13 Best Pickleball Shoes of 2024 for Indoor and Outdoor Courts
It's time to step up your game.
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Once you're played pickleball, you never go back. The sport—a mix of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton—has been growing in popularity in the last three years because it's fun, relatively easy to play, and did I mention fun? The only real downside to pickleball is that it requires gear. Sure, you can hit the court with borrowed pickleball paddles and sans pickleball clothing, but why would you want to? Half the fun of pickleball is looking the part, and that includes getting the best pickleball shoes for your game.
Pickleball shoes are not only key to any pickleball look—they're also critical to actually playing the sport. To win a match, you've got to be light on your feet and have enough traction to keep you stable. A good pickleball shoe can be the difference between a win and a twisted ankle. It's that serious. Now, for beginners, a regular old pair of sneakers should be fine, says Rachel Simon, author of Pickleball for All: Everything but the "Kitchen" Sink. "If you become more serious about the game and plan on playing regularly, you'll definitely want to invest in a pair of pickleball-specific shoes to make sure you're optimizing your chances on the court," she adds.
Our top picks for the best pickleball shoes of 2024:
Read on to find the best pickleball shoes to maximize your play. (Wins, sadly, not guaranteed.)
Pros
- Rubber tread patterns allow for A+ grip
Cons
- Funky designs may not be for everyone
This PUMA pair features a rubber tread designed to help players change directions quickly without losing their footing, a foam midsole for support, and a mesh upper for breathability.
- Sizes: 5.5-14.5, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, mesh upper
- Colorways: 4
THE REVIEW: "Bought these for my new fave sport of pickleball," one tester writes. "They are the perfect weight and have just enough tread to move around the court."
Pros
- Relaxed fit means zero break-in time
Cons
- Shoe can lose shape quickly, per reviews
In 2022, Skechers was named the official footwear of the US Open Pickleball Championships. As a result, the brand has an entire line of pickleball shoes, including the Viper Court, which features a Goodyear rubber outsole for traction and a removable Arch Fit insole for added support.
- Sizes: 5.5-11, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Goodyear rubber outsole, synthetic mesh upper
- Colorways: 5
THE REVIEW: As one tester notes, "Lightweight, great traction, well-padded. I wore them the day I received them to my first pickleball game, and they felt like they were made for my feet. No break-in needed."
Pros
- Inside rubber tip gives you more leverage to play
Cons
- Runs narrow, according to some testers
With a ridged sole and mesh construction, this shoe is made to keep you fast and agile on the court. It also has a rubber tip on the inside toe box, so it'll give you traction for quick lateral moves.
- Sizes: 5-11.5, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Adiwear outsole (non-marking rubber), synthetic yarn upper
- Colorways: 6
THE REVIEW: "Great ankle support for side-to-side motion," one tester writes. "Using for pickleball and very happy. Took a few times wearing them to break them in and now they are comfortable court shoes."
Pros
- Full-length foot frame on the outside increases stability
Cons
- One reviewer notes the soles wore out quickly with repeated outdoor court use
Tennis shoes are typically designed for outdoor courts, but this super light pair from Nike also meets all the requirements for a good indoor shoe. As Simon points out, "Since you're playing on hardwood, you definitely want to look for shoes that offer great traction and prevent slippage and are lightweight." Check. Check. And check.
- Sizes: 5-12, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, reinforced mesh upper
- Colorways: 6
THE REVIEW: "Best pickleball shoes," writes one reviewer. "Super comfortable! Very roomy!"
Pros
- Very comfy and sturdy for the price
Cons
- Many reviewers note that this shoe runs small
If you're not ready to splurge on a big name pickleball shoe, you can opt for a tried and true sneaker, like this one from Avia. This model is lightweight and versatile, made for all kinds of activity from walking to cross-training.
- Sizes: 6-12, half-sizes available, regular width and wide
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, synthetic upper
- Colorways: 4
THE REVIEW: "Great for pickleball," one tester notes. "True to size and comfortable."
Pros
- Extra lace holes near the collar of the shoe for an extra snug fit
Cons
- Uneven lace design might throw some off
Secure and lightweight, this pair by K-Swiss is designed for aggressive players who like to leave it all on the pickleball court. The mesh upper provides nice airflow while a rubber tread provides stability. The show is also designed with extra support along the outter toe box, and features a removable cushioned insole.
- Sizes: 5-11, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, synthetic upper
- Colorways: 10
THE REVIEW: "These shoes are great for pickleball," reads one review. "They even keep their grip on indoor gym floors. Great support, wider tie box. Ordered my standard size 8 but decided to exchange for an 8.5. They fit perfectly now!"
Pros
- Available in both wide and extra-wide
Cons
- Not the most breathable design, per testers
Wide feet peeps, rejoice! FitVile's Pickleball Shoes come in Wide and Extra Wide, so you can run around the court without worrying about pinching your toes.
