone to ankle rolling when used on a pickleball court. Running shoes also tend to have minimal toe box padding, so toe dragging will quickly wear out your nice, new kicks.

Why Do Pickleball Players Choose Tennis Shoes?

Comparatively, tennis shoes feature more side-to-side support, high durability, and plenty of stability.

General “all court shoe” styles are made to withstand the highly varied forces of hard courts, clay surfaces, and grassy playing fields. These tennis shoes are the perfect choice for those who play on both indoor and outdoor courts.

As for the construction, tennis shoes have flat soles. This offers slightly less weight distribution, but it decreases the risk of rolling your ankles during an intense match.

There are also multiple types of tennis shoes. Pickleball players are unlikely to need the grass court shoes, so I’ll skip over those. However, I’ll take a moment to dig into the two primary types of tennis shoes for pickleball players.

• Hard-court tennis shoes are made for asphalt or acrylic surfaces. They have high traction, heavy toe boxes, and incredibly durable rubber soles. These are a great pick for dedicated fans of indoor courts!
• Clay-court tennis shoes are made for softer clay courts. They offer plenty of stability for lateral movements. Tighter uppers and unique herringbone tread patterns repel dirt. Consider this option if you’re only playing pickleball on outdoor courts.

Notably, some players think that tennis shoes are too stiff for their liking. While this stiffness provides essential ankle support, it may hinder your range of motion as you stretch. Many of these athletes ultimately opt to use running shoes instead. Alternatively, you may bring more flexible casual shoes for your pre-game stretching routine and switch to your tennis shoes for the game.

What Features Should Pickleball Shoes Have?

Now that we understand the difference between the light pickleball shoe and the beefy, sturdy tennis shoe, let’s look at the add-ons.

Anyone planning on long sessions should invest in some additional features. While these odds and ends may seem unnecessary, they ultimately improve your overall performance. A well-equipped pickleball shoe can make a huge difference. However, these features will increase the cost of your shoe.

As with pickleball paddles, one of the best ways to find pickleball shoes is to try them out! Occasional players won’t need as much support as frequent pickleball players. Similarly, older players will find that paying a little extra results in significantly more comfort.

The Importance of Arch Support

The best pickleball shoes are made for you. In other words, you’ll want to seek out a professional podiatrist to craft the perfect insert for your feet. However, if you’re not rolling in cash, you can easily find a pickleball shoe with built-in arch support.

As the name implies, arch support is made to support the central “arch” of your foot. While the precise amount of support varies from one person to the next, its presence is particularly important for those with excessively high or low arches. Similarly, players with frequent back, hip, or knee pain find that ample arch support reduces pain levels. However, insufficient support can also impact those with well-balanced feet.

Ample arch support also improves…

• Balance and stability.
• Plantar fasciitis (foot swelling) symptoms.
• Joint pain and fatigue.
• Weight distribution.

If that extra arch support feels uncomfortable, it’s probably a bad fit. You’ll get the best results from a professional fitting at your local podiatrist.

Note, too, that most supportive pickleball shoes are heavy. That’s not to say that you’re tying ten-pound weights to your feet. But you’re probably not finding affordable, lightweight pickleball shoes with extra arch support.

Mesh Upper Shoes

A shoe with a “mesh upper” uses mesh either on top of or as a primary construction material for the shoe’s body. As you’d expect, this breathable cover offers plenty of ventilation. It keeps feet cool and is an incredibly effective way to combat heat in humid climates. It’s also wonderfully affordable!

If you’re thinking about finding shoes with a breathable mesh upper, here are the benefits:

• Flexibility: Many mesh shoes are incredibly flexible. They’re a great pick for players with high natural stability.
• Price: Mesh shoes require less material to produce, which means the final result is cheaper than a similar solid shoe.
• Ventilation: These shoes facilitate natural airflow, reducing sweat accumulation.
• Weight: Mesh shoes tend to be lighter.

