We Put Dozens of Pickleball Shoes to the Test—These 10 Performed Best on the Court (2024)

Available sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 4 | Materials: Synthetic leather upper and rubber outsole | Features: Molded EVA Sock Liner

K-Swiss has been making stylish tennis shoes, as in, shoes for playing tennis, since the 1960s. It’s no surprise that they’ve designed a shoe for the new court-focused phenomena, pickleball. What works for tennis is bound to work for pickleball, too. We found that the sole had stability and the arch of the foot was supported during play. The shoe’s stretchy body also helped with flexibility, a necessity when making quick sprints across the court.

One of our testers, who has an extensive background in tennis, noted, “The sole is stiff, with very little flexibility when I twist the shoe. This is what I expect to see in a court shoe.” Also, when using these shoes on a wet court, we had no issues with slippage, which is a testament to their grip. All in all, these pickleball shoes are straightforward and deliver the right kind of support you’d expect on the court.

Available sizes: 5-12 | Colors: 6 | Materials: Synthetic leather | Weight: 284 g/10 oz | Heel to toe drop: 10 mm | Features: Flex grooves in the outsole, Wrap-up outsole and wider gauge

If you’re a novice player, these Asics Gel-Renma Pickleball Shoes are a good starting point because they’re not overly expensive and can be used off the court as well. We also like this pickleball shoe for beginners because its midsole is built to reduce excessive twisting, which could lower your chance of injury. Our editor, who tested this pair, said that they like the different textures on the sole, which helps with grip and multi-directional play and is good for stops and starts.

The Asics have a bit of arch support, light cushioning, and ankle support. “These are great pickleball shoes compared to others that I have worn,” our editor said. “I would consider these more of a hybrid court shoe vs. a classic court shoe.” One thing to note is that some people may find the toe box a bit narrow, especially if you have wide feet.

Available sizes: 7-14 | Colors: 3 | Materials: EVA base with Nylex top | Weight: Average of 392 g, depending on size | Heel to toe drop: 4mm | Features: Heel stabilizer, aeration system

Consider the Tyrol Drive V shoe if you play more intense or competitive pickleball. It provides a good grip without any slip to keep you stable on the court. We like that the shoe is very durable and doesn’t show signs of wear easily. It also has a toe box design that accommodates those with wider feet. It took about three weeks to break them in, playing pickleball about three days a week.

After experiencing foot fatigue after play for the first few weeks, these shoes ended up being very comfortable and supportive. With arch support and a lack of flexibility, we thought this pair kept our feet in place, offering plenty of stability on the court. Nearly all of our testers found these shoes a bit heavy and stiff, with one tester saying, “They felt like wooden shoes at first.” However, most of our testers found them comfy once they broke them in. The price tag is a bit higher than others on the list, so we think serious players would consider them an investment.

Available sizes: 7.5-14 | Colors: 1 (Red & Black) | Materials: Mesh, nylon, silicon, leather | Features: Tread around the contour of the shoe, flexible material

The Acacia Sport The “TYLER” Signature Edition Pro Shoes provide great support and durability. They have a lightweight feel and great grip for better traction and movement. Their PlusLace technology has an extra eyelet, which gives you a tighter fit at the top of your foot, allowing you to loosen the lower laces to reduce pressure in the heel.

The toe box is wide without allowing your feet to move around too much, so you get stability without feeling like your toes are squished. According to one tester, the shoes felt stiff during the first use, “similar to cycling shoes,” but became more comfortable over time. Oh and, don’t expect to match these shoes with your favorite skort or skirt, as they’re only available in one color.

Available sizes: 6-15 | Colors: 5 | Materials: Rubber, mesh | Features: Midsole design technology for lateral movements, full-length outsole and heel for stability

These pickleball shoes feature a lineup of patented technology to ensure support and stability on the court. We’ll spare you the fancy names of the tech, but you can expect a flexible upper for ease of movement and a durable outsole in the heel and toe areas. The rearfoot and forefoot use a gel technology to improve impact absorption, and there are at least three different types of “shoe tech” that make the Asics more durable and stable.