- Sizes: 6-10.5, half-sizes available, wide and extra-wide
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, mesh and microfiber upper
- Colorways: 7
THE REVIEW: As one reviewer writes, "I needed a smaller size that came in wide. Not only did these fit the bill, but they also were VERY reasonably priced. They are comfortable and kept my heels in place while playing pickleball."
Pros
- Circle ribbing on the soul ease pivot motions
Cons
- Run a bit small, according to reviewers
FILA made the Volley Zone shoes specifically for pickleball, and not only do these pair feature a pickleball design, they also have a herringbone rubber outsole for traction and durability—a must if you play the sport regularly.
- Sizes: 6-12, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Herringbone rubber outsole, leather and synthetic upper
- Colorways: 7
THE REVIEW: "They are great for pickleball on both indoor and outdoor courts," writes one tester. "The box is wide enough for toe spreading on the courts. Love the fit of these court shoes!"
Pros
- Cute and casual enough for everyday wear
Cons
- Soles wear out quickly with frequent play, per one tester
Looking for a pickleball shoe that'll look cute on and off the court? The Nike Court Air Zoom Lite 3 is the one you want. Lightweight, grippy, and designed for a snug, secure fit, these shoes are great for play and cute as hell.
- Sizes: 5-12, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, leather and mesh upper
- Colorways: 5
THE REVIEW: "Fantastic court shoes!" raves one tester. "Comfortable, light and solid support. I would purchase these again."
Pros
- No need to tie laces
Cons
- No rubber bumper to protect your toes on the court
Good laceless, or slip-on, tennis shoes can be hard to find. They tend to be either too tight or too loose, neither of which is optimal for pickleball. On's Cloud 5 Coast shoe features bungee laces that stretch and conform to your foot for a secure fit that's still easy to put on and take off.
- Sizes: 5-11, half-sizes included
- Closure: Bungee
- Materials: Rubber and synthetic outsole, textile and synthetic upper
- Colorways: 5
THE REVIEW: "I love the pull-on speed-lace style," one tester writes. "And these are incredibly light."
Pros
- Two extra lace holes at the top for increased ankle stability
Cons
- Some reviewers say it runs narrow
These pickleball shoes have a high-density rubber outsole to prevent dragging and increase stability and enhance durability for hard court play.
- Sizes: 5-11, half-sizes and wide available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, synthetic upper
- Colorways: 6
THE REVIEW: "This shoe is awesome," one reviewer writes. "Super comfy and so cushiony on the ball of my foot that I felt like I was playing on a cloud. Great arch support too for those with plantar fasciitis."
Pros
- Extra rubber under the arch increases stability
Cons
- The sides of the toe box aren't reinforced with rubber
This shoe, inspired by the Samburu community of Kenya, wasn't specifically made for pickleball, but its super grippy sole is definitely pickleball approved. It also features a cupping effect in the heel so that it won't slip off during lateral movements.
- Sizes: 5.5-10.5, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, mesh upper
- Colorways: 6
THE REVIEW: "Enda is well-designed and comfortable," one reviewer writes. "Super fit!"
Pros
- Foam around the top increases ankle support
Cons
- Some reviewers say it runs small
If you like your sneakers to have extra cushioning, look no further. The Wilson Rush Pro Ace Pickleball shoe features foam padding along the ankle collar and under the tongue, as well as a removable cushioned footbed.
- Sizes: 7-14, half-sizes available
- Closure: Laces
- Materials: Rubber outsole, synthetic upper
- Colorways: 2
THE REVIEW: "I like everything about these shoes: style, comfort, and performance," writes one reviewer. "I could tell it helped my game the first time I tried them on."
How to choose the best pickleball shoes
Pickleball requires a lot of quick movement and sudden changes in direction, which can lead to injury if you're not wearing the correct footwear. According to Simon, here are a few things to look out for when picking out the perfect pickleball shoe:
Check out the design
"A good pickleball shoe should feature solid arch and ankle support, ample padding, breathable mesh, and grippy soles," Simon tells us. Regular pickleball players also tend to go through shoes quickly, so you want to look for something durable.
Find the right fit
Not to state the obvious, but a shoe that doesn't fit correctly will mean a bad time for you on the court. Be sure to read the reviews to see if a shoe runs true to size or whether you're better off sizing up or down from your usual.
Consider how you play
More serious players will also want to find the right kind of pickleball shoe for their preferred court. Indoor courts are typically smooth hardwood, which require "shoes that offer greater traction to prevent slippage and that also feel more lightweight," per Simon. Outdoor courts, however, are tougher on the shoe, so Simon advises players to prioritize "durability" and shoes that "offer greater stability and comfort."
Meet the expert
- Rachel Simon is a writer, editor, and pickleball enthusiast whose book, Pickleball for All, tracks the history of the support and provides tips and tricks for players of all levels.
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