However, there are still a few drawbacks. Mesh shoes are obviously great for indoor courts and dry weather, but these shoes also expose your feet to the elements. Consider these disadvantages of mesh as you shop for your next pair of pickleball shoes:

• Appearance: Some people just don’t like how mesh uppers look!
• Cleaning: If you want clean pickleball shoes, look elsewhere! It’s hard to get dirt out of the little crevices of a mesh shoe.
• Comfort: Ill-fitting mesh shoes are quick to cause discomfort. Bunions, rashes, and sores are just a few of the problems you’ll deal with if you don’t pick the right mesh-topped pickleball shoes.
• Durability: A mesh option isn’t the most durable shoe. Sharp edges can easily tear through the upper.
• Flexibility: All that flexibility can hurt! You’re more likely to roll your ankle and over-stretch your muscles in this type of light pickleball shoe.

Rubber Sole Tennis Shoes

Interestingly enough, the quintessential rubber sole is one of the few add-ons you won’t pay extra for. This comfortable, lightweight option is featured as a benefit on many “best pickleball shoes” lists, and it’s easy to see why!

The biggest draws for rubber soles include…

• Amazing traction.
• Great flexibility for shock absorption.
• High durability.
• Natural weather resistance.
• Varied designs.

Even More Factors to Consider

Those are just some of the basic features to look for as you shop for pickleball shoes!

You don’t need to stop once you’ve found a good, supportive shoe. Maybe you want even more support. Or, perhaps, you want a shoe that aligns with your values.

These factors may not be the most important part of good pickleball shoes, but they’re certainly worth considering! Needless to say, they will increase the cost of your pickleball shoes, but the benefits may outweigh the additional investment.

3D Printed Parts

Many high-end tennis shoes (and, by extension, pickleball shoes) now feature 3D printed features. For example, the Adidas SoleMatch Control Tennis Shoe has 3D-printed heel guards. These elements add stability and control. You can also customize the shoe by printing your own insert.

Eco-Friendly Tennis Shoes

Alternatively, you may be an eco-conscious consumer.

Again, the Adidas SoleMatch Control Tennis Shoe is a great option! Like several other shoes, this high-end tennis shoe is made of recycled materials. As such, you can play pickleball guilt-free! After all, you’re having fun and saving the planet.

Extra Padding

Finally, you may want more padding.

There are many different options in this category, so choose wisely!

Adding padding to the insole can produce more supportive pickleball shoes. Or, maybe, you want a rubber drag pad on the outsole to increase traction. Similarly, a bit of padding in your shoe’s toe box will protect your toes from impacts. If you happened to pick out shoes with a wide toe box, you can use some padding to make them more comfortable.

Some people prefer a breathable upper when choosing heavily padded shoes. Aside from reducing the overall cost, this construction gives the shoe more ventilation. The end result is a more comfortable and light pickleball shoe. Those with particularly sweaty feet may also find that a mesh upper reduces insole upkeep.

Finding the Right Size for Your Pickleball Shoes

Now that you’ve chosen your desired features, let’s look at the size.

It may seem obvious, but many people wear the wrong size! A 2019 study, published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, showed that 63–72% of its participants wore incorrectly sized shoes. And that’s not great!

Why You Should Care About Finding the Right Size

It doesn’t matter if you have the most supportive pickleball shoes on the planet if they don’t fit! The footwear industry may make it seem like sizing your feet is a simple process, but that’s far from the truth. Our feet have more variety than “wide feet” and “narrow feet.”

But what happens when you ignore the unique shape of your foot?

There are many answers to that question, and they’re all right! The easiest way to respond is to break these answers into three distinct groups: foot disorders, pain, and medical conditions. Yes, there are enough consequences to warrant categories.

Don’t Let Your Court Shoes Mess With Your Feet

Let’s start with foot disorders.

