Support
The most important thing to look for in pickleball shoes is feet and ankle support. Pickleball will cause you to move side-to-side and also forward and backward. You will want to find the right support that provides stability and to help prevent injuries like ankle rolls.
Traction
You will be making quick movements on the pickleball court, in every direction, and so you will want good traction. Keep in mind that you may be playing on a number of different types of court surfaces, including:
- Sport court.
- Basketball courts.
- Concrete.
- Asphalt.
- Gym floors.
- Tennis courts.
- Squash courts.
- Clay surface.
- Grass surface.
Pickleball shoes are usually built to give you good traction on the many different surfaces you may be playing pickleball on.
Durability
Your pickleball shoes should be able to stand up to long and intense pickleball games, but also last for months or years of pickleball play. If you play a game and feel like your shoe is not up for the challenge, it means it does not have the durability for a sport like pickleball.
Fit
The fit of your pickleball shoes will be essential to keeping your feet healthy and ready for continual play. You will want a shoe that leaves plenty of room for your foot to move around, both side-to-side and front-to-back. Some things to look for in the fit of your pickleball shoes:
- Relaxed fit in the toe and heel areas.
- Proper width.
- Weight.
Learn more about how your pickleball shoe should fit.
Cushioning & shock absorption
The cushioning of your pickleball shoe will be important for both 1. The comfort during pickleball games and practices, and 2. To absorb the impact of play. You will want to reduce that impact on your feet so you can focus on your game.
Finding the perfect pair of pickleball shoes
Like any new pair of shoes, you may want to try a few different kinds before settling on your perfect pickleball shoes. But if you do research on the above tips, you should be able to find a good pair for you — so your feet can be supported and you can focus on what you do best: playing pickleball.
