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Jun 26, 2023

12 Best Pickleball Shoes to Buy in 2023

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We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Hit indoor and outdoor courts in these top-rated kicks.

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports around right now. And for good reason: The fast-paced game, played much like tennis but on a smaller court and with slightly different gear, is fun for players of all ages and skill levels. But if you're serious about upping your game, ditching your running shoes for the right pair of sneakers can make a big difference, says Katy Luxem, founder of Big Dill Pickleball Co.

To make our top picks, our editors scoured top retailers for the best-selling products, reading hundreds of reviews and specifications. We also consulted pickleball experts like Luxem and Mindy Gibson, a pro at Life Time South Jordan in Utah. Based on our research, these are our top recommendations.

You know it's a good shoe when professional pickleball players like Catherine Parenteau and Tyson McGuffin rely on it when on the court. The lightweight pair — each shoe weighs just shy of 12 ounces — has a simple design that not only looks sharp, but also performs well. It's largely thanks to the removable insole, which helps mold the foot in order to reduce shock and more evenly disperse weight. Choose from four colors in both men's and women's styles.

Designed specifically for pickleball courts, the Rush Pro Ace is a lightweight and breathable shoe with a flexible midsole with impact cushioning to improve stability and allow for more controlled movements. The cushioned pair is nice and bouncy, too, which helps when you need to hop up to the net to hit a difficult drop shot. We also like that this pair has big rubber bumper toes on the front to keep the shoe in tip-top condition longer, though the design may be too narrow for some.

A favorite among experts like Luxem, the Gel-Renma is a nice and sturdy shoe that has enough bounce to help you move agilely around the court. With this pair, you'll get all of the support you need — the shoes have flex-grooved soles and a special TRUSTIC technology that's meant to limit twisting at the knees and ankles. The shoes also have ASIC's signature GEL tech that claims to minimize the strain you feel when you make quick, hard movements — like a lunge for the ball — although the shoes themselves are a bit heavier than others on this list.

These pickleball shoes may be constructed with recycled materials, but what you get is a highly durable pair that'll help you get around the court with increased agility. The lightweight mesh shoes feature a special bounce cushioning that provides both comfort and flex, and the high collar is great for support, though it can become irritating if socks don't come up high enough. Plus, the adiwear outsole is said to be extremely durable and wraps around the toe to protect the stylish shoes from the foot drag that happens during serves, volleys and quick lateral movements.

This multi-colored shoe, available in two colorways, has plenty of cushioning in the heel for those who need a little bit of extra support. Not to mention, the shoes have a high collar to help keep your ankle locked in place — a great feature for anyone who struggles with stability, especially when darting around during a volley. The downside, though, is that some found the high collar irritating. Choose from both medium and wide options to best suit the shape of your foot.

Available in both men's and women's styles, this lightweight shoe is specifically designed for pickleball. The pair boasts a 180º thermal plastic Plantar Support Chassis meant to improve stability, plus has an ortholite sock liner to keep feet cool and sweat-free in the process. Also nice: A high-density outsole, complete with a DURAWRAP cover that minimizes toe dragging during swift movements on the court, although some reviewers say the toe box runs small.

They may be cross-trainers, but these lightweight yet sturdy shoes are great for pickleball courts. They're foot-hugging at every point for premium support, though some found them a bit narrow. There's a dual-external heel counter, a leather mid-foot saddle and a cushioned sockliner that molds to your foot. They also boast strategically-placed flex grooves on the sole to improve traction — even in wet conditions on an outdoor court. We love that the pair comes in nearly 20 colors, too.

Babolat may not be as well known as other brands like Nike or New Balance, but Gibson says you shouldn't sleep on this pair. They offer great overall value, thanks to a unique cushioning system called KPRSX. It's designed with more elasticity to support quick movements, yet still offer the support you need for improved stability on the court, though the soles may wear out quickly. The pair is also built with a special shock-absorbing EVA foam pad that may help relieve stress on your joints.

One of Nike's bestselling tennis shoes, the Zoom Vapor 11 is just as well suited to both indoor and outdoor pickleball courts. It's an undeniably stylish shoe with a slim-fitting design. But it's not all about the aesthetics — the pair is constructed with durable, reinforced mesh that's breathable but cradles your foot enough for quick lateral movements. It's also designed with an outsole that has enough spring to help you get to the net quickly.

If you have problems with ankle stability, you'll appreciate this pair of sneakers. While they're actually volleyball shoes, the standout features transfer well to the pickleball court. The mid-top silhouette expertly cradles the ankle to help give you the support you need when making quick movements around the court. Reviewers say they also have exceptional traction, so you're less likely to slip — even if you're playing on an indoor basketball court. They're not super breathable, but you can't beat the look of these sneaks.

This fun, vibrant pair from Fila is technically a tennis shoe, but it's perfect for pickleball, too. The comfortable slip-ons go on without effort, but have a special TPU midfoot stabilizer and a molded foot to add support that claims to help protect against ankle rolls or slipping during quick lateral movements. They're great for anyone who tends to drag their feet, too. The shoe has a herringbone tread on the outsole that claims to give enhanced abrasion resistance, though they're not the most breathable pair on our list.

Finding the right sneakers — pickleball or otherwise — can be a tall task for those with exceptionally wide feet, but this pair is more than accommodating. The supportive shoe has a generous silhouette that has ample room all around for wider feet. And while the EVA midsole helps provide a little extra arch support, you can easily slip your own custom insoles inside. Despite this design, the pair isn't too cumbersome on the foot. The soft mesh upper is more breathable than it looks. The pair even has a special anti-odor technology to help keep your feet cooler and cleaner.

A regular pair of shoes is fine for beginners playing recreationally, but as you grow into the sport, you'll want to consider the following, says Gibson:

✔️ Support: Look for shoes designed with a strong outsole and a supportive EVA foam midsole. These features help ensure maximum support during the fast lateral movements — a.k.a. side-to-side — pickleball players make. Typically, these types of shoes are wider and sturdier looking than your average running shoe.

✔️ Traction: To minimize your chances of slipping — especially if you tend to play on indoor courts fashioned on basketball courts — look for a shoe that has an outsole constructed of strong rubber. You'll also want to look a detailed groove pattern to add traction.

✔️ Breathability: Particularly important if you plan to play outdoors in the heat, look for a pair of shoes with a lightweight mesh construction that promotes airflow around your foot. Some shoes even have special anti-odor technology that can help keep your feet sweat-free.

You don't necessarily need special shoes to play pickleball, but our experts say anyone who's playing the game a lot will benefit from a shoe that can endure the momentum of the sport. "Wearing running shoes, for example, may lead to injury, as they’re built for front-to-back motion and tend to be made of breathable, lightweight mesh," says Luxem.

The best pickleball shoes have plenty of traction and are highly supportive to keep you comfortable and secure during the quick and constant lateral motions the sport demands. "If you don’t want to buy pickleball-specific shoes, try to choose a court shoe made for tennis or even basketball or volleyball," says Luxem.

Brigitt Earley is a writer, editor and content creator with over 15 years of experience writing about products, including apparel and fitness gear. She worked under the guidance of pickleball pros, as well as experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute to research and review the sneakers recommended in this story.

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

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