A shoe that’s even a half size too small can really cramp your style. Check out this list of cringe-inducing foot ailments to see what we mean:

• Hammertoe: Individuals with wide feet, beware! This ailment happens when a small toe box crowds your feet, forcing your toes to bend unnaturally. Though easily treatable in its early stages, chronic hammertoes must be fixed with surgery.
• Inflammation: Extended use of ill-fitting pickleball shoes can cause joint swelling and painful inflammation.
• Ingrown Toenails: Ouch! Do we really need to say much more about this?

Pickleball Shoes That Make You Go “OUCH!”

What about pain?

An ill-fitting shoe probably won’t have good arch support. It may crush your toes or leave your feet in unnatural positions during forward motion (such as running or walking). Those stylish, lightweight pickleball shoes won’t ward off your pain if you don’t pick the right size! Some common pain points (literally!) include the following:

• Aching Backs: Your body will adjust to those “just a little too small” (or big!) pickleball shoes. And that’s not a good thing! Unnatural posture results in back strain and injuries.
• Callouses, Sores, and More: It doesn’t matter if they’re too big or too small. A poor-fitting shoe will rub your foot and cause bunions, callouses, and sores.
• Rolled Ankles: Don’t have enough ankle support? An ill-fitting shoe forces your body to overcompensate, placing stress on your ankles.
• Sore Toes: An ill-fitting toe box can crush or crowd your toes. An overly wide toe box gives you too much movement, which can easily lead to injuries and falls.

And that’s not all!

Court Shoes Can Hurt You

Finally, there are a few medical ailments caused by the wrong shoe size, and even the top pickleball shoes can cause these issues. While I won’t mention every possible medical ailment, I’ll touch on two major foot-related problems:

• Morton’s Neuroma: This is caused by a thickening of the nerves in your foot. It can cause sharp, burning pain. The discomfort may result in inadvertent toe dragging, leading to falls and additional injuries.
• Plantar Fasciitis: You’ve probably heard of this one before! This type of inflammation causes pain in the foot and will make wearing court shoes an arduous task.

The Handy Finger Test

One of the easiest ways to find the right pickleball shoe and avoid ill-fitting kicks is the so-called “finger test.” The process is simple, and you’ve probably done it before.

Here’s how it works:

1. Try on the Shoe: Put on your chosen shoe. Be sure to wear your favorite socks, as they’re probably what you’ll have on when you play pickleball.
2. Stand or Crouch: This test can be done from either a standing or crouching position. Choose the pose that allows you to comfortably lean over and touch your toes.
3. Press Your Thumb to the Tip of the Shoe: Find the point between the end of your big toe and the tip of the shoe. Press down. The right size shoe will allow you to press your thumb all the way down without hitting your toe.

If you prefer numbers: A good pickleball shoe (or any shoe for that matter) should be 0.5–0.65 inches (12.7–16.5 mm) longer than your foot. If the shoe feels a little too tight, consider choosing the option that’s a half size larger. The difference will be minimal — probably somewhere between 0.13–0.25 inches (3.3–6.4 mm), so you don’t have to worry about ending up with a massive pickleball shoe!

Trust Your Gut

Don’t worry too much about the numbers, though.

It’s more important to have a comfortable shoe than to have a shoe that’s the “right” number size. Every company has its own unique manufacturing process, so a size 14 Adidas won’t be the same as a size 14 Nike. The best shoes will fit your foot, not the arbitrary cutout on the shoe store floor.

Moreover, you want to avoid shoes that are too narrow. The pros at Harvard suggest bringing a tracing of your foot to the shoe store. Compare this to every shoe, and avoid anything wider than that tracing.

Even More Tips and Tricks

Looking for more ways to get the best pickleball shoes in the best size for you?

When you’re heading to the store, consider the following points:

• Bigger Is Better: Most people have a slightly different size for each foot. Pick the larger size to ensure comfort and stability.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask: Most high-quality shoes are sold at equally nice shoe stores. Ask a helpful salesperson to help you measure your feet!
• Go in the Afternoon: Did you know that your foot size changes throughout the day? Shop in the afternoon, when your foot is at its biggest, to find the perfect all-day fit.
• Wear Your Socks: Few people wear running shoes without socks. Put on your preferred socks before going to the store.

