Choosing the Right Shoes for Pickleball: What Matters Most for Support and Grip
A Fast-Paced Game Demands the Right Footing
Pickleball’s meteoric rise in popularity has brought an influx of new players onto courts across the United States and beyond. It has become a staple at country clubs, rec centers, and converted tennis courts, attracting players of all ages and skill levels. While much attention is paid to paddles and technique, one of the most crucial elements of a player’s performance—and injury prevention—often receives far less scrutiny: footwear.
As in other racquet sports, the shoes a player wears in pickleball play a central role in their ability to move, pivot, plant, and recover efficiently. More importantly, shoes provide the structural support needed to protect joints, stabilize movement, and help maintain stamina over long matches. Choosing the wrong shoes—or using general-purpose sneakers—can not only diminish performance but also increase the risk of injury.
Why Pickleball Requires a Specialized Shoe
Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. But unlike running or walking, which involve linear motion, pickleball demands fast, multidirectional movement. Players must shift laterally, dart forward and backward, and stop abruptly to reach dinks and volleys at the net. This creates a specific need for footwear that can support side-to-side motion while maintaining traction and balance on various surfaces.
Running shoes, which many new players mistakenly wear on the court, are ill-suited for this kind of movement. Built for heel-to-toe motion, running shoes often lack lateral support and feature elevated heels, which can increase the risk of rolling an ankle or slipping on hard surfaces. Instead, pickleball players are better served by court shoes—those designed for tennis, volleyball, or increasingly, pickleball itself.
Understanding the Key Features: Support and Grip
The two primary functions of a pickleball shoe are to provide support and grip. Each plays a distinct role, but together they define how well a shoe performs during play.
Support in pickleball footwear encompasses several components:
Lateral Stability: Reinforced sides help prevent the foot from rolling during sharp cuts or sidesteps.
Cushioning: Adequate cushioning, especially in the heel and forefoot, helps absorb the shock from frequent stops and pivots.
Midsole Structure: A firm, responsive midsole enhances stability without sacrificing comfort.
Arch and Heel Lock: These ensure that the foot remains secure and aligned throughout play, reducing strain on joints and muscles.
Grip, or traction, refers to how well the shoe adheres to the court surface. On smooth or dusty courts, poor grip can lead to dangerous slips. Outdoor courts often have rougher textures than indoor courts, which affects the tread patterns required. Shoes must be chosen with the playing environment in mind to provide the appropriate balance of friction and mobility.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Pickleball Shoes
Not all pickleball courts are created equal. The sport is played on both indoor gym floors and outdoor surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, or acrylic-coated courts. As a result, footwear needs may differ depending on where the game takes place.
Indoor courts, often made of polished wood or synthetic materials, typically require shoes with gum rubber soles. These provide excellent traction without marking the floor. Volleyball shoes are commonly used in indoor pickleball for their grip and light weight.
Outdoor courts, on the other hand, call for more durable soles with deeper tread patterns. Tennis shoes are the most common choice for outdoor play, as they offer the necessary grip and durability. Many shoe companies now produce pickleball-specific models that combine elements of both.
Some players alternate between two pairs depending on the surface, while others seek hybrid shoes that can perform reasonably well on both.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
New players often make the mistake of assuming any athletic shoe will suffice. This can lead to poor court movement, decreased balance, and eventually injury. The most common footwear mistakes include:
Wearing running shoes: Built for forward motion, these do not provide lateral support.
Ignoring fit: Shoes that are too loose or too tight can cause blisters or toe injuries, and reduce agility.
Overusing worn-out shoes: Grip and support degrade over time. If the outsole is worn smooth or the midsole feels flat, it’s time to replace them.
Experts suggest replacing court shoes every 45–60 hours of play, depending on surface, intensity, and foot mechanics.
Who Should Look for What
Not every player needs the same kind of shoe. Preferences and needs can vary by playing style, body type, and foot structure.
Power players, who rely on explosive movements and fast pivots, benefit from shoes with rigid lateral support and firm midsoles.
Control players, who spend more time at the net executing dinks and resets, may prefer slightly softer cushioning and lower profiles.
Older players or those with prior injuries may prioritize cushioning and support around the heel and arch.
Players with wide feet should look for shoes specifically built with a broader toe box to avoid discomfort or hot spots.
Brands such as K-Swiss, Asics, Babolat, and HEAD have all introduced models tailored to pickleball, responding to the growing demand for sport-specific shoes that combine performance with injury prevention.
Special Considerations for Foot Health
Players with conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or knee issues should consult footwear specialists or podiatrists. Orthotics or insoles can be a game-changer, offering customized support that standard shoes may not provide. Stability, shock absorption, and alignment are essential to both comfort and longevity in the sport.
Shoes with removable insoles are preferable for those intending to use orthotics.
Final Thoughts: The Foundation of Every Shot
In pickleball, success often depends on positioning and quick reactions. The right shoes won’t win points on their own, but they form the literal foundation on which the rest of your game is built. Without proper support and grip, even the best players find themselves vulnerable—to both defeat and injury.
Investing in high-quality court shoes isn’t just about performance. It’s about safety, sustainability, and making sure that each match you play leaves you ready, not hurting, for the next one. For a sport growing as rapidly as pickleball, the footwear conversation is no longer secondary. It’s central.