10 Best Pickleball Shoes, Recommended by Athletes and Coaches

Ryka is another unexpected shoe brand that’s shining in the pickleball space. Aisha Stith, one of the founders of Pickleballin’ Lifestyle Club, a pickleball group for Black and brown women in Miami and Atlanta, diligently researched and tried (and returned) many pickleball shoes to finally commit to these, which she considers pretty perfect for beginner- to intermediate-level players. “I am confident this is the best pickleball shoe for those of us who are just starting to see the fruits of our pickleball labor. I love sneakers but for the court, I needed something light, action-oriented with a firm, flat sole—but also with arch support.” With these Ryka Courtside sneakers, she found her Goldilocks fit.

“They’re really comfortable, they feel good on indoor and outdoor courts, and they’re made with leather, which I feel will lead to longevity,” she says. “I’ve been playing in them for about two months and I play a lot.” The classic, near-all-white style is also a plus. “I think they look great. I’m a minimalist, and many court shoes have a few too many colors for me,” Stith says. “My Rykas are so stylish with a pop of color.” If you’re looking for a pair of wide pickleball shoes or play in cushioned workout socks, take heart that these also offer a generous amount of space.

• Upper material: Leather
• Outsole material: Rubber, herringbone tread
• Cushioning: Lightweight
• Sizes: 5–11
• Colors: 5

Skechers has emerged as one of the pickleball shoe brands of note, and Gallwas gives this pair her stamp of approval. “It offers players great stability and a lot of cushioning,” she says. Skechers uses a podiatrist-developed shock-absorbing insole, lightweight cushioning, plus a grippy rubber outsole that’s ideal on indoor courts but can be used outdoors as well. That shock absorption is especially important for senior players who want to minimize the impact on their joints.

This is the pair Megan Fudge, an Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Tour athlete and pro pickleball player, wears to hit the court. “It’s crucial in a profession like pro pickleball to have good shoes that are comfortable and protect my feet,” she says. “From the moment I started to wear the Viper Court Pro, I felt like I could confidently move on the court—and I love that vibrant colors that stand out on the court too.”

• Upper material: Mesh
• Outsole material: Goodyear Gold rubber compound, herringbone tread
• Cushioning: Lightweight
• Sizes: 5–11
• Colors: 4

If you’re a Nike girl but want to level up, check out the Air Zoom Vapor Pro 2. It comes recommended by avid pickleballer Angela Pham as well as David Gustadt, a former collegiate-level tennis player and the CEO of the new sports facility Ballers in Philadelphia. “I like wearing the Nike court shoes because they fit well on my wide feet and offer me support on the hard courts,” Pham says.

This pair of Nikes is designed to withstand the elements of hard outdoor courts, offering plenty of cushion and grip on clay. They boast a strong herringbone tread outsole (zigzag pattern) and a reinforced, breathable mesh upper so your feet have a better grip but won’t suffocate when playing on hot days. "While a traditional tennis shoe may be a bit of overkill for pickleball, I don’t mind a slightly heavier shoe with greater lateral stability and more robust soles,” Gustadt says. “Plus, in addition to increased durability, they do great double or even triple duty when I play tennis or padel.”

• Upper material: Mesh
• Outsole material: Rubber, herringbone tread
• Cushioning: Medium/high
• Sizes: 5–12
• Colors: 2

This pick comes from Marc Massad, a certified pickleball trainer at Velocity Paddle and an IFP Pickleball Ambassador. “I’ve tried and tested loads of equipment in my time. One of my favorite shoes for pickleball is the Asics Gel-Dedicate 6,” he says. “They provide superior stability and support on the court which is incredibly important in the fast-paced game of pickleball.” Though Massad has been playing in the Gel-Dedicate 6 for the past year, Asics has since moved on to a newer version that packs just as much pickleball power as the earlier models. “The gel cushioning system also absorbs shock during intense play, which helps prevent fatigue and injuries,” he says.

Speaking of injuries, for players dealing with plantar fasciitis, choosing the right shoes for pickleball can help manage symptoms, but there’s not one right pair for everyone. “As a general rule of thumb, if you have a flat foot you can look for a more rigid and supportive shoe to help take some load off. If you have a very high arch, you may benefit from a more soft and flexible shoe,” Landon Uetz, DPT, a physical therapist and pickleball instructor on TeachMe.To, says. This pair, specifically, offers moderate arch support. One final thing worth noting? “They might run a bit narrow for players with wider feet,” Massad says.

