Buyer’s Guide: The 7 Best Pickleball Shoes (in 2023)

The best pickleball shoes in 2023 including the red and black court shoes from Tyrol

When I first started playing pickleball, I didn’t know pickleball shoes even existed. I’ve been playing tennis for years, so I figured my old tennis shoes would do the job. Turns out, I was very wrong!

When I got serious about my pickleball game and started playing multiple times a week, I was introduced to the world of pickleball shoes. 

Now, I own 5+ pairs (lol!).

But what are court shoes for pickleball?

Turns out, they’re quite different than tennis shoes. Or any other athletic shoe for that matter. And if you’re an athlete of any kind, you know that the right shoes can make or break your game. 

The wrong pair of shoes can leave your feet feeling sore and tired after an hour on the court. 

But the right pair?

Those will keep your feet comfortable and supported while you focus on smashing those serves and sneaking in those dinks.

That’s why we’ve compiled this buyer’s guide to help you find the best pickleball shoes in 2023. 

With so many options out there, it can be difficult to find the perfect pair. But don’t worry—we’ve got your back. 

Top choice for best pickleball shoe

The best pickleball shoe on the market right now is the Wilson Rush Pro Ace Pickler.

Why?

It offers the most comfort and support of any pickleball shoe we’ve tried and can easily accommodate wide feet.

WILSON Rush Pro Ace Pickleball Shoe
5.0
$64.95
  • Ultimate comfort while maintaining superior support
  • High-density OrthoLite foam
  • Enhanced stability & more control


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12/10/2023 10:20 am GMT

The foot support is strong but it still offers enough flexibility for quick pivots and side-to-side play.

Not for you? No prob.

Keep reading for 6 great pickleball shoes on the market right now.

Our Top Picks: Best Pickleball Shoes in 2023

Once you know what kind of shoe is best suited to your specific game style and court surface, it’s time to start browsing.

Here are a few of our favorites and the key features of each:

Tyrol Men’s Drive V Pickleball Shoe

Mens Drive-V Pro Series Pickleball Shoe
5.0
$127.50
  • Wide and deep toe box & breathable mesh material
  • Rubber toe guard offers stable support to prevent ankle rollover
  • Torsion control shank & EVA midsole
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12/10/2023 10:00 am GMT

You should know: The Drive V shoe is designed for pickleball play on multi-surface courts, including indoor and outdoor play. It comes in some of the nicest color schemes we’ve seen, like the black and lime pictured here.

Key Features:

  • Wide and deep toe box and padded tricot upper linings with breathable mesh material for optimum comfort.
  • Rubber toe guard offers stable support to prevent ankle rollover.
  • Superior stability from the Vibram rubber outsole, torsion control shank and EVA midsole.
  • Open weave mesh nylon upper and aerated insole and midsole offer excellent flow-through ventilation.

FitVille Men’s Amadeus Pickleball Court Shoes

FitVille Mens Amadeus Pickleball Shoes
5.0
$49.90
  • Torsion resistant for best performance on court
  • Wide & extra wide design for maximum comfort
  • Removable insoles with arch support 
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12/10/2023 01:33 pm GMT

You should know: FitVille has made one of the most affordable pickleball shoes on the market right now (especially if you can snag a pair on sale).

The Amadeus Court shoe is great for hard courts because its durable outsole provides lots of traction for quick movements around the court.

Key Features:

  • Torsion resistant for best performance on court
  • Wide & extra wide design for maximum comfort
  • Super soft and breathable upper to stay cool
  • Slip-resistant outsoles made of premium rubber
  • Removable insoles with arch support 

Tyrol Men’s Rally Pickleball Shoe

Tyrol Men's Rally Pickleball Shoes
5.0
$100.00
  • High-quality rubber sole for superior on-court traction
  • Aerated breathable insole and cooling system
  • Advanced tread design for added support & performance
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12/10/2023 09:44 am GMT

You should know: The Rally Pickleball Shoe is one of the most popular indoor court shoes thanks to its lightweight construction and excellent cushioning in the heel area—great features when playing pickleball indoors!

Key Features:

  • High-quality rubber sole for superior on-court traction, stability, safety.
  • Breathable mesh nylon upper, aerated breathable insole and cooling system.
  • Advanced tread design for added support and performance.

Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoe

Acacia Dinkshot Pickleball Shoes
5.0
$62.00
  • High-abrasion contoured outsoles
  • Kevlar drag guards enable quick lateral movements
  • Wider-fitting toe-box for space and structure
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12/10/2023 01:59 pm GMT

You should know: The Acacia Dinkshot pickleball shoe offers solid support without sacrificing comfort thanks to its dual-density cushioning system and shock-absorbing midsole technology.

