The best pickleball shoes are the ones that will protect your joints from injury and especially your knees and lower back. As you play either indoors or outdoors, you should try to insulate yourself from common injuries such as sprains and hair-line fractures that could take months to heal. The favorable way to carry that out is to invest in pickleball shoes.
1. Pickleball Shoes For Women
It is important to consider that the best shoes for pickleball have a hard rubber sole, as is the case with all court shoes. In general, pickleball shoes are lighter than all other court shoes. Because pickleball requires quick movements, turns, and pivoting, choosing the best pickleball shoes is fundamental.
a. ASICS Gel Rocket 8 For Women
- Forefoot GEL Cushioning System (COURT): Attenuates shock during impact phase.
- Trusstic System Technology: Reduces the weight of the sole unit while retaining the structural integrity of the shoe.
This pair of shoes remains an all-time favorite for beginner and intermediate players. Choosing pickleball shoes is more than just picking what looks best. It involves going for shoes that make a difference in your performance, limit the risk of injury, and have the right support for a good experience. These are by far the best pickleball shoes for women.
2. Pickleball Shoes For Men
Shoes designed specifically for pickleball are the most fundamental piece of gear you will buy. Men's pickleball shoes are designed to be the best pickleball shoes. The detail goes down to the specific fibers used to create these shoes.
a. K-Swiss Men's Express Light Shoes For Pickleball
- AOSTA 7.0 RUBBER COMPOUND: High-density outsole provides unsurpassed durability from heel-to-toe
- DURAWRAP: Provides an extra line of defense against excessive toe-dragging
- 180 PSC PLANTAR: A 180 degree thermal plastic Plantar Support Chassis that enhances mid-foot stability
- ORTHOLITE SOCK LINER: The unique open-cell structure of OrthoLite foam creates a moisture management system, helping to move moisture away and provide a cooler, drier, healthier environment
- DRAGGUARD: Located in the high wear areas of the toe and heel offering increased abrasion-resistance
The thing to love about these K swiss pair of pickleball shoes at first glance will be the sleek design. Made for indoor courts and outdoor courts, you will enjoy the comfortability that comes with them. It is a great investment, especially if you are a pickleball player. An interesting fact to note is that these are the only K swiss shoes designed specifically for pickleball.
3. Best Indoor and Outdoor Pickleball Shoes
When you play pickleball, you generally do it on a pickleball court, which can be an indoor court and an outdoor court. It mostly depends on the preference of pickleball players. Sometimes the best pickleball shoes double up as general court shoes, such as tennis shoes and volleyball shoes.
a. New Balance Men's 696 V4 Hard Court Shoe
- Durable Design: A full-length NDurance outsole provides superior traction and durability to help get more wear out of the shoe, so you can dominate the competition without worrying about your feet
- Supports Every Shot: These New Balance tennis shoes also feature a herringbone-patterned, non-marking outsole for added traction during lateral movements to provide the grip you need to hit every shot
- Made for Hard Court Matches: With outsole material designed specifically for hard court play, these tennis shoes from New Balance help keep you prepared for any game on a hard court surface
- Lightweight Cushioning: Perforations at the forefoot increase breathability while the REVlite midsole delivers incredibly lightweight cushioning for a fit that helps you feel light on your feet
- Seasonal Colors for a Stylish Finish: These New Balance tennis shoes come in bright, seasonal colors to refresh your game gear and add a stylish finish to your overall look
Not only is a new balance hard court shoe stylish, but recent designs and upgrades also make this shoe one of the best pickleball shoes. Of course, they are also designed as tennis shoes and hard court shoes. Nevertheless, they are excellent for indoor pickleball and other outdoor pickleball courts. Here is why you should give this shoe a try;
b. K-Swiss Hypercourt Express
- Synthetic Leather Upper
- Draggaurd Rubber & Aosta Rubber Outsole
- Molded EVA Midsole
- Molded Ortholite x40 Sock Liner
- Ideal for hard court or clay court playing surfaces
This shoe is created to be lightweight and airy, providing comfort through your lateral movements and pivoting on pickleball courts. Made as a tennis shoe, it also lives up to its name as a shoe for pickleball, volleyball shoes, and other court games.
c. ASICS Men's Upcourt 4 Court Shoes
- Side support construction and full strobel lasting provide additional support as you make multi-directional movements, while the EVA sockliner moulds to the shape of your feet over time, making each...
