10 Best Pickleball Shoes, According to Athletes & Coaches 2024
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Babolat SFX 3 All Court
Babolat has been in the racquet-sports space for nearly 150 years. Their SFX 3 All Court sneaker is a favorite of Anthony Evrard, co-founder and CEO of Court 16 tennis and pickleball clubs in the New York City area. âThe SFX 3 shoes are very comfortable, which is the first thing to look for,â Evrard says. âI like the wider toe box on these shoes because it helps prevent blisters for players who intend to play for longer durations.â Indeed, this Babolat model has an oversize fit thatâs great for those with wide feet or who like more wiggle room while theyâre playing. âThese shoes also have great traction which is important when making quick movements,â Evrard says. In fact, this pair is called the All Court because the Michelin-rubber outsole has been designed to work on all court surfaces.
Upper material: MeshOutsole material: Michelin rubber, herringbone treadCushioning: LightweightSizes: 5.5-11Colors: 210/12
New Balance Fresh Foam X Lav V
âIâm truly obsessed with this pair of on-court sneakers,â says health and fitness writer and editor Amy Schlinger. âThey do have a snug fit, but even for someone with a wide toe box, the fit doesnât feel too tight, but rather hugs comfortably and makes my foot feel secure. The opening to get the shoe on is tighter than normal, too, but again I like the security that providesâespecially to my ankles. Iâm not worried about my ankles rolling at all.â These sneakers have a higher cut, so if youâre prone to ankle rolls or want to feel more stability around that joint while playing, these could be a great fit. FYI, with the higher cut, you might need to reach for taller socks to prevent any irritation or blisters. âThe shoes are supportive, too,â Schlinger adds. âIâve actually walked a decent amount in them, and the Fresh Foam in the midsole provides a good amount of cushion. The rubber outsole is durable and has a good amount of grip so I never feel like severe slippage on the court will be an issue.â
Upper material: Synthetic breathable meshOutsole material: Rubber Ndurance outsole, herringbone treadCushioning: MediumSizes: 5-12, wide availableColors: 6Do pickleball shoes make a difference?You might be tempted to wear your favorite Hokas or running shoes to play pickleball (especially if youâre new to the game) but if youâre planning to play often, youâll need a dedicated pickleball shoe.
âProper footwear is extremely important, and there isnât one shoe for all sports,â says Jennifer Gallwas, PT, MPT, a professional pickleball player and physical therapist at Athletico Physical Therapy. âAs a physical therapist, I also see many foot and ankle injuries, and [itâs because] many athletes are wearing the wrong shoes for the sport.â
What type of shoe should you wear? First and foremost, you should look for a sneaker deigned for court sports, says Landon Uetz, DPT, a physical therapist and pickleball instructor on TeachMe.To. There are some pickleball-specific sneakers, but many court-specific sneakers suffice for any related sports, including tennis, pickleball, padel, badminton, and even volleyball. These sports ask you to move in all directions, stop quickly, and pivot and chase the ball. As a result, you need a shoe that keeps you grounded and provides support on all sides.
In a pinch (or for your first few times trying the game), you might be able to get away with wearing a cross-training workout sneaker, but running shoes should be your last resort. (Think about how easily you can roll your ankle while wearing a cushy running shoe with a high platformâthatâs exactly what you donât want.) âIn pickleball, we spend a lot of time at the kitchen line leaning forward, which puts a lot of weight on our toes,â Gallwas explains. âThis means that we need extra reinforcement at the toes and lateral support to prevent ankle sprains.â Traditional running shoes are perhaps the worst for this purpose, since theyâre designed for forward motion only, and have limited support under the toes.