Key Features:

  • High-abrasion contoured outsoles.
  • Kevlar drag guards enable quick lateral movements.
  • Wider-fitting toe-box for space and structure.

Men’s Skechers Viper Court Pickleball Shoes

Skechers Mens Viper Court Indoor-Outdoor Pickleball Shoes
5.0
$84.99
  • Durable outsole for heavy use on outdoor courts
  • Lightweight Ultra Flight cushioning
  • Removable insole helps mold to your foot to reduce shock and increase weight dispersion
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12/10/2023 09:58 am GMT

You should know: Chances are your doctor will approve of the Sketchers Viper Court Pickleball shoe.

If you need that extra support, this podiatrist-designed shape should help. It was developed with 20 years of data and 120,000 unweighted foot scans.

I’ve written an entire blog post about the new Skechers Viper Court Pro shoe (released in early 2023). It breaks down the difference between the original Viper Court shoe and the new pro version.

Key Features:

  • Removable Arch Fit® insole.
  • Lightweight Ultra Flight cushioning.
  • Goodyear® Performance Outsole.
  • Patented Skechers Arch Fit® insole system with podiatrist-certified arch support.
  • Removable insole helps mold to your foot to reduce shock and increase weight dispersion.

Men’s K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball Court Shoes

K-Swiss Mens Express Light Pickleball Shoe
5.0
$99.95
  • Comfortable, lightweight, breathable shoe
  • Features a K-Swiss Pickleball logo, customized pickleball sockliner
  • First court shoe designed specifically for pickleball
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12/10/2023 10:07 pm GMT

You should know: K-Swiss is the first brand to introduce a court shoe specifically designed for pickleball. It’s your best option if you want a stylish court shoe!

Key Features:

  • Comfortable, lightweight, breathable shoe.
  • Features a K-Swiss Pickleball logo, customized pickleball sockliner.
  • P.op. handtag on the lateral sides.

No matter what type of pickleball player you are or how serious your game is, there’s sure to be a pair of shoes out there that can help take your game to the next level. 

From lightweight options like the Tyrol Men’s Rally Pickleball Shoe to ultra-stability runners like the Rush Pro Ace Pickler and everything in between – there’s something here for everyone! 

We hope this buying guide has helped narrow down some options. All it takes now is a little bit of research before investing in a new pair of pickleball shoes

What to look for when Buying Pickleball Shoes 

Before you buy a new pair of pickleball shoes, there are a few things you should consider. 

First: what type of court surface do you usually play on? Different courts require different types of shoes with specific features that cater to each type of court surface. 

Think about:

  • If you play mostly on hard courts, look for shoes that provide traction and support during quick turns and stops; 
  • If you play mostly on indoor courts, look for lightweight shoes with cushioning on the heel; 
  • If you play mostly outdoors, look for shoes with strong grip soles to prevent slipping when playing on wet surfaces. 

You should also think about whether or not your game requires stability (if so, look for wide base soles) or agility (in which case look for flexible soles). 

Finally, consider how important breathability is to you—this will determine whether or not mesh fabric is necessary. 

FAQ

Do you need pickleball shoes to play pickleball?


You don’t need pickleball shoes to play pickleball, but your court shoes should have a solid level of support, good grip, and be lightweight enough to allow for quick movement and sharp turns.

Running shoes are not recommended for pickleball as they only offer support for forward movement and not the side-to-side motion or quick directional changes that are common in pickleball.

What’s the difference between pickleball shoes and tennis shoes?


While tennis shoes and pickleball shoes are similar, they are designed slightly differently for each sport. Pickleball requires more side-to-side movement than tennis, so many pickleball shoes have added torsional support to prevent rolled ankles.

The toe box of most pickleball shoes is also roomier than that of a tennis shoe as bruised toes are a common pickleball injury.

What features should I look for when buying pickleball shoes?


The right pickleball shoe for you depends on a few factors: most importantly, what type of court surface you’ll be playing on.

It’s also important to note if you’re looking for additional support, added stability, or increased agility as each pickleball shoe is designed with a different purpose in mind.

Are pickleball shoes for women different than pickleball shoes for men? 


Most pickleball shoes are made for both men and women, but some women’s shoes have
different features that are designed specifically for women.

For instance, a narrower fit, lower center of gravity, and deeper tread depths provide better traction.

There are tons of great women’s pickleball shoes on the market right now.

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