- With forefoot GEL technology for shock absorption and lasting comfort, this versatile shoe has the features you need to put in an outstanding performance.
- Extra cushioning is provided by the springy EVA midsole, with added rebound properties to give you a real boost as you race across court.
- For added stability, these shoes feature our TRUSSTIC SYSTEM technology, a moulded component under the midfoot area that works to control torsion, helping you change direction at lightning speed...
- Side support construction and full strobel lasting provide additional support as you make multi-directional movements, while the EVA sockliner moulds to the shape of your feet over time, making each...
As a pickleball shoe, this pair of shoes incorporates a proprietary ASICS cushioning system with fabric-and-synthetic technology into its design for maximum cushioning and support. It is similar to the gel dedicate six tennis shoes. You will be able to get to the ball in time because this pickleball shoe is made for stability and balance.
Potential Injuries During Pickleball
Pickleball is a great sport for working out, socializing, and meeting new people. It is a game that resembles tennis and other hard-court games. Nevertheless, as is common with any other sport, injuries regularly occur regardless of how good your court shoes, running shoes, or tennis shoes are.
Some injuries can be prevented by the use of proper shoes and proper pickleball gear. Injuries common to playing pickleball include:
- Ligament tears from changing directions too quickly
- Achilles tendon strains in the lower legs from pivoting for extended times.
- Ankle sprains which can result from lateral and swift movements
- Plantar fasciitis is inflammation in the heel from pounding on hard surfaces.
You can avoid these injuries by:
- Warming up before training or a game
- Having the right shoes (pickleball shoes, tennis shoes, or running shoes) with good non-marking soles
- Hydrate
- Stay physically active
- Getting prompt medical attention when an injury happens
Frequently Asked Questions
a. What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a sport played with paddles. The paddles are bigger than a regular ping pong paddle which you use to hit a ball back and forth between players. Due to its ease of play and only a handful of rules, everyone can play it successfully. The style of play varies between different pickleball players.
b. Is Pickleball Age-Appropriate?
Yes, it is. It does not need any elite skill per se. It is effortlessly played by people of all ages and does not require elitist-sport training like tennis or football. In fact, most top pickleball players do not necessarily have super athletic capabilities.
It is not expensive and is being widely accepted as a favorite pass time at family barbeques, gyms, and even schools. In several ways, it is a sport similar to tennis, badminton, and other racket games. Because of its simplicity, it is easy to learn how to play pickleball and even compete.
c. Do I Need Special Shoes to Play Pickleball?
Short answer. No. You can use any sneaker shoe to play. However, there are pickleball shoes specifically designed for the game with non-marking soles and made from durable materials like synthetic leather and hardened rubber.
Tennis shoes and volleyball shoes are also great substitutes for pickleball shoes. In fact, there are shoes made for playing all indoor games which offer added support.
d. Where Can I Play Pickleball?
Because of the growing popularity of pickleball, most big cities are repurposing tennis courts for pickleball. Since it is a recreational sport, many people are starting to play it. The demand from the public is high. You only have to retrofit your tennis shoes for pickleball and head over to your nearest repurposed tennis court.
Takeaway
If you are on the search for some great physical exercise for your mind, soul, and body, pickleball is the next best thing. Playing pickleball allows you to improve on your footing, agility, reflexes, and hand and eye coordination without putting your body through unnecessary strain.
Pickleball is a wholesome alternative for senior players who used to play tennis but have physical injuries and limitations such as hip, shoulder, knee, or other joint issues. Nevertheless, pickleball can be played both indoors and outdoors, and it is an accessible option for recreational facilities and activities of all types.
Pickleball is not an expensive sport and requires little gear to play. You can be able to play within half an hour of trying it out. There are books dedicated to beginners up to pro players. Basically, there is no shortage of information on pickleball, including the media. So what are you waiting for? Grab a paddle and start playing!
