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As pickleball’s popularity rapidly grows, you have more pickleball shoes available to choose from than ever before. But just as you’d take your time researching pickleball paddles to find the right one, it’s essential to choose the best pickleball shoes for your needs. To that end, we talked with professional pickleball players to find out what they look for in a great pair of shoes. Read on for our picks for the best pickleball shoes for men to help you find the right pair.
These shoes have been designed specifically for elite pickleball athletes. The podiatrist-certified arch support helps to maximize comfort, and it’s paired with ultra-lightweight foam cushioning. That comfort is enhanced by the relaxed fit, which provides a roomy fit at the toe, and the availability of medium and extra wide widths. The rubber compound outsole also delivers the traction, stability, and durability that athletes need. Shopping tip: This model also made our list of the best pickleball shoes for women.
With its prominent use of mesh on the upper, this pickleball shoe is our pick for the most breathable shoe. It features a wide toe box for wider feet, and since it’s available in sizes 7 to 14, it’s an option for a wide range of players. Other perks include a support chassis to help stabilize your foot when you pivot, as well as a foam midsole to maximize cushioning. The rubber sole is durable and features a rubber overlay for extra protection when you drag your foot.
The Fila Volley Zone Men’s Pickleball Shoe is crafted for balanced, comfortable wear. A midfoot polyurethane shank adds stability, while a foam midsole adds cushion. The sockliner is crafted of molded foam to provide support and comfort. Additionally, the rubber outsole features a herringbone pattern for traction while a circle pivot area lets you quickly change directions. Good to know: There’s a particularly fun option that features a pickleball paddle design.
These indoor court shoes are available in both mid and low designs, so players who cross over between different racquet sports can choose their preferred design. The rubber sole maximizes traction and durability and is suitable for indoor court use. The thicker back heel offers extra shock absorption, while the faux leather upper adds extra support and stability for pivots.
The K-Swiss Express Light Pickleball shoes are designed for comfort. A sock liner helps with moisture management to keep your feet cool and comfortable, while the foam midsole provides cushioning as you play. These shoes feature a support chassis that helps to stabilize the shoe, and a heel grip lining also reduces slipping. Plantar support helps to improve stability, while a modified herringbone pattern rubber sole maximizes traction during each game.
These pickleball shoes are available in regular, wide, and extra-wide sizes, so they’re ideal for players who have wide feet. A roomy toe box and more flexibility in the forefoot give you freedom of movement and help to enhance comfort. Other features like the breathable mesh upper and the shock-absorbing insoles and midsoles also help to keep you comfortable during each game.
Available in sizes 7 through 14 and with an extra-wide fit, these shoes are ideal for players who need a wider yet supportive fit. Tongue and collar padding, plus a breathable mesh upper contribute to your comfort. The hybrid outsole is suitable for all tennis surfaces and features a non-marking rubber. The shoe also features tread zones for optimal grip when playing on clay, and durability zones are designed for hard court use, too.
The Adidas Court Pickleball Shoes win our pick for best design, not only because of their appearance and functionality, but also because they’re an eco-friendly choice. These shoes are crafted with at least 20% recycled materials, reducing their environmental impact. They feature an eye-catching style that will stand out on the court. The shoes also offer a responsive midsole for comfort, while a rubber sole provides the traction needed for quick maneuvers and direction changes.
These pickleball shoes are designed for competitive players who need a responsive shoe for speed. The upper provides protection but also flexes, eliminating the need for a break in period. At 1.63 pounds, the shoes are lightweight, and a responsive midsole provides cushion while maximizing energy return as you play. The shoes also feature a high-density sole and extra durability in high wear areas like the toe and heel.
Weighing just 1.44 pounds, these shoes are lightweight, yet durable. The rubber sole is reinforced and paired with a wrap-up design that creates stability while still letting you move freely, so you feel supported during pivots and maneuvers. A synthetic toe overlay helps to protect this high-wear area. The shoes also feature gel technology cushioning, which makes them stand out from other shoes.
The NewBalance FuelCell Pickleball shoes feature a rubber outsole for comfort and traction, and it’s designed with extra durability in high-wear areas for longer lasting wear. A forefoot cage increases comfort and support while adding durability to the upper, too. The shoe also features PU leather on the tip for extra protection when you drag a toe, so you can get maximum use out of these shoes.
Alexandru Pop-Moldovan, professional pickleball player, coach, and director of racquet sports at PGA National Resort Palm Beach Gardens, FL, explains that pickleball shoes need to meet contrasting demands. “The sport of pickleball demands two somewhat contrarian aspects of normal athletic footwear: lightning-quick responsiveness and long-lasting comfort,” he says. “A competitive player needs to be explosive in his movements, but be comfortable enough to stay on court for hours without sacrificing performance.”
Professional pickleball player and Skechers brand ambassador Tyson McGuffin recommends pickleball players look for shoes that combine several essential qualities. “For me, comfort, stability, durability, and high performance equal quality,” he says.
