Picking this best pickleball shoes is never an easy task. It’s not like you can walk into any old store and find a complete set of the best pickleball shoes on the market, perfectly laid out for you to try before you buy.
As such, we have designed our ultimate guide to the best pickleball shoes online. The point of this guide is to give you all the insight you need into what makes a great pickleball shoe, as well as our picks of the top shoes online when you’re looking to make your next purchase.
We only feature the best pickleball shoes on the market and have catered our court shoes list to include shoes that are suitable for pickleball at all standards. This means we have included shoes that can be used for aggressive, top-ranking players, as well as shoes that are better suited to a more casual player.
To get started, check out our list of the best pickleball shoes online. All of our shoe reviews give you everything you need to know about the makeup of the shoe, including the outsole, midsole, and upper-mesh, as well as how the shoe performed when it comes to comfort, durability, and ability to withstand wear.
For more information, check out our best pickleball shoes guide below, otherwise, let’s dive in and check out our top list.
Top 8 Pickleball Shoes
All of our best pickleball shoes reviews focus on how the shoe performs in comfort, durability, and wear-and-tear tests. Our reviewers favored lightweight shoes, that remained extremely durable and stable underfoot.
However, there really is something for everyone on our top 8 best pickleball shoes list – and the great thing is, each shoe is available for both men and women. Looking for something specific? Our top list also includes running shoes, tennis shoes, and pickleball shoes for all pickleball player types.
1. Adidas Barricade Pickleball Shoes
Topping our list at number one on our best pickleball shoes guide is the famous Adidas Barricade court shoes. Known for their formidable stability and durability, the Adidas Barricade’s are brilliant court shoes that are well suited for pickleball.
The Barricades conform naturally to your foot and feature a forged mesh-upper that improves comfortability. With excellent stability and durability at toe and sole, these brilliant Adidas court shoes are a great option for serious pickleball players.
Pickleball player’s who play pickleball with Adidas Barricade court shoes note the comfort and stability that the court shoes provide. The mesh-upper ensures that you can flex, lunge, and change direction quickly, while the formidable sole and toe support give you the grip required on-court. In fact, it’s the grip, strong midfoot shank, and low-to-the-ground forefoot that gives you a really good feeling when hitting the ball in any position.
What’s more, the Adidas Barricades are known for their strong wearing soles which can take hours upon hours of hard outdoor, and indoor court action. It’s the same attributes that give the court shoes excellent traction and minimize the risk of slippage or twisting your ankle on outdoor courts.
On top of this, the mesh-upper creates a breathable shoe that is lightweight and easy to move in. The Adidas Barricade is our top pick for the best pickleball shoes around.
Standout Features
- Hard-wearing insole and outer sole takes hours upon hours of hard outdoor pickleball court action without wearing
- Mesh-upper combines with a stable durable sole, and insole – toe-support provides stability, with a lightweight feel
- Adidas court shoes score extremely well in durability, stability, and traction tests helping to minimize the risk of injury
2. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Pickleball Shoes
The K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Court Shoes come second on our best pickleball shoes list. These court shoes are renowned for their strong durability and utmost comfort and ventilation whether playing on tennis courts or pickleball courts.
What’s more, the K-Swiss sole’s GlideGuide technology creates super-sticky outsole traction which helps to provide more support and stability when hitting shots on the move. These K-Swiss court shoes are well suited for indoor pickleball courts, as well as outdoor courts that tend to be more hard-wearing.
One of the best things about K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 Court shoes are their comfort scores. First off, they are lightweight shoes which make you fast on-court, secondly, the Hypercourt Express 2’s have strong arch support, excellent breathability and provide excellent cushioning on hard courts.
What’s more, the shoes perform well when testing lateral support, with K-Swiss’s GlideGuide technology ensuring grip on all court surfaces remains steady. While not quite as durable as the Adidas Barricade’s (especially around the toe area), the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2’s still performed well in durability tests. They also perform as one of the best shoes in traction tests, with testers commenting that it’s almost impossible to slip in these court shoes.
Not only do the K-Swiss Hypercourt Express 2 pickleball shoes look great on-court, but they will also give you excellent stability during fast, lateral movements out on-court.