Multiple testers commented on the snug and supportive fit. “The shoe manages to wrap my whole foot comfortably,” one tester said. “I thought my toes would get smushed at the tip of the shoe, but that was not the case.” Overall, we found this pair to be stable and durable, but they may be too narrow for those with wider feet.

Available sizes: 5-11 | Colors: 5 | Materials: Synthetic leather, rubber | Features: CMEVA Midsole, Molded Rubber Outsole

Lightweight pickleball shoes can make you more agile on the court. This sport requires a lot of fast movements, last-minute reactions, and quick sprints, so being light on your feet is an asset. Made by K-Swiss, they’re designed to be lightweight and responsive, which is necessary for pickleball’s quick movements. The molded EVA sock liner, a rubber-like material that results in flexibility, lets you move across the court with ease.

We especially like the grip that stretches up over the toes from the outsole. “The grip on these shoes is fantastic,” one tester states. “There's a grip that comes up over the toe, which allows me to pivot quickly, stop, run, and change directions, all with ease.” One of our testers wore these pickleball shoes for six months and said that the toe area was beginning to wear down and form a hole. However, they said the wear and tear came after multiple hours of intense play.

Available sizes: 5-12 | Colors: 3 | Materials: Mesh, rubber | Features: Midsole support, low cut, lightweight

Whether you play pickleball or tennis or switch between the two, these Nike shoes will work across the courts. We found this pair to be lightweight and breathable, two characteristics our tester said were most important to them. We also liked that there was cushioning, but not too much.

Our tester did note that the soles didn’t feel quite as grippy as some of the other shoes they’ve tried, but for their needs, the shoes worked great. The shoe has a stretchy internal sleeve to keep the foot in place, which our tester was a fan of, saying, “I felt it gave the shoe a unique, close fit without squeezing the top of my foot.” Keep in mind that our tester has noticed some wear and tear in the sole after using them for a few months, noting that they play pickleball about three times a week for 1-2 hours.

Available sizes: 8-13 | Colors: 3 | Materials: Rubber, mesh | Features: Removable insole, lightweight cushioning, Goodyear rubber outsole

If you want to skip lace-up pickleball sneakers, consider these Skechers Slip-ins. We like that the design can easily sustain quick movements on the court. We found the shoe to be very supportive and responded well to our movements during gameplay. The Goodyear rubber outsole offered excellent grip, which was specifically called out by our tester. We think that this pair feels more durable compared to other Sketcher’s pickleball shoes.

We love the removable Arch Fit insole, suitable for those with a falling arch. While we appreciate the simple slip-in design, keep in mind that the overall shoe can be quite snug. This did not bother our tester, though, who said the fit allowed them to feel more secure when moving left and right.

Available sizes: 7-13 | Colors: 3 | Materials: Mesh, rubber | Features: Arch support, removable insole, Goodyear rubber outsole

With the Skechers Viper Court Pro Pickleball Shoes, you won’t have to worry about slipping and sliding during pickleball games. These pickleball sneakers are made with rubber outsoles from Goodyear, you know, the company that makes car tires. With a tire-like grip, these shoes keep you upright even after those last-minute dives. We like that it provides an excellent grip and solid ground stability on the court. What we find unique about this shoe is that it offers a comfortable design for those with semi-wide feet.

Our tester had great things to say about the grip, stating, “I think this grip on these is superb. The Goodyear rubber is phenomenal on indoor gyms and hard courts. The rubber, in combination with the size of the footbed, makes me feel really grounded on the court, but when needing to hop or jump for a spike, it does so with ease.” One thing to note is that these pickleball shoes have an upper mesh that might be prone to wear and tear.

Available sizes: 7-14 | Colors: 3 | Materials: Rubber and mesh | Heel to toe drop: 9 mm | Features: Wide toe box, midsole foam

A little bounce goes a long way in a game that requires you to get around the court quickly and make fast recoveries. The midsole of the Wilson Rush Pro Ace is built with specialized foam that offers cushion and rebound to help achieve that bounce. We particularly liked the cushioning under the ball of the foot, which felt springy and allowed for quick movements. We also appreciated the grip, which allows you to change directions quickly without fumbling or falling over.

The bounce may make pickleball’s sudden movements a bit easier on the joints, too. The one downside of this pair is the lack of color options.