• Upper material: Mesh, synthetic overlays
• Outsole material: Rubber, herringbone tread
• Cushioning: Medium
• Sizes: 5–12
• Colors: 6

If you’re a regular in the weight room, CrossFit box, or functional training studio, you’re probably familiar with the Reebok Nano. The brand’s functional training sneaker has been a hit since its inception for being super stable and supportive with good traction—just the mix of things you need for functional training, but also for pickleball. This year the company released the first-ever Nano Court, which tweaked the beloved Nano to excel in court sports. Avid pickleball player Kelsee Grovey is a big fan. “The support and traction they give me while playing is phenomenal,” she says. “They’re sleek and lightweight and go perfect with all of my outfits while allowing me the ability to compete at a higher level.” The brand has packed the Nano Court with features, including a woven textile upper, a heel clip to keep the back of your foot locked in, Floatride Energy Foam cushioning (a signature in the brand’s running shoes), and a Griptonite rubber outsole to help grip the court.

While they’re designed for court sports (including pickleball, tennis, padel, racquetball, and badminton), you can actually use these pickleball shoes for other types of training too—which is great if you only play pickleball every once in a while or want a travel shoe that can pull double duty in the gym. With the retro, colorblock style that’s so very Reebok, they’re also supercute as a lifestyle sneak. Keep in mind, some reviewers note that they run quite narrow, so keep scrolling if you’re looking for a pickleball shoe for wider feet.

• Upper material: Woven textile
• Outsole material: Griptonite rubber, herringbone tread
• Cushioning: Medium
• Sizes: 5.5–15.5
• Colors: 5

Please, please, please don’t prove I’m right wear your Adidas Sambas to play pickleball. But if you’re a stan of the shoe brand, instead try their Courtjam Control Tennis Shoe, which comes recommended by Uetz. “I like them for the rigid outsole and toe box for durability while moving around the court, but they’re also very lightweight and have a firm, flat sole,” he says. “I recommend them for someone who doesn’t need strong arch support or knows they have a pronated foot, as the shoe will provide adequate stability for that.” (FYI, pronation is when your foot rolls inward, lowering the arch of your foot when when weight is placed on it. It’s not quite the same thing as having flat feet, but overpronating can cause flat feet.) Worth noting: Adidas has since released the Courtjam 3 (which has many of the same features, and even more cushion) but you can still grab the original Courtjam model on Amazon for a great discount.

• Upper material: mesh, 50% recycled materials
• Outsole material: Adiwear rubber, herringbone tread
• Cushioning: Lightweight
• Sizes: 5–11.5
• Colors: 5

Babolat has been in the racquet-sports space for nearly 150 years. Their SFX 3 All Court sneaker is a favorite of Anthony Evrard, cofounder and CEO of Court 16 tennis and pickleball clubs in the New York City area. “The SFX 3 shoes are very comfortable, which is the first thing to look for,” Evrard says. “I like the wider toe box on these shoes because it helps prevent blisters for players who intend to play for longer durations.” Indeed, this Babolat model has an oversize fit that’s great for those with wide feet or who like more wiggle room while they’re playing. “These shoes also have great traction which is important when making quick movements,” Evrard says. In fact, this pair is called the All Court because the Michelin-rubber outsole has been designed to work on all court surfaces.

• Upper material: Mesh
• Outsole material: Michelin rubber, herringbone tread
• Cushioning: Lightweight
• Sizes: 5.5–11
• Colors: 2

“I’m truly obsessed with this pair of on-court sneakers,” says health and fitness writer and editor Amy Schlinger. “They do have a snug fit, but even for someone with a wide toe box, the fit doesn’t feel too tight, but rather hugs comfortably and makes my foot feel secure. The opening to get the shoe on is tighter than normal, too, but again I like the security that provides—especially to my ankles. I’m not worried about my ankles rolling at all.” These sneakers have a higher cut, so if you’re prone to ankle rolls or want to feel more stability around that joint while playing, these could be a great fit. FYI, with the higher cut, you might need to reach for taller socks to prevent any irritation or blisters. “The shoes are supportive too,” Schlinger adds. “I’ve actually walked a decent amount in them, and the Fresh Foam in the midsole provides a good amount of cushion. The rubber outsole is durable and has a good amount of grip so I never feel like severe slippage on the court will be an issue.”

• Upper material: Synthetic breathable mesh
• Outsole material: Rubber Ndurance outsole, herringbone tread
• Cushioning: Medium
• Sizes: 5–12, wide available
• Colors: 6