Standout Features
- K-Swiss GuideGlide technology prevents slippage and delivers excellent traction on-court
- Athletic shoes that are extremely comfortable, breathable, with strong arch support
- Lightweight, giving a feeling of fast movement across the pickleball court
3. New Balance 696V3 Hard Court Pickleball Shoes
The next shoe on our best pickleball shoes list is the New Balance 696V3 court shoe. This is a classic tennis shoe that provides a no-nonsense, classic fit with excellent feel and support.
The New Balance 696V3 features an NDurance rubber outsole in a herringbone pattern which minimizes slippage promotes controlled slide across court. The lightweight EVA midsole provides excellent cushioning and support when jumping and bouncing, while the synthetic leather upper is lightweight and provides plenty of breathability to the foot.
This pair of pickleball shoes are easy to break-in and are comfortable as soon as you put them on, they’re also lightweight and come in a couple of great color options.
This shoe is a great all-rounder for anyone who wants a reliable court shoe that will last well and provides comfort and breathability on-court. Invest in the New Balance 696V3 court shoe and you won’t feel disappointed.
Standout Features
- Synthetic leather upper creates a lightweight, breathable court shoe
- NDurance rubber sole provides grip and stability underfoot and removes the risk of slippage
- Great all-round court shoes that are suitable for any pickleball player
4. Asics Gel-Resolution 7 Pickleball Shoes
The next shoe on our best pickleball shoe list is the Asics Gel-Resolution 7 court shoes. These outdoor pickleball shoes are known for their brilliant durability, stability and comfort scores that create a snug fit that protects the foot and ankle.
These pickleball shoes really are top of the line if you play a demanding, fast pace of pickleball.
Anyone who has worn a pair of Asics Gel-Resolution 7 court shoes will know that these shoes are a premier court shoe. The shoes feature AHAR+ rubber outsole with a modified herringbone tread that is designed to give you grip and stability.
The shoe features Asics signature GEL cushioning system that helps provide explosive spring from a standing start. As well as the GEL cushioning system, the shoe has a Trusstic System throughout the midfoot which prevents too much twisting motion. This gives even more support when you’re reaching for balls or sliding laterally. The shoes upper is made from a FlexionFit Tru wrap which protects the entire foot while promoting breathability, the toe is also protected with a PGuard toe protector which ensures that wear and tear remains minimal.
At the back of the foot there is a Personal Heel Fit collar which molds to the back of your foot to give you a truly custom and comfortable fit. These shoes are awesome for anyone playing on hard court surfaces at a high level. While not the most breathable pickleball shoes, they are very supportive and will last you for a long time.
Standout Features
- Hard-wearing outdoor and indoor court shoes featuring PGuard to support and a Personal Heel Fit collar
- Trusstic System through midfoot provide excellent stability and avoid the shoe from twisting or flexing under strain
- Extremely comfortable pickleball shoes with FlexionFit Tru wrap technology
5. Nike Air Zoom Vapor X Pickleball Shoes
The Nike Air Zoom Vapor X court shoes are Nike’s latest version of their court shoe Vapor line. Like Vapor court shoes of the past, the Vapor X from Nike is one of the most comfortable shoes on the market, regularly scoring 5-star in comfortability tests.
Featuring Nike’s new Dynamic Fit System, the Vapor X is a brilliant choice for anyone looking for a lightweight, luxurious court shoe.
The Nike Air Zoom Vapor X features a Dynamic Fit and open mesh upper that wraps around your foot. Nike has designed this system to give you a custom, snug fit that holds your foot under tension. Likewise, the Vapor X features a Zoom Air unit in the heel, with a Phylon midsole that provides cushioning when jumping, bouncing, or lunging. The TPU midfoot shank also provides added support and stability when sliding or moving laterally.
The outsole features a 7.5mm wear shelf around the edge of the natural rubber sole that gives you more grip to change direction quickly, while rubber has been removed from low-wear zones and packed into higher-wear zones that need more protection. While the Nike Air Zoom Vapor X is a very comfortable shoe to wear, some testers did complain that the shoe is more prone to wear and tear.
The difficulty that many have is that lighter weight shoes tend to wear more quickly than more durable options like the Gel-Resolution 7’s. With that said, reviewers of the Zoom Vapor X’s stated that the wear and tear was not beyond what they were expecting from a lightweight shoe. Likewise, they mentioned that the “quality shoes” had a supremely comfortable fit which outweighed any concerns around durability.
If you are a pickleball player that wants a comfortable, lightweight shoe then the Nike Vapor X is for you. Just be warned that if you play rigorously, they will not be the most hardwearing pickleball shoes on our best pickleball shoes list.