Summing It Up

That’s a lot of information.

If you’re still feeling lost, don’t worry!

I’ve compiled a handy quick-and-easy guide for finding the right pickleball shoes. Keep scrolling for the TL;DR of this post.

What Type of Shoe Do You Want?

The most popular pickleball shoes are either running or tennis shoes. Both options have unique uses, so think about your style of play as you narrow down your choices.

Start by asking what your physical needs are.

• Durability: Running shoes are great for indoor courts, but tennis shoes are the most durable option.
• Speed: Need a lightweight shoe? Running shoes are your best pick.
• Stability: If you need more support from your pickleball shoes, go for a tennis shoe, especially if you’re prone to ankle rolls.
• Support: Both running and tennis options can be great supportive pickleball shoes, but you’ll usually get more padding in a tennis shoe.
• Traction: Afraid of falling? If you’re opting for indoor shoes, both work. Consider tennis shoes for outdoor courts.

What Features Do You Need?

Next, think about what you’ll be looking for on the pickleball courts. This section works for both tennis and running shoes. You can even use it to reference volleyball shoes (if you really want)!

Some of these options are widely available directly from the manufacturer. Others may require special shoes. Alternatively, you can spend a bit more to purchase add-ons for your shoes, such as custom insoles or heel pads.

The most common features of pickleball shoes include the following:

• Additional Support: While you can find plenty of supportive pickleball shoes, the best supportive pickleball shoes usually have a custom-made insole. Finding gel inserts may also help.
• Easy to Clean: Looking for shoes that dust right off? Consider a clay court shoe. Avoid mesh.
• Indoor Traction: Need more traction on an indoor court? A hard court tennis shoe will double as a great pair of indoor pickleball shoes.
• Toe Protection: Players who do a lot of toe dragging should look for shoes with a padded toe box.
• Ventilation: If you’re prone to sweaty feet, you may want to look for mesh shoes with a breathable upper.

How Much Do Good Pickleball Shoes Cost?

Pickleball shoes can get expensive.

While you can easily find entry-level options for as low as $50, most “professional” shoes are $100 or more. That said, you don’t need to splurge to find the best pickleball shoe. Beginners can easily use whatever other shoes they may have as they enter the sport!

However, you’ll probably want to upgrade your footwear as you progress. High-level play requires plenty of lateral movements, which put stress on ankles and require solid ankle support. Similarly, the best outdoor pickleball shoes won’t be the same as the top picks for indoor pickleball shoes.

If you’re looking for high-end special shoes, have a budget of $120–$200 ready! This should cover the cost of most high-level shoes, even for the widest of wide feet!

Here’s a handy list of highly-rated pickleball shoes and the associated costs:

• Adidas SoleMatch Control (tennis shoes): $85
• Allbirds Tree Dasher 2 (pickleball shoes): $135
• “GEL-RENMA” (pickleball shoes): $85
• K-Swiss Express Light (pickleball shoe): $99.95
• Nike Air Zoom Vapor 11 (hard court tennis shoe): $130–$170
• Nike Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2 (hard court tennis shoe): $120
• Under Armour’s Charged Commit 3 Training (running shoes): $60
• Wilson Rush Pro Ace (tennis shoe): $99

Note that the above list utilizes prices from online stores. In-person fitting guarantees the best fit for your pickleball shoes, and in-store prices may be higher! Shipping costs are not included in these estimates.

Master the Pickleball Courts

Whether you’re looking for the best pickleball shoes for plantar fasciitis or flexible volleyball shoes, your skills matter just as much as your equipment. Practice often and improve your pickleball game, and you’ll be dominating the courts!

Need some help? Check out the rest of the Pickle Goddesses blog to learn more about the fastest-growing sport. You’ll find tips and tricks for starting your pickleball journey. We’ll even keep you up to date on the latest pickleball news and tournaments.

Let us know what you want to hear about! Drop a comment and share this post to spread the awesome news of pickleball.