Paddles
Footwear
Balls
Apparel
Accessories
Court equipment
Footwear
Pickleball is played on quick, sideways steps and hard stops, so a true court shoe protects your ankles and knees far better than a running shoe. Shop men's and women's pickleball shoes from Asics, Babolat, Nike, Skechers and Tyrol, built with grippy outsoles and lateral support. Off the court, grab a pair of sandals to rest your feet.
How to choose: match the outsole to your surface - a gym / indoor sole grips wood and sport-court, while an all-surface / outdoor sole is tougher for concrete and asphalt courts. Size close to your street shoe and prioritize a snug, stable fit for cutting.
It's not recommended. Running shoes are built for forward motion, with a high, soft heel that can roll on the quick side-to-side steps and sudden stops pickleball demands, which raises the risk of ankle sprains. Court shoes have a flatter, wider base, lateral support and a durable outsole made for the court. Shop men's and women's pickleball shoes.
For indoor play on gym floors, choose a gym or indoor court shoe with a soft gum rubber outsole for maximum grip, like the Asics Gel Rocket or Babolat Shadow. For outdoor courts, an all-surface shoe has a tougher, more durable outsole that holds up on concrete and asphalt, like the Asics Gel-Game or Babolat SFX. Women can shop indoor and all-surface styles too.
Yes. Tennis shoes are court shoes, so they offer the lateral support and durable outsole pickleball needs, and many models are designed for both sports. Popular tennis and pickleball shoes include the Asics Gel-Game and Gel Dedicate and the Babolat SFX and Jet Tere. Choose an all-court outsole for outdoor play and a gum rubber sole for indoor gyms.
Leading pickleball shoe brands include Asics , with the Gel Rocket, Gel-Game, Gel Dedicate and Blast FF; Babolat , with the SFX, Jet Tere and Shadow; Skechers , with the Viper Court line; Head , with the Revolt; and Tyrol , a brand made for pickleball. Each fits a little differently, so the best brand is the one that fits your foot.
Comfort depends on your foot, but players who want extra cushioning often like the Skechers Viper Court Relaxed Fit and Slip-ins models, the Asics Gel-Game and Gel Dedicate, and the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1007. For more arch support, add a Currex ActivePro insole in low, medium or high arch. Try shoes on with the socks you play in.
It depends on how often and where you play. Outdoor courts wear outsoles faster than indoor gyms, so regular outdoor players may need new shoes every few months, while occasional players can go a season or more. Replace them when the tread is smooth, the cushioning feels flat or your feet and knees start to ache. Keeping a separate pair for indoor play helps both last longer. After play, slip into a pair of sandals to rest your feet.