Consider these features when buying pickleball shoes.
Pop-Moldovan says comfort and explosiveness are the two most important features in a pickleball shoe. “Due to the fact there is considerable time standing relatively in the same spot, comfort becomes even more important than it is in the sport of tennis,” he says.
Several factors contribute to comfort, including the room provided in the toe box, any shock-absorbing materials in the shoe, and the shoe’s overall breathability. Consider the shoe’s weight, too. Lightweight shoes can be more comfortable and allow you to respond faster than heavier shoes.
A good pickleball shoe needs to offer stability and support, especially as you pivot and come to sudden stops. Many shoes accomplish this through the use of a shank inserted in the midfoot to help stabilize the shoe—and it’s one of the reasons why you wouldn’t want to use your go-to walking shoes or running shoes.
You’ll want to get maximum value from your investment in a pair of pickleball shoes. Look for features that make shoes more durable, such as extra rubber on the soles and rubber toe caps to help protect the shoe when you drag your toe.
A pickleball shoe’s sole plays a key role in your traction and agility on the court. “The outsole needs to match the playing surface to be used for play,” says Pop-Moldovan, “whether that is an indoor or outdoor tennis-type hard court surface or an indoor basketball-type surface.”
Good fit is also essential, and it directly relates to your comfort and the stability you feel while playing. Consider not only the shoe size, but the shoe width and qualities like a roomy toe box and arch support when finding the right fit.
Finally, consider the overall style of the shoes and how they’ll look when you play. “Style is important to me, as I like to be bold and stand out on the pickleball court,” says McGuffin.
McGuffin explains it’s important to have enough room in the toe box area of your pickleball shoes. “Shoes should also fit comfortably enough that your foot feels locked in,” he says. “Whatever size you typically wear, I’d do the same. Importantly, I like them to feel snug enough for me to feel extremely mobile with all the quick lateral movements in pickleball.”
When trying on shoes, Pop-Moldovan recommends taking extra time to ensure you’ve found the right fit. “Just like with all racquet sports shoes, it is somewhat difficult to test out new shoes just inside a retail store,” he explains. “But taking a little extra time to move around the store, even mimicking the movements of a pickleball match, will go a ways in helping make sure a player has the right fit. The consumer should consider both length and width when trying on shoes and make sure it has the level of comfort and weight they need for their game.”
Proper cleaning and maintenance can help prolong your pickleball shoes’ life. Pop-Moldovan notes it’s essential to make sure shoes have the proper environment and time to dry out, rather than leaving them inside an enclosed bag where airflow can’t reach them. “Cleaning is rather easy—a damp cloth is usually enough to do the trick,” he says. “Just make sure to dry them off when you are done.”
McGuffin takes a different approach to cleaning shoes. “As a pro, I am out on the court daily and probably put a lot more wear and tear on my shoes than the average player,” says McGuffin. “The last thing I’m thinking about during play is keeping my shoes clean, but I also want to look fresh on the court. Luckily, Skechers pickleball shoes are machine washable. So, I think the best way to maintain your pickleball shoes is by investing in pairs that you can easily toss in the washing machine.”
When choosing the best pickleball shoes for men, I focused on the qualities professional pickleball players value the most. I chose shoes designed to be comfortable, but that offer the support needed for the quick lateral movements and pivots that pickleball requires. I also considered durability and price point. I tried to include shoes available in many sizes. I looked for shoes that come in different widths, and also looked for features like breathability and roomy toe boxes to ensure athletes stay comfortable on the court.
“I always tell people the best shoe to wear on the court is a pickleball-specific shoe,” says McGuffin. It’s important that your shoes can accommodate quick movements, are supportive and lightweight, offer plenty of room in the toe box, and above all else, are comfortable.”
McGuffin explains there are key differences between tennis shoes and pickleball shoes for women and men. “Tennis shoes are generally heavier in weight and designed for lateral movements, while pickleball shoes cater to both lateral and forward movements,” he says. “Pickleball is more stop and go with quick movements.”
Pickleball shoes often cost around $100, but you can find quality shoes available for less. For example, the FitVille Wide Pickleball Shoes for Men start at $70.
The lifespan of a shoe will depend on how often you play, how you care for it, and whether you wear it beyond the pickleball court. “For me, being a professional pickleball player, I use and abuse my shoes way more than most,” McGuffin explains. He notes that he typically gets about six months of wear out of a pair of Skechers pickleball shoes.
Pop-Moldovan explains that shoes for racquet sports aren’t suitable for some activities, like running. “It would be possible to train or work out in racquet sports shoes, but that would also depend on the type of workout,” he says. “The key issue would be the stability and support of the shoe. Heavy weight lifting requires a very stable and supportive shoe, maybe needing more support than the typical racquet sports shoe. It is better to leave the racquet sports shoes for use in just those sports.” If you plan on cross-training in other sports, consider getting a quality pair of running shoes for men to minimize the wear on your pickleball shoes.
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