Standout Features
- Supremely comfortable, with a lightweight, luxury feel
- Contains Nike’s Dynamic Fit open mesh upper, holds the foot fell and creates excellent breathability
- Look great out on the pickleball court, very stylish pickleball shoes
6. Prince T22 Hard Court Pickleball Shoes
The Prince T22 Hard Court shoe is a classic amongst hard court veterans who have relied on these shoes for years. If you’re looking for a hard-wearing, non-marking, comfortable pickleball shoe that you can rely on, then Prince T22’s won’t let you down.
The Prince T22 court shoe is a durable and supportive shoe that is built on the Prince T series technology. This reliable court shoe has been a staple for many serious club players in the tennis scene for years and perfectly compliments anyone who is serious about pickleball. In fact, Prince shoes are suitable to be used as tennis shoes, volleyball shoes or pickleball shoes.
The shoes feature a PRC 1000 durable outsole with a herringbone tread that provides grip and stability on-court. The midsole contains an EVA midsole with a ShockEraser heel that absorbs impact when bouncing or jumping. The shoes upper is made from a breathable, synthetic upper that provides great ventilation and comfort.
These attributes combine to build a shoe that is reliable, comfortable and hard-wearing. Maybe not the most stylish shoe on-court (when compared to the Nike Vapor), but when you consider performance on-court, it’s an easy choice to make when buying the Prince T22’s.
Standout Features
- Extremely durable and comfortable pickleball court shoes
- ShockEraser heel technology that absorbs impact and protects the foot
- Great ventilation thanks to the breathable mesh upper
7. Head Revolt Pro 3.0 Pickleball Shoes
The Head Revolt 3.0 court shoes are another great lightweight option for anyone who likes a comfortable, lightweight shoe when playing pickleball. packed full of technology, the Head Revolt 3.0 is designed to give you an excellent feeling of stability on-court.
The Head Revolt 3.0 court shoes score highly with reviewers who like a stable, lightweight shoe. The Revolt 3.0 outsole is made from a Hybrasion+ durable rubber, which contains a herringbone tread which feels sticky and durable underfoot.
The midsole contains plush gel-rocket cushioning, with excellent ventilation to provide a shock-absorbing, cool core to the shoe. The midsole also contains a durable 4D PU shell combined with TRI N-R-G support that provides strength when dealing with sharp turns or aggressive movement.
Finally, the upper is made from a PU molded frame that is both durable and flexible. Inside the shoe, you will find a heel counter piece and an EVA sock liner which gives you a great feeling of stability when wearing the Head Revolt 3.0 court shoes. While our reviewers stated that the outsoles felt sticky at first, they noted that this feeling disappeared quickly, being replaced by a sturdy and stable feeling underfoot.
The stylish mesh upper and PU molded frame offers great support and the lightweight makeup of the shoe makes the Head Revolt 3.0’s easy to move in.
Standout Features
- Lightweight pickleball shoes that are supportive and offer excellent cushioning throughout the court shoe and toe box
- Breathable upper mesh construction with excellent ventilation in the midsole
- TRI N-R-G support helps provide a solid base when springing from shots and changing direction quickly – making the court shoe perfect for badminton, tennis, and especially a front runner as the best shoes for pickleball
8. Saucony Grid Stratos 5 Pickleball Shoes
While not strictly a pickleball shoe or traditional court shoe, the Saucony Grid Stratos 5’s are worth a mention as excellent running shoes which offer a great option for relaxed pickleball players.
Saucony Grid Stratos 5’s are a great every day running shoe that is both durable and extremely comfortable. As such, if you are a pickleball player who enjoys playing a relaxed game for the health and exercise benefits, these shoes are a great all-around option.
The outsole is made from an XT-600 rubber outsole compound which is very durable on-court and while road running. The midsole contains a Heel GRID system that is designed to provide heel cushioning even under heavy strain and the injection-molded EVA foam contains your feet and wears quickly into a customized feeling and fit.
The shoes upper is made from a breathable mesh, that is both comfortable and extremely lightweight.
While not the most conventional of picks on the best pickleball shoes list, the Saucony Grid Stratos 5 shoes offer a great alternative to a more traditional court shoe that will perform on-court and when carrying out different types of exercise.
