Ah, pickleball. If you are a fan of The racket sportOnly the mention of a “DINK shot” can be enough to make you smile. But it also means that a bad set or injury can sieve the mood just as quickly. Whether you are an avid pickleball player or an enthusiastic beginner, a good pair of pickle ball shoes can make a big difference in preventing injuries and helping you move with ease. Just take it from the Pickleball pro.
“I have witnessed a significant number of injuries, (and) most of these injuries can be attributed to players who underestimate the importance of carrying appropriate court shoes,” says Laura Gainor, founder of Vossberg Gainor – The world’s first pickleball marketing agency. If you are not sure if your sneakers do the cut, we knocked on pickleball professionals, coaches and aficionados to find out what makes a good pickleball shoe.
We rounded up their RECS and aimed through a few more reviews to create a definitive list of the best pickle ball shoes based on factors such as comfort, style, price value and durability. We have even added a few pairs from the brand worn by Pro Pickleball Player Parris Todd. Read on to see which shoes to play on the track so you can have your strongest, most confident game yet.
What makes a good pickleball shoe?
Alia Rieker, Pickleball -Leader at Lifetime Colorado SpringsSays you are looking for a shoe that is not too heavy and has a tread (the lower part of the shoe) that can stay well over time. Ideally, you want a shoe that can support lateral, forward and backward movement.
What if you are a beginner – can you use a sneaker you already have, like your favorite shoes? It is a big “no” from the Nike Global Trainer and Pickleball Enthusiast Betina Sweet Shimon. “The biggest thing not to do is wear something like a running shoe, which has a lot of support in the heel to keep you forward, but not lots of support that moves side to side,” says Shimonek.
How about your typical cross coach? For your first times at the court, Rieker, who trains lots of first timers, says it’s ok to wear your favorite Cross training sneakersbecause they usually offer more lateral support compared to Continuous sneakers. But she emphasizes caution and suggests that you eventually invest in a pair of more court -specific shoes for pickleball. “To protect the toes, ankles, knees and hips, you should eventually buy a good pair of court shoes to support their movement at the Pickleball Court,” explains the coach. As the sport explodes in the United States, more and more sneakers are marketed as pickle ball shoes, but other court sneakers (which are the ones designed for tennis Or even indoor volleyball) is also a good choice.
Another detail you should not overlook: toes. You want to make sure the toes move well in the shoe, says Rieker. “Do they have enough space to grasp and clear, but also splay out and stretch?” She adds. “If my pink toe squeezes in, it affects how the whole foot moves.” Rieker recommends that you go to a store to try some shoes and test sneakers with some regular pickleball movements. “Walk around the store, make some quick stops, jump around – really know the shoes and see how happy or sad your feet feel in them,” she says. If you are still not sure where to start, check out our list of the best pickle ball shoes for some ideas.