Whether you’re a pro pickleballer or you dabble in the sport, your shoe choice matters. The right pair will keep you light on your feet so you can return speedy serves with ease.
We get that it’s tempting to wear shoes you already own, especially if you’re a beginner. But playing pickleball in footwear designed for other activities is risky, Bart Bennett, certified pickleball master trainer and cofounder of Always Be Picklin’, tells SELF. “I think the fastest way to get hurt playing pickleball is to play in running shoes,” he says. “I have had my foot completely break through a good pair of running shoes during recreational play. There’s too much side-to-side motion for a shoe with no lateral support.”
As the sport gets even more popular, tons of brands are releasing pickleball-specific shoes. So how do you choose the right pair? I interviewed coaches and tested a few shoes out for myself so you don’t have to—shop my favorites below.
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These comfy, grippy sneaks were made for the court.
Most Comfortable: Babolat Jet Mach 3
Josh Gartman, director of coaching and curriculum at CityPickle, gives the Babolat Jet Mach 3 the ultimate stamp of approval: He wears them himself. “As an advanced player who requires support during sharp changes of direction, these shoes deliver exactly what I need, while also being incredibly lightweight,” he says. “They make me feel agile and quick on the court—almost like I’m 10 years younger.”
Out of all the shoes I tested for this story, these were hands down the most comfortable out of the box. The upper felt less rigid compared to other pairs. And the midsoles aren’t too cushy, so they still felt stable and responsive whenever I picked up speed.
The only catch? They’re not the “most durable option,” Gartman says, so you may need to replace them more often.
Sizes: 5.5 to 11 | Material: Polyamide, rubber | Weight: 11 oz.
Most Lightweight: K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball Shoe
If finding a lightweight style is high on your list of priorities, the Express Light definitely belongs on your radar. True to their name, they weigh just over half a pound. When I slipped them on, I immediately noticed some extra pep in my step—they didn’t drag me down at all.
Gartman’s a fan, noting that they’re “breathable, comfortable, and well-priced.” Bennett warns that they’re not the most supportive pickleball shoe and says the fit can be too roomy for some, which I also noticed while playing. However, he adds that “the outsoles are good for hard courts and seem to be okay on other court surfaces.”
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Material: Faux leather, rubber | Weight: 8.6 oz.
Best Arch Support: Skechers Viper Court Pro 2.0
When I tried these sneakers on, I noticed their firm arch support right away. It’s part of what helped the Viper Court Pro 2.0 earn the American Podiatric Medical Association’s (APMA) seal of acceptance, which is awarded to shoes that a panel of podiatrists agrees are good for your feet. My pickleball partner, who tried the men’s version of the shoe, has flat feet and appreciated the midsole even more than I did. Even if you wear custom orthotics, this shoe can work for you: The insoles are removable, so you can slip your own inside.
Gartman loves that the Viper Court Pro 2.0 is comfy and lightweight. Plus, “Goodyear soles make these shoes arguably some of the most durable on the market,” he says. The biggest drawback: It lacks the lateral support that most other picks on this list have, he explains.
Sizes: 5 to 11 | Material: Mesh, rubber | Weight: 11.7 oz.
Best for Outdoor Courts: Diadem Court Burst
“The Diadem Court Burst is a premium shoe,” Bennett says. “It’s much more hard court-specific—on indoor wood court surfaces, they can be slippery.” It has a reinforced toe guard, which can really pay off during matches. “Toe drags are common in pickleball, so shoes should have extra reinforcement in the toe area to prevent premature wear,” Bennett says. (A toe drag refers to dragging your back toe when reaching to hit the ball.) “A durable toe cap extends shoe life, especially for players who slide into shots or lunge frequently,” he adds.
I love that they also have a high heel counter (the part at the back of the ankle). Wearing these, my feet felt totally supported, and there wasn’t any extra space in the shoe—including the toe box, where I often have too much room for my toes to breathe.