Standout Features
- Great all-round exercise pickleball shoe that can be used as a running shoe, as well as a relaxed game of pickleball
- Lightweight shoe with breathable mesh and excellent heel support
- Durable XT-600 rubber sole which outperforms most traditional running shoes
Pickleball Shoes Buying Guide
Find the best pickleball shoes is never an easy task. There are literally hundreds of pickleball shoes spread across dozens of brands (e.g. Nike, K-Swiss, Asics), each with various benefits and disadvantages. That’s why we have created our pickleball shoes buying guide to give you the best steer possible when deciding on which pickleball shoes you should invest in next.
What’s more, the best pickleball shoes also seem to transcend categories. It’s not uncommon for the best court shoes to be suitable for tennis shoes, volleyball shoes, racquetball shoes, badminton shoes and even running shoes.
There are also slight variations between women’s pickleball shoes and the best pickleball shoes for men. While subtle, it’s important to know what you’re looking for when making your next investment.
Cushioning
Since a pickleball player has to jump every other minute tackling unexpected pickleball paddle shots and covering variable hit ranges, it is imperative to have proper cushioning within the shoe. Not only does it provide the required comfort but it also prevents sprains or tears caused by sudden impacts.
Traction
For playing pickleball indoors or on slippery grounds, you need to get pickleball shoes with proper traction, which keeps a check on the friction in the shoes, preventing slippage and accidents. Shoes for such purposes usually come with traction creating materials like rubber within them.
There are also pickleball shoes with trusstic system technology, forefoot gel cushioning systems, and torsion systems which help to increase traction. It’s vital that you understand what traction system is in place when making your purchase.
Flexibility
It would be way more problematic than you think it might be if you ended up with a shoe with rigid soles. If your shoe isn’t flexible enough, you won’t be able to move or jump at the required moment, missing almost all of your hits.
Better to go for something that can flex up to 90 degrees. Also, you may end up tripping and injuring yourself due to rigid shoes while playing. For this reason, it’s important to understand how flexible the outer sole is when purchasing. For example, is it made from gum rubber, and are the pickleball shoes the right shoes for your feet.
Shock Absorption
It is strictly advisable for everyone to opt for pickleball or tennis shoe that consists of proper shock-absorbing materials such as soft pads or gels. Jumping and running can put immense strain on your knees. Shock-absorbing shoes can efficiently prevent damage caused by sudden impacts.
Breathability
It is always a good idea to get a pair that keeps the feet sweat-free, especially during long and extensive hours of intense matches. Breathable mesh layers facilitate proper ventilation, keeping you feeling fresh all day and could help to increase efficiency.
Durability
Never compromise on the quality of court shoes be it regarding pickleball matches or other games. Durable pickleball shoes will allow you the ease of movement, better grip, and high endurance on the court. Standard pickleball shoes may last up to 5 years, but it will depend on how and where you use them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Pickleball Shoes?
Pickleball shoes are very similar to the court shoes used in tennis. They are designed for durability, breathability and to be lightweight on-court. The best pickleball shoes will have a durable and hard-wearing sole and toe support. They will be lightweight, offer exceptional cushioning in the midsole and have a breathable upper. If you are looking for the best pickleball shoes, check out our shoe guide here at PickyPickleball.com.
What are the best Pickleball Shoes?
There are some great brands operating in the pickleball shoes market. These include tennis-heavyweights like Head, Nike and K-Swiss. Here at PickyPickleball.com we compare and review all of the best pickleball shoes so that you can make an informed decision on the next pickleball shoes to buy. Note that every player is different, some players will like a breathable light-weight shoe, while others will want something more hard-wearing.
What are the benefits of Pickleball Shoes?
Buying proper pickleball or court shoes is a sensible decision if you play a lot of pickleball. Unlike normal running shoes, pickleball shoes have a hard-wearing sole and toe support. This ensures that you get much more wear out of your court shoes before needing to buy again. What’s more, pickleball shoes have better support and cushioning in the midsole, which will protect you against injury. Likewise, good pickleball shoes will be breathable and comfortable to play in for long periods.
How long do Pickleball Shoes last for?
That depends on how heavy you play, and how much you use your pickleball shoes. On average, you should get more than 6 months of heavy use out of the best pickleball shoes before you need to consider getting a new pair. With that said, some pickleball shoes can last up to 12 months or longer. For recreational players, you should be able to get 12-24 months of good use out of